One of the biggest steps a new entreprenuer can take is choosing a business card design. It is vitally important to give careful time and attention to this matter. Remember, your card is like a handshake that doesn't go away. If it is weak and wimpy,  it will either be lost in a pile of others  just like it or tossed in a trash can.

     There are some very basic considerations to be made when choosing your business card design; the first and most important of which is choosing a design  professional  who can do more than just the job.  Any one can learn the technical aspects of Adobe Illustrator or a similar program. An Artist may be able to create some truly incredible designs for you, but may not be experienced enough to finesse them into a clean, print ready template. What you need is a nice combination of the two, a graphic designer who is well versed in the computer program  who posesses the creative edge to compose a great design.

      Ask to see examples before you pay someone for the work. You will know right away whether or not this is the designer for you. If a designer relies heavily on what we call the 'plunk-plunk' formula of tired little icons and dull font choices, keep looking, unless this is what you want. You may also notice that the use of space on the card seems slightly wrong to your eyes or that the color choices are not your cup of tea. What you will be most satisfied with is a graphic designer who has work to show you, both on the computer and in actual printed copy. This is the sign of someone who has brought the process all the way from consultation to a satisfied customer.

     Consider asking your graphics pro to design a corporate identity package. This is a process that starts with the development of a logo (your professional identity) and leads to business card designs, letterhead, brochures and even signage or print ads. You may not currently need all of these items, but with a good logo, you can easily add the rest later. The value of this is that you have one designer for all of these things, giving your business a consistent, professional look. I can also add that it is a nightmare for a second designer to come along later and try to replicate someone else's work. Since graphic designers work at an hourly rate, and picking up on someone else's work can be time-consuming, it's far more cost effective to get it all done correctly the first time.

     Know at the first consultation the information that you MUST HAVE on your card;
1. Your business name and what you do should be more prominent than your own name.
2. Your phone number should be much more prominent than your address; people almost always     contact by phone FIRST rather than in person.
3. If you don't want to be reached at home or on your cell phone, DON'T list those numbers! While it's great to be busy, it's AWFUL to be hounded anytime day or night!
4. If you never check your e-mail or update your website, DON'T list them on your card! Not answering e-mails because you have a faulty site or server can be a source of frustration for your customer!

     While you may have a thousand good ideas or one great one that you feel totally married to, you are hiring someone to use their creative judgment. Feed your graphics pro a few ideas and then turn him loose to work. Chances are he or she will come back to you with two or three amazing concepts that you love, even though they may not be anything like what you envisioned. Keep an open mind, and always try to be just a little cutting edge when you choose your design. The design process can take time and may involve revisions; don't expect your designer to read your mind! Speak up and communicate what you want or need!

     Consider these possibilities
1. Using a vertical format for your cards instead of the traditional horizontal one.
2. Embossing or raising your lettering
3. Choosing a textured paper.
     All of these are attention getters!
~These are examples of our vertical format business cards, with specifics deleted for use on this page.

     It is also best to allow your designer to choose the printing company that you use. We rely on a small shop about an hour away because the owner is conscientious about getting the job done, affordable for even the smallest businesses and knowledgeable about the program we use. We know that if we hand our printer Calvin a disk on Monday, he'll open the file right away before we leave and discuss any discrepancies or gray areas. By Tuesday he'll call us to confirm that the job is running on schedule and by Friday we'll hand a box of fresh, perfect business cards to a happy client. Your uncle's third cousin's daughter's husband might get you a break on the price, but that doesn't mean that you will necessarily have a great experience. Nine times in ten, it will mean getting the job done twice--at your expense.

     MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL PROOFREAD Your design before it goes to the printer, and then again when you get your cards. Don't just glance over them; get someone else to look at them also. Mistakes can be a professional embarassment!

     Color choice is a huge determinate for the look of your business card. Your designer will ask you from the beginning how many colors you want to use in your design. Be careful! The more diverse your color pallette, the more expensive your print job can be. Beware also when you see offers for inexpensive digital printing. What you usually get will no doubt be cheap, but it will also look cheap. We rely on a Pantone Guide, a color swatch book for printers ink that is a graphics universal. Using the Pantone Color Formula Guide  is the surest way to get EXACTLY  the ink color that you ask for, so that your reds don't end up being kind of pinky. When your design is complete,  your  graphics pro can submit it on disk to the  printer with a list of Pantone shades. If your cards are printed and they just don't look right, the finished card can be compared to the Pantone Guide to see who made the faulty choice, you, your designer or the print shop!

     Background can also effect the look of your design. There are literally hundreds of color choices for the card stock. Your designer and your printer will communicate about the best paper weight, color and texture of cardstock to fit your design and your budget.

     Remember to carry your card wherever you go; include it with all correspondences and completed work! it is your 'foot in the door'! Display it wherever appropriate!