How to choose business card formats

The business card is a communication medium as simple as it is essential.

Transmitted most often from hand to hand, it allows you to clearly broadcast your company's contact information. Because of its small size, the business card is a powerful communication vector since it carries your logo and your graphic identity and is intended to be slipped into every pocket. Choosing the right format for your business cards will allow you to stand out from your competitors by perfectly reflecting your company's values. Finally, when it comes to business card formats, size is not the only issue: the many finishes available allow you to create unique, specific objects that will hold the attention of your prospects and customers.

Timeless, the business card has evolved and reinvented itself. Today, business card formats are varied. We will see together how to make the most of these innovations by reviewing all the business cards we can design together.

Business card formats: constraints to consider

Since the possibilities are now countless in terms of business card formats, we will first discuss the constraints to consider before choosing the size, the dimensions of your business cards.

• Don't choose sizes that are too big! Business card formats have evolved over time. In particular, their size has decreased in France and Western Europe. It is now generally 85 x 55 mm, the size of a credit card. Since the challenge is to ensure that your customers and prospects can easily find your business cards in their wallet or business card case, make sure you choose business card formats that allow for easy distribution and storage. You can of course choose a large business card format, the size of a postcard for example: it is a bold choice that will certainly get you noticed.
• Choose a business card size that is appropriate for your geographic area of operation. If you frequently work with people from other countries, be aware that business card size standards are slightly different from one geographic area to another. While the Japanese use business cards that are larger than ours (91 x 55 mm), North Americans and people in Eastern Europe and Russia prefer smaller business card sizes, 88.9 x 50.8 mm and 90 x 50 mm respectively. Ensuring that your business cards meet these standards will be viewed favorably by your foreign customers and prospects.
• Opt for a business card size that isconsistent with your industry. While it is not wise to choose business cards that are too large, it is possible to opt for small business cards. This choice should be consistent with your industry: if you work in a conventional or formal sector, you should respect the 85 x 55 mm standard to gain honor. However, in more flexible, creative industries, choosing a small business card that stands out from the crowd can be a good way to get noticed at a lower cost.

Business card formats: possibilities in 4 dimensions!

Now that the constraints are set, let's see how to design business cards that will allow you to hold the attention of your interlocutors. Because when it comes to business card format, it's not just about the size of this print medium but also of its formof its thickness or its touch !

• The size of your business cards. An easy way to stand out is to choose a smaller than average business card size. By opting for the mini business card (85 x 25 mm) you will be just as precise in the information you provide but with an extra touch of elegance. The maxi format (postcard) will guarantee you, by its originality, to hold the attention of your prospects.
• The shape of your business cards. By convention, business cards are rectangular. Why not be bold and choose square business cards ? square business cards? Again, this choice will allow you to stand out from the crowd. At Copymage, we also offer a variation on this original format: rounded corners - which has the advantage of protecting the corners of these business cards from damage. In addition, why not consider the folded business cards which offer, in addition to an original design, twice the surface area to broadcast your information (access map, meeting list, relay of your social networks,)
• The thickness of your business cards. Here's another way to think about the size of your business cards that can make all the difference. By choosing thick business cardsBy choosing thick business cards, you increase the durability of your print materials while giving them an undeniable luxury effect. You can be sure that your prospects will remember the look of your card when they pick it up!
• The feel of your business cards. Among the formats of business cards, you should not neglect the finishes in terms of touch. A glossy, matte or soft touch lamination will give a different image of your brand. Similarly, for a superior design, we advise you to opt for the selective varnish. Finally, the 3D varnish will make your business cards unforgettable by bringing relief on their surface, for example to highlight your company logo.

Whatever the format of business card that attracts you, we will be able to accompany you in their design by checking your files and making your prints in a very short time.

If you are in a hurry, we offer you a 4 hours printing. To do this:

• go to the page dedicated to classic business cards on the Copymage website,
• choose the express delay in the configurator,
• send us your files before 2:30 pm,
• come and pick up your business cards the same day directly at the print shop 8 Rue Saint-Roch, 75001 Paris.