10 Business Card Ideas for Your Company

illustration depicting a blank business card

A well-designed business card can make or break the first impression you give your customers. It can convey professionalism and attention to detail, or it can make you seem unprepared and unprofessional.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to refresh your current business card, here are some creative ideas to inspire you.

Elements of a successful business card

There are several key components of an eye-catching business card:

  • A logo.Your brand logo helps communicate the brand personality or brand identity of your company, and potentially what service you provide. Having a high-quality logo design clearly visible on your business card can increase brand awareness and help people remember your company.

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  • Name and contact information.The primary use of a business card is to provide someone with your contact details in a small package that acts as a physical reminder of yourself. Include your name and position at the company, phone numbers, business address, email, website address, and up-to-date social media account information.
  • Memorable design and style.Traditional business cards typically are black and white with a minimalist aesthetic, while modern cards use more creative approaches to grab someone’s attention. Consider including a scannable QR code that links to your website, using alternatives to cardstock likerecycled materials, or trying a vertical business card design.

screenshot of business card examples by hatchful

How to design a business card

  1. Pick your layout
  2. 确定字体和颜色
  3. Choose creative design elements
  4. Use tools to print your card

It might be tempting to slap your name, telephone number, and email address onto a card and call it a day. But taking the time to design an attractive business card can help market your small business and mayincrease sales. Here are a few steps you can take when designing your card.

1. Pick your layout

Vertical business cards, cards of different physical shapes and sizes, and cards with graphics or logos can draw the eye and increase the chance that a potential customer remembers you.

2. Decide on font and color

The font and color combinations on your business card should match those on your other marketing materials, packaging, or website. Consider using bolder colors in your brand’s color palette to grab attention.

3. Choose creative design elements

Embossed or raised lettering, photos, graphics, unique patterns, and even different backing materials like wood or recycled fabric can help create a lasting impression on a potential customer or business partner. Without overloading your card with information (remember the power of basic design principles like negative space), consider creative ways to tie back to your core business.

4. Use tools to print your card

Ecommerce businesses like Shopify offer their ownfree custom business card makers, as well asappsthat offer business card templates specific to a wide variety of industries. If you’re looking for a trained graphic designer, Shopify also has a list of thebest paid and free business card makerson the market.

10 business card ideas

  1. A non-rectangular shape
  2. Vertical design
  3. Different backing material
  4. Mimicry
  5. QR codes
  6. Graphics
  7. Unique lettering
  8. Bold colors
  9. Freebies
  10. Digital cards

You don't have to have a minimalist business card. Here are some business card design ideas to help it stand out from the pack:

1. A non-rectangular shape

Business cards can come in different shapes and sizes that can reflect different kinds of businesses. One example of this is an investor’s business card that has diagonal lines cut out to reflect the rising line of a stock price that increases in value.

2. Vertical design

Vertically oriented business cards can be a good way to fit in images or graphics that are better suited for that shape, such as portraits if you’re a portrait artist or a graphic of a tall building if you’re an architect.

image showing a vertical business card

Source: Paula Lee Calligraphy for Messing Kitchen Baking Co.

3. Different backing material

Plastic, metal, wood, cork, recycled composite, or even fabric are all options for your business card backing material. Be aware though that alternative materials tend to cost more to produce in bulk than regular cardstock does.

4. Mimicry

Using a design that somehow reflects the essence of your business can be a great way to make a card memorable without someone even having to read the text. Imagine the business card of a florist that folds down the edges of a rectangular card to reflect a bouquet, or a cleaver-shaped card for a butcher.

5. QR codes

QR codes easily directs people to your business website or social media account, and are increasingly appearing on modern business cards.

image of business cards with qr code

Source: Moo.com

6. Graphics

A card for a wine distributor might contain a graphic that looks like a wine glass stain, or a card for a framer can have a graphic of a picture frame on it.

7. Unique lettering

Embossed, raised, or otherwise unique lettering is another good way for the text on your card to pop out—literally. An acupuncturist's business card, for example, can use perforated lettering that brings to mind the work of acupuncture needles.

8. Bold colors

Using a bold color palette on your card will also increase the chance that people hang onto it, as research shows that individuals keep a colored card10 times longerthan they do a plain white card.

9. Freebies

Attaching promotional codes or tiny samples can be a great way to get people invested in your operation. For example, a small packet with seeds inside and business information printed on the outside might be perfect for a landscaping or plant-related business.

10. Digital cards

Digital business cards kept on your phone can be sent via text or email. Besides limiting potential waste, digital business cards can also communicate your tech savviness.

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Business card ideas FAQ

How much do business cards cost?

A custom-designed, standard-size (2 inch by 3.5 inch) business card typically costs between 6¢ and 24¢ per card to make. Prices will be higher for larger sizes or special designs, such as embossed logos or unique shapes, and most printing companies will give you deals on bulk orders.

How many business cards should I order?

The answer to that depends on your industry and how often you are meeting potential customers or clients in person. Typical business card orders range in the hundreds, but keep in mind that your sales can increase by 2.5% for every 2,000 cards you pass out.

How can I make my business card stand out from the competition?

Using creative business card design elements such as unique graphics, fonts, and eye-catching, bold colors will help you stand out from the dozens of white business cards out there. It can also build positive associations with your business and increase the likelihood of gaining business.

Can I include my social media handles on my business card?

Yes. You can either include the handles in written form or use a scannable QR code to link people directly to your accounts online.

What should not be on a business card?

Unnecessary personal information such as your home address or any outdated information like defunct website URLs or non-working email addresses should not be included on a business card. You also want to make sure you don’t have spelling errors or low-quality photos, both of which could leave a bad impression.
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