When a client asks us about business card design, usually they want the whole nine yards; foil, special textured coating, fancy paper, die cut shape, some kind of an over the top creative graphic. Usually, they want a card that says “this is a luxurious item from a luxurious company that provides luxurious services that justify luxurious price tags”. This is a service we are more than capable of providing; and in fact we are more than happy to proudly display our collection of card and other printed material designs. We love working on a design like that, with the team bouncing ideas around, sharing different concepts and versions; it’s an exciting and creative process that is precisely the reason many of us got into this field.
The other day, a client came in with request for a simple business card: black on white, just a plain matte coating, with print on one side only. He can afford a luxurious card, he chooses not to get it. Money is no issue, it hasn’t been with his other requests with us. He says “I always order cards with one side blank, so that I, or whomever I give this card to, can write on it”.
It seems like such a simple thing, but by having a simple card with one blank side, he can actually leave a much stronger impression by letting his new contact make notes to associate the card with a service or need, or by leaving a note himself. It’s very easy to get caught up in the materials and technology, and want to create the best looking card possible; but it’s also possible to achieve better results with less. Old methods, simple designs, unassuming materials; if they are the best tool for the job, this is a tool we recommend our clients use.
