Business Cards - the best of the best ?

[Davidw]

Hi everyone

As there are various questions about business cards I thought I'd start a thread where people can add their opinions about what makes the best business card.

Perhaps you'd like to put on a pic of a favourite business card - or your own business card.

This site is one of my favourites Business Card Design Inspiration

These letterpress and foil printed cards are very popular with designers - the design/typography tends to be minimal/sophisticated and the actual choice of card stock and thickness plays a big part.

What are your thoughts on the thick debossed letterpress cards ?

Regards - David

[Kie@ownbeat]

There's some good stuff there, I really love the look of foil on a nice thick matte card, looks so classy.

We recently got our cards done by Phil at Foil Printed/Stamped Business Cards, Gold Blocked Business Cards and General Hot Foil Printing/Stamping

I'd highly recommend them, great value and a personal service. His portfolio sows some of the work he's done recently.

Cheers,

Kie

[Katedesign]

When you consider that your card has to represent you when you're not there...
it has to look professional;
your name has to be easy to find/read;
your contact details have to be easy to find/read;
and it must say what you actually do.

Quality will help to make you look professional.

[Kie@ownbeat]

When you consider that your card has to represent you when you're not there...
it has to look professional;
your name has to be easy to find/read;
your contact details have to be easy to find/read;
and it must say what you actually do.

Quality will help to make you look professional.

Very true, you see so many business cards that are missing key details or just look plain cheap. I think for the sake of 50 quid it pays to at least upgrade your card to a nice thick gsm.

For creatives in particular, the business card is almost an extension of your portfolio and can speak volumes about your ability to communicate visually.

[Minuteman Press]

I always detest the unnecessary elements of the text

E.g.
Tel:
Fax:
Email:
Web:

When it's self evident what the info that follows is.

Also number format - I like the 4/3/4 phone number format.

[CheapLeaflets]

Ah yes, the unnecessary Web - what else starts with www, and even that is stating the obvious sometimes. Although I am a stickler for the 3/4/4 format as 020 is the code - former BT employee you see:)

[Katedesign]

Depends on the phone number doesn't it? 020 XXXX XXXX in London, but 01206 XXX XXX in Colchester for example... where the STD code doesn't have to be dialled locally.

[Paul Murray]

Manchester has 0161 XXX XXXX

My girlfriend who's originally from Surrey says the numbers as 0161X XXXXXX

Back on topic. Personally, I like cards that are clever, and engage with the person holding it. Not everyone wants (or suits) a gimmicky card though, and although I can appreciate a nice looking card, I prefer those with an idea behind them.

Todd Motto recently posted about how people have said his cards aren't 'creative enough' for his line of work...

For a designer, that isn’t creative enough | Todd Motto

As designer we obviously appreciate the time, effort and thought gone into them, but you can see why a typographic approach to a business card can look easy and boring to the untrained eye.

[Katedesign]

I confess my cards are very simple - but get the information over. Just 2 colour logo and type. I was thinking about putting pictures of sweets on the reverse (the name is designsweet) but I don't want to confuse people until my 'brand' is better established...

[Footprint]

Fiverrs cardboard look business card looks really smart.

Business Card Of The Month: April 2010 - Business Card Design Inspiration | Card Nerd