Most visiting cards are thrown away within a week. The ones that survive are not always the most expensive. They are the ones that are easy to read, easy to act on, and feel like they belong to a real business. Here is how to design one of those.
Start with the one action you want
Ask what the person holding the card should do next: call you, message you on WhatsApp, visit your shop or open your website. Make that action the clearest thing on the card. If you want WhatsApp messages, the number should be the biggest piece of text after your name.
What to put on the front
- Your logo and business name. Keep the logo clear of other text.
- Your name and role. One line each.
- One phone number. Two is the limit. If a number is also on WhatsApp, say so.
- Website or email. Pick the one you check most often.
What the back is for
The back is where you can list services, show an address, or put a QR code. If you have no reason to use the back, leave it plain or print a single colour with your logo. A busy back that nobody reads is worse than a calm one.
Layout and spacing
- Keep important text at least 3 to 4 mm inside the cut edge, so a slightly off cut never clips it.
- Leave empty space. White space is what makes a card look premium.
- Align text to one edge instead of centring everything.
Fonts and size
Use at most two fonts. For printed text, 7 pt is about the smallest that stays readable, and phone numbers should be larger than that. Avoid thin, light fonts on dark backgrounds because they fade when printed.
Colours that print well
Two main colours and one accent are plenty. Dark text on a light background is the easiest to read. If you use a dark background, make sure the paper and finish suit it, and check how the colours look in print, not only on a screen.
Add a QR code only if it earns its place
A QR code is useful when it opens something worth seeing: your WhatsApp chat, your Google Maps listing or a catalogue. Print it at least 2 cm wide, keep a blank border around it, and test it with two different phones before you print a thousand cards.
Common mistakes
- Too many phone numbers and email addresses.
- Text too close to the edge.
- A low-resolution logo copied from WhatsApp, which prints blurry.
- Spelling errors in the phone number. Read it aloud to someone else before you approve the proof.
Next step
If you want a card designed for you, see our Visiting Card Design service. If your artwork is ready, you can order printed visiting cards and choose the paper and finish. Questions? Message us on WhatsApp.
