Tips for designing a modern business card

Tips for designing a modern business card

Vitalii Shynakov
published:

Templates for business cards

This text is for your information on how you can quickly and easily design your own business cards. If you are also interested in a shortcut, you can also use our high-quality business card templates , which you can find in the business card templates category on our TutKit.com portal. Discover a large selection of attractive business card templates that you can download and edit directly.

Are business cards still relevant today?

There is a debate about the value of business cards in business. For some, they are an outdated means of communication, for others an essential element to make an impression on potential contacts. Plus, it's always useful to have a business card to hand as you never know when you'll meet a potential client.
Your business card is not just a piece of cardboard, it is still a valuable marketing tool. Like any other promotional material, it needs to be carefully designed. For maximum impact, it's important to design a business card that reflects your positioning and stands out from the crowd.

Word template business cards
One of the easiest ways to create your own business card is to buy a ready-made business card template for MS Word or InDesign and edit it. This often takes no longer than 5 minutes.

How do you create the perfect business card?

The right size

The right size of business card is crucial for the effective use of this marketing tool. In the European Union, the standard size of a business card is 85 mm × 55 mm. Compliance with this standard ensures that business cards can be easily stored and passed on.

If a business card is smaller than the standard size, it may contain less information or the elements may be too small, making them difficult to read. On the other hand, if the business card is larger than the standard format, it may not fit into a standard business card holder or business card case and is therefore less practical. Therefore, I recommend sticking to a standard format to ensure optimal interaction with your potential contacts.

Choosing the background of the business card

Most business cards are white by default for several reasons. First, the color white conveys a clean and professional appearance, which is important for business communication. It also makes text and logos easy to read and understand. Secondly, white is a versatile color that suits any brand and style. Yes, we know that white is not strictly speaking a color. But you know what I mean, right? White doesn't clash with other colors and is easy to combine with different designs. Therefore, using white on business cards is a practical and aesthetic choice for most businesses.

It may also be worth considering using your brand's color scheme or logo. It's important that the text on the card contrasts with the background and is easy to read. If you haven't decided on a color scheme yet, you should study the psychology of color to find out which color best suits your brand image. Otherwise, stick to the company colors for the colors you use.

Word business card template
First-class business card templates are now available for download.

Company logo on a business card

A business card should always include your company logo. This ensures that your brand is easily recognized and recognizable by potential customers. When your customer searches for your business card, they don't have to bother reading the text - the logo immediately catches their attention and helps them find the information they need quickly.

The logo can be placed in a corner or in the center of the business card. It shouldn't be huge and take up most of the business card, but it should be easily recognizable and stand out against the background of the other design elements. This improves the visual impression and emphasizes the professionalism of your brand.

Business card templates Word
The image shows an example of a business card with a large logo in the center. In some cases, this can be a good design solution. See how cool a business card like this can look.

Your contact details on a business card

In addition to your name and telephone number, it is important to include other contact options to make it easier to get in touch. Your email address, website URL and social network names help your contacts to find you quickly and easily online and stay in touch with you. For social networks, the icons of Facebook, LinkedIn etc. are often sufficient. It is also not absolutely necessary to include the URL of your website if it is already included in your email address.

If you are a company, it can be very helpful to include the address of your company on your business card. This makes it easy for potential customers to find your business, especially if they prefer to visit in person. It can also build trust in your business by demonstrating your commitment to the local community and your physical presence.

Business card template for download
There are two important rules for the text on a business card. A font size of more than 6 should be used. And the font color must be high-contrast and easy to read in both sunshine and low-light conditions.

Materials for business cards

The quality of the materials and the unique design make a business card something very special. In addition to high-quality cardboard, original business cards can also be made from multi-layer cardboard, plastic, wood and metal. Each of these materials gives the business card its own character and style, underlining your professional positioning. Business cards made of metal or wood, for example, look luxurious and professional and attract admiration and attention because almost nobody has them themselves. A multi-layered card design can add depth and texture, making the business card more tactile and visually interesting. In addition, the use of high-quality materials makes the business card durable and robust, which is important for effective use in business. Finally, high-quality materials and a good design help to emphasize the professionalism and personality of your brand and make the business card an effective advertising medium for your company.

multi-layered business card
An illustrative example of choosing high-quality materials for a business card. This is the business card from the 4eck Media agency. The business card is made of two-ply cardboard. The texture of the cardboard is rough. The business card has a very stylish and high-quality design.
Three-layer business card
And here is a business card made of triple-folded cardboard. It is very durable. Business cards with a color core stand out in a crowd of business cards because of their eye-catching design.
Can you see the difference now between a cheap business card and one made of high-quality material? You can't just throw away a business card like this, it's a criminal offense punishable by loss of customers.

Call to action

Depending on the field of activity, it is advantageous that the business card also contains a call to action. A business card should encourage people to get in touch with you. A call to action therefore helps to lead potential customers to the next step. For example, if you offer services, your call to action could be to request a consultation or a free quote. If you sell products, you could ask your customers to visit your online store or retail store to see what you have to offer. You can also provide a free download via a QR code. It is important that the invitation is clear, specific and motivating. This increases the effectiveness of the business card and maximizes its potential to attract new customers and business partners. For example, your call to action could be: "Call us today" or "Visit our website for more information" or "Request a free demo".

Quality of business card printing

We've already talked about the importance of business card quality, but it's worth paying particular attention to the quality of the ink. Yes, there are office printers that can print on high-quality cardstock. However, keep in mind that the ink used in office printers is not suitable for printing business cards. Therefore, these business cards are not very durable and therefore not an ideal solution.

The only solution is to have the business cards printed in a print shop. This guarantees high print quality, durability and a professional appearance for your business cards. In addition, printers can offer a variety of materials and finishes to create unique and impactful business cards that suit your brand and business needs. And finally, the cost of printing is not really high. If you need a lot of business cards, stick to the standard design and materials. If you are handing over fewer business cards, you can opt for special business cards - e.g. white print on black card or gold foil embossing - which also cost more to print. The fewer cards you need, the more comparable the investment.

Business card template
Another example of a business card that you can download as a template. Go to the business cards category and see the whole range.

Check the text before printing

Before you have a batch of particularly exquisite business cards printed at a print shop, you should definitely request a test sample. This is necessary for several reasons. Firstly, you should carefully check all text and images for errors and inaccuracies, as even a small typo can significantly affect the impression of a business card.

Secondly, it is important to compare the colors as they can sometimes look different on the computer screen than on the printing press. This is crucial to ensure that the colors match your expectations and brand identity.

It is therefore advisable to request a sample copy from the printer before ordering a batch of business cards. This will avoid errors and inconsistencies and ensure a high quality end product.

Adding a QR code

It has recently become popular to add QR codes to business cards. This new trend opens up enormous opportunities for interaction with customers. QR codes can be used in different ways, depending on the goals and needs of the company.

For example, a QR code can redirect the customer to the company's website where they can get more information about products or services. The code can also link to a specific page of the product, simplifying the purchase process for the potential customer.

Another way to use a QR code on business cards is to offer the customer a discount or special offer. The customer only needs to scan the code to gain access to a unique voucher code or coupon that can incentivize a purchase.

When using QR codes on business cards, you can let your imagination and creativity run wild to make them as attractive and functional as possible for potential customers.

Corporate design templates for trade and SMEs: flyers, stationery, business cards
QR codes should not only be used on business cards, but also on brochures, letterheads and other corporate design elements. All templates can be found in the Corporate Design category.
642,641,1121,1104

Legible font for business cards

The font is one of the most important elements in the design of business cards. The choice of font determines the perception of the information and the level of comfort for the potential customer. If the font is not easy to read or is too small, this can result in the customer not being able to read your contact details or information about your company.

The importance of font and font size should not be underestimated. The optimal font should be easy to read even with a cursory glance at the business card. The font size also plays an important role: a font that is too small can make it difficult to read, while a font that is too large leaves little room for other important elements.

As a rule, you use the font that is part of your company's corporate design. This should be clear and stylish. Pay attention to the font size so that the information on the business card can be easily perceived and remembered by the customer. Here you can see a negative example:

Examples of poor, improperly designed business cards
A clear example of illegible writing. You should avoid this if you don't want to lose the customer.

Your photo on a business card

Another way to stand out from other business cards is to put your photo on your business card. This makes it easier for the customer to remember you and associate your face with your company. However, you should keep in mind that this approach can also shift attention from your company to you as a person: your photo not only helps customers recognize you, but also adds a personal touch to your business card. However, you should be careful with this step and make sure that the photo matches your professional image and the style of your business card.

Business card template
A photo on a business card is rare and therefore stands out. If you offer personal advice or services where personal contact is important, give it a try.

How to make a business card unusual and attractive

To make your business card stand out and attract even more attention, you can use various strategies:

  • Use non-standard shapes: Place information not only on a rectangular card, but also in a non-standardized shape, such as round or triangular. This will draw attention to your card.
  • Bright colors and unusual designs: Use bright colors and unusual graphic elements to make your business card more attractive and memorable.
  • Textures and finishes: Use textures and finishes such as varnishes, embossing or foils to give your business card a touch of luxury and quality.
  • Use design elements: Add elements that stand out from the surface of the card, such as raised or cut-out details, to give your business card volume and an interesting look.
  • Add photos or images: Add a photo or image to your business card to make your face or product memorable.
  • Place a QR code: Include a QR code that directs customers to your website or a page with more information about you or your business.
  • Think about size and texture: Choose a thicker, textured card or a special size to make your business card stand out from standard cards.
  • Place a highlighted call to action: Place a highlighted call to action on your business card that motivates the person to contact you or visit your website.
  • Round off the corners of your business card. This already sets nice accents!
A tutorial video on how to edit the template and create your own business card. (Language: German)

Create a free business card

There are various ways to create a business card for free:

  • Mobile apps: Some mobile apps such as Business Card Maker & Creator, Business Card Maker, etc. also offer free business card creation tools. You can choose a template, add your details and customize the design.
  • Using online business card services: Services such as LinkedIn, About.me and others allow you to create an online business card with your contact details, social media links and other information. These services usually offer free options for creating and distributing business cards.
  • Take advantage of free offers from print shops: Some printing companies offer free business card templates to their customers. Choose a template, add your details and get a free sample set of business cards printed.
  • Create a business card with a text editor: You can create a simple business card with a text editor such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs. Simply create a new document, add the text with your contact details and logo, add an image if required and print the business card on your printer.
  • Use professional business card templates, which you can also find at TutKit.com. They have been created by designers and are easily customizable for you.

With these methods, you can create a high-quality business card for free without having to go to a designer or pay for services.

Word business card templates

At TutKit.com, you'll find a wide selection of business card templates in Word format. Thanks to the simple and intuitive user interface, editing the templates takes less than 10 minutes. You can choose a suitable template and quickly make the necessary changes by adding your contact details, company logo and other details. This is a quick and convenient way to create a professional-looking business card without investing a lot of time and effort.

465,265,1102,1097
Published on by Vitalii Shynakov
Published on:
From Vitalii Shynakov
Vitalii Shynakov has been working in the areas of online retail, marketing and customer satisfaction since 2012. Until 2022, he was the head of personnel development and online sales department of four successful stores. He has been part of the TutKit.com team since 2024.
Back to overview