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All about the design of gift cards
It is no longer a secret that gift cards are a smart investment for almost any business. This is clearly indicated by statistical data. Every year, the gift card market grows by as much as 10%. In addition, the great news for your business is that 72% of customers spend more than the value of their gift card. Your main task is to sell the gift cards, after which they will do their part of the work themselves. In order to be as successful as possible in selling them, you need to work on the design. In the rest of the text, we will go over the basics of gift card design that you need to pay attention to.
Gift cards have more room for branding
Gift cards are not the same as business cards. Both are very useful for business development, but they play different roles. Business cards primarily serve to convey the main information and contact data about you as simply and effectively as possible. As gift cards are freed from this duty, they leave much more space for the design itself. It will be easier for you to arrange colors, brand yourself and be creative. Otherwise, it is good when gift cards are striking and different, so that they attract attention to themselves as quickly as possible. On the other hand, business cards remain within business frameworks, so they don't leave much room for creativity.
The gift card must be recognized as your gift card at first glance. This means that you have done the branding well, that the logo is recognizable as well as the colors of the business. Always try to keep branding consistent across all cards. If you have special colors that represent your business, highlight them on the gift card.
A gift card is a moving advertisement for your brand. She is always with your customer. It's either in your pocket, or in your purse, or in your wallet. That's why quality card branding is so important. This becomes especially important if your customer shows it to someone else. The obligation to leave a good first impression on your business, at that moment falls on your gift card.
Dimensions and shapes
The standard dimensions and shape of gift cards are the same as credit bank cards. This is no accident. Wallets are made so that they can receive cards of these dimensions. So if your gift cards are made in this way, it is not a mistake, it is even desirable. Not a lot of experimentation, use proven methods that you know get results.
On the other hand, there is also the option to let your imagination run wild and design gift cards so that they capture the attention of everyone who looks at them. You can achieve this in several ways. In addition to striking color and design, play with their dimensions and shapes.
For example, large gift cards are very eye-catching and easily attract attention. On the other hand, mini cards can also be interesting and are easier to carry than these first ones. Match the shapes and dimensions of your gift cards with your business and brand and you will certainly stand out from the competition. A good example of this would be pet shop gift cards, which are in the shape of a bone, dog or cat. Coffee shops can create cards in the shape of coffee, coffee shops in the shape of beer mugs, bookstores in the shape of a notebook. There are really a lot of ideas, and it's up to you to choose the shape and dimensions that will best represent your brand and the industry in which you operate.
Have you thought about edges?
It may seem unimportant to you, but borders can also contribute to the design of gift cards. They leave an impression on customers as well as on the size and shape of the cards.
Rounded edges are the most common and are considered the standard in card making. They are the easiest to adapt to wallets, so it is logical that they are the most common. However, depending on the effect you want to leave on your customers, you can also consider sharp edges. Sharp edges give gift cards a more professional look, but they are not as practical as cards with rounded edges. Choose the ones that will best fit your card design, branding and the message you want to convey to your customers.
Choose your style
Gift cards give great freedom and creativity when it comes to their design. Many opt for a minimalist approach. Emphasis is placed on the logo and colors of the business, without too much text and information. However, this does not mean that you cannot put useful information related to the gift program itself or to your business on your gift card. Perhaps it is most practical to strike a balance between a minimalist approach and cluttering the gift card with data. You always have the option to use, for example, the front side for the logo and highlight the colors of the business, and use the back of the card as an informative part.
There are many different styles that will set you apart from the competition. From transparent cards that emphasize the logo, to cards in the shape of your best-selling product, the possibilities are various.
The design of gift cards is limited only by the limits of your creativity. They are an extension of your business, help with branding and spread the brand message and are great for marketing. If you do everything right, gift cards will expand the circle of your customers, some of whom will become regular customers and continue to buy from you or use your services.
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