Monday, June 3, 2013

Biz Tips: How to Make the Best Business Cards

In a world where everyone seems to have a business card for everything, it's even more important to have one that is thoughtfully designed and quality constructed.

Cheap business cards are easy to spot, so whatever you do, don't skimp out. A business card speaks volumes about its owner, and will inevitably leave the recipient with an impression -- good or bad.

1. Find the Right Design

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If you've been working with a professional designer for your marketing collateral, we suggest having them take a shot at also designing your business card. This will ensure consistent branding across all of your identity pieces, including your website and letterhead.

Don't have a professional designer? Don't fret. There are printers out there that provide really sleek, professional designs. See #2 below for our favorite printer (and beware of some other sites, whose templates can look elementary and DIY). If you don't want to use a template, consider investing in a design program like Adobe Illustrator. It can be pricey but will allow you to design and save your file in .ai or .eps formats for high resolution printing. Standard .jpg and .png files are not sharp enough and will compromise the quality of your business cards.

2. Find the Right Printer 

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 We love Moo.com for its variety of creative and professional designs. They allow customers to upload their own designs, but where this company really shines is in its offering of modern, high-design templates. Moo's designs are sleek, professional, and creative -- nothing like the DIY look you get from some other print shop templates.

We've used Moo for a few different businesses and organizations, and the quality of their cards cannot be beat. Moo offers a few different options for card stock, but all options (including their base standard) are thick and substantial feeling.

Bottom line: From our experience, you might spend a little more at Moo than you would at other online printers like Vistaprint, but once you see the print quality and feel the card stock, you'll be glad you spent the extra couple bucks.

3. Sizes, Shapes, and Colors - Oh, my!

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Size: We highly recommend sticking to the traditional business card size. In recent years there has been a trend toward "mini" everything -- including business cards. Keep in mind, though, that while mini cards are cute, they're not very professional and are more likely to get lost.

Shapes: It is almost guaranteed that oddly shaped cards will either get (1) stored separately from all other business cards, or (2) tossed in the trash. Don't give people an excuse to lose or toss your card. If you're looking for something a little different, try a vertical card or rounded edges. And if you want to add a really cool design element, experiment with colors and textures.

Colors: Don't be afraid to experiment with color! Using one main accent color makes a huge statement and will give your cards a real pop. Using too many colors at once can make your card look messy and overstuffed. On the flip side, don't be afraid of white space. Strategically paired with the right fonts and images, white space can make for one of the sleekest business cards you've ever seen.

Readers: Have you ever created your own business cards? Feel free to share your own advice in the comments.

Photo credit: Moo
Disclaimer: All opinions above are our own. We were not compensated for this post and are recommending Moo  based on our own personal experiences.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Top 5 Best Office Plants

When it comes to office plants, there is a fine line between tasteful and tacky. Too big or too many, and your work space starts to look like a jungle. Too small, and your office looks dingy and lacking.

Our favorite greenery is sleek, modern, and works well with different levels of lighting. Here are our top five picks, which will complement your work space -- rather than distract from it.

5. Preserved Boxwood Topiary Globes
best office plants boxwood - SnapSuites boston back bay executive office space 
These nifty little plants are the ultimate in chic -- and they're so low maintenance. OK, we cheated a little since these topiaries are preserved and not live, but they look fabulous and only require a light misting of water once a month for a quick "refresher." The rustic terra cotta pots look great in all environments and help soften up the look of sterile office furniture. Our favorite way to arrange these boxwoods? Buy three of the same size. They look great lined up on a shelf, cabinet, or console. Restoration Hardware, $18-$238 (currently on sale).
 
4. Japanese Moss Ball
 best office plants japanese moss ball - SnapSuites boston back bay executive office space 
If you're looking for something that's both unique and calming, consider getting yourself a piece of Marimo, also known as "ball seaweed." These balls thrive in tap water and normal sunlight, and actually float, sink, and roll around in the aquarium as a result of photosynthesis and response to light. Best of all, they can live up to 200 years! Pink Serissa on Etsy, $21.
 
3. Phalaenopsis Orchid
 Phalaenopsis Orchid best office plants - SnapSuites boston back bay executive office space 
Phalaenopsis orchids require very little watering -- once a week or so -- and are incredibly versatile thanks to a wide variety in flower colors and potting options. We love the white option, which provides a nice cool-toned contrast against warm-colored office furniture. In our own space, where our furniture is modern and white, we're partial to fuchsia orchids which add little pops of color with a big impact. Winston Flowers, $100.
 
2. Bamboo
 bamboo best office plants - SnapSuites boston back bay executive office space 
Bamboo plants are an obvious choice, but we still love them for their zen-like feel and air purification qualities. They're ubiquitous in offices and cubicles around the country for a good reason: their ability to thrive without direct sunlight. Home Depot, $32.
 
1. Succulent Garden
 Succulent Garden best office plants - SnapSuites boston back bay executive office space 
These striking plants -- known as succulents, and sometimes "fat plants" -- are a great way to showcase a variety of unique shapes and forms in one place. Known for their thick and fleshy leaves, succulents add a natural element to the work place -- and look office-appropriate when paired with a sleek ceramic base. Winston Flowers, $125.

Readers: How do you dress up your work space? Do you have any plants?

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Welcome to SnapSuites - the blog!

You could say we're a little nuts about real estate.

From decor to to new technology to work efficiency, we're always searching for the latest and greatest -- and thought it would be fun to share our latest thoughts and obsessions with you here.

Feel free to leave a comment or drop us a line anytime. Or even better, stop by and say "hi" if you're in the neighborhood!