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Help with Business Card
Hi Everyone!
I hope I am posting this is in the right place.
I have designed the attached business card for my husband's business and would greatly appreciate help in fine tuning it to look its best.
I would like input as to
- which fonts should I use?
- should it be printed on colored card stock?
- glossy?
- metalic for the logo?
- etc.
I look forward to any feedback.
Thanks
Doby
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Re: Help with Business Card
Hi Doby,
Here's a first quick take on it.
Make the logo the main feature of the card - it's on your site and likely on your work vehicle/s. People will associate the logo with your business.
Also, try to repeat the company colours used on the site on the card (and stationary) as well. It adds consistency.
The thing I've learned over the years with business cards in particular, is that 'less is more'.. People don't want large amounts of reading material - they just need fast access to you.
Anyway - for what it's worth - here's my first edit to your idea. :)
Attachment 62527
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Re: Help with Business Card
Hi Doby,
I have left your card pretty much as is except for the logo, which I have simplified. The font I used is Helvetica Bold, converted to shapes in the .xar file, so you can use it if it's not on your system. I just duplicated it to give it a more solid feel and to keep to the 2 colours you have used. I felt it gave a more wooden feel to the text in line with your husband's business. I removed the two flourishes for the sake of simplicity and centred the text above and below the RVRS (also Helvetica Bold).
Saludos,
Bob.
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Re: Help with Business Card
Don't be shy Bob ;) please show a screenshot of your example - don't just supply the work ready done for Doby, you know the rules :D:D
Edit: Ah - there you go Bob, you edited your post as I was responding - http://www.talkgraphics.com/image.ph...ine=1241426305.
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Re: Help with Business Card
Steve, it occurred to me that doby is doing fine as it is. It is my considered opinion that doby is perfectly capable of doing what I have done, and it would be an insult to her intelligence to suggest otherwise.
It is merely a very slight tweak to the business card and not really even the slightest tweak to the forum rules in the same way that you are probably not even slightly tweaking the moderators' rules in this instance. ;)
Saludos,
Bob.
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Re: Help with Business Card
Dunno, but I am going to go with what Doby has posted.
It is clean and it is effective.
The important thing with this card is that it is not talking to designers, it is talking to people who are looking for renovation service.
Answers to your specific questions:
- which fonts should I use?
Something simple and readable. San serif works fine and is more contemporary. Try to keep your text the same size.
- should it be printed on colored card stock?
White is very clean. A light tan stock will also work for this line of business.
I prefer a dull, non-coated stock.
A hot foil stamp and/or an emboss for the logo will add a quality look and feel.
I do agree with Steve that the logo could be a bit bigger. It should be the first thing people see when they look at the card. And remember that people file cards away. So when they go rummaging through their card file, you want to be sure that your card pops out among the clutter.
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Re: Help with Business Card
Indeed,less is more
only provide the info needed,
here's my take on it
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Re: Help with Business Card
I would add an address to the card. There's nothing more frustrating than not knowing where people are located.
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Re: Help with Business Card
Go with Steve's design if you want and look at Gary's remarks but think foiled emboss logos are expensive. As a designer and renovator you might use colour to better effect.
When you ask this type of open question your are going to get open replies and so many different reactions. Refine your question to an area like "do you think that the colours used suit my business?" Or should I use full colour bleed to get more attention. I only give biz cards out to people that they or I have made contact with. I could think of a lot more questions that you could ask and I really want to be helpful here so have a think about your card paper, info, font, logo, colour, clients, double sided and even size. I f you go to the Xone there Gary has done so many on designs of cards and how to get them printed and here is one but there is more http://www.xaraxone.com/webxealot/workbook54/page_6.htm
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Re: Help with Business Card
I definitely prefer Steve's design (with some tweaking, e.g., the black on green is a bit hard to read). I agree with his point that using the same color scheme in all your marketing material increases the impact and retention of your publicity efforts. His design looks simple and suitable for such a company. I would replace the white with the background color that you use on the website, preferably using colored stock.
In principle I agree that a business card should be kept simple, but in this case I think that listing the company's many specialized renovation activities is important. A business card such as this one may very well be passed on to friends or family members and end up in a kitchen drawer for a while and then resurface. The business card is then able to tell the whole story in one flash.
I would use sturdy, heavy-weight, textured but uncoated stock that gives the card a feeling of quality and durability (commensurate with those of the company's services) and that can survive well in such places as a kitchen drawer. Perhaps that (parts of) the logo could be embossed.
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Re: Help with Business Card
I like Steve's design as well. Keeping the cards close to the same visual style as the website is a very professional move.
BTW, just wanted to comment... your husband does beautiful work
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Re: Help with Business Card
Thank You EVERYONE!
Your comments, suggestions and layouts are greatly appreciated. With all the helpfull info, I have 4 renditions of the card.
Your Votes are appreciated.
http://www.rvrs.ca/images/RVRS_BC.jpg
http://www.rvrs.ca/images/RVRS_BC1.jpg
http://www.rvrs.ca/images/RVRS_BC2.jpg
http://www.rvrs.ca/images/RVRS_BC3.jpg
Thanks again,
Doby
UPDATE:
Not sure why ones without green border at top aren't showing full size - just a newby here so be gentle - lol
UPDATE:
I've added a frame around them so they show full card
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Re: Help with Business Card
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Re: Help with Business Card
Here's another idea which echoes your website colours and theme a little more.
The main phone number is more prominent, just as your site - which is important for people to pick out quickly.
Attachment 62560
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Re: Help with Business Card
Quote:
Originally Posted by
geminiguy
I like Steve's design as well. Keeping the cards close to the same visual style as the website is a very professional move.
BTW, just wanted to comment... your husband does beautiful work
Thanks GeminiGuy.
Hubby is pretty good at what he does.
If only his son would learn - lol...
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Re: Help with Business Card
Quote:
Originally Posted by
sledger
Here's another idea which echoes your website colours and theme a little more.
The main phone number is more prominent, just as your site - which is important for people to pick out quickly.
Attachment 62560
Thank you.
Another great design.
Just wondering if it might be a tad busy?
But I must admit, the more I look at it, the more I like it.
(I envision with all those colors it would look good on a shiny card stock)
Definately like your picking up on the large phone number from the web site. This is why it is so great to have experienced & fresh eyes look at your project.
I've incorporated the large number into card No 2 as below
http://www.rvrs.ca/images/RVRS_BC5.jpg
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Re: Help with Business Card
Inspired by Sledger to use all 3 colors, here's another rendition.
http://www.rvrs.ca/images/RVRS_BC7.jpg
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Re: Help with Business Card
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Re: Help with Business Card
At home, we have quite a collection of business cards, some of them are quite clever others quite fancy but when I think about them, not one of them is that memorable because its like living with information overload with written media these days - we are saturated with it.
Repeating colours and easy to read seems to me to be the best!
Here's another version for you to have a look at. I've added a few things and shifted some of it around.
What I have done is take some of the principals from the business cards we have, and modified your one...hope you don't mind!
We found that if you limit the use of fonts and colours on the card, the printer will more than likely gets things right and the cost is kept to a minimum.
Plain card is much easier to write on the back of them....ect., people's names and addresses.
Another thing to think about is making use of the other side...we have done this with our own business cards and this has worked very well for us, as we are advertising two business on the one card with logos either side of the top of the card.
It's difficult to make your card stand out from the rest, so I put something quirky on the back of it! Ofcourse you could leave it plain.
Good luck with it! :D
From Michele
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Re: Help with Business Card
Thank you Michele for your vision for the card.
I've made another layout inspired by your suggestions.
http://www.rvrs.ca/images/RVRS_BC11a.jpg
http://www.rvrs.ca/images/RVRS_BC11b.jpg
I'ts going to be hard to decide...
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Re: Help with Business Card
This is also a very nice combo you've made here doby.
The photo on the reverse side is really nice - do you have a colour printer?
I would print this photo out and try writing on it in black and blue pen, as people often use the back for writing notes on.
Also try the following little experiment: click on your photo, then the transparency tool at the side. Then (at the top) choose 'flat' from the drop down box and this will turn your photo slightly white and 'faint' in colour - transparent in effect. You will find this easier to write over the top of if you choose this one.
Whenever I can't decide between things that I make, I send them to the staff and get the staff to decide which one they like out of the best of them...its a cop out I know, but when the majority pick their favourite they can't complain!
Michele
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Re: Help with Business Card
Steve's design looks better. I think the logo is really weak as far as a brand goes. By the looks of the work your husband does it's very good and the logo to me says back yarder, Not having a go at your design talent just the logo you have chosen.
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Re: Help with Business Card
Quote:
Originally Posted by
JaffDave
Steve's design looks better. I think the logo is really weak as far as a brand goes. By the looks of the work your husband does it's very good and the logo to me says back yarder, Not having a go at your design talent just the logo you have chosen.
Regardless of what you may think, and please do not take offence... I imagine this person probably liked what they made, I would have thought the object here is to closely match it (fine tuning it to look its best as doby says), not totally change their efforts of which they are proud of.
Enthusiasm is great...however it is a business card and I'm assuming the first...doesn't need to be BIG and FLASHY because the person/s handing the card around will sell the product with their personality, the card is only a reminder with details on it. They are more likely to remember the personality giving out the card not the other way around...Leaving a good personal impression in business is everything!
Therefore if this is a new business, this is a beginning and later down the track they may change the logo and the card altogether (as does often happens), to something they prefer...so if it appears back yardish, it matters not.
Michele
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Re: Help with Business Card
See what I mean. I bet you are totally at odds now which one you will go on.
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Re: Help with Business Card
And I add two more to the collection... :D
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Re: Help with Business Card
That's a pretty neat logo JaffDave - I wish I knew of this site when I was struggling to come up with something. I definately need assistance with design.
When I am ready to change it, I will post here and get some help.
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Re: Help with Business Card
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Boy
And I add two more to the collection... :D
Boy, I think you hit the nail on the head.
That seems to be the most logical choice as it best resembles the website.
I think this is the one and here's my recreation...
http://www.rvrs.ca/images/RVRS_BC15.jpg
With all these colors, should I use shiny or flat stock?
Thank you and "EVERYONE" for your input and great suggestions.
I now have to work on an ad that will go into our local community magazine.
This is a yearly magazine that has alot of local info in it (2010 games, garbage collection dates, etc.) and is usually kept around for the year.
It's a 2" x 4" space. It goes to 70,000 homes and local hospitals, restauranges etc. Newspaper ads don't work well for us (and are very expensive) but I do want to get in this mag as people seem to hang onto it.
I will do a few layouts and up them to get some feed back. Really looking forward to everyone's help.
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Re: Help with Business Card
Great choice, Doby! ;):D But seriously, I'm happy to have been of help.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
doby
With all these colors, should I use shiny or flat stock?
Look at my post earlier in this thread (last paragraph) for my suggestions regarding stock: http://www.talkgraphics.com/showpost...3&postcount=10
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Re: Help with Business Card
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Boy
Thanks for that. I will now read the posts for preparing for the printer.
Thanks again. Hope to see you (all) when I post for guidance with the ad layout...
Doby
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Re: Help with Business Card
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Purrfeck
This is also a very nice combo you've made here doby.
The photo on the reverse side is really nice - do you have a colour printer?
I would print this photo out and try writing on it in black and blue pen, as people often use the back for writing notes on.
Also try the following little experiment: click on your photo, then the transparency tool at the side. Then (at the top) choose 'flat' from the drop down box and this will turn your photo slightly white and 'faint' in colour - transparent in effect. You will find this easier to write over the top of if you choose this one.
Michele
Thank you for the tips. I thought I should put up the backside of the previous card with the revisions you suggested.
Original
http://www.rvrs.ca/images/RVRS_BC11b.jpg
With recommended Changes
http://www.rvrs.ca/images/RVRS_BC11b2.jpg
a transparent cream color with black type might work better.
(I do still like this version as well with the matching front as previously shown).
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Re: Help with Business Card
That's great doby, you were able to follow my directions I gave you...:D
Ok, the lighter picture would be easier to write over and still allow people to see what the company can do...a little reminder for the potential customer.
Also one more thing, make sure older people who you are likely going to be dealing with will be able to read the print on the card. The simpler the card the easier it is to read for older people...they are quite often the customers with the money to spend!! :D
There's some great variations here of your original post, and what I suggest you do is pick the one's you like (unless you have already settled on something), put them up on the screen together. Pick which one is your favourite or take the elements from the ones you like and put them together.
Then please show us your final choice because I'm sure we are all interested to see the end result!
The more you add to the back of the card the less space you have to write prices, people's long names, and addresses and phone numbers so I'd keep that in mind for the back. By grouping the wording with the web address, you will create space above and no matter which side of the card people see, they will find you.
You have lots to think about and choose from but at the end of the day its you and your husband that have to be happy with the final choice!
All the Best
Michele
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Re: Help with Business Card
Thanks Michele for your comments.
I printed a few sample cards of the previous version and didn't really like it. We both thought it was too busy looking.
Going back to the "less is more" so think we might go with this one. I keep getting drawn back to it. I'll print a few cards tomorrow to see how it looks, then make a decision. It incorporates the colors but with a cleaner, less cluttered look - more suitable to the quality of services being offered - IMHO.
Here's the latest version.
http://www.rvrs.ca/images/RVRS_BC12a3.jpg
I think one side would be enough but have included two different optional backs.
http://www.rvrs.ca/images/RVRS_BC12b3.jpg
http://www.rvrs.ca/images/RVRS_BC12c3.jpg
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Re: Help with Business Card
I like the business card as it is now.
Regarding the back, if I use it at all, I personally would not use the image of the room as a background. It does not actually show what you do and you don't know what you (potential) customers will see if they look at it, so I would regard it more as a risk than a benefit.
From the 2 choices of the bar with text I would go for the brown background but have it the same size and alignment as on the front.
Juergen
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Re: Help with Business Card
Thanks Juergen for your comments. You are right in that it might be limiting if I choose one of the services my hubby provides.
I will incorporate your suggestions if I do decide to print on back of card with the back bar matching the front.
I now have a new thread for the print ad I have to prepare.
The link is here
http://www.talkgraphics.com/showthre...589#post318589
Looking forward to everyones input...
Thanks again
Doby
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Re: Help with Business Card
UPDATE:
Change of heart on the previously chosen card design.
This is the one we have decided on which is based on all the previous suggestions and advice and which seemed to be the "Chosen One". (Once Again - Thank You Everyone)
Just thought I would post to get any last minute advice/comments before printing.
I changed the names in the logo to a matching color as opposed to the black
Changed name/number to white so it shows up clearer.
Enlarged the Middle tag line
Reduced the services as per the "less is more" advice everyone has given.
As suggested, we will go with a strong hard stock and if I do go with a back pic, I will heed the previous advice and keep it light so people can write their comments clearly.
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Re: Help with Business Card
You have Mixed case for Experience and all upper case for QUALITY in the tag line. I would pick a case for emphasizing the words and stay with it. Other that, it looks fine.
Eric
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Re: Help with Business Card
Thanks for your comment.
I've changed the case to match.
I am thinking I should just use all white so it is easier to read.
Here's a sample
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Re: Help with Business Card
Quote:
Originally Posted by
doby
I am thinking I should just use all white so it is easier to read.
Definitely. In this context, the color was making the key words recede. Instead, you want them to stand out. White is the best choice here.
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Re: Help with Business Card
A quick fix when I want to keep two conflicting design elements is to put a "Halo" around one of them. There doesn't seem to be quite enough contrast between the green header and the logo.I picked one of the earlier submissions to illustrate my suggestion:
http://www.graphicsbazaar.com/images/anotherone.jpg
I'm not that skilled with X5 yet, so I didn't take the time to fine tune this but hopefully you'll get the idea.
By the way, Sledger's submission in post #14 is the best. It separates the "messages" you're trying to convey into definite, clear segments... you wouldn't need to employ my suggestion with that one!
Good luck with this. Business cards are the best marketing investment for the buck, or pound, or rand or...
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Re: Help with Business Card
Thanks - That's a good suggestion.
(I've updated the website to reflect halo effect and its easier to view/read - definately stands out more)
I've done one similar to your suggestion and one similar to Sledgers (post #14)
The card on the right makes the logo appear much larger even though they are the same size.