Weather you need a new set of business cards, a new logo, some t-shirts made, or even if you need a web site made, there is a design template out there for everything that you need. They are easy to find, quick to get, and some are even free. All you have to do is download, and customize it to your liking. So why should you even call a designer to do a job for you?
First of all, not all templates are worth the time of day. People spend so much time to make so many templates for you to download, that the quality and craft mans ship may leave something to be desired. A template for a t-shirt design may be fine for your next family reunion, but you won't be able to sell it to as one of your latest fashion lines. The problem with design templates is its availability. Every respectable company hires graphic designers that spends hour, days, even months, to come up with a concept, design and look for a company that will set the company apart from its competition. Because templates are so widely available, too many people can be walking around with the exact same design for a business card that you have, with very little differences.
For example, you can go on line to vistaprinting.com and they have an offer for 250 free business cards, all you have to do is pay for shipping, which may run you about 12 dollars. And you can go threw their template library of over a 1000 different designs for you to choose from. Sounds like a great deal doesn't it? But once you get your cards in the mail, the companies name, logo and web address is printed on the back. It is a small price to pay since you are getting free business cards. But the impression your it leaves people counts for alot. It just doesn't look professional. Would you trust an insurance agent with your money, when it looks like they can not even afford to buy their own business cards to promote themselves?
I have a friend who is in the heating and air business, he used the vista printing service for the free business cards. On the front of the card was an illustration of some houses with his name and information on it. It was cute when I first looked at it, besides vista printing being on the back of the card. But a few weeks later i saw a business card for a hair stylists that looked exactly like my friends card, excluding their information. You can not have a very successful business when your heating and air company looks exactly like a beauty salon. These two companies should not even be in the same category. Your business card is support to represent your company, and what your company represents. Just with this alone you are lowering the value of your company before anyone gives you a chance.
