Whether you’re a small company, midsize venture, or large corporation, high-quality business cards are an essential tool to promote professional networking and reinforce brand identity. In today’s digital world, when customers are almost constantly bombarded with advertising, a physical, printed business card can serve as a valuable networking tool, set your company apart from the competition, and leave a lasting impression on potential clients and partners.
However, not all business cards are created equal. Follow these tips to choose high-quality printed business cards and make a splash with your prospective clients.
Commit to Quality
Effective business cards should be long-lasting professional networking tools that feel as good as they look. Cards can be printed on several types of material—including card stock, plastic, or metal—and come in different thickness.
Each card stock is assigned a number—the higher the number, the thicker, stiffer, and more durable the cards will be. While the standard for business cards is a 14pt or 16pt stock, if you need particularly sturdy cards that can withstand a lot of wear and tear, you’ll want to consider 18pt or higher. If you’re looking for a more affordable option to attach to other marketing materials or display for professional networking, you may want a lighter stock.
Business cards can also be etched or burned into metal or wood stock, though those options tend to be more expensive. However, if you’re willing to spend the money, these cards can be more striking, elegant, and high-impact than standard card stock.
When designing your cards, consider which materials and thickness best reflect your brand identity and the environment the cards will be used in.
Consider Color and Crispness
Because business cards are often the first interaction people have with your brand identity, they need to accurately reflect your business branding and colors. High-quality business card printing delivers vibrant colors, sharp details, and crisp photography to help tell your brand’s story while remaining consistent and manufacturable.
If your company uses an intricate design with detailed illustrations or border work, top-grade business card printing companies like FaceTime Business Resources create cards with sharp lines, clear images, and consistent edge trimming—so you can focus on making an impact on clients.
Focus on the Finish
Business cards come in different finishes, the most common of which include uncoated paper, matte, and gloss.
Uncoated Paper
Uncoated paper is exceptionally affordable and has a natural, minimalist look. They are easy to write on, which makes them especially useful for professionals who want to write personalized notes to clients when they hand out their card. Because uncoated paper has no external protection, it’s not as durable as matte or gloss paper.
Matte Paper
Matte business cards appear flat, with no shine. Matte cards are more durable than uncoated paper and more readable than gloss paper, making them ideal networking tools for companies with a simple design that need to communicate critical information quickly.
Gloss Paper
Finally, gloss paper offers vibrant colors and a shiny finish, which can help make a positive first impression during professional networking—sometimes before potential clients even read the card. Gloss paper is as durable as matte, but its shine makes it less suited to simple, information-laden designs and more useful for complex, visually centered cards.
Once you’ve decided on your finish, consider additional details that can make your business cards stand out at a convention or professional networking event. Embossing, for example, is a special flourish that can add a stylish 3D effect, while foil stamping can offer stunning metallic accents.
Create Effective Networking Tools with FaceTime Business Resources
Well-designed business cards can be memorable and engaging professional networking tools that create and reinforce your business’ brand identity. At FaceTime Business Resources, we specialize in high-quality business card printing, print collateral, and promotional products. Whether you work with our talented creative team or provide us with your own ready-to-print files, FaceTime Business Resources will deliver top-notch results that reflect your company’s brand identity, commitment to quality, and professionalism.
Contact us today to learn more about our high-quality business card printing options!