The dimensions of a business might be something that has never crossed your mind - or if it has, it was probably just a fleeting thought.
But, much like the shaped business card, breaking away from the shackles of a the standard-sized rectangular business card could serve to showcase your ingenuity and help set you apart from the competition.
Just one small tweak to the size or design of your business card can make a world of difference. In fact, 39% of prospects would choose not to collaborate or do business with someone that has a cheap or uninspiring business card.
In short, the look and feel of your business card matters.
Before we delve any deeper into the wonderful world of the mini business card, its worth noting: we’re certainly not saying that a standard business card is useless or obsolete - for many businesses and individual this format, if delivered professionally, works wonders. However, we are saying that choosing to think outside the box or change the dimensions of your business card could help you to grab the attention you deserve, resulting in exceptional levels of commercial success.
The standard-sized business card
To put the sizing into perspective, the official dimensions of the standard business card are as follows:
- Standard: 3.5 inches by 2 inches
- Stanard Squared: 2.25 inches by 2.25 inches
Of course, there are many different materials you can work with and designs you can achieve with this format - but if you’d like to try something a little new, a little different, a little cutting-edge - the miniature business card could be the one for you.
The mini business card
Also referred to as half-size business cards, skinny business cards or micro cards, mini business cards are the new kids on the block. For a gauge on the size of these miniature creations, micro cards are small enough to be used as tags for craft projects, with general dimensions of 3 inches by 1.25 inch and 3.5 inches by 1.5 inch.
Mini business cards are often printed on cardstock that is more heavy duty than standard-style business cards - and some are fortified with an extra layer of coating to give them additional aesthetic charm and durability.
Eye-catching and refreshingly different, the mini business card is fast-becoming the impression-maker of tomorrow, and for individuals or businesses looking to make their mark, designing, printing and distributing your micro offerings early could put you right where you want to be: in poll position.
The miniature revolution
We are living in an age where we as professionals and consumers demand innovation, creativity, value and shared ideals from the brands and business in which we're looking to invest.
That said, whether you’re a budding graphic author, an AI-powered tech startup, a purveyor of exotic fruit and veg, or anything else for that matter, embracing the power of the miniature business card could be your ticket to success.
Despite some notable brands and individuals opting for mini business, this miniature revolution is still in its infancy, meaning that early adopters, like yourself, stand to create stunning compact business card designs that gain the lion’s share of traction, before the rest of the world catches on.
You know what they say: the early bird catches the worm, so perhaps you should start thinking about downsizing your next business card? -The rewards could be great.
To inspire your micro efforts, here are two striking designs from two very different but equally forward-thinking businesses:
“Innovation is taking two things that already exist and putting them together in a new way.” - Tom Freston
As a photography business, this brand understands the importance of visuals, and how to use the right mix of coloring, space, composition, font and graphics to yield results. This stunning design is a testament to that very notion, and the fact that each element has been condensed onto a mini business card gives it an additional aesthetic edge. A real winner if ever we saw one.
Quickfire mini business card design tips
Now that you’ve been inspired, here a few quickfire design tips to ensure you squeeze every last drop of value from your miniature business cards:
- As you won’t able to fit as much information as you can on a standard business card, you should keep your design as simple as possible, displaying only the most essential of information.
- If you do have information you need to share with your prospects but you don’t have the space to fit it on the front of your card, you add it to the back in a visually pleasing format.
- You will want to make your contact information visible and easy to digest, so don’t use anything smaller than six point font.
- Use a relatively bright color for either the background of your card or for the main font, as this will really make your micro card pop.
- Extend any element in your design file by a 1/8 inch beyond the trim edge of the card that looks like it might 'bleed'. The excess visuals will be cropped when the card is cut to its final size, ensuring your design is centerd, professional and visually pleasing.
Welcome to the mini business card revolution. We hope this has inspired you to create a brand new design for your venture or business and if you’re looking to go all ‘micro’ with your promotional efforts click here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dan Huges
Dan Huges is a bass player, content writer, fiction scribbler, and oddball tech enthusiast from the UK. Originally from the London area, he now resides in the wilds of North Staffordshire with his wife, Lynsey, and his son, Sidney. You can find out more about his on Twitter or by getting lost in his Catchy Space.
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