But it looks so PRETTY...

Yes. It is pretty.

The font you want to use for your business name is very important. Why? Take Coca-Cola or Disney for example. Even if the words Coca-Cola or Disney were written in some foreign language, you would still recognize it because of the unique font they use. Your font, in essence, becomes part of your brand identity.

But, let's back-up a bit. Go find a business card. Any business card will do. What do you notice about the print? Does the color "speak" to you? Is it easy to read? Are the letters too small? Are the letters so swirly and curly (my term!) that you can't distinguish where one word ends and the next word begins?

A little planning goes a long way. Somewhere down the line you may decide to have business cards printed, a banner made, a website, maybe even a custom rubber stamp made with your business name on it. While detail is important, your chosen font must be:

1. Easy to read
2. Fit your business' personality (think funky jewelry = funky font, elegant jewelry = elegant font)
3. Can you live with it for a long time? (when was the last time Coke changed their font?)

Sit down one day at the computer (or with a sketch pad) and play around with your new business name. Try out different fonts and colors. Try out different font sizes. Bold, italic, underscore. Maybe even make an entire page of options and print them out. Hold the paper at arm's length and see how it looks.

Now for a small lesson I learned the hard way. Color.

If you like to match your colors (like I do), be prepared to sacrifice. Say you choose a really light shade of teal for your font and business color. Weeks and months go by. You're getting ready for your first craft show in a few weeks. It's nice to give your customers a little personal touch and give them their purchase in a gift bag. But wait. You search a few local papermarts and online stores for matching light teal shopping bags or tissue paper. Where is it? After all, if my printer can make light teal, why can't my paper supplier?

Short of ordering (very, very) expensive custom colored paper products, consider a coordinating color. Even if the coordinating color is black, white, deep teal, red, etc. You'll save time and money. And headaches!

That's enough to think about for today....

Next: What is your product?