eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.

How To

How to Design Your Own Double Sided Business Cards

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(0 Ratings)

If you want to save some money on your business marketing materials, you can design your own double-sided business cards at home. You can use PhotoShop, Illustrator, Adobe Professional, InDesign or other professional design software to design your own business cards. Microsoft Word has business card templates that are best for printing business cards at home using special business card paper, but it can be a challenge to make a double-sided business card that lines up correctly. If you plan on sending your business cards to a professional printer and want a quality product, it's best to use professional design software (see the "Resources" section for suggestions).

Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Computer design software that allows you to manipulate images and text
  1. Step 1

    Open two new blank files in your design software. If you are given an option make sure the file is in CMYK mode (this will result in a better printed image). Size each document to be 4 inches wide by 2.5 inches tall. The common size for business cards is 3.5 by 2 inches, but you should allow for a 1/4 inch bleed around the business card image. A "bleed" is white space that can be cut off during printing without affecting any of the printed part of the card. Design your card inside of that 1/4 inch bleed.

  2. Step 2

    Name the blank files "businesscard_front" and "businesscard_back" or something similar. These are the two files you will send to your printer to complete your double-sided business card.

  3. Step 3

    On the front file, type either the name of your company or the name of your specific department on the first line of your business card. Put that line in bold or another color to bring it out. On the next lines type your address as you would on a piece of mail. Skip a line and then enter your phone number, fax number, email and website information. Skip another two lines or so and type your full name in a larger font with your title underneath (such as "Representative" or "Sales Associate"). Many people like to position this information on the right side of the card (towards the top or bottom is fine).

  4. Step 4

    Open your logo file. Copy and paste it into your front file. Move the logo to the left hand side of your card. (If you don't have a logo yet, find an image file that represents your business on iStockPhoto or Dreamstime.)

  5. Step 5

    If you'd like, add your tag line or motto towards the bottom of the front of the card.

  6. Step 6

    The back of a double-sided business card is best for giving a succinct advertisement for your business. List testimonials from customers, your services (and prices if you think that would be valuable) or even provide a coupon for your services. If you are a graphic designer, photographer or artist, you can also add small samples of your work in a collage on the back. If you are passing out business cards to notify people of an upcoming event, put the full information about the event (including date, time, location, dress code, purpose) on the back of the card.

Tips & Warnings
  • If you're having the cards professionally printed, check with the printer on the file type they prefer. Most common file types are .TIF and .PDF.
Subscribe

Post a Comment

Post a Comment

Related Ads

  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This
Get Free Business Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.   en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License.

eHow Business
eHow_eHow Business and Finance