Who can read your card?
I was busy entering business cards into a database for a client this week but a few of the business cards were so difficult to read. Red writing on a green background, fonts that were smaller than 6pt, and difficult scripts. Do people actually check what their cards are going to look like before they get printed? Or do they realise the mistake after they’ve taken receipt of them from the printer?
If you want people to be able to read your business card without a magnifying glass or someone to interpret for them, then you really should take care in the design and presentation of them. And if you’re a graphic designer, then all the more care should be taken. I’ve seen a few that would turn me off a graphic designer’s ability to do what I’d like them to do – simply through viewing their business card. Your card is your ambassador in your absence – make it work for you!
Every business card I had when I was in Corporate America had such little writing, I had to strain to read it myself. The biggest thing on the card was the Company logo. I thought that was the norm when I had my own cards made. But later, I learned that’s not the case. Your business card is your signature card and should be readable–especially for the my target market. Fonts, design and colors–they all matter.
Oftentimes your business card is your store front and the face of your business. It needs to contain the neccessary info in a clear, easy to read font, and it should also let the person know exactly what it is that you do.
Yes, a business card should do its job. If your contact info is hard to read, hurts the eyes, etc. it will not be an effective ambassador for your business. I love the creative ones which are also legible.
Kathie, I’ve seen this too, especially in real estate where they are required to have so many industry-related logos, in addition to the company logo, on the business card.
No room for creativity, let alone legibility!
The agents are then required to have their design “approved” by the broker…well do you think the broker will bring to the agent’s attention the fact that their contact info is too tiny to be read by the naked eye? Bet not…
I also recommend to those that wish to use weird fonts and wild colors please place basic text of your contact info on the backside of the card for us folks that like to leave our magnifying glasses in our desks. Thank you…leaving soap box for now…
Make sure it also tells what you do. My old HelmsBriscoe business cards were beautifully designed and easy to read. The only problem was if you didn’t know what HB did, you wouldn’t get a clue from the card!