Rounded Corners on Business Cards & Flyers

In the world of print design, every detail matters - especially the small ones. One such detail is the rounded corners on business cards or flyers. While it might seem that this rounding is part of the design process, it is actually a post-print feature handled by your printer, not your designer. So, let's delve into how rounded corners come into play, and what it means for you as a client.

What Are Rounded Corners?

In essence, rounded corners are simply that - corners of a business card or flyer that have been rounded off rather than left sharp. They give a smoother, more professional look to your materials and can often make them stand out from the typical, straight-edged designs.

The Process: How Are Rounded Corners Applied?

The process of applying rounded corners to business cards and flyers is part of the finishing process in print production. After your design has been printed on a large sheet of paper or cardstock, it is then cut into individual cards or flyers.

This is where the 'rounding' comes in. Once the cards are cut into their rectangular shapes, another machine - often referred to as a corner rounder or corner cutter - is used to round off the corners. This machine can apply different radius cuts, from subtle to more pronounced, based on the client's preferences.

The Designer's Role

So, where does your designer fit into this? Contrary to popular belief, the designer does not typically add the rounded corners to your design during the digital design process. Instead, they design the card or flyer with sharp, square corners.

Why is this? Primarily, it is because the printing process works best with rectangular shapes. Rounded corners in the design stage could potentially lead to alignment and cropping issues during the printing process.

What You Need to Do

As a client, what do you need to know about this process? Well, it's pretty simple. When you're ordering your business cards or flyers, you just need to specify to the printer that you want rounded corners and the radius of the rounding that you prefer. They'll handle the rest.

Conclusion

In summary, rounded corners on business cards and flyers are a post-print feature handled by the printer during the final stages of production. Designers focus on crafting a beautiful, effective design within a standard rectangle, while the printer ensures your materials have that smooth, professional finish you're seeking. So next time you're ordering print materials, remember: no need to worry about asking your designer for rounded corners. It's all in the hands of your trusted printer.