Last updated on July 25th, 2019 at 05:46 pm

When was the last time you received a business card you really liked?

You probably have a stack of premium business cards somewhere. You know, for future reference.

But let’s be honest:

You may have forgotten 90% of the people and businesses that those cards came from.

That’s because many business cards are haphazardly designed. Some do not contain the right information, and others just don’t have any interesting detail to them that gets them noticed.

And the 10% that pass the trash test?

Those are the business cards that stand out. The ones with a bold color palette. A memorable logo. Or interesting texture.

You Are What You Print.

Business cards may be tiny compared to other marketing tools. With the standard size of 2” x 3.5”, business cards do a lot of heavy lifting when it comes to making a good first impression.

They convey your personality or your brand image. They paint a professional image of you or your company. They can help persuade people to do business with you.

In this guide, we’ll help you create premium business cards that do not only pass the trash test but will also help you market your business better.

Before we jump into the steps to making awesome premium business cards, let’s first take a look at the different types and their features.

Foil Business Cards

Foil stamping is a simple yet elegant way of giving business cards a premium look and feel. It adds glimmer without making the design over-the-top.

Although gold, silver, and gold accents are commonly used in the wedding niche and tech-related industries, the light-catching detail pairs well with any kind of design–especially when you go for high-contrast colors.

Foil stamping exudes luxury, so you can count on your set of premium business cards to convey refinement and professionalism.

Silk Business Cards

Silk laminated business cards have a smooth texture that makes your card water-resistant. Exchanging cards over lunch? No problem.

No water spill can seep through and ruin your card, thanks to the thin, plastic film applied on both sides.

Think of the box that came with your iPhone. Notice how silky that feels? That’s how your silk business card feels — luxurious.

Spot UV Business Cards

Spot UV adds dramatic contrast to your business card design. The UV coating highlights your logo or tagline, making it more eye-catching and memorable.

Although spot UV is applied only to certain parts of a design, it increases the life of your artwork. Colors remain vibrant and smudge-resistant because of the high-shine finish.

Raised Spot UV Business Cards

Raising the bar on your business card design means straying from the usual path. Not a big fan of flat business card designs? You’re going to love raised spot UV business cards.

A creative way to add depth and texture, raised spot UV adds textural contrast to business cards. The best way to appreciate it is to run your fingers over the design. The feel is like an embossed design but with a 3D effect.

Velvet Business Cards

Velvet is often associated with luxury. If your branding leans toward opulence and glamour, velvet business cards would be perfect for you.

The velvet lamination adds a soft, fuzzy feel to the cardstock. Think peach skin. The lamination gives a lighter appearance to business cards, making the colors look muted but elegant. Aside from the texture, the lamination also adds a protective seal to your card to make it water and tear-resistant.

The Non-Designer’s Way to Designing a Premium Business Card

You’ve seen the different types of business cards. Now it’s time for you to design your own.

We understand:

It’s easy to be intimidated by all the beautiful premium business cards out there.

But you don’t need design expertise to create cards that you’ll love and be proud to show everyone.

Here are some steps to follow:

1. Choose the shape you want. Business cards come in different shapes. Most people choose rectangular ones since they fit in nicely in a wallet or pocket. Of course, you can choose unconventional shapes. But if you do, make sure that they align with your brand.
2. Pick a size. The standard is 2” x 3.5”, but the size may depend on where you intend to use your card. In other countries, business card sizes may differ.
3. Plot down visual elements. Your logo will take center stage in your design. It should be easily recognizable but memorable at the same time. You don’t need to put the logo in front of the card. Use the back portion only for the logo and have the other side for your important information.
4. Add your text. Aside from your name or company name, you need to add other information that will make it easy for other people to reach you. Your address, phone number, and email should be added to your business card, but don’t forget about your website URL and social media handles as well.
5. Select your typeface. With only a small space to work with, you need to choose typography very carefully. Regardless of the style, the typeface should be readable by everyone.
6. Add special finishes. This is the icing to your cake. You can add spot UV coating or foil lamination to make your business card professional and on-brand.

You may be tempted to put all the bells and whistles on your business cards to make it stand out, but a minimalist design sometimes holds more weight than an overly elaborate design.

Remember, keeping it simple is one of the keys to making an awesome business card design.

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