Business Card Design and the 4 Biggest Mistakes

A good business card is simple, clearly communicates what you do and for whom, has a clear call to contact (why to call), and is printed with quality on a standard 85 x 55 mm format. Do not overload it with information — name, title, phone, email, company/website usually suffice.

1. Too Much Data on the Card

Some people think everything is very important when it comes to graphic design of business cards:

• name,
• position,
• contact details,
• company logo,
• company slogan,
• description of the product range
• etc.

When a graphic designer transfers all this business information onto a business card format, we get a cluttered front side that can be off-putting or even impossible to read. Ironically, with most such cards, the back sides remain empty… It used to be that you had all company information on the front and wrote notes on the back, but today, beautiful card design is important because it reflects the overall image of the company.

2. It Is Not Clear What the Company Does and for Whom

Sometimes the business activity is obvious from the company name, but in most cases it is not. On top of that, the card is not designed in accordance with the company’s activity nor does it contain a brief description of what the company offers and to whom. It is therefore completely inappropriate to expect the card recipient to know or remember what you offer. That is why it is necessary to be careful when choosing graphic elements for business card design.

3. It Is Not Clear Why the Recipient Should Call You

A business card is an invitation to make contact, not a list of contact details. You cannot expect the phone to ring all day just because of a written phone number. You need to encourage the recipient of your business card and give them a concrete reason to call. Think about what problem you can solve or what the recipient can get if they call you. Then write it down, preferably on the back side where there is enough space. Research also shows that more than 70% of people remember a business card by its color and design rather than by who gave it to them.

4. Poor Quality Design, Printing, and Paper

Because business cards are small, many people think that their production should also be quick and cheap. The result is illegible card design, unsuitable paper selection, and imprecise printing. The most misleading belief is that a non-standard format will make the card stand out. In reality, such cards most often end up crumpled in the trash because they do not fit in card holders. An innovative solution within the right size is possible — there are many options, but it is still necessary to stick to the format. Within this format, there are many possibilities (perforations, blind embossing, etc.)

What Are the Guidelines for Good Business Card Design?

• The card should not be overloaded with data
• The card’s appearance should align with the business activity
• Use the back side of the card as well
• Write a reason for contact and collaboration with you
• It must leave space where the recipient can write something
• The card’s quality must be good
• Professionally designed card in line with the company
• The card can also include your photograph

How to Design a Business Card?

We have highlighted the biggest mistakes that occur in business card design. Now that we are equipped with knowledge, let us also tackle the question of how to design a business card. We often think we have mastered the theory, but when we get to practice, many things can surprise us.

Business Card Size

When talking about business card size, it is important to stick to standard dimensions, as this ensures practicality and ease of use. A business card represents the first opportunity to present yourself or your company, so it is key that its size is suitable for storage and carrying. The most common business card size is 85 x 55 mm, which corresponds to the dimensions of a standard bank card. This size allows the card to easily fit into a wallet, purse, or even a pocket, which is crucial since we want recipients to be able to easily store it and carry it with them whenever needed.

In addition to this standard size, the orientation of the card is also important. The most common format is landscape, as it allows more space for arranging text or graphic elements. This layout facilitates reading and ensures that key information such as name, profession, contact details, and logo are clearly visible. However, there are also other shapes and orientations you can use to stand out from the crowd, such as portrait cards or even square ones, depending on your style and industry.

It is also important to consider the thickness of the card. Thicker cards often appear more professional and durable, and they are less prone to creasing or damage. A quality paper base can leave a strong impression and enhance the feeling of prestige, which is very important when presenting your personal or business identity.

Start from the Logo

The company logo is usually the largest element on a business card, as it promotes your company. At the same time, it must be immediately clear which company the employees belong to. The color and perhaps also the shape of the logo should guide you when determining the colors you will use on the card. It is best to choose one or at most two colors so that the card is readable and not too wild.

Include Only Basic Information

The task of a business card is to attract attention and communicate exactly what the recipient needs. Therefore, strictly follow the guideline of including only basic information. These are mostly the same everywhere — only when it comes to including social media profiles do you have a bit more freedom, as it depends on what you do.

• First and last name
• Title
• Phone
• Email
• Company name and address
• Company website
• If necessary, you can also include a link to LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram profile, or similar.

Readable Font

Especially in cases when we design the card ourselves, we try to improve its visual appearance with ornamental fonts. Do not let this mislead you! The task of a business card is to clearly communicate your contact information and be readable. Therefore, for business card design, choose a typeface that is easy to read. Also consider the font size. Letters should not be too small so that the recipient does not have to struggle to decipher important information.

The cost of a bad and a good business card is almost the same!

The production and graphic design of a business card is a very affordable investment compared to other sales tools. It is important to realize that a bad and a good card cost the same — the difference is only in the time we dedicate to preparing the content. And it is truly unnecessary to think about what is more worthwhile when the fact is that a business card participates in making the first contact and creating our first and most important impression.