Business Cards

This is an initial business card I created based on the banner design for my blog which was made from a pattern created for my image book, but I have continued to edit it with small changes.

Here you can see some business card ideas from last year. 

Favourite Design:

Feedback:

- The font size is too small, needs to be pt size 8 to be readable

- Pattern works well

- Good font choice

- Create a more professional email address

- Think about what you can put on the back

Here is the new business card after my feedback:

More Feedback: (From John)

- Don't put a link to the course blog

- Put a link to tumblr website instead

- Include mobile phone number

- Suggests you are a pattern designer

- Keep the back blank for writing notes to give to someone or if they have it and want to write notes about you

- Be careful the text doesn't get too close to the edge

- Make sure the claudia griffin title will work in b&w in case it gets photocopied, faxed etc...

Here is the updated business card:

I spent ages altering the kerning size and the pt size as I wanted to make sure the text was in line with the pattern, it was also hard as there was more information to add on with my phone number.

Where will I print it?

Tried printing it on moo.com and the blend mode didn't work for some reason, and I also realised that some of the design was outside the safe area! So again I had to spend ages playing around, and worked out that the image would work with the blend mode when it was saved as a PNG but not as a PDF. 

After many attempts of uploading the image, I finally got it so the important information was in the safe area and so everything was aligned. 

Here is the print proof you get from moo, which I thought was helpful. I printed this off and cut out the template to check everything was right.

I have ordered them on green paper as its environmentally friendly and easier to write on, and I have added a blue background just to test out what it will look like. I want to make sure it is easy to write on the back and that the text can be seen, as this is something John pointed out to me that people like to do. If the blue doesn't look right when my samples arrive, I will just keep it blank.

Here I have just printed out the proof as an example, and tried writing on the back to see if it shows up. I'm a bit unsure whether the blue is a bit overpowering or not!

I've ordered a luxe paper sample kit from moo, to help me to decide whether to order my business cards with a finishing effect when it comes to bulk ordering a quantity. I decided just to play about with a few tools of my own to see what these subtle touches could look like, from embossing, to foiling to die cutting. To decide whether or not I will add an effect to my business card, I'll wait to see what the sample pack is like, then work out whether it would be worth it with the additional costs and if the design actually needs it. I'm excited to get my business cards so I can start sending them out!

Samples from Moo

Normal business card sample kit

Luxe business card sample kit

Here are my ten free samples. 

Digitally Printed

I was a bit stuck about whether to have the background with the blue drop colour on it, or to keep it white. After experimenting with printing both out, I have decided to keep the background white, as it seems to make more sense as the front has a white back ground. It will also make it easier to write on. For now, I have decided to print my business cards in digital print, on white card, as while it means cutting them all out, it is a lot cheaper.