Selçuk Aker · Graphics & Printing

Business Card Design: What Should You Give to a Freelance Designer and Printing House?

Information hierarchy for business card design, QR code and plan print delivery. In freelance business card design, determine the person variants from the beginning.

By Selçuk Aker · Published · 3 min read

Business Card Design: What Should You Give to a Freelance Designer and Printing House? — Selçuk Aker

Business card design tells you who you are and how to reach you on a small surface. Instead of trying to fit all services into this area, choose what information will be remembered after the call. When working with a freelance business card designer, the accuracy of contact information as well as brand files is a starting condition.

Put information in order of importance

There must be a reading order between name, position, phone, email and web address. Long titles or multiple phones can force small print. In the sample design, also use the person with the longest name instead of the shortest name. This way, it is clear whether the template works for the entire team.

QR code is a link, not a decoration

If a QR code is to be used, it should be clear where it goes. Choose a sustainable goal rather than a temporary campaign address that may disappear. Try the actual printed size of the code by phone; Just reading the large version on the screen is not enough. Having written contact information next to the code makes access easier.

Get printing conditions before design

Size, cut, safe area and special surface treatments are determined by the manufacturer's conditions. Thickness, paper and printing method can affect the appearance of small details. Do not equate the color in the glossy screen presentation with the physical result. Request proofs when necessary and check information before print approval.

Manage team variants in a list

When creating a business card for ten people, sending each person's information in a separate message increases the risk of error. Use a single table, mark the approved version and track changes. The main design and the number of person adaptations must be specified separately within the scope of the offer.

The business card can be prepared as an application of corporate identity design. Guide to logo files explains why you shouldn't just send a small PNG to the printer.

Do not choose business card size habitually

There is no single mandatory universal size in a business card. The size, special cut and usage expectation offered by the manufacturer should be evaluated together. Important information should not come close to the cutter; overflow and safe area should be prepared according to the manufacturer's template.

Brand and person information can be planned on the front side, and additional communication or explanation can be planned on the back side. Check what information is repeated between two faces. If using a QR code, try the target link on the phone at actual print size; Do not link basic contact information to the QR code alone.

Evaluate the small-scale logo version and text readability together when carrying the brand identity to the business card with logo designer Selçuk Aker. Prepress preparation guide completes the transition from approved submission to production file.

Frequently asked questions

If there is a QR code on the business card, should the phone number and email be removed?

QR code is a helpful way of access. If the cardholder needs to reach you without opening a link, keep basic contact information visible; Also keep the page to which the code refers up to date and accessible.

How to manage name lengths on employee business cards?

Try the template with the longest name and title. Instead of randomly reducing the size of the text for each employee, set a common layout rule and have the name list verified by the authorized person before printing.

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