Quick Answer: Strut cards, the unsung heroes of brand visibility in bustling retail spaces, are a must-have for any marketing strategy. Their design, with its focus on bold visuals, clear branding, and smart customisation options, is the key to their effectiveness. Unique shapes, finishes, and durable materials like gloss or matte laminations ensure they stand out. These cards, with their high-contrast colours, legible fonts, and audience-specific images, are simple, impactful, and crafted to connect with customers right at eye level.
Strut Card Design: Key Tips for Success
So, you’re ready to get into strut card design, but you want it done right. After all, these little display cards might be small, but they pack a serious punch in the world of point-of-sale displays and promotional materials.
Best Practices for Designing Effective Strut Cards
Effective strut cards are not about complexity, but about simplicity. They’re clear, concise, and easy to read, ensuring that your message is delivered without any distractions.
Here’s what works:
- Keep It Simple and Eye-Catching: You’ve got seconds to grab attention. Use bold visuals, high-contrast colours, and clear fonts.
- Focus on the Message: The message should be clear, and the font size should be large enough to read from a distance. Avoid clutter and get right to the point.
- Quality Materials Matter: A sturdy mounting board with a protective backing gives your strut card longevity, while gloss or matte finishes add that professional touch.
- Highlight Your Brand: Whether it’s your logo or a tagline, branding needs prime placement—top or centre works best.
Key Elements of a Successful Strut Card Design
A Single formula does not bind successful strut card designs. They are versatile, adapting to each industry’s unique needs and characteristics, inspiring creativity and innovation. It’s not just about what looks good but what sticks. Let’s break down the essentials of strut card design.
Fonts and Colours
- Fonts should be bold, readable, and on-brand. Stick with sans-serif fonts for modern brands or a clean serif if you want a classic touch.
- Colours are crucial. Use high-contrast combinations (like black text on a white background) to stand out in a retail environment. Make sure colours reflect your brand identity.
Images and Graphics
- Use high-quality printed graphics that reflect your product or service. Product images should be clear, enticing, and sized to fit neatly within the card.
Branding Elements
- Give special attention to the branding area. Your logo should be prominent and unmissable. Position it at eye level or where it draws natural attention.
How to Create Eye-Catching Strut Cards
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel; focus on what works. Here’s a foolproof checklist for creating eye-catching strut cards:
- Play with Custom Shapes: Rectangle’s good, but a die-cut shape can help you stand out in retail. Think circular or a silhouette that complements your product.
- Choose the Right Finish: Gloss and matte finishes offer durability and style. A UV coating can make colours pop, while a laminate finish protects against wear.
Customisation Options for Strut Cards
Want to go beyond the basics? Here’s where customisation kicks in.
- Shapes and Sizes: Custom shapes are a powerful way to add flair and catch attention. Go with a shape that aligns with your brand message—circular, rounded edges or a unique die-cut that resembles your product.
- Finishes: Adding a finish can take a strut card from basic to premium. Gloss finishes are vibrant, while matte finishes offer a modern, understated look. UV coating adds an extra layer of durability and makes colours pop.
- Printed Face and Edge Trims: A printed face with clean edge trims gives the card a professional, polished look. This is particularly effective for premium brands.
Successful Strut Card Designs
Every industry has its take on strut cards. Let’s look at a few examples:
Food and Beverage
- Goal: Highlight a new product launch.
- Design: A die-cut shape that resembles the product, with vibrant colours and mouth-watering graphics. Gloss finish to make the visuals pop and laminated for durability.
Tech and Electronics
- Goal: Communicate high-end features and a sleek, modern look.
- Design: Simple, matte black background with a bold, sans-serif font in white. Product image placed front and centre, and a UV coating added for impact.
Fashion Retail
- Goal: Promote a sale or collection.
- Design: Soft matte finish with pastel colours for a trendy feel. Custom die-cut with rounded corners and a robust, high-contrast logo at the top.
FAQs
Q: What is a strut card?
A: A strut card is a freestanding promotional tool often used in retail, point-of-sale displays, and countertops to showcase products, services, or branding messages.
Q: How do I make my strut card more durable?
A: Choose quality materials like a sturdy mounting board and add protective finishes like lamination or UV coating.
Q: What’s the best font for a strut card?
A: Use bold, clear fonts that match your branding. Avoid overly decorative fonts, which can be hard to read from a distance.
Q: What are the standard sizes for strut cards?
A: Strut cards are often A5 or A4, but custom sizes are widely available to suit display needs.
Final Word on Strut Card Design
Strut cards are the silent workers of the marketing display world—small but mighty.
They boost brand visibility, drive customer engagement, and add a real punch to your marketing presence.
Keep it bold, clear, and focused on quality. A well-designed strut card doesn’t just sit there; it actively promotes your brand every minute it displays.
Let’s make your strut cards stand out.
