Letterhead Business Cards: Designing Corporate Identity Collateral
Sep 03, 2014
Some tips for developing effective, cohesive and visually appealing corporate identity systems.
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Notes about the creating effective business card and letterhead design
Designing Business Cards and Letterhead
Business Card and Letterhead Design Creating an Identity System
Business cards and letterhead are often a first chance to make a professional impression.
Together, business cards and letterhead are two important parts of a business identity system.
Image source: 40 Knots Graphic Design, www.40knots.co.nz
Business cards are often the first chance to make an impression on potential clients.
The card includes essential contact information:
• Person’s name and and title
• Company name
• Business address,
• Business phone/fax numbers,
• Company website Image source: www.naturalsourceprinting.com
Business Card and Letterhead Design Creating an Identity System
Business cards are often designed at a standard size of 2 x 3.5 inches
Some cards are designed at larger or smaller sizes
Advantage: stands apart from other cards
Disadvantage: risks being lost in the shuffle (if too small)
Image source: www.moo.com
Business Card and Letterhead Design Creating an Identity System
Business cards can be oriented as portrait (vertical) or as landscape (horizontal). Either solution can be an effective way to present information.
Business Card and Letterhead Design Creating an Identity System
Business cards can be oriented as portrait (vertical) or as landscape (horizontal). Either solution can be an effective way to present information.
Business Card and Letterhead Design Creating an Identity System
Remember the elements of design and think about how information is balanced on the card
Important information organized into a hierarchy (most important information is largest/boldest)
All information should be aligned to other elements; nothing should appear to “floating” or arbitrary
Business Card and Letterhead Design Organizing Information
Consider legibility when selecting fonts and colors
All information should be readable
Avoid reversed type with thin or serif fonts that can get lost on dark background
If using multiple colors, make sure that there is enough contrast to be easily readable, and that the colors don’t compete or clash
Business Card and Letterhead Design Color Legibility
Type should be no smaller than 6 pt on a business card. Any smaller and it risks becoming illegible.
Select fonts that are easy to read. Avoid overly complex script or decorative letterforms that may be confusing.
Image source: http://www.azimuthprint.com
Business Card and Letterhead Design Text Legibility
Business cards should be printed on good quality card stock, which is heavier than standard paper
Cards can be printed on either a glossy or matte stock
Cards can be either double or single sided
Image source: http://businesscards24.com
Business Card and Letterhead Design Paper Stock Options
If a design is meant to run to the edges, the designer must add a “bleed”
Bleed: small amount that extends past the size of your design
Cut away later to make the card the final “trim” size
This is done because designs cannot be printed to the edge of a design
Be sure that all essential text and images are far enough away from the edge of the trim area that they will not accidentally be cut off
Template provided by www.overnightprints.com
Business Card and Letterhead Design Bleed and Trim
Letterhead is a standard size of 8.5 x 11 inches (letter size paper) in the U.S.
The letter size is designed to fit into a standard #10 envelope
Image source: http://www.printing-cleveland.com
Business Card and Letterhead Design Creating an Identity System
Information should be organized into a logical order
The design should look professional and easily identifiable as part of a corporate identity system
Use similar colors, fonts and shapes throughout the identity system to develop unity and consistency
Image source: http://www.thelogofactory.com
Business Card and Letterhead Design Creating an Identity System
Information on letterhead design doesn’t have to be centered, nor does important information have to be located at the top of the page.
Try experimenting with a variety of layouts to see what works best.
Image source: www.pradt.net
Business Card and Letterhead Design Creating an Identity System
Just like with business card design, it’s important to select a good paper stock.
Flimsy or cheap stock can convey an unprofessional image. Good paper stock conveys professionalism.
Try to match the letterhead and envelope stock if possible. A printing service bureau can help you decide from available options.
Image source: http://www.phrizbie-design.com
Business Card and Letterhead Design Creating an Identity System
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