How to Make Dog Grooming Business Cards

Your business card provides a unique opportunity to make a good first impression and to build a solid client base for your dog grooming business.

Invest a bit of time and creativity to be sure your card delivers exactly the right message.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Software with business card templates
• Blank business card perforated sheets (or card stock and a paper cutter)
• Digital photo or graphic image
• Scratch paper to check final design
• Creativity and imagination

1. The first important step is determining the unique benefits customers get by doing business with you.
   
   Do you offer evening/Saturday hours to accommodate working pet parents? Do you provide grooming services at the client's home? Do you specialize in tender loving grooming for elderly and or traumatized pets?

2. 
   Side 1 of double-sided card

   Do you want your business card to be single-sided or double-sided?
   
   If you offer multiple special services, it's probably wise to design a double-sided card with a digital picture or graphic image and basic contact information on one side and dot points of special services on the other.
   
   The easiest method to accomplish creating a double-sided business card is to use the business card template and create two files, one for each side.
   
   After printing the first side on scratch paper, turn the sheet over and pencil in a small arrow (with the point facing the direction you're placing the paper in the printer.) If the back doesn't print correctly, reverse the direction the next time you print.

3. 
   Side 2 of double-sided card

   Once you've designed your card and chosen your digital photo or graphic image, print a copy on scratch paper.
   
   Double check to be sure you've included all contact information (phone, fax, website, etc.) Carefully proof for any typing errors.
   
   Does the card look cluttered and confusing because you tried to pack too much information into too little space? Edit your text to create more blank space. Print another copy on scratch paper to be sure you're happy with the final product.
   
   Be sure to save your changes.

4. Print your business cards. Let ink dry fully. If you used business card blanks, the cards will easily separate with a few folds in opposite directions. If you used card stock, you'll need to use a paper cutter (and some patience!) to cut your cards apart.

Tips & Warnings

• Show off your perfectly groomed pet on your business card with a close-up digital photo.
• If you need to cut costs a bit, consider a simple graphic that doesn't require a color printer. Try brightly colored card stock to contrast with the black graphic and printing. A laser printer will be much cheaper than an ink jet.
• Don't print lots of cards until you've had a chance to get some customer feedback. You might want to modify the text or change the picture/graphic to reflect specials, seasonal celebrations, etc.
• If you're going to need vast quantities of business cards, comparison shop online and at local stores like Staples, Office Max, etc. It might be cheaper to order them than to make your own.