Would you freak out if your letterhead was different from everyone else’s? What about if your business card was made of plastic instead of paper? Did you ever think of having a stamp made with your logo so that you could just stamp it on anything, from brown shipping boxes to proposals? Or how about stickers? use them to close an envelope, or stick it on the coin drop when you go through a tollbooth. That’s what everyone else does with those things.
Chances are, you’re going to go with the traditional, letterhead (name at top or lefthand corner) , and non-shocking business card. Is it because you want to look respectable? Or because nobody else uses non-traditional media for these things and… you might look weird? or are you just a scaredy cat?
I’m just asking you to challenge your own perceptions. Ask yourself, WHY am I hung up on this idea of respectable and classic? What does that even mean, if you don’t stand out from the competition? Come, think outside of the box with me. It’s ok, we’re just thinking.
form factor
maybe your card could be a comb if you’re a hairstylist. A coaster if you are a restauranteur or sommelier. A picture if you are a photographer. A usb drive if you’re a computer nerd.
traditional printing techniques, seldom used
What if you had a business-card had a hole in it (on purpose)? Die cuts are a very fancy way of making your card or letterhead non-rectangular. think of all that you could do with just a little something missing from your card or letterhead. it could be cool. Or maybe just your name is shiny, and the rest of the card isn’t. Or perhaps we go old school, and get some embossing done! yummmm. Expensive, but very worth it.
super cheap and avant garde
How about your favorite quotes, each one different, on the back of a card? or pictures of your work or inventory? Think in color for the paper or cardstock, and just use a typical old photocopier. Why not, if the effect is eye-catching?
Just Say No to .jpgs
So many business owners are using a jpg of their logo in a word doc as their letterhead. it’s sad. Presentation is everything. If you stand out from the other guys, you’ll probably get the gig. If you don’t believe me, go watch one of those shows where they redo a house in two days with some paint and cool lighting fixtures, and sell it for a huge profit. They don’t spend a bundle, but they do make some creative choices. Time and time again, it’s all about impressions and grabbing someone’s attention. Your identity package is the place to do that.