Remember that your business stationery is always working for you or against you! Your letterhead, compliments slips, invoices and stationery generally are in constant sight with someone every single day whether it is a government office, a competitor, an existing client, a prospect, member of the press or media or the public at large. More than this, stationery has a long shelf life and can be looked at years from now.

What your business stationery says about you is absolutely vital. Of all of the items in your stationery kit, the most important are your business cards because they are going to be the front line troops for your business identity. They will be handed out and passed around in volumes by various employees! Your business card will speak more about you than just the information printed on it. Spend the necessary energy and time in getting the perfect business card design.

Try some of these suggestions and you won’t have to look at the same boring corporate design business cards again.

Make Your Card Look Like Something it Isn’t

Try a card that has all of your information and contact details on it but turn the card into something else such as a cinema ticket, grocery coupon or luggage tag. This makes them stand out and become a talking point at the water cooler because they look like something they are not but they perform exactly the same function.

Use Vibrant Color Images

If you have a drawer full of white, plain looking cards you are going to have a very hard time standing out from the crowd if your business card is also a plain, white card – here’s an opportunity to stand out by using a vibrant color set and better, a really good image that dominates the card such as a tropical sea blue or foliage green as backdrops to the card itself.

Don’t Use Paper

There are other materials you can use instead of simply card stock; the issue becomes the cost involved when you are using non-standard materials however, these really do stand out from the crowd and are likely to be kept forever instead of being lost in an office desk drawer. Check with a printing company to see what alternatives they offer.

Embossed metal really makes a statement and if you combine the metal card with something functional such as a letter opener, they’ll have something unique and practical. Perspex also makes a good business card with a clear, see through “card” and your contact information embossed or printed over it.

Opt for an Alternative Shape

You don’t have to be square with your business cards; you can opt for different shapes for your business cards as they are primarily used to provide a permanent aide memoire for your business information. There is no point in making a statement if it becomes inconvenient. You can use odd outline or circular shaped cards but remember they must be able to be kept in a business card holder or wallet.