CREATE A BUSINESS CARD LOGO DESIGN - TRY IT FREEThousands of business card logos choices - Make one in minutes!

Creating savvy business card logos for limited space

When it comes to the standard business card, you typically have an extremely limited amount of real estate with which to work. Yet nevertheless, they continue to be one of the primary means of personal promotion, especially when attending presentations, tradeshows or other networking events. Given the narrow margins, business card logos have to work extra hard to achieve their goal – not an easy task for something that’s typically no bigger than the size of a quarter.

Unlike a full marketing campaign that contains complex messaging, imagery and a series of features and benefits, a logo is a flag, a signature, something that represents the whole of your offering without necessarily providing a blatant sell. This is especially true when it appears on materials with limited space. And few venues provide a greater restraint in this regard than the business card.

But the restriction isn’t impossible to overcome and can even be turned into a benefit – showcasing the creativity of your business card logo and leaving a lasting impression on customers and contacts.

The best business cards are the ones with the most memorable logos

When comparing some of the top (and most eye-catching) business cards, there are a few traits common to all. Obviously, it should include your name and primary contact information, whether that’s a phone number or a Twitter username. Aside from that, you have a blank canvas, most of which is typically taken up by a smart business card logo. Here are a few ideas for designing your own:

1. Keep it simple.

The best logos are those that are easily recognizable and remembered. Stay away from complex designs with detail that will get lost when your logo is reduced to fit onto a business card. This simplicity also provides additional value overall as it enables them to be used equally as well on a billboard, remaining attractive despite great fluctuations in size.

2. Pay extra attention to those dimensions.

Depending on the layout you’re planning, business card logos sometimes look better when they’re designed longer horizontally and shorter vertically, due to the natural shape of the standard business card. However, if you intend to format your business card for a portrait layout, vertically longer logos will appear more organic than those with a horizontal design.

3. Make it memorable.

When designing business card logos, figure out what it is that makes you unique. What do people say most about you or your business? Translating those qualities to words and images can have a profound impact on the overall effectiveness of your logo. As a result, your logo will be highly memorable.

4. Stay away from fads.

Most people retain their business card for two years or more, often updating it only when information changes. So when crafting business card logos, it’s best to pick elements you’ll be comfortable living with for awhile. Thinking even longer-term, will your logo still be relevant in 10 years? 20 years?

5. Only design in a versatile format.

Ensuring the versatility of your business card logo is important because it saves you the time and hassle of repeating your design efforts in the future. The best way to do this is through the vector file format. This designer-friendly format not only ensures that your logo will work across the entire spectrum of print and digital media, but also that you can easily modify it in the future with almost any professional design software.

6. Stay cost-effective by paying attention to color.

Keep in mind that many business cards are either black and white or include only one or two other colors, with the cost of printing increasing dramatically for each additional color added beyond the standard 4-color process. So by keeping the color palate of your logo design to a minimum, you’ll save considerable money when printing business cards, letterhead stationery, envelopes and a wealth of other promotional materials.