The first step in learning how to make business cards at home is arguably the most fun—coming up with how you want your card to look! Even if you’re not a creativity maven, you can use these tips to guide the process.
Decide on a Logo
Whether you have a small business or you’re a solo entrepreneur, you likely have some kind of symbol or logo associated with your business dealings. Presenting this image on the card is a great way to create a brand identity.
Ideally, your logo shouldn’t be overly complicated. Something simple and memorable will be more effective than a colorful and intense graphic—and it will be easier for your home printer to render properly.
Choose the Information You Want To Include
Your logo is an important part of your card, but what other information should you include? Here is a list of must-haves you’ll want to include, no matter your business or industry:
- Name: Use your full name, and avoid quirky nicknames that don’t come off as professional.
- Company name: People need to know where you work! Include the full name of the company.
- Job title: Likewise, people need to know what it is you do.
- Contact info: This may include your phone number, email, address, social media accounts and website, depending on how you prefer people to reach out.
Once you have all of these necessities, there are a few additional items that might look good if you have the space:
- QR code: This is a popular way to share more information about your business. Users just have to scan the code on their phone to be directed to your web content.
- Slogan: A catchy phrase or motto can help add some personalization to your card.
- Headshot: In some industries, such as real estate, having a headshot is really important for identifying yourself.
Pick Your Size
In the United States, the standard business card size is 3.5 inches by 2 inches. This is likely what you’ll want to stick with for your at-home cards, as this will be the easiest size to find templates and paper for.
Pick a Color Scheme and Font
For a fun and lighthearted business, such as a bakery or pet walking service, choose brighter colors. For something more serious and professional, such as a law firm or accountant, go with dark and neutral colors. You’ll likely be printing on a white or cream business card, so avoid pale colors that would be hard to see.
As for the font, you’ll want something that’s easy to read and not too cramped. Avoid cursive scrawls, block letters or decorative fonts, as these can be hard to decipher at a quick glance. And try to use at least a 7-pt. font so everything is clear.
If you get stuck during this step, your best bet is to just rely on a premade palette or template from one of the design programs we discuss below.
