Are business cards dead? Depends on who you ask. For some, it’s an outdated method of networking, while others find it essential to making a good impression on prospective connections.
Plus, you never know when you’ll come across a potential customer, so having one on hand never hurts.
Your business card is a marketing tool. And just like with any marketing collateral, it requires careful consideration and deliberate design. To maximize their value, it’s essential to create a business card that’s memorable and stands out from the crowd.
13 Tips for Designing a Business Card
1. Choose the right size
A business card should be large enough to see its contents but small enough to fit into your pocket or wallet. The standard size is 3.5” x 2”, but you could opt for something a little larger to fit more information, or something smaller that includes links to online portfolios or profiles.
2. Use your brand’s color scheme
Some prefer all-white business cards, while others lean toward eye-catching colors. However, don’t overlook using your brand’s color scheme, which can help spread brand awareness to potential clients.
When you make significant brand changes, make sure to update your business card.
If you’re not set on a color scheme, then learn about the psychology of colors to see which represents your brand’s image.
3. Include your business’s logo
Including your company’s logo is another way to create brand awareness. The more times a customer sees your logo, business name, and other company references, the more likely they are to remember it.
Consider adding it in one corner of the card or in the center, depending on the logo’s shape and size. The goal is to make it visible without taking up too much space for important information (e.g., business name, number, services).
4. Include all of your contact details
Aside from your name and number, include other forms of contact, such as your email address, website URL, and social media handles.
If you’re a local business, add your company address in case prospects prefer to stop by.
5. Select quality materials
Cheap paper or flimsy cardstock can make your card look unprofessional — so choose a thicker cardstock that gives a premium feel. You can also opt for different ink options, such as metallic, acrylic, or raised ink, for something more unique.
Wieger Waardenburg, managing partner at digital marketing agency Fris Online, chose a quality material and spot varnish on the ink to give his card a glossy look while keeping the background matte.
Image: Courtesy of Fris Online
The vertical orientation also makes it stand out since horizontal layouts are more common.
6. Don’t forget a call to action
A business card should urge people to reach out to you, so include a call to action to ensure prospects take the next step.
For example, your CTA could be, “Call us today” or “Visit our website for more details,” or “Request a free demo.”
7. Keep it simple
People receive business cards throughout the year from all kinds of businesses and professionals. While it’s tempting to use eye-popping colors and designs to make your card stand out, this isn’t always necessary or helpful.
If your business is unique or offers a quality service, odds are the person will keep your business card around. Instead of worrying about an exotic color scheme, opt for something simple that includes all the essential information needed to buy your product or service (e.g., name, logo, number).
8. Use quality printing
There are two options for printing business cards: doing it yourself or using a design service. If you go the DIY route, you’ll need a quality printer and ink to ensure it looks professional. Look for the latest printers from popular brands like Epson and HP.
Otherwise, use a design company, which can provide you with multiple designs, cardstock, and ink to choose from.
9. Proofread before you print
Before printing your business cards, proofread to ensure there are no typos or mistakes. Double-check that the contact information is accurate and up-to-date, and that the logo, taglines, and colors convey your brand accurately.
10. Add a QR code
Adding a vCard QR code to your business card makes it easier for people to contact you. Have it link to your number or a landing page on your website; some use it for coupon codes to encourage prospects to become customers.
Your call to action could say something like, “Scan the QR code for a discount!”
11. Choose a legible font
A >business card design is about more than logos and colors. The typeface you choose can also be the difference between getting a call and having the card tossed in the trash.
Selecting a font that’s difficult to read will guarantee the latter. So opt for something readable like Arial or Helvetica. If your brand’s typeface is similar and legible, then go with that.
12. Place your headshot on the card
Adding a headshot to your business card adds a personal touch and makes it memorable. It can even help prospects recognize you in person or on social media platforms.
If you decide to include your photo, don’t be afraid to show your personality. Here’s an example of how freelance SEO consultant Steph Andrusjak included herself on a business card:
Image: Courtesy of Steph Andrusjak
“I wanted to have a bit of fun with the layout of the contact details,” Andrusjak says. “As my theme is ‘80s/‘90s inspired and quite colorful, I decided to make the reverse of the card look as though my contact details were scribbled on Post-it notes."
13. Choose eco-friendly materials
Have a mission to save the world? Then back it up with everything your business does, including your business card. Select eco-friendly materials, such as bamboo and vegetable-based ink.
Showcasing your company’s commitment to sustainability can help attract similarly minded customers.
How To Make a Business Card Stand Out
You don’t want your card to be lost among stacks of white cards. Here are a few tips to make your business card more noticeable.
- Include testimonials: Adding a line from a customer review or testimonials offers proof that you’re a professional worth calling. Consider placing it at the top or bottom of the card.
- Give it some texture: Matte or glossy finishes aren’t your only options. You could try textured designs, such as raised ink, to make words and shapes pop out (literally).
- Use a unique shape or size: Instead of sticking to the standard shape and size (3.5” x 2”), try changing the shape to a circle, star, or square.
Another option is to use laser-cut letters and designs. Yoel Israel, CEO of marketing agency WadiDigital, went with a wooden material, over typical metal, with laser-cut letters.
Image: Courtesy of WadiDigital
How To Design a Business Card for Free
Don’t want to dish out hundreds of dollars for a design agency to create your card? Do it yourself using free software that offers business card templates.
Here are a few options:
- Canva offers a free plan you can use to create professional-looking business cards. It offers a variety of templates and customization tools, as well as the ability to upload images and logos.
- Visme is an online graphic design tool that allows members to create business cards using dozens of templates. You can also design from scratch, then download it in JPG format.
- Adobe Express comes with templates, design assets, and royalty-free photos you can use to create business cards. You can download your design as a PDF, PNG, or JPG.
- Jukebox is an online business card maker with various templates and customization options. You can print directly from the site (no sign-up needed), or save your design as a PDF or JPG file for later use.
- Business Card Maker is an easy-to-use online tool for creating professional-looking cards and offers pre-made color schemes. You can download the final version as a PDF or JPG.
- VistaCreate is a free graphic design tool that allows you to create custom cards with its drag-and-drop editor and library of templates and graphics. You can upload images and logos, and print directly from the site or save your design as a PDF file.
- Shopify’s business card maker simplifies card design with its fill-in form that collects key details about your company, and allows logo uploads, to generate a business card you can download and print out.
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As a designer, I’m continually having customers tell me that they want a card that “pops.” Some people may think that means they want a card that is a bright neon color and that jumps out at you. But I have come to understand that people, in general, want a card that stands out from the crowd. And how you achieve that, is not always the way one might think.
If you want your custom business card to really “pop”, there are a few do’s and don’ts to keep in mind.
We recently revisted this important topic on how to design a business card and making it an effective visual marketing tool. Below are our top business card design tips.
First and Most Important, Keep it Simple
The more information you have on a card, the harder it is to
Find what you are looking for.
Figure out the best way to reach you.
Limit Your Phone Numbers
Phone numbers, for example, are one way to simplify your card. How do you want your customer to call you? The main office? Your receptionist? Your cell phone? Why not direct all of your calls to one place? It’s a lot easier to determine where to call when you only give them one option. And how often do you use your fax machine? If very few of your customers actually fax you something, maybe consider leaving that off too. If they need it, they’ll ask for it.
Your Physical Address
Do you have a business where you want people dropping in? If not, maybe it’s best to leave that off as well. At Primoprint, all of our business is done online, with companies all over the world. Very seldom do we have people who come into our physical offices. So there is no need for us to include our mailing address on our new cards.
Social Media
Social media has created a whole new world for communicating with customers. Letting people know which sites you are on can be important, but consider using the sites logo icon, rather than spelling out your entire handle. These sites have made it really simple for people to type in your name and find you.
High-Resolution Logo
Sell yourself right with a high-resolution version of your logo. I’ve seen companies that appear to cut and paste their logo from a scan and then try to use it on their cards. Unfortunately, that will not print well and doesn’t make your company look very professional. If you don’t have a high-res file, consider hiring a graphic designer to recreate it for you. Most of the time this is a simple process and will be a lot cheaper than designing a new one from scratch.
We know if can be challenging to find high-resolution images for your design. Take a look at the top 28 websites that offer free stock photos and select an eye catching image.
Make Sure You Smile!
If you want to use a photo on your card, I recommend hiring a professional photographer to take it. Selfies are great for Facebook, not so much for your card. Put yourself in the best light with a beautiful photo, that was taken at a high resolution, by someone who knows how to make you look good! We’ve met with our in-house photographer and she provided us with six helpful tips on how to take better headshots for your professional business cards.
Check Your Fonts
There are a million “cool” and “funky” fonts out there. In every style, you can imagine. With a business card design, try to keep your fonts very basic. These are easier to read. It should complement your logo, but not have a robust stylistic feel to them. And make sure your font is large enough for people to understand. Small type always looks better, but depending on your clientele you may need to keep it a little more substantial.
Still, Need More “Pop”?
If you’ve followed all the suggestions above and still would like to see additional “pop” you may want to consider thinking about the finish and paper type you are printing on. Adding elements of Spot UV or Stamped Foil can really elevate your business card to a new level.
But again, these elements should complement your design, not over-power it.
Also, consider upgrading your paper. Matte, Glossy, and Uncoated are pretty common paper types. If you want your card to not only look different but also feel different, try printing on a soft-touch paper, such as our Velvet. Or, go with a super thick, 32PT Uncoated card. You can even choose one of 17 colors to cover the edge of the card. These specialty papers and additional print processes can bring your design from great to amazing!
Our graphic design team designed the Patrick Bateman business card printed on Velvet card stock. “That’s bone. And the lettering is something called Silian Grail.”
As with any custom design, the look of the card is very personal and subjective. What I like, you may not. And what works for my business may not work for yours. So find other cards that you desire and figure out what it is about those cards that make it successful. And if you need help, don’t be afraid to ask. The designers here at Primoprint would love to help you out!
Choosing the Card Stock
Why is it essential to select the right card stock? Well, it’s all about the impression you want to deliver. Plus, it’s about how you want to tell your brand and a story. Additionally, card stock can represent a personality. For example, for those individuals that are looking for eco-friendly card stock, they would select Natural or Kraft paper stock. Both contain 30% of recycled materials.
Resource: YouTube Product Videos
Picking the right card stock plays an essential role in the available features. For example, Spot UV is only available on a few types of card stock, including Silk, Velvet, and Matte. It’s not available on Natural or Kraft paper as an example.
Card Stock Thickness
At Primoprint, we offer a large selection of card stock thickness options. Choose from the following options; 14PT, 16PT, 22PT, and 32PT, which is our thickest card stock. The below image is based on 100 cards. Depending on the use, a standard business card thickness of 16PT is sufficient for most features.
Resource: Paper Stocks and Weights
Additional Resources:
- 5 Tips for Using Business Cards Effectively:
We’ve listed 5 tips on how to use your business cards effectively. From handing them out to creating a custom design.
- 13 Unique Ways to use Business Cards:
Business cards are super affordable and can be used in a variety of ways. Learn creative and fun ways to use these small, but powerful 2 x 3.5 cards!