How2Day: The Four Major Parts of Business Card Designing

Create a unique business card to grab the attention of others. Monkey Business Images Ltd/Valueline/Getty Images
Your business card is a way to convey information about yourself and your company to prospective clients and customers. Business cards are invaluable marketing tools that are easy to take on the go and distribute. According to "Entrepreneur" magazine, business cards may be small in size, but, when designed effectively, have the potential to bring in a lot of business.

The layout of a business card is how the card is designed spatially and where information is placed. A visually stimulating card is a memorable one, but cards that are too cluttered distract from the information they contain.

Decide whether the card should be formatted vertically or horizontally. Traditional business cards are laid out horizontally, but this is not a requirement. It's also possible to use the front and back of the card. Decide what information to include, then where to place it. For instance, your name and the name of the company might be in the center of the card as the focal point, with contact information on the back.

Don't be afraid to be creative with fonts and colors, but avoid fonts that are difficult to read. Curly, bubbly fonts might look nice, but if the recipient of the card cannot decipher what it says, the card is not effective. In addition, fonts should be at a comfortable reading size. If others find the font illegible, chances are they will throw the card away.

According to Inc.com, one way to make a business card stand out from the rest is to use atypical materials. Business cards do not have to be made from the standard paper stock. Some companies offer cards in cloth, linen, bamboo, plastic and metal.

The finish of a business card refers to whether the card is glossy, matte, semi-glossy or textured. Glossy cards feel smooth and shiny; while matte cards can be made to feel silky. Cards with an unusual tactile feel leave a stronger imprint, according to Inc.com.

Standard business cards measure 3 1/2 inches by 2 inches. If you choose to design a larger card, be sure the size is still practical. Business cards should fit comfortably in a wallet or business card holder. Cards that are too large will not fit well and might be tossed out or set someplace else and forgotten about.

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