A quick business card poll

I know there are a million threads about C&C on business cards, so I promise to delete this one after today. Just trying to get a quick opinion of which card design looks better. The cards will be printed with a glossy finish.

Also, if anyone has any suggestions on what to put on the back, let me know. I was thinking about putting a photo or a collage of photos but I am just starting out and know i'll want to change them as I expand my portfolio.

Thanks!
Jason


OPTION 1 - BLACK BACKGROUND/WHITE TEXT

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Can anyone explain their opinion if you voted? between people here and people i've asked it's come out about tied.

Both look very good but I voted for the white background. It caught my eye quicker and stands out more to me.

Personally, I think you want to stand out. A white business card with black text isn't going to really do that. I have a huge stack of business cards, from other people, and they all look sort of like that. The black one stands out more, but you could go further. It doesn't really scream "great photography". Perhaps try some colouring, and try altering the shape from a standard rectangle card. If it has to be one of those two, though, then I say the black.

I also like the black one (for the same reason, to be different). The only thing i'm worried about is possible banding in the printing process, I don't know how printing presses work. I'm going with overnight prints and using their "premium" business cards. They say these cards are printed with an offset press. Do I have to worry about banding in the black or do offset presses avoid this?

Decades ago, my card was slightly larger than standard, w/black ink on a textured, gray stock.

Your card would've been fantastic in the eighties. Well, maybe not fantastic, probably only just professional. Maybe not even then. Now, to me, it looks horrible, dated, square, busy, with no consideration given to typography, layout, or the aim of a business card. I can't believe how many people have told you it's good or great, they must be blind, or trying not to hurt your feelings - neither are a problem for me. A few thoughts:
- It has your name on it in four times
- It's stark
- The rectangle box looks really dated
- Why do you need to say "John Brady, Photographer", when it says "John Brady Photography" at the top of the card.

My advice is simple. Stop designing your own cards. Get someone with some sense of design to do it. www.designoutpost worked great for me.

Consider what the cards are for. Do you want to leave them lying around randomly, hoping people will think "gee I need a photographer I should take a card and call them". Yeah, that's gona happen/ Or will you hand them to people who already want your contact details, who already know who you are and what you do. The only time I give out business cards is at weddings, and those cards are custom made to tell people where to see the photos.

If you must design your own, here's a couple of hints:
- Go minimal. Put on only what needs to go on. Remove the duplication
- Get a decent font, but make it readable.
- Lose the rectangle.
- Have a logo designed.
- Have them printed on a nice white or cream textured card. Black on white, or black text and an accent color if you get a designer who can do a good job.