The Basic Principles of Business Card Printing

Business cards are the go-to for personal promotion, networking, and mini-marketing. Many people now go online to network and grow their digital audience but there is still a place for a printed “hello!”.

There is something really satisfying about a business card. We think it’s because they often represent something special to their owner; a culmination of hard work for a promotion, a new venture or start-up business. That little 85mm x 55mm card is screaming “I made it and I’m proud of my achievements” and we happen to think that’s something worth shouting about.

That said, it is really important to get the design and print just right. We know that it is often best to get yourself a cracking graphic designer who knows their trade and can best represent you or your brand in a few words and symbols. There is a definite art to creating mini-marketing because it is never just what’s on the card, it’s the card itself that also counts.

We have put together a few pointers on how to create the best-printed business cards and therefore how to market your best self.

Pearlescent Business Cards | Plastic Business Cards | Magnetic Business Cards | Foiled Business Cards | Triple Layer Business Cards | Spot UV Business Cards | Textured Business Cards

How Big Should The Font On A Business Card Be?

Our Lead UX Designer suggests that 8-9pt is as low as you should go in print for personal details. But use 10 if you’re using a nice sans serif typeface.

What’s the Size of A Business Card?

The standard size of a business card is 85mm x 55mm but there are several other sizes available. Our magnetic business cards and square business cards come in 55mm x 55mm and that makes them great for jumping out of the stack because they don’t fit in like the rest. Perhaps the square or magnetic business card is the James Dean of business cards; a bit cool, a bit different but not “out there” enough to make people feel uncomfortable.

If the square business card is James Dean, then the folded business card must be JK Rowling – it is like a mini book cover and would be great for authors. It’s the business card that took a simple concept and made more of it. A wizard who didn’t know he was a wizard = iconic magical fantasy of epic proportions. A folded business card is a business card that didn’t know it could be more, then it became a pocket calendar, a thank you note, a save-the-date, a membership card, a loyalty card and an author’s cleverest mini book-shaped introduction tool? These are also a slightly different size at 170mm x 55mm Creased landscape and 85mm x 110mm Creased for portrait.

What is a Spot UV Business Card and Do I Need One?

Whether you need one is down to you but if you want something that is really sleek and would be at home propped up by a martini glass (shaken, not stirred) then yes, yes you do.
Here is what Q might do to make them for Bond (minus the additions of the 007 gadgetry)

To create the Spot UV visual effect, an ultraviolet gloss coating is applied to a sturdy 450gsm matt laminated business card. This provides that signature glossy finish to targeted areas on the card. Spot varnish is best suited to large patterned or solid areas as this has a greater impact on the overall design.

How Do I set Up A Design File For A Business Card?

Glad you asked because there is an element of skill involved. We know that it can be a bit complicated to get a print-ready file created so we have templates on each of our business card product pages. Those templates are in Photoshop and Illustrator format but there is also a pdf on each page which acts as a mini checklist if you are using other design tools or online platforms to create your business cards.

The specifications for each are a little different but the cardinal rules are as follows:
1. Add a 3mm bleed around your artwork and don’t put important information in that bit.
2. Save out as a CMYK pdf (Not RGB – if you send it to use as RGB we’ll print it, but your colours might look different.
3. All fonts must be outlined or embedded.
4. The artwork must be a 300dpi resolution.