Business Cards & Stationery Business Card Layout 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A finished card comes back from the printer with white slivers along one edge. What was most likely missing from the file?
- A QR code
- Bleed extending past the trim line (Correct answer)
- Embedded fonts
- A spot color
Correct answer: Bleed extending past the trim line
White edges after trimming usually mean the artwork lacked bleed beyond the cut line.
Question 2: Why should fonts be outlined or embedded before sending a card file to print?
- To make the text editable by the printer
- To prevent font substitution if the printer lacks the typeface (Correct answer)
- To reduce ink usage
- To convert text to RGB
Correct answer: To prevent font substitution if the printer lacks the typeface
Outlining or embedding fonts ensures the type renders exactly as designed on any system.
Question 3: What is the typical bleed allowance printers request on each side of a business card?
- 0.125 inch (Correct answer)
- 1 inch
- 0.5 inch
- No bleed is ever needed
Correct answer: 0.125 inch
Most printers ask for 0.125 inch (1/8 inch) of bleed on each edge.
Question 4: A designer wants heavy solid black coverage on a card back. Which layout/prepress choice gives the deepest black in print?
- 100% K only
- A rich black mix such as C60 M40 Y40 K100 (Correct answer)
- Pure cyan
- RGB black converted at the printer
Correct answer: A rich black mix such as C60 M40 Y40 K100
Rich black layers other inks under 100% K for a deeper, denser black than K alone.
Question 5: Which scenario justifies a die-cut business card shape?
- When the brand benefits from a memorable custom shape and the budget allows tooling costs (Correct answer)
- When the card must fit standard wallets
- When text needs to be larger
- When the printer runs out of rectangles
Correct answer: When the brand benefits from a memorable custom shape and the budget allows tooling costs
Die cuts create memorable shapes but add cost and may sacrifice wallet-friendliness.
Question 6: Where should the most critical information sit relative to the card's visual flow for Western readers?
- Bottom-right corner only
- Along the natural top-left to bottom-right reading path (Correct answer)
- Hidden on the edge
- Rotated 180 degrees
Correct answer: Along the natural top-left to bottom-right reading path
Western eyes scan from top-left to bottom-right, so key info should follow that path.
Question 7: What layout adjustment helps a card remain legible when printed on dark stock with white ink?
- Use hairline-thin serif fonts
- Slightly increase font weight and spacing since white ink can fill in fine details (Correct answer)
- Shrink all text below 5 pt
- Avoid any text on dark stock
Correct answer: Slightly increase font weight and spacing since white ink can fill in fine details
White ink on dark stock can spread or thin out, so heavier weights and looser spacing preserve legibility.
Business Cards & Stationery Business Card Layout 5
A finished card comes back from the printer with white slivers along one edge.
What was most likely missing from the file?