It's time to conclude our list of PlasticPrinters.com's Top 10 Plastic Business Card Design Tips! Here are a few last suggestions for designing outstanding, problem-free plastic card artwork. (Continued from Part 2.)
7. Avoid Very Small Type
Sometimes fine print is required for a card design, such as the disclaimer on the back of a gift card. But when it comes to important information, such as the contact information on a business card, be sure to keep your type from getting too small. Exactly how small is too small will vary depending on the design, fonts, and colors involved, not to mention the particular set of eyes trying to read the text. But in general it is probably best to keep your font size at least 7pt.
8. Avoid Thin, Light Type on Transparent Cards
Special consideration is required when designing for transparent stocks, especially when it comes to type. Small, light text, that may look good when printed on an opaque white background, becomes a lot more difficult to read on a transparent background. Gray text on satin-finish cards is a particularly problematic combination, and should be avoided if possible. If you want to use light-colored type (perhaps it is part of your logo), printing opaque white blocker behind it will help make it easier to read. Otherwise, consider darkening the color or making it as large and bold as possible.
9. Call Out Spot Colors
If your design uses specific Pantone colors, it is important to make sure it is clear what those colors are so that the correct inks will be used, or can be matched with CMYK inks.
10. Remove Elements That Do Not Print
Be sure that your artwork doesn't have any elements flattened into it that do not print in ink. This includes die lines, variable data, magnetic stripes, and embossing. If you need to include these elements in your artwork to show the placement, be sure they are on separate layers or are vector objects that can be easily removed from the art.
Thanks for reading PlasticPrinters.com's Top 10 Business Card Design Tips!
Return to Part 1 or Part 2.
To learn more about plastic business cards go to plasticprinters.com or call 1.800.808.7472.
7. Avoid Very Small Type
Sometimes fine print is required for a card design, such as the disclaimer on the back of a gift card. But when it comes to important information, such as the contact information on a business card, be sure to keep your type from getting too small. Exactly how small is too small will vary depending on the design, fonts, and colors involved, not to mention the particular set of eyes trying to read the text. But in general it is probably best to keep your font size at least 7pt.
8. Avoid Thin, Light Type on Transparent Cards
Special consideration is required when designing for transparent stocks, especially when it comes to type. Small, light text, that may look good when printed on an opaque white background, becomes a lot more difficult to read on a transparent background. Gray text on satin-finish cards is a particularly problematic combination, and should be avoided if possible. If you want to use light-colored type (perhaps it is part of your logo), printing opaque white blocker behind it will help make it easier to read. Otherwise, consider darkening the color or making it as large and bold as possible.
9. Call Out Spot Colors
If your design uses specific Pantone colors, it is important to make sure it is clear what those colors are so that the correct inks will be used, or can be matched with CMYK inks.
10. Remove Elements That Do Not Print
Be sure that your artwork doesn't have any elements flattened into it that do not print in ink. This includes die lines, variable data, magnetic stripes, and embossing. If you need to include these elements in your artwork to show the placement, be sure they are on separate layers or are vector objects that can be easily removed from the art.
Thanks for reading PlasticPrinters.com's Top 10 Business Card Design Tips!
Return to Part 1 or Part 2.
To learn more about plastic business cards go to plasticprinters.com or call 1.800.808.7472.
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