Category: Business Cards

Minimize Your Environmental Impact with Eco-Friendly Kraft Business Cards

Are you considering having kraft business cards printed out? Whether you’re a freelancer or an employee of a huge corporation, you need to be aware of the environmental footprint that you are leaving as you go about your business. With recycled business cards, you can do your share in helping minimize your carbon footprint – while also enjoying numerous benefits for your business.

If you decide to take the eco-friendly path in printing out business cards, not only are you being a responsible business owner – but you can also use ‘going green’ as part of your community outreach. The more eco-friendly your day-to-day operations are, the more that people will appreciate your business. It’s also quite cheaper to produce eco-friendly cards because they are made from recycled material. In terms of design, the earthy look of the thick paper will look great against straightforward fonts and cute black-and-white illustrations.

With kraft business cards, there are many sizes to choose from. You can go with the standard US size which is 2” x 3.5”. European size is slightly larger, measuring 2.125” x 3.375”. There are also square and skinny business cards which measure 2.5” x 2.5” and 1.75” x 3.5”, respectively.

 

Because of the recycled material used, it is good to go with a thicker paper stock – the usual is 18-pt. paper. The earthy brown surface of kraft business cards with visible fibers can be printed using white or black ink. Design-wise, you can be as creative as you want with these cards and customers will surely appreciate the work behind crafting these eco-friendly business cards.

 

When looking for a printing company, make sure that they will give you the option of using recycled brown paper. More than just being a good representation of your brand, the fact that these kraft business cards are eco-friendly can be your main selling point.

Let Us Help You Decide on the Material & Finish when Ordering the Best Business Cards

The best business cards may only contain your company name, logo, and contact information – but they are an important representation of what you are all about as a brand. If you will distribute business cards with barely-there print on thin, cardboard material in a plain beige color – do you think that customers will think highly of you? Perhaps not. If you will launch a full-fledged print promotional campaign, you really need to focus on coming up with the best business cards so that your brand can leave a good mark of your brand in the minds of your target audience.

Fortunately, there are many professional printing companies that specialize in business cards. Before contacting one, you need to come up with a business card design. If you don’t already have a logo, have one created for your business. Then, decide which pieces of your contact information must be included on the card. Layout the design, decide on the colors, and make sure that the overall look of the card is a good reflection of your brand.

In terms of material and finish, here are a couple of options that you can choose from:

• Option 1: Paper or plastic?

Paper is the most common material for business cards. You can choose from the standard 14-pt. to something as thick as 32-pt. paper stock. The thicker the card is, the more impressed your customers will be. There are also different laminating effects available for paper business cards, making it a popular option for entrepreneurs and professionals. But if you want to stand out, you can also have plastic business cards made. These are usually made from 20-pt. plastic which has 63% the thickness of a credit card.

• Option 2: Material finish

Next, decide on the finish of the material. For plastic business cards, you can go for see through, frosted plastic, or white plastic. For paper business cards, there are a multitude of options: suede, cotton, brown kraft, silk, premium, pearl, foil stamped, or metallic ink.

The US standard size for business cards is 3.5” x 2”. There is very little space so make sure to maximize it. Pay attention to the smallest details because a typo or a non-sharp image will painfully stand out. By keeping these things in mind, you can have the best-looking business cards printed out for your brand.

When & Why You Should Go for Ultra-Thick Business Cards

Although you can always choose something inexpensive like thin linen carboard, why not go the extra mile and opt for ultra thick business cards instead? If you’re handing over the business card to a prospective customer, he or she will think more highly of the quality of your product or service compared to, say, a beige business card in plain print. The thicker the material and the sharper the print, the better. The good news is that there are many offset printing companies that can make these ultra thick business cards for you without charging an astronomical fee for it. Just make sure to choose one with plenty of experience in the field, the right printing equipment, and offers good customer service.

Choose from Any of these Ultra-Thick Business Cards 

When having professional business cards printed out, you can take your pick from these paper stocks:

– 14-pt.

– 16-pt.

– 17-pt.

– 18-pt.

– 19-pt.

– 20-pt.

– 22-pt.

– 32-pt.

The thinnest is 12-pt. paper stock, but the standard is 14-pt. All the others can have a thickness that’s comparable to credit cards and as mentioned earlier – the thicker the material, the better. If you want to go all out and choose the thickest paper stock, here are the finishes that you can choose from:

1. Uncoated 32-pt. business cards

This ultra-thick business card has clean lines and an uncluttered, non-shiny look. It’s best for those who want a straightforward but still impressive business card.

2. Gold foil stamped 32-pt. business cards

If you want something with a bit more flair, go for a super thick business card with an uncoated surface. Depending on the design, the letters or the logo can be topped with chrome gold for that extra oomph!

3. Painted edge 32-pt. business cards

Finally, you can go for super thick business cards with a painted edge. Because of the thickness of the material, the color on the edges will make your business card stand out. Choose from 16 colors like red, blue, yellow, orange, purple, green, pink, and a few other hues.

With ultra-thick business cards, you can make your brand easily stand out!

Luxuriate in the Fabric-Like Feel of Suede Business Cards

One of the best ways to impress customers, clients, suppliers, and anyone you are transacting with is to present suede business cards to them. These thick business cards are laminated in such a way that the paper feels like suede fabric. Thick, luxurious to the touch, with an amazing texture, people will think very highly of your brand when you hand over these cards. This is especially true if you match the suede material with razor-sharp, professional-looking print and an excellent design. One of the best ways to impress customers, clients, suppliers, and anyone you are transacting with is to present suede business cards to them. These thick business cards are laminated in such a way that the paper feels like suede fabric. Thick, luxurious to the touch, with an amazing texture, people will think very highly of your brand when you hand over these cards. This is especially true if you match the suede material with razor-sharp, professional-looking print and an excellent design.

Just like when ordering silk, linen, or cotton cards, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind when having suede business cards made:

• Which size should I go for?

The standard US size is 2” x 3.5”. A slightly larger version is the European size which measures 2.125” x 3.375”, while there are also square business cards that measure 2.5” on all four sides.

• Which type of finish goes well with my business card design?

If you’re going for a muted design, choose the ultra-soft touch matte suede finish. This has a matte, non-shiny surface that will ooze sophistication because of the suede, fabric-like finish. On the other hand, if you do want the glitter and shine, choose the raised spot UV gloss suede finish. This looks great against a black or white background, because certain parts of the card can be topped with chrome gold foil. A similar effect is made with the raised foil stamped suede effect which has a wider color palette to choose from: orange, blue, red, yellow, green, pink, or purple.

• Should I go for special features?

When you order business cards online with a suede finish, the paper stock is usually 19-pt. laminate. This has 60% the thickness of a credit card, making it really durable. If you want your card to stand out, you can opt for a unique feature like a rounded corner. You can also change the orientation so instead of landscape, the card will have vertical or portrait orientation. Just make sure to adjust the design accordingly.

True enough, suede business cards are an ultra-luxurious option that will leave your customers equating the high-quality material with the quality of the products or services that you offer.

Dos & Don’ts when Creating the Content for Personal Business Cards

 

If you think that you should include all your contact information for business card printing, think again. Unlike postcards, rack cards, flyers, and brochures, you have very limited space on the surface of a 3.5” x 2” business card. If you will include everything – even what’s unnecessary for your business, the card will look overcrowded and off-putting. Here, we have put together a list of some dos and don’ts when creating the content for personal business cards.

Do:

• Know what you are representing. If you are an employee of an IT company, for example, make sure to include the business name, official logo, and your job position. If you are a real estate agent working independently, highlight your name and profession – one example is Joe W. Brown, Real Estate Agent. If you’re a freelance interior or graphic designer, your name and profession should be highlighted as well.

• Make sure that the design reflects your brand’s image. Designers should have a creative business card, while lawyers may opt for a more formal design. When creating the overall look of your business card, pay attention to even the smallest details because of the very small space that you have. Coordinate the design with the font, colors, logo, material, paper stock, and finish.

Don’t:

• Include all your contact information. When deciding on the content of your personal business cards, you might think that it’s okay to include all your contact information – but you will end up overcrowding the card. If you’re running an online store, there is no need for you to include an office address or telephone number. If you’re an employee, do not include your personal mobile number and you may want to indicate the hours when you are available for calls.

• Skip your digital information. Lastly, do not skip your digital information. Business cards may be an old school print promotional material, but you can still modernize it by including your social media account information – especially if your audience is on the younger age range. Include your website, email address, Facebook and Twitter names, Instagram handle, etc. You can even include a QR code which users can scan so that they can be lead to your website.

With these tips in mind, you can come up with a concise, up-to-date, and accurate content for your business card without overcrowding the limited space that you have.

More than Just Shiny: The Unique Qualities of Gold Foil Business Cards

If you’d like to combine shine with substance, gold foil business cards is the way to go. As a business owner, your goal is to make a good first impression, have people remember your brand name, and for you to make a great impact overall. These are things that can be achieved by launching a marketing campaign which does not necessarily have to be all-digital – print still works. This is especially true when it comes to distributing business cards. Even if your business is purely online, the fact that you’re still using business cards and handing it over to clients will make you stand out.

So why choose gold foil business cards? Just like plastic business cards and offset business cards, this is a type of premium business card so it immediately stands out in a stack of cardboard or linen. Metallic foil business cards are made using a foil stamping method. The effect is that a certain part of the card – it can be a name, logo, or photo – is colored gold, silver, or copper. When set against dark black or white background, the metallic color will shimmer under any lighting condition.

Because of the foil stamping method used, gold foil business cards must be made using silk 17-pt. paper. It has 60% the thickness of a credit card. So when you compare a thin linen business card with a  thick, gold-foil card – which one do you think will stand out?

Another extra feature that you can consider when having this type of business card made is applying a spot UV coating. This protects the print on the card from wearing out, even after prolonged sun exposure. Foil stamped cards are also resistant to tearing, creases, and it’s even water-resistant!

When having business cards made, you really should not scrimp. Instead, go all out and use a laminating effect like gold foil stamping. With such elegant, classy, shimmery cards, your business name or brand will be stamped on the mind of whoever is holding your business card. The fact that you exerted such an effort in having elegant business cards made will make them think highly of your brand, and make them want to do business with you. What more is there to ask for?

 

Gold Foil Business Cards Offer the Ultimate in Class & Durability

When making a presentation, meeting clients, or talking with potential business partners, your goal is to impress – and there’s no better way to do just that than by having gold foil business cards. Here, we will take a look at how this type of business card offers the ultimate in class and durability.

Why It Pays to Choose Foil Business Cards

Anything that’s made with gold or is colored gold is bound to leave a lasting impression. There’s just something about this precious material that exudes class and sophistication. If you want to set yourself apart from all other businesses, you really should go for metallic foil business cards, gold in particular.

Aside from being classy, the finish of gold foil business cards has a similar effect as plastic business cards. The unique material will make your brand stand out in a sea of cardboard business cards. Quality-wise, here are more reasons why you should go for gold foil business cards:

  • You can highlight a specific part of the design – a photo, your logo, your company name, or your name. When the gold foil area of the card is hit with sunlight, it will shine and glitter because of the gold color. This just screams class and quality so anybody who holds your business card is bound to remember your brand.
  • The gold foil used prior to the lamination process is made from a high-end material that’s very reflective, so it will shimmer in all lighting conditions. To make sure that the design of the card is not too busy, stick with a black or white color palette.
  • Gold foil business cards are usually printed on 17-pt. laminated paper stock. This lasts ten times longer than typical cardboard cards.
  • The gold foil mask file, when combined with the protective silk coating, is resistant to creases, wear, and tear.

Metallic foil, suede, luster, plastic, and offset business cards are examples of specialty cards that you must consider when having a set made for your business. As compared to beige, barely-there, cardboard-thin cards, something that’s more substantial – especially if printed with gold – will make people notice you and your brand.

 

Effective Ways to Utilize Spot UV Business Cards for Marketing Your Brand

Whichever industry your business is in, it is a must to include spot UV business cards as part of your print marketing campaign. With the proliferation of digital ad campaigns, printed materials will really set you apart. It’s something tangible that will leave a lasting impression to your customers. The good news is that there are many companies specializing in printing spot gloss business cards. You just need to find one that will give you high-quality offset prints, without charging you too much for the service.

Another thing that you need to consider when using business cards to market your brand is its design, overall look, and the material used. Remember that you have only a few seconds to leave a good first impression to your customers. When you hand over a thin, barely readable business card with your contact information in it, the person you have the card to might not even bother keeping it. On the other hand, when you carefully present a thick, impressive business card with a special coating like spot UV – it looks and feels really luxurious. The impression is that the attention and expense you put into having the card made will translate to the way that you conduct your business, and offer your products or services.

Now, when it comes to spreading the word about your brand with the use of business cards, it’s all about creatively presenting it to your existing and potential customers. When you print business cards, here are a few tips on how to effectively utilize them for marketing:

  • Liberally distribute your cards to existing and potential customers. When you’re meeting a supplier, for example, you can give him or her half to a dozen of your business cards and guess where those will end up? In the hands of people who are already connected to your business network. The only value of business cards is when they’re handed out, so don’t be stingy about it.
  • As a form of courtesy, also ask for the card of your business contacts when they do ask for yours. Networking is an important part of business, and exchanging cards is one of the most classic yet effective ways to give your brand a boost.
  • Design the card in such a way that there’s a place for someone to write a short note about you or your brand. You can leave the entire back part of the card blank, or only print on 50% of the back’s surface so that they can have something to write on.

Perhaps the most important thing to remember is to always follow up. What was your goal in distributing the card in the first place? If it’s to increase the orders in your food business, for example, you can make a quick call or send a casual email to your new business contact. If you gave it to a supplier for a potential business deal, don’t hesitate to place a phone call for a follow-up.

By knowing how to properly print and distribute business cards, you can use it as an excellent tool in spreading the word about your business.

 

Standard-Sized Spot UV Business Cards or Something Else? Know Which One will Work for Your Business

If you want your contact information to stand out in a stack of thin, cardboard cards, then you really need to think about having a set of spot UV business cards made. These can be ordered from printing companies that offer offset printing services. What’s the advantage of going for offset over digital printing? Take a quick look:

  • Offset printing delivers more professional-looking business cards and other printed promotional materials.
  • Offset printing uses state-of-the-art printing presses that can print out dozens or even hundreds of copies in a short period of time. As such, it’s the better option for bulk orders.
  • The print from offset printers last for a longer period of time as compared to digital prints.
  • With offset printing, you can come up with more printing or lamination effects. With spot UV business cards, for instance, high gloss is applied on a specific part of the card which could be the company logo. It leaves the rest of the surface flat and matte. When you run your fingers through the embossed, high-gloss parts of the card, it feels luxurious to the touch and looks really impressive.

 

Next, when it comes to size, should you go for standard or something that’s bigger or smaller? When you print spot gloss business cards, the standard size available is 3.5” x 2”. If you want to print business cards that really stand out, you can go for this standard size – but wit a portrait orientation on the design. This makes the card look upright, but it would still fit into a stack of other standard-sized cards.

 

However, if you really do want to veer off the standard size, you can have European-sized business cards especially made. This is a bit larger, measuring 2.125” x 3.375”. You can also go for square instead of a rectangular business card. These are available in 2” x 2” or 2.5” x 2.5” sizes. Slim business cards are also available, as well as mini-business cards and folded business cards you’re your business is creative in nature, then you can probably go for odd-sized business cards. But if you want to stick with the classic while still making your brand stand out, go for spot UV business cards which are made through offset printing.

 

Know How to Use Spot UV Business Cards as Membership Cards

If you ordered a set of standard-sized spot UV business cards, then you are already on the right path in advertising your brand. Business cards are an effective way of branding, and it can be part of your print marketing campaign. Let’s say that you just launched a business and you are in the process of gathering new clients. The cheapest way to advertise is to print business cards, letterheads, flyers, brochures, envelopes, and notepads. When you distribute notepads at a trade show, for example, make sure to also include business cards in it. The more people to get their hands into your printed promotional materials, the easier it will be to gain new customers and make your brand more well-known.

 

Now, how can you make sure that your business cards will leave a lasting first impression? By simply choosing a variant that’s as impactful as spot gloss business cards, you are well on your way towards making an excellent marketing statement. Your goal in printing out the cards in the first place is to leave a great first impression. If you hand over a thin, barely noticeable business card to a supplier, imagine how disappointing it must be to see such poor quality. Meanwhile, investing in a business card that’s made of thick grade paper, with luxurious printing effects like spot UV treatment – it will make an instantaneous impact.

 

Another thing to think about when you print business cards is its distribution. If you have a food business, for instance, you can include one business card in every takeout bag or delivery box. Simply putting your cards out there will give your business influx a good boost.

 

If you want, you can also turn your business cards into a discount coupon or a membership card. Using the previous example of running a food establishment, you can tell your customers that the business card will qualify them for a 10% discount when they order food to go or when dining in. You can also create a membership program where a specific group of customers will be entitled to freebies or discounts. Offering such benefits to your existing and potential clients will develop loyalty to your brand, increase your profit, and make your business grow significantly.