Whether you go for a simple black and white design or a fantastical colour design your business card should give the best possible image of you and your business.

1. Business cards are a great way of getting a company image across whether it is through a logo, image design or a particular font. Ideally this should be the focal point of the card, something that draws the attention of your client. It should instantly tell them exactly what it is that you do. The design should be clear and not overly complicated at this can detract from your information. A good balance between the two is best.

2. Some people think that the more colourful their business card is the more people will notice it but this is not always the case. Using too much colour on such a small space can confuse your client and detract from the message you're trying to get across. It is important not to use colours that clash as this can just look awful and put people off, not a good first impression. A few areas of colour to enhance certain aspects or a company name can work really well.

3. Another common mistake on business cards, and often on letters or flyers, is using too many different fonts. On flyers or adverts you can sometimes get away with using different font styles but on a business card it is best to limit it to two styles maximum. This is because the area you are working with is so small. The size of the text is also important, if it's too small people won't be able to read it on the other hand if it's too big then it can look like you're trying too hard to get noticed. Using all capital letters is also something to avoid for this reason. You want your text to be subtle yet eye catching and in an easy to read font.

4. Images on your card shouldn't be too detailed as the detail may be lost on the small space of the card. Another thing to remember with overly complicated images is that they can make the text on the card hard to read. Sometimes a small graphic can look more effective than a large all over image.

5. The best way to impress your clients is by having quality business cards that are printed by a professional. This will help to create a positive image of your business and show that you care about quality. A printing company can also help you to create the perfect business card to portray you personal or company image. They will often have templates to choose from which can be customised with your own image or logo which is a lot easier, and more professional than trying to make and print them yourself. Remembering the number one rule-first impressions count!