Credit cards are becoming more personalized every day, especially with the ability to choose your own personalized credit card design. The hardest part about choosing customized credit cards is deciding how to design it. There are many design options available for personalized credit cards, from your own photo to a design you pick from the company.

Credit card personalization can offer extra security on your credit cards. Another person won't easily be able to use your credit card when it has your photo on it. You can also personalize your credit card by using your favorite picture, character, sports team, college logo or business logo. The choices are endless when working with credit cards: personalized card.

1. Choose a customized credit card design to make your credit card more personal.

2. Choose a customized credit card with your photo to add extra protection to your card.

3. Choose a personalized business credit card that can help advertise your business.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Pick your own customized credit card designs

A lot of credit cards feature pictures, characters, sports teams, school mascots and several other designs you can put on your card to personalize it for yourself. You can find a credit card company that allows you to choose from several designs to find the one you want, that will make your credit card more personal to you.

I recommend: CreditCardGuide.com allows you to customize your credit card, with many different options. Discover lets you choose your own card design.

Use a customized credit card with your photo on it

In today's world, you want to be extra careful with your credit cards. One way to protect them is to choose one that allows you to put your photo ID on it. By having your photo ID right on your credit card, it will make it harder for others to use your card and save you the hassle of needing a separate photo ID when making purchases with it.

I recommend: Bank of America offers cards with your photo for no extra charge. The Capital One Image Card lets you put any photo on your card.

Create your own unique personalized business credit card

You can't advertise your business enough, and using a personalized business card with your company's name and logo helps you with advertisement. Anytime you or one of your employees uses the card, the merchant will see your business' name, and possibly logo, and can make a mental note of it.

I recommend: Nevada State Bank lets you choose a picture or image to place on your business' Visa debit or credit card. SmallBusinessCards.org allows you to choose the look of your small business credit card.

Every time you use your credit card, you could be advertising your business with a customized credit card design. Over the years, credit card companies have come up with new ways to catch a new market and increase the issuance of personalized cards. The idea behind the push? The more attractive the card, the more likely it will be used.

Customized credit cards can include many things from choosing different card services, to naming your rate and even uploading a picture for your card design, including your company name and logo.

Consider the following personalization information:

1. Personalized credit cards can usually include any picture as long as it doesn't violate the card's policies for copyright and decency.

2. With today's credit cards, personalized card images can now be spread across the whole front side of your card. Previously, companies were just printing the photo on about 2/3 of the card's space.

3. Credit card personalization is nothing new, starting back as early as the 1970s. However, it is even more widespread today due to the digital photo revolution.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Personalize your credit card

You are unique. Your business is unique. Why not show it off every time you use plastic? It can be a great conversation starter and networking tool to promote your business.

I recommend: Include your name, your business name and perhaps even your logo with business credit cards from Advanta or Discover Bank.

Customize your credit card by adding additional card features

Just as you order a burger with all the extra toppings and have it cooked well done, you can customize your card's features, too. From choosing rewards to setting up payments, the options are there for the choosing. The ability to choose features and disable others is especially appealing for business owners like you.

I recommend: CapitalOne Services' Card Lab offers a way to customize your card including rates, rewards and even image options. Wells Fargo allows cardholders to sign up for the card options they wish, such as business rewards, overdraft protection, automatic payment, online banking, credit protection and business spending reports.

Create a customized credit card with your photo

A picture is worth a thousand words and takes up less space. Use that to your advantage by uploading a picture that best reflects the nature of your business.

I recommend: Bank of America's Photo Expressions option provides for existing cardholders to change their design to include a photo or to apply for a new card with a photo on it. According to Credit Cards.com, the Personalized BucksBack Visa Card allows users to personalize their card with their favorite photo or image.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Although personalized business credit cards seem like fun, don't get caught up in the marketing hype. Be sure to do all the necessary research, including checking out rates and annual fees.

Customizing a personal or business credit card is a great way to add your own touch to the payment option. Whether you want to add a family photo or company logo to a card, there are many options to sort through.

If you're looking for added security, a personal security photo is recommended. To add class or business visibility, add a company monogram, logo or tagline. Review all the common personalized credit card terms to get a better understanding of what's available.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Monogram card

A monogram card is a personalized credit card with your personal initial printed on the face of the card. You choose the personal letter included on the card. It can represent your first name, last name or business name.

I recommend: Review the monogram personalized credit card details at NC Buy.

Collection

A collection is a group of credit card designs from which anyone can choose for their card. Find collections that include wildlife, sports teams, landscapes and much more. Personalize your credit card with one of the photo cards from the set.

I recommend: The BankLady.com website explains the wildlife collection available at Discover Card. The website also includes a listing of other collections available.

Mini card

A mini card, or keychain card, is a small version of your credit card that you can attach to a keychain. The card is easily accessible to swipe through credit card reading machines for times when you need to make purchases quickly.

I recommend: Read the information about the mini card at Credit Card Whiz Kid.

Security photo

A security photo is an option in personalizing a credit card. It is not the same thing as a personal or expression credit card photo. The security photo is a head shot of you used to identify yourself when using the card. An expression or personal photo can be a picture of anything from your baby to your car or dog. While the personal photo customizes your card, it doesn't add security.

I recommend: Read how security photos work for personalized credit cards at Bank of America.

Loyalty program

A loyalty program is one that a credit card uses to get you to spend money using your credit card. These programs can be personalized to offer you incentives from cash back on gas to free flying miles or even free video games.

I recommend: CreditCards.com offers a full explanation of loyalty programs for personalized credit cards.

Tagline

A tagline is a slogan, memorable saying or description. You can add a business logo or slogan to a credit card. The message is sometimes refered to as a tagline during the customizing process.

I recommend: WiseGeek defines the word tagline. Review the customizing options and reference to the tagline at Wells Fargo card design lab.