When you're trying to make the transition from tubing cutter at someone else's factory to the owner of your own business, or when you're trying to make it as a higher up or salesman in a company, business cards are essential. Business cards enable you to leave your contact information with potential clients very easily and can also act as advertising if they're left in a public place for people to pick up. There are many different business card designs out there, but if you want your card to be as effective as possible you need to choose one that suits your company. Here are some tips on designing it.

Paper

The paper you choose to print your business cards on says a lot about the type of business you do. If you print your cards on cheap copy paper and cut them out with scissors, you're creating the impression that you're not good enough to make enough money to buy real cards. If you print it on the best quality card stock, then you're telling people you're an upscale Toronto print broker who probably charges high prices to be able to afford such a fancy card.

Color

It is inadvisable, unless your business relates to children or is irreverent in some way, to print your cards on colored card stock, especially brightly colored card stock. Bright yellow card advertising you as a purveyor of Edmonton collagen treatments will not be taken seriously. However, if you can afford color printing, you may want to use a little color in your logo or some gilding on your name or business title. Too many colors in the printing just look distracting, however.

Font

Simple, easy to read fonts are always best for a business card. Even if your business is irreverent and you want to use a jauntier handwriting type font, you need to make sure it's legible. You'll never get any business from them if they can't make out what's on the card.

Logo

If your business has a logo or slogan, you should put it on your card. The best logos relate somehow to the business that you do (for instance, money and a house to represent commercial mortgage solutions). The logo should be small enough to leave room for the printing but not so small that you can't tell what it is.

Name and Information

This is the most important part of your card. The things you should include on your business card are your name, your position, your company name, and your contact information (email, phone, fax) and the location of your business. If your business has won some sort of distinction, such as being voted Best Home Based Business by the local chamber of commerce, you might want to include that factoid as well.