Business cards are not just for business! Whether you're a volunteer, homemaker, avid hobbyist, or home business owner, a business card is a wonderful everyday tool to help you get noticed, be remembered and exchange information. It saves time (remember the last time it took you five minutes to explain how to spell your name or e-mail address?) and tells a little bit about you while it shares your important information. In days gone by, you had to endure a print shop with its long waits and high prices. But now, all you need is a home computer and color printer to produce great looking cards from home.
Your business card should contain all of your important contact information -- everything from your name to your Web site address. While you can always be creative, make sure all your information stays readable. Avoid funky fonts that are hard to read. Those might be great for your name, but not for important data like your phone number. Your name (or the name of your organization) is generally printed larger than the rest of the information. You can also set it apart by using a different font or style. Just make sure it can be read. And double-check all of your important information - a business card with the wrong information is worse than no card at all!
As you can see here, you don't need a lot of text to get your message across. If you have a lot to say, don't forget about the back side of the card. Many designs will allow you to use that space as well, effectively doubling the size of your personal billboard. Need a place to put a map or inspirational quote? Now you have the space.
As you choose fonts or make decisions about templates, keep your overall intentions in mind. If a formal, business-like effect is what you're after, choose a serif font like Times Roman, Palatino, or Bookman. For a bolder look, you'll want a sans serif font like Arial, Verdana, or Gill Sans.
A business card is more than a phone number -- it's an introduction. And as you can see below, cards can be used for more than just phone numbers. HP supplies and templates makes the process easier than ever -- you get to combine your great ideas with innovative technology. You'll finally get the results you want -- as well as new cards any time you need them!
When used properly, images and illustrations are a superb way to help your business card shine. If you have a logo, it's time to put it to use. If not, how about a picture of yourself? Or perhaps some artwork that tells a little about you?
When choosing an image to use, make sure it reproduces well in a small space. You may have to try several to find the one that looks the best after being resized. Contrast is important -- sharp lines and large shapes often do best when reduced.
If you are using a photo, use one with a white or light-colored background. That helps draw the eye to the focal point of the photo (whether it's you, a rose bush, or a newborn baby).
Tip: The Microsoft Office Clip Art and Media page offers a wide range of free clip art; you can also open up these templates from within a Word document by clicking Insert > Picture > Clip Art. The Microsoft site also offers free business card templates for Microsoft Word and Microsoft Publisher.
Color business cards used to cost a small fortune, but no more. You can use color in your logo, text, and illustrations. Add all that to a colored background and you've got plenty of opportunities to be colorful.
But approach color carefully. Use it well and it makes your card unforgettable. Use too much color (or use it poorly) and it makes the same card a real mess. Coordinate the color of your text, images, background and stock. If the background is bright, you may want to use less color elsewhere. They should complement each other, not fight for attention.
This card shows how choosing colors that are close to each other on the color wheel creates a soothing, yet distinctive effect.
The right paper ensures that the final result will be as remarkable as the design itself. Specialty HP papers make sure your cards are always crisp and bright. You've worked hard on your ideas, so why settle for just any paper? HP Brochure and Flyer paper is a great choice for exceptional print quality. To see HP's full selection, be sure to explore our paper store.
If you want your cards to have a little more weight, use a heavier paper stock. It can make a tremendous difference. And colored paper works well too. Whatever paper you choose, make sure you do some test printing on normal paper. Make any needed edits or corrects before moving on to your specialty paper.
To make it easy for you to quickly generate great-looking business cards, HP has designed a series of free templates. They are easy to use, customizable, and designed to work well with specialty HP papers and printers.
The HP Activity Center hosts a wide range of creative printing projects; make sure to visit the Home Office & business templates section to explore the business card templates, like the example shown. The selection is always changing, so check back frequently for new ideas. They're ready to help make your great ideas a reality.
If you are looking for printer, consider a versatile HP All-in-One that copies, scans and faxes in addition to delivering great prints. Or see the HP Printer Buying Guide to learn how to pick the best printer for your needs.
Now that you know how to print your own envelopes, learn how to Design and print customized flyers to add a personal or professional touch to your upcoming events.
For tips on creating an efficient and productive home office, check out HP’s Home office ideas.
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