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All About Model Comp Card – What is It? How to Create One?

Are you still learning about the model industry and what to do to become a professional model? Then, you definitely need to know all about a comp card: a model’s business card.

As in every profession, creating a business card that displays key information about your job and yourself is crucial to put yourself in the sights of potential clients and job opportunities.

If you’re new to modeling, you must consider every possibility to “make a name” in the industry, including finding job opportunities. A composite card is an excellent way to potentialize this.

So, if you want more information about a model’s comp card, stay tuned to this article!

What is a comp card?

Also known as a composite card, a comp card is your business card as a model. It’s different than model digitals and model headshots.

Comp cards are key tools to every model. They will serve as a business card you can always carry with you and deliver to potential clients in case of a job opportunity.

By entering the modeling industry, you need to think about prospecting for clients and finding job opportunities to boost your career. This is how comp cards will help you.

They must contain primary information such as your name, contact details, personal statistics (body measurements, height, weight, eye color, hair color, etc.), and of course, photos of you.

In other words, it is a visual card that can help you highlight your main professional features and attract new clients.

Why create a model comp card?

As you can see, a comp card is essential for a model. Besides being a useful tool, it can also show potential customers that you are a professional model, even if you’re at the beginning of your career.

A composite card is an excellent way to give clients an overview of your professional skills and details. In addition, it’s a way to make yourself remembered and easy to contact if you fit the job’s requirements.

Therefore, don’t hesitate to create yours, as this will help you boost your career on many levels.

What should a comp (composite) card have?

Now that you know what a comp card is and its importance for your career, you might wonder what a composite card should have, right?

After all, you must think strategically and summarize your professional information in a small card. So, having clear instructions on what to add to your model’s comp card is crucial.

Well, here are a few guidelines for what your comp card should have!

Great pictures of you

As this is a visual card, choosing great, professional pictures of you is essential. This way, you can show the details stated in your personal stats and demonstrate your work. 

Therefore, think strategically when taking them and selecting the images of your composite card. Invest in professional photography to increase your comp card’s quality if you can.

The recommendation is to pick four photos for one side of the card, where your personal info will be, and one headshot for the other, where your name will be.

This way, potential customers can compare the information with your photos and have a more precise idea of you.

Try to take these photo styles to add to your composite card: portrait, full-body shot, half-body shot, action shot, and commercial shot.

Key information about you

As mentioned, your primary information is also crucial to a comp card. This information includes:

  • Your name and age;
  • Where you reside and your nationality;
  • Your contact information: email, phone number, and social media pages.
  • Your stats: height, weight, hair color, eye color, shoe size, dress size, skin.

High-quality material

Remember, your composite card must be as professional as possible.

For that, you have to invest in high-quality materials to print your comp cards, or if you also have a digital version (which we highly recommend), invest in high-quality graphics.

The right size

A comp card is bigger than a business card, as it should contain your model shots and personal, relevant information. Therefore, the right size matters.

Most composite cards have an A5 size. This is the ideal size to include all the information needed in this kind of business presentation.

How to create a professional model’s comp card?

Now, you might wonder if you can create a model’s comp card by yourself or hire another person to design it for you. You can also use the template this modeling course provides.

Well, it depends. If you want to save money, we recommend you do it yourself.

However, if you don’t want to worry about creating it, you can hire a professional designer to develop it according to your guidelines.

In any case, you should have a digital version of it so that you can update it every now and then with new information.

It’s easy to do it yourself. There are many tools available you can use to develop your comp card. Check now the steps to make it!

Start with the photos

The first step is to consider the photos you will add to your composite card. If you still didn’t take them, think about hiring a photographer.

If you already have nice shots, do a screening process and pick the most suitable ones to display your best features.

Choose a design tool and select a design

It’s time to choose a design tool. A simple-to-use design platform like Canva is enough to develop a good design for your comp card.

Then, you can customize it as you want and download it in a high-quality format.

If you don’t want to do it from scratch, you can also use platforms like Etsy or Zazzle to buy or find ready-made comp card templates.

In this case, it will not be as authentic as if you do it from scratch, but it will still serve its purpose. Choose the design that most suits you.

Another option is hiring a designer to create a composite card for you. In this case, you will have to pay for this service.

Put everything together and print it

Set up your comp card with high-quality photos, a good design, and your information, and review if everything is ok and ready to print.

You should print your composite cards in double-sided A5 cardstock. The first side displays your headshot with your name on the same side.

The other side will contain the remaining photos and your personal information and details.

On the other hand, your digital version will not be double-sided. Instead, you will have your name and headshot on the left side and the other photos and information details on the right side.

A good amount to start is around 100-120 cards. In addition, you can also post your composite card on modeling websites and social media to have a higher range of potential clients.

Ready to boost your modeling career and become more professional?

You learned in this article how essential a model’s comp card is to a modeling career.

If you follow our tips and steps, this tool will definitely boost your career and make you more known in the modeling industry, bringing you more professional opportunities.

And if you want more guidance and tips on becoming a model, keep following our blog to check more relevant and valuable content and stay up-to-date with the industry’s news!


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Blogger and fashion enthusiast for 20 years. Experienced runway and commercial model located in Los Angeles. I love creating helpful content and sharing with the world. Reach me out for any questions or feedback.

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