A well-designed business card can make a lasting impression. Whether you’re attending a networking event, meeting potential clients or promoting your small business, a professional business card makes it easier for people to remember you and get in touch.
However, creating the perfect business card involves more than adding your logo and contact details. From choosing the right paper thickness to selecting colours, fonts and finishes, every detail contributes to how your business is presented.
The good news? You don’t need a huge budget to create business cards that look and feel professional. In this guide, we share our top 5 tips for business card printing, helping you avoid common mistakes, choose the best materials and create cards that represent your brand.
One of the most important decisions when printing business cards is choosing the right paper stock.
The thickness, texture and finish of your business card can influence how customers perceive your brand. A thin, flimsy card may feel less substantial, while a thicker card can give a more premium impression.
Business card thickness is measured in gsm (grams per square metre). This measures the weight of the paper rather than its exact thickness.
Common options include:
300gsm: A practical choice for everyday business cards, particularly when keeping costs down.
350gsm: A good balance between affordability and a substantial feel.
400gsm–450gsm: A heavier card stock that can create a more premium impression.
A thicker card isn’t automatically better for every business. Consider your budget, brand image and how often you’ll distribute your cards.
The finish affects both the appearance and feel of your business cards.
| Finish | Appearance | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|
| Uncoated | Natural, non-glossy surface | Minimalist designs and handwritten notes |
| Silk | Smooth, subtle sheen | Professional and corporate business cards |
| Gloss laminated | Shiny, vibrant finish | Colourful designs and photography |
| Matt laminated | Smooth, low-sheen appearance | Modern and understated branding |
| Spot UV | Gloss highlights on selected areas | Logos and decorative design elements |
| Kraft | Natural brown appearance | Rustic and artisan-style branding |
For example, a solicitor or financial consultant might prefer a clean matt finish, while a photographer could benefit from a gloss finish that brings out the colours in their images.
Businesses looking for something different could consider Spot UV Business Cards, where selected areas of the design receive a raised or glossy-looking highlight, depending on the product specification. Alternatively, Kraft Business Cards can provide a distinctive natural appearance.
Our tip: Choose a paper and finish that reflect your brand rather than simply selecting the most expensive option.
Your business card is a small but important piece of marketing material. A clear, attractive design helps customers recognise your brand and find your contact details quickly.
The best business card designs are often the simplest.
Your card should contain the information people need to identify your business and contact you.
Essential details usually include:
Your name and job title, where relevant.
Your business name and logo.
Your telephone number.
Your email address.
Your website or relevant social media details.
Depending on your business, you could also include a QR code linking to your website, online portfolio or booking page. However, avoid adding unnecessary information. A cluttered business card can make it harder for customers to find what they’re looking for.
If you’re comfortable using graphic design software, designing your own business cards can be a cost-effective option. Tools such as Canva and Adobe Express offer templates that make it easier to create layouts without advanced design skills.
However, if your business has established branding or you want something distinctive, working with a professional graphic designer may be worthwhile. A designer can help you achieve consistent spacing, colours, typography and branding while ensuring your artwork is suitable for print.
The standard business card size commonly used in the UK is 85mm × 55mm.
Before starting your design, check the finished dimensions offered by your printer, especially if you’re ordering square, slim or other specialist business cards.
You should also allow for bleed and a safe margin, so that text and logos are not accidentally cut off during production.
Our tip: Keep your design simple, give important information enough space and avoid placing text too close to the edges.
Should you print on one side of your business card or both?
The answer depends on how much information you need to include and the impression you want to create.
Single-sided business cards are ideal for businesses that prefer a clean, minimal design.
They can work particularly well when you only need to display your logo, name and contact information.
Leaving the reverse blank can also be useful if you want to write appointment reminders, personal notes or additional details for customers.
Double-sided business cards give you extra space to promote your business without overcrowding the design. For example:
Front of the card:
Business logo and company name.
Your name and job title.
Telephone number and email address.
Back of the card:
A short list of key services.
Your website address.
A QR code linking to your portfolio or booking page.
A memorable tagline or promotional message.
For tradespeople, the back of a business card could highlight services such as plumbing, heating and emergency repairs. For beauty salons, it could feature a QR code directing customers to an online appointment system.
Double-sided business cards are often worth considering if you want to share extra information without compromising readability.
However, printing both sides isn’t always necessary. If a simple design communicates everything you need, a single-sided card may be sufficient.
Our tip: Use the reverse of your business card for information that adds genuine value, rather than filling the space unnecessarily.
Colour plays an important role in business card design. It can help customers recognise your brand and influence the overall appearance of your printed cards.
The key is to choose colours that work together and make your information easy to read.
If your business already has a logo, website or branded stationery, use the same core colours on your business cards.
Consistent colours make your marketing materials look more professional and help customers recognise your business across different channels. For example:
Black and white: Ideal for a clean, timeless and minimalist appearance.
Blue and grey: Often suited to professional and corporate branding.
Bright, contrasting colours: Can create a bold look for creative businesses.
Earthy and neutral colours: Can complement natural, handmade and artisan-style brands.
These are design examples rather than strict rules. The best colours are those that suit your own visual identity.
One common printing mistake is designing artwork using RGB colours without considering how they will appear in print.
RGB is commonly used for digital screens, while CMYK is widely used in full-colour printing.
Because screens and printing processes reproduce colours differently, the final printed colours may not look exactly the same as they do on your monitor.
For more predictable results, follow your printer’s colour requirements and use a print-ready colour profile where specified.
Contrast is particularly important on business cards because the text is relatively small. Dark lettering on a light background is often easy to read. White lettering on a dark background can also look attractive, provided the font is sufficiently large and clear. Avoid combining colours that are too similar, such as pale grey text on white.
Our tip: Limit your design to a small, consistent colour palette and prioritise readability over decorative effects.
A business card might look impressive on your computer screen, but if the text is difficult to read or the artwork isn’t prepared correctly, the finished result may disappoint.
Typography and print preparation are just as important as the overall design.
Your business card should communicate important information at a glance.
Fonts such as Arial, Helvetica and Open Sans are popular choices because they have clear, simple letterforms.
Decorative fonts can be effective for a logo or business name, but they’re generally less suitable for small contact details.
As a starting point, consider:
Business name: Around 10–14pt, depending on the font and design.
Contact details: Around 8–10pt for comfortable reading.
Job title or secondary information: Around 8–9pt where space allows.
These are guidelines rather than fixed requirements. Always check readability at the actual printed size.
Before submitting your design, make sure it meets your printer’s artwork requirements.
Business card printing checklist:
Use the correct finished business card dimensions.
Add bleed where required, commonly 3mm on each edge.
Keep essential text and logos within the printer’s recommended safe area.
Use high-resolution images, typically 300dpi at the intended print size.
Follow the printer’s CMYK and colour profile requirements.
Embed fonts or convert them to outlines where requested.
Supply a print-ready PDF or another accepted file format.
Double-check telephone numbers, email addresses and website URLs.
Even a small spelling mistake can make an otherwise professional business card less effective. Before placing your order, review every detail carefully.
If you’re including a QR code, scan it using your smartphone to check that it works and links to the correct destination.
It’s also worth printing your design at actual size on an ordinary printer. Although this won’t accurately show the final paper finish or colour reproduction, it can help you spot spacing and readability issues.
Our tip: Always check the final artwork at 100% size before approving it for printing. A few minutes of proofreading could prevent an expensive reprint.
Even a good design can produce disappointing results if the printing details are overlooked.
Here are some common mistakes to watch out for:
| Common mistake | How to avoid it |
|---|---|
| Using too much text | Include only essential information |
| Choosing thin or unsuitable paper | Compare stock weights and finishes |
| Using small, decorative fonts | Select readable fonts and appropriate sizes |
| Using low-resolution images | Prepare images at the required print resolution |
| Forgetting bleed | Follow the printer’s artwork specifications |
| Poor colour contrast | Check readability before printing |
| Incorrect contact details | Proofread carefully before approving artwork |
| An untested QR code | Scan and test the code before placing an order |
Taking time to check these details can make a noticeable difference to the finished product.
Your business card may be small, but it can play an important role in promoting your brand and helping potential customers remember you.
Choosing suitable paper, creating a clean design, making good use of both sides, selecting consistent colours and preparing your artwork correctly will all contribute to a better finished product.
Most importantly, your business card should be easy to read, pleasant to handle and representative of your business.
At Cheap as Prints, we offer a wide range of business card printing options to suit different businesses, styles and budgets.
Whether you’re looking for affordable everyday business cards, premium laminated finishes or distinctive Spot UV and Kraft designs, explore our selection to find an option that works for your brand.
Explore our Business Card Printing range and create a professional first impression.
Need advice before ordering? Contact our team on 01922 666 288 or email info@cheapasprints.com
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