Your Business Card Sucks

I spent 10 years in the printing business doing everything from design to running a press (I was no good at the whole running a press thing). I saw thousands of business card designs pass by my desk, and unfortunately, most of the designs were awful. Too many of these cards had a logo, and some basic type in a boring font, in black ink on plain white cardstock. Some people will tell you that keeping business cards simple and inexpensive is the way to go. In this world of technology, it is just a way to communicate simple information, so don't get too "out there" with your design.

I have one word to say about that -POPPYCOCK (gotta keep it rated G).

Almost without fail, those small businesses who did the standard, el-cheapo business card didn't last very long. More established businesses with boring cards were inevitably stagnating. I believe that if you aren't willing to put a little time and money into your business card, you probably aren't doing much marketing of any kind. Yes, I said marketing. Your business card is a marketing tool. Probably the most underutilized marketing tool in the world. Scratch that, it is probably the second most unused marketing tool. The backside of your business card is the most underutilized marketing tool in the world. If the back of your business card is blank, you are missing out on seven square inches of inexpensive billboard space.

Even though I am no longer in the printing biz directly, I still have a passion for ink on paper. I love to see great design. I have a compulsive need to touch and examine printed materials. I enjoy the chemical inky smell of a working pressroom. I have love for the printing business, and I know how powerful ink on paper can be. Even in this web 2.0 powered world, that I happen to love as well, printed material has a tactile, file it away for later use quality that dots on a screen can't quite capture.