So you have decided to make a business card but you don't know how to start. Don't fret you are not alone. Many entrepreneurs that are just starting out their business begin thinking of making their own business cards as their business contacts grown. They also will probably know next to little on how to get about . To help you decide on what to tell a business card printing company read on through the steps below. This article is designed to not let you look stupid as you order up you business cards.

Your design or their design?

The first thing you need to decide upon is the business card design. In this respect you have three options. You can use an existing business card templates, hire a professional designer or design one yourself. If you decide on using an existing business card template you can save a lot of time. All you need to do is choose a design. Most companies have templates that you can already choose from. They may even have templates designed by expert graphic artists. This is the easy and safe option if you are new to . So go to the printers and ask if they have a few templates to choose from.

The next option is to hire a professional. This gives you a little control over the design. You can tell the graphic artist how your business card should look like, and the image that you want to portray. After that he/she should do all the work in designing. You have to keep checking on the creative process though since designers may take matters into their own hands. Inform the printer for them to send the pertinent details on standard dimensions and resolutions to your artist so that they can work easily together and save time.

Another option is to design it yourself. If you are a pretty great artist, and a whiz at graphics design software then by all means create a design for yourself. This gives you total control over the design. Simply tell your printer that you will be submitting you own design. Just get the details of what file types and settings they may prefer to receive.

The paper of the business card. The common types of paper used in the business card are glossy, recycled, matt and silk. Go visit you local company look at these materials and see if they are right for you. You may also want to laminate your business card to make it more durable. Usually a publisher has examples of these works for you to browse.

The thickness is also the issue. The thickness of a paper is measures in units of ?gsm.? A thickness of about 300gsm and over will give the feel of a respectable business card. Printers will usually have a range of options from as low as 270gsm and as high as 400gsm. It really depends on your budget if you want a thicker one or not. Just specify what you want when you go to your printer.

Qualities of the printer itself. In terms of the quality of the printer itself you have two options. Digital printing which is the newer method, and lithographic printing which is the older more traditional one. Lithographic printing provides a clear and distinct printing finish. Basically, the design is physically forced into the paper. Digital printing of course refers to the digital printers you see nowadays. These can vary in quality depending on what brand and model the printing company uses. Ask the company if they have these options.

Those should be the main points you should know when taking your business card ideas to the printers. You will not look stupid anymore when you face them. Don't forget though to always ask if you don't understand what they are talking about. Enjoy your experience.