Design professional business cards for free

Design professional business cards for free

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Logging into Your Account
3. Choosing the Design Tool
4. Familiarizing with the Interface 4.1 The Design Board 4.2 The Dashboard 4.3 The Tabs
5. Understanding the Design Process
6. Designing Your Business Card 6.1 Adding Text and Images 6.2 Manipulating Design Elements 6.3 Using the Depth and Alignment Panel
7. Customizing Your Design 7.1 Changing Fonts and Colors 7.2 Adding Backgrounds and Images 7.3 Applying Visual Aids and Grids
8. Finalizing Your Design 8.1 Checking Placement and Size 8.2 Adjusting Background Effects 8.3 Reviewing Warnings and Recommendations
9. Completing Your Order
10. Professional Design Services

Design Your Own Business Card with the Division1Printing Advanced Design Tool

Are You looking to Create an eye-catching business card that reflects your unique brand? Look no further! In this tutorial series, I will guide you through the process of designing your own business card using the free online advanced design tool provided by Division1Printing.com.

Introduction

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty details, let me introduce myself. My name is Wen Griffin, and I am thrilled to be your instructor throughout this three-part tutorial series. In Part One, we will focus on familiarizing you with the interface of the advanced design tool. In Part Two, we will explore the design process, and in Part Three, I will Show you how to complete your order seamlessly.

Logging into Your Account

To get started, you need to log into your Division1Printing account. Simply click on the "Account Login" link located at the upper right-HAND corner of your browser window. If you don't have an account yet, no worries! Just click on the "Sign Up" link under the login section.

Choosing the Design Tool

Once you are logged in or signed up, click on the "Business Card" link located under the print product menu on the left side of the browser window. Here, you will find two options for the free online design tool: the HTML-Based Quick Designer and the Flash-based Advanced Designer. For this tutorial, we will focus on the Advanced Designer due to its enhanced functionality.

Familiarizing with the Interface

The interface of the advanced design tool comprises three main areas: the Design Board, the Dashboard, and the Tabs. Let's start by understanding the Design Board, which is the primary workspace where you can Visualize the changes made to your business card.

The Design Board

On the Design Board, you'll Notice rulers at the top and left-hand side, measured in inches. These rulers assist in accurately aligning your text and images. You can drag and drop guides from the rulers to achieve perfect alignment. Additionally, scroll bars and arrows allow you to navigate the Design Board horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.

Two tabs at the top left of the Design Board enable quick switching between the front and back of your business card template. Within the template, you'll find a red line and a Blue line. The red line marks the final trim size of your business card (2 by 3.5 inches). Anything beyond this line will be cut off during the printing process. The blue lines indicate the safe zone, where all critical content should remain to ensure it doesn't get unintentionally cropped.

The Dashboard

Located at the top of the screen, the Dashboard houses all the control panels required to create and manipulate your design. The Tools Panel offers various buttons, such as the Select Cursor for moving objects, the Hand Cursor for relocating the print product template, and the Undo and Redo buttons for easy modification of your design. The Zoom Tools enable you to zoom in and out at your convenience.

The Tabs

Finally, the right-hand Tab Section consists of three tabs: Properties, Visual Aids, and Background. The Properties tab displays information about each element in your design and allows for rotation or removal. The Visual Aids tab offers GRID options to assist with aligning text and images, as well as toggling guide visibility. The Background tab allows you to modify the background image's effect, remove it, or Apply various transformations.

Understanding the Design Process

Now that you are familiar with the interface, let's Delve into the design process itself. In Part Two of this tutorial series, we will explore each step in Detail, from adding text and images to manipulating design elements. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to bring your business card to life.

Designing Your Business Card

In this section, we will cover the practical aspects of designing your business card. Follow along as we discuss adding text and images, manipulating design elements, and utilizing the Depth and Alignment panel for precise alignment.

Adding Text and Images

The Text Panel, located in the Dashboard, offers numerous customization options for font face, color, size, and style. We will explore how to leverage these features to create compelling text elements that Align with your brand identity. Additionally, the Images Panel allows you to incorporate backgrounds, clip art, or your own images seamlessly into your design.

Manipulating Design Elements

To achieve the desired layout, the Tools Panel contains buttons for drawing shapes or lines. You can modify their color, size, and Outline style as needed. With the Depth and Alignment Panel, aligning shapes, text, images, and other objects becomes a breeze. You can precisely position objects relative to the safe zone lines and arrange their layering accordingly.

Customizing Your Design

Once the basics are in place, it's time to personalize your business card further. In this section, we will explore how to change fonts and colors, add backgrounds and images, and apply visual aids and grids to achieve a professional and visually balanced design.

Changing Fonts and Colors

The Text Panel in the Dashboard allows you to experiment with different font faces, colors, sizes, and styles until you find the perfect match for your business card. This versatile tool enables you to convey your brand personality effortlessly.

Adding Backgrounds and Images

In the Images Panel, you have the freedom to choose a background image, clip art, or even upload your own images. This feature empowers you to create a visually stunning business card that captures Attention and leaves a lasting impression.

Applying Visual Aids and Grids

To maintain symmetry and ensure precise alignment, the Visual Aids tab provides options for utilizing grids. You can adjust grid spacing and visibility to achieve Cohesive design elements. Take AdVantage of these aids to create a balanced and harmonious layout.

Finalizing Your Design

As you near completion, it is crucial to review and fine-tune your design. In this section, we will cover essential steps such as checking placement and size, adjusting background effects, and carefully reviewing any warnings or recommendations provided by the advanced design tool.

Checking Placement and Size

With the Properties tab, you can easily verify the position and dimension of each element in your design. Pay close attention to pixel measurements to ensure optimal print quality. Take advantage of rotation and removal options as needed.

Adjusting Background Effects

The Background tab offers various effects and styles to further enhance your background image. Experiment with flipping, rotating, or even removing the background altogether. These subtle adjustments can significantly impact the overall visual appeal of your business card.

Reviewing Warnings and Recommendations

The advanced design tool includes warnings and recommendations to assist you in creating a print-ready business card. Ensure that no critical content falls outside the red trim line, as it may get trimmed during the printing process. Staying within the blue safe zone lines guarantees that no crucial information gets unintentionally cut.

Completing Your Order

In Part Three of this tutorial series, we will guide you through the final steps of completing your order. From double-checking your design to selecting the appropriate print options, we will ensure that your business card is ready for production. Rest assured that Division1Printing offers professional design services at wholesale costs, allowing you to obtain exceptional quality at an affordable price.

Professional Design Services

In addition to the advanced design tool, Division1Printing offers professional design services for those seeking expert guidance or a personalized touch. Whether you need assistance with concept development, layout design, or creating a unique brand identity, our experienced designers are ready to bring your vision to life. Contact us today to learn more about our professional design services.

Highlights:

• Learn how to design your own business card with the free online advanced design tool from Division1Printing.com
• Familiarize yourself with the interface and explore the various features and functionalities
• Add text and images, manipulate design elements, and align them precisely
• Customize your design by changing fonts, colors, backgrounds, and utilizing visual aids
• Finalize your design by checking placement, adjusting background effects, and reviewing warnings
• Complete your order and explore professional design services to enhance your business card

FAQ:

Q: Can I use the advanced design tool without an account? A: No, you need to log into your Division1Printing account to access the advanced design tool. If you don't have an account, you can easily create one.

Q: Is there a cost associated with using the advanced design tool? A: No, the advanced design tool is available for free on the Division1Printing website. However, printing costs will apply when you proceed to order your business cards.

Q: Can I save my design and come back to it later? A: Yes, the advanced design tool allows you to save and access your designs at any time. You can continue where you left off without losing any progress.

Q: Can I upload my own images for the background? A: Absolutely! The advanced design tool provides an option to upload your own images, allowing you to create a truly personalized business card.

Q: What are the maximum Dimensions for a business card in the advanced design tool? A: The advanced design tool supports the standard business card size of 2 by 3.5 inches. Ensure that your design stays within the safe zone lines to prevent any important content from getting cut off during printing.