5 Special Finishes For Business Cards

Perhaps the most important item of business stationery for any company is the business card – businessmen have been using them for decades and even dealing within this advanced digital age of communication tools, the business card probably still has the most impact! Whenever you meet somebody for a business meeting, or at a business convention or event, on introducing yourself you will likely hand over a business card to your potential client, customer, or business partner. It is the first communication you will have with that person, and it is the item they will take away with them from your conversation and is a physical reminder of your meeting and discussion. A business card is not just about handing someone your important contact details – a well-designed card can be a conversation starter in itself. Here are some ideas for creating a business card that will have an immediate impact on the recipient and make your meeting more memorable to them: 

Matte

The most common finish to a business card – a smooth, clean finish that looks professional and wears well. Matte business cards look great as is but can also be combined with other finish features that can enhance the look and impact of the card design – spot UV and embossed finish processes can lift the design and create a greater first impression. One thing to consider with a matte coating is that it will not easily accept ink, so if you like to write further information other than the pre-printed details on your card you should consider a different coating.

Spot UV

A spot UV finish, otherwise referred to as a varnish finish, creates a business card with a section “popped up” slightly – this raised section creates a focal point and is a great feature to highlight a particular detail on the card, such as the company logo or brand name. This feature adds a slightly textured aspect to your card which the recipient can “feel” and focus attention upon. After the card is printed the spot UV can be applied – it dries quickly and applies a “shine” to the raised element. Ask your printer about Scodix business cards – this digitally enhanced form of spot UV produces a finish 100 times higher than traditional spot printing and truly brings your printed cards to life. One feature of spot UV finishing is that it creates the raised section without imposing a recessed area on the back of the card (see Embossed) therefore allowing printing on the flip side of your business card as well as the front.

Embossed

Embossing your business card creates a more textured feel and offers a tactile experience along with the visual element for the recipient – unlike the spot UV finish, the raised aspect will not feature the shine and is more often used to raise multiple details of the card rather than one highlighted area. Embossing is achieved by pushing the desired elements from one side to create the raised feature on the surface – debossing a card works the same way only with the pressure applied from the opposite side. This can create some problems if you wish to print on both sides of your card – if that is your wish then letter pressing is probably a better finish to use. Letter pressing applies light pressure on the card surface and does not impact on the reverse side.   

Foil Stamped

This finish process adds a more ‘spectacular’ look to your business card – a foil stamped logo really stands out and creates an impact. The foil is similar to aluminium kitchen foil and is heat-pressed onto an element of the card making it appear slightly recessed and heavily highlighted – it can look very classy but can also hit your print budget slightly as it is not a cheap process. Another consideration with this finish is that it can only be applied in a limited colour range, but when used it can provide a professional and elegant finish.

Die Cut

Most business cards are produced in a standard size and shape – die cutting allows you to print cards in different shapes making them stand out from the competition. Consider the content the card needs to display if opting for a more unique shape – there must be enough continuous space on the card surface to carry the important contact information. Die cutting is performed after the card is printed – tools similar to pastry cutters slice the desired shape into the card producing a clean, professional finish. This process can create eye-catching cards that offer something different from the standard business cards.

If you are searching for business printing in Bournemouth or surrounding areas, then contact GD Print – their knowledgeable and experienced staff can advise you on the most effective business printing items and deliver a fast, professional print service to your business.