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How to Make a Business Card in InDesign

Instructions

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ASSETS. First, gather any creative assets. Do you have a logo or other design elements to
use in the business card? Will you use a photograph? Do you have specific colors to use?
Gather any relevant files and put them in a new folder on your computer.

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CONTENT. Make sure you have all the content you need for the business card. This is
typically separated into personal info and business info. Personal information can include
name, title, email add ress, direct phone number. Business information may include company
name, company address, URL, company phone line and fax line. Perhaps you'll be including
a tagline or list of services.

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FORMAT. The standard business card size is 3.5" wide by 2" tal l. You may opt for a non -
traditional size if you want to go for a unique look. Decide if you want the card to be single -
sided or double -sided. Incorporating a photograph on the backside of the card can be eye -
catching and attractive and provides an additio nal way to promote brand identity.

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Settings for 1 sided business card

CREATE. Open up Adobe InDesign and click "Create New Document". If you're doing a
one-sided business card leave the "Number of Pages" at 1. Otherwise change this to 2 for a
2-sided card. Change the Page Size to Custom, and then enter width and height. For a
standard card size: width is 21p0 and height is 12p0. Check to make sure the orientation
matches the way you want your card designed (landscape or portrait). You can leave the
rest of the options as -is.

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Place a logo

IMPORT. (If you are only using text on your business card you can skip this step.) Using
your toolbar, select the "Rectangular Frame Tool" and draw a rec tangle where you'd like
your logo or other design elements to be located. Go to "File > Place" and select the logo or
photo that will be placed into this location. Use the width and height tools in your toolbar to
resize the element if it needs to be adjus ted.

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Enter contact information in a text box

LAYOUT. Next select the "Type Tool" from the toolbar. Draw a box where you'd like your
text to be. Enter the text and adjust sizes, colors, spacing. Draw second text box if you have
more text to add.

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 Adjust alignment

TWEAK. At this point make adjustments to the design. Make sure all elements (logo, image,
type) are aligned properly. Check the margins and spacing around design elements.

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SPELLCHECK. It's a good habit to check spelling for all the designs you create. Go to "Edit
> Spelling > Check Spelling" to check the spelling in your business card design.

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TEST. Run a test print of the design on a color printer. This will show you the business card
at actual size, so you can get a good sense of the proportion and readability of the text.
Make adjustments to the design as needed and run additional test prints.

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Export as Press Quality

EXPORT. When you are satisfied with the business card design, the next step is to export
the file as a PDF to be printed. Go to "File > Export". Name and save the file to your
computer when prompted. When you reach the "Export Adobe PDF" window, select "Press
Quality" and make any adjustments to the exported file as requested by your printer.

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