For aspiring models, your composite card is usually the first glimpse agents and casting directors get of you – and you know what they say about first impressions. That means it’s really important to make yours stand out while simultaneously giving potential clients instant access to all the information they need about you. That info includes contact information, past bookings (or other indication of your modelling ability), and your look. It might be miniature, but this pocket-size piece of self-promotion can feel like a big job to get right, especially if you don’t have a lot of previous experience to showcase. Here are some tips for making a shiny, gig-landing modelling comp card.
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A composite card, or comp card, is a visual CV. It’s an at-a-glance summary of a model’s professional identity. Comp cards are small enough for casting directors to lay out multiple cards to get a quick feel for who best fits the brief.
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A composite card should be A5 in size, which is 8'5" x 5'5". Its compact size is what sets it apart from a full portfolio. A model comp card should include:
Photos
The front of the card should feature an unfiltered close-up of your face, with further shots on the reverse to showcase your different looks. It’s also a good idea to include a full-length photo, an action shot that gives a sense of who you are, and one of your best commercial shots.
Depending on your experience and the castings you’re going for, you might want two different comp cards. For example, if you’re going for a lingerie or swimwear casting, you might include more body shots. For general castings or if you’re just starting out, stick with a variety.
Statistics
These should include your height, weight, hair and eye colour, plus body measurements like your waist, chest, hips, and shoe size.
Contact details
Your name should already be on the front of your card, but pop it on the reverse as well for extra ease. Your contact information should include the city you live in, your nationality, phone number, email address, social media handles, and contact details for your agents or managers if you have them.
1. Select your photos: Choose a range of pictures that showcase different looks. Established models include images from their most high-profile professional shoots, but if you’re just starting out, consider investing in a professional portfolio shoot.
2. Design your card: Use design tools like Canva, Adobe InDesign, or Scribus to design it yourself, or employ a professional designer to help you. Aim to keep the design stylish and simple, ensuring that your details remain clear.
3. Print your card: Some designers take care of printing your cards too. However, if you’ve designed the card yourself, you can order prints from sites like Vistaprint in the UK and Kwik Kopy in Australia. Remember to print double-sided, with your headshot and name on the front and further shots, plus your personal information, on the back. Print a maximum of 100 to begin with. You can always order more if you need to.
4. Share your card online: As well as ordering printed cards, sharing your comp card online means getting it in front of more people. If you have an agent or manager, they should post it on their website and in their directories, but you should also post it on your own website and social media profiles.
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Keep it simple, clear and eye-catching
The purpose of a composite card is to convey all the vital information about you clearly and quickly, so don’t overcomplicate it. Keep the design simple and clear, with a dash of creativity to differentiate your card from others in the pile. Showcasing your individualism as well as your looks will help yours stand out.
Link it to your social media profiles
Treat social media as an extension of your portfolio. Your public accounts can act as an extension of your comp card, offering a greater variety of photos from shoots and a glimpse of your authentic self via behind-the-scenes insights into your life. Select your very best pictures as well as your most recent work to keep it up-to-date. And be sure to include your social handles on your comp card.
Share your card
The best way to get the right people to notice you is to share your model comp card far and wide. Post it as a tile on your Instagram, upload it to casting sites, and share it with industry professionals you meet. Carry some physical copies wherever you go and be ready to confidently hand it out. Remember: Each copy of your card has the power to secure your next booking.