How to Make a Business Card (Even If You Don’t Have Design Skills: At a Glance)

Do you still use business cards? I still use them, specially at networking events.

When was the last time someone gave you theirs?

It might seem that with the spread of digital communication, business cards will soon be a thing of the past. But we think that physical business cards are not a dying breed just yet.

Even with the possibility of exchanging contact details on your phones when you meet someone, handing each other a unique business card can still be a memorable experience.

We’re not talking about a boring, default business card though.

For a business card to be memorable it needs a certain visual or tactful spark.

Fortunately, this isn’t an impossible task.

Creating a unique business card for your startup or small business is quite simple. With the amount of high-quality templates available in today's graphic design programs, much of the guesswork is taken care for you. And with printers that offer lots of choices for unique finishings, you can make a business card in no time.

How to make a business card even if you don’t have design skills

A great way to start any design, and something even designers do, is to get visually inspired first. A while ago we published a round up of 60 eye-catching business card examples. You could start scrolling through that first. Every single design in that round up is stellar and a wonderful source of inspiration.

Don’t just look at the amazing designs though, look for some business card fails as well!

Not only will you get a chuckle out of it, you’ll also know what NOT to do when creating your own cards

Look at the business cards below. The ones on the left are definite fails, and the ones on the right are cards from companies in the same niche but with a great result.

Photographer FAIL

This card could be labeled as minimal, but the problem is that it’s so minimal it’s boring and uninspiring. There is nothing about this card that calls your attention apart from the fact that it’s white text on black background.

The card on the right, though, is also black and white with a relatively minimal design. But the front has a lineal illustration of a vintage camera, an image that will grab the receiver’s attention. The back of the card has only the most relevant information and that’s it! To the point and memorable, all in one design.

Web Developer FAIL

If you take a minute or two and search for “bad business cards,” the one on the left is one of the first images that pops up. It’s not hard to see why. First off, why a wolf? Nobody knows. Second, does the card even make you think of web development? There are too many fonts and the company name initials are “BAD.” Bad all around.

The card on the right, instead, got things right. The logo is interesting and memorable, it looks a little bit like code. The other side has the information along with some subtle code snippets, creating a back-end / front-end visual metaphor.

Inappropriate Visuals

Another way of getting your card labeled as a fail is to be completely inappropriate. There is no rule against including a photo of yourself on your card, but better choose the right photo. The realtor on the left chose a photo of himself in a tennis outfit, taken inside a house. Would you hire him? We wouldn’t. And now his card is one of the favorites in business card fail universe.

The card on the right looks a lot more professional and it also includes a photo. The design is also much crisper. I think I want to buy a house from Maria instead of Frank. What about you?

Organize the necessary details for your card and have your brand style guide handy

Before starting your new business card design, make sure you have all the information listed on a document or notebook.

These are the basics for any business card:

• Name
• Company name
• Title or position
• Logo
• Email
• Website URL
• Phone or Whatsapp number
• Relevant social media profiles
• Brand assets (color, fonts and textures)

These are some extras that you can include as well:

• QR Code
• Photo of you
• Call to action
• Discount code for your online store
• A short quote

Once you have the list ready, open up your brand style guide. If you have been using Visme for a while, then you probably have the brand kit filled in. If so, then the designing will be a lot easier.

The idea is that you stay on brand!

Follow these 4 design tips to avoid a business card fail

Here are some practical visual tips to consider while you are finalizing your design.

First impressions are key

A business card needs to make a good impression at first sight and touch. When you hand your business card to someone, they must feel compelled to look at it. If they put it in their pocket without a second look, you’ve failed at a good first impression.

You literally have a second or two, at most, to impress. This doesn’t mean you need to create a card that is so over the top that it embarrasses you. The thin line between a memorable card and a terrible card lays in the design, the material it’s printed on and the shape it has.

If irregular shapes and special papers don’t fit in your budget, you can create a memorable card in the standard shape with a unique design approach. For example, a “spot UV” or “raised spot gloss” effect can give that little extra texture to your cards that will make a great first impression through touch.

The very uneventful card on the left has a standard layout and doesn’t grab your attention at all. Since it’s probably printed on regular paper, the feel of it in your hand has no effect either. Straight to the pocket and eventually the trash. The card on the right has a spot UV effect in a splash design, plus a lively color. A double whammy to the senses. This kind of card gets pinned to bulletin boards.

Avoid clutter

Clutter is an instant killer to any visual project. This is one of the most important tips for all kinds of design. For business cards in particular, its specially important since the space is so limited.

The most important details to include are obviously your name, your company name, your title and a way to contact you. Everything else is an added bonus and you should pick with caution which to include. For example, a card with all the details + a photo + a qr code + lots of social media profiles would instantly look cluttered.

The card below has way too many photos and the text is too long. Not only that, the top section has too many colors. There is just too much going on. The card on the right is also full visual information but is not cluttered. It’s all about balance.

Keep it balanced

Balance is your best friend when designing a business card. Keeping things balanced is also the best way to avoid clutter. One way to keep things balanced is to follow a simple grid. This doesn’t have to be complicated. If using Visme, you can choose the “snap to objects” button in the view options. This means that all the elements are aligned respectively with each other.

The card on the left below has problems with the spacing between elements. There is no clear direction as to what section to read first. The background color is also very bright and distracting. This is NOT a balanced card. The card on the right took a unique approach in the way the elements are placed, yet they are very in balance with each other.

Find your uniqueness

Finding your uniqueness is a good way to make business cards stand out from the rest. Simple details like rounded corners, embossed logos and metallic inks can give your cards that visual spark to make a unique first impression. More extreme options are cards made from thin metal sheets or transparent mica plastic. For an even more unforgettable experience, you can make cards into magnets or cut them into interesting shapes.

The examples below are of extreme card designs that really took a unique approach and rolled with it.

To create a business card design with a powerful visual program, visit the original version of this post. For more engaging and helpful content, visit Visme’s Visual Learning Center.