Whenever you are printing business cards, you need to make sure that all necessary information is filled out and that the design of the cards is properly formatted. Check out this pre-checklist to ensure your business cards are error-free and professional:
- Contact Information:
- Double-check your name, job title, and company name for accuracy.
- Verify your phone number and include a professional email address.
- Ensure your physical address is correct, if applicable.
- Consider including your website and relevant social media profiles.
- Design elements:
- Check the design layout for symmetry and visual appeal.
- Make sure your logo, if included, is high-resolution and positioned correctly.
- Ensure fonts are easy to read and appropriately sized.
- Verify the color scheme for consistency and brand alignment.
- Keep the design clutter-free and uncluttered.
- Size and bleeding:
- Ensure the card size is correct, typically 3.5 x 2 inches (standard U.S. size).
- If you’re using background images or colors that bleed to the edge, make sure they extend beyond the card’s edge to avoid white borders when cutting.
- Paper and finish:
- Choose the right paper stock (thickness) for your business cards.
- Select the desired finish, such as matte, gloss, or uncoated.
- Verify that the paper and finish choices align with your brand image.
- Content alignment:
- Make sure all text and graphics are properly centered and aligned.
- Check for consistent margins and spacing around the edges.
- Proofreading:
- Carefully proofread all text for spelling and grammatical errors.
- Confirm that the contact details are accurate and up to date.
- Contact Information Consistency:
- Ensure that the contact details match your other marketing materials and online presence for consistency.
- QR Codes (if applicable):
- If using a QR code, test it with a QR code reader to make sure it leads to the intended webpage or information.
- Printing specifications:
- Verify the printer’s specifications for file format (usually PDF), resolution (usually 300 DPI), and color mode (CMYK for printing).
- Safe area:
- Ensure that all essential information is within a safe area, typically 1/8 inch from the card’s edges, to avoid cutting off relevant details.
- Borders (if applicable):
- Be cautious with border designs close to card edges, as cutting variations could uneven them.
- Quantity:
- Determine the number of business cards you need and order enough.
- Double-Check Before Printing:
- Review your design and information one last time to ensure everything is correct.
Then, once you have confirmed all of these points, you can go ahead and print your business cards with the confidence that they will effectively represent your brand.