Business cards should last forever. After all, they’re tangible objects that sit right on top of our desks. It’s not like they’re being shuffled into obscurity at the bottom of a Twitter feed, right?
The reality is, a business card has an even shorter life expectancy than a tweet. A potential client needs less than 5 seconds to glance at your card. In that time, they decide whether they like the design and whether they’re even going to keep the card—let alone actually contact you.
A unique or unusual design is much more likely to impress your clients. You’ll need to think outside the box to come up with a creative business card that will wow clients and colleagues alike. If that sounds difficult, don’t worry. We’ve rounded up over 65 inspiring designs to show you how to make your business card stand out from the crowd.
Die-Cut
A standard business card in the U.S. is a 3.5×2 inch horizontal rectangle, but you can create your own standards with uniquely shaped business cards. A die-cut card can look like literally anything—a geometric shape, a replica of your product, or even a stencil of a robot. An unusual shape (especially if it looks like your product) is a great way to stand out and show off your creativity.
Creative Sweet
Unfold
The Hive Creative Labs
A Chachun Son Pain
Feeding The Self
Teaching Shop
Hasbun
Thessaloniki Museum of Photography
Thomas Tribe
Black
Most business cards are plain old white. A black background will turn everyone’s expectations inside out. Not only does it stand out, it sends a strong message about your company. Black symbolizes sophistication, power, and rebellion. Even a small amount of it can imply those emotions in your design. Add a metallic font, and you’ve got a really bold look.
Company Folders
Notta Instrumental
Melissa Fuller
13 Devils
Black Heart Brewery
XYZ
Inspace.io
iPhone Monster
Textured
Imagine how surprised you’d be if someone handed you a business card made out of leather, copper, or wool. It sounds weird, but hear us out. The brain retains more information when multiple senses are engaged. So with a textured or unusual material, people not only see that your company is unique. They feel it. The tactile element makes your card (and you) a lot more memorable.
See Jane Blog
Wilcox & Wards Consulting
Barlett
Alan McCormack
Leaf Card
Svetlana Grab
The Farm
Firelight Forge
3D
When it comes to 3D business cards, the word “card” is a bit of a misnomer. These designs can be anything from a tiny toilet plunger to a Lego person. 3D cards are unusual and innovative, practically guaranteeing that the recipient will spend longer than 5 seconds looking at them. People will have fun feeling the shape of the “card” in their hand and examining it from different angles.
Lego People
Mitsuori Architects
Yaletown Plumbing
Flow Yoga
Tina Kraus
Klinetech, LLC
We Are Designers
Kingkong Design
Interactive
Part of the reason so many people throw business cards away is that they’re boring (the cards, not the people). It’s not like a rectangle stamped with contact info offers much in the way of entertainment… unless it’s interactive. Giving your potential customers a business card that they can play with, work with, or even eat will make them feel like they’ve already benefited from interacting with your company.
Broke Bike Alley
Bon Vivant
BC Adventure Survival Training
1010 Tires
Another Bloomin’ Designer
Vitor Bonates
Z. Mouhetta Fitness Trainer
Get Stretchy
Baywood Clinic
Photos & Illustrations
Maybe an interactive card or crazy 3D design isn’t your style. You can still show off plenty of creativity on your business card. Illustrations or photos are a fantastic way to have some fun and showcase your skills. From black-and-white portraits to watercolors to llama cartoons, you can do anything at all with an illustrated business card.
Chez Dodo
Wide Eyes Design
Shyama Golden
Chef Burger
Danka
Holli Thompson
Ana Himes
Michael La’Stame
Daniel V.J. Sweeney
Silver Feather Photography
Colorful
If you want to evoke people’s emotions, color is a fantastic way to do it. Every color comes with a whole set of emotional associations based on our memories, experiences, and social settings. When you use a brightly colored card, you’re not just reflecting your own personality—you’re connecting with the customer on a personal level.
Amperian
The Crossroads Carmel
Taide Halli
Jameson Young
Monica Smith
Candy Gibbs
Kate Murphy Photography
Michaella Dirkes
Good Morning Paper
Transparent
Sometimes, we just need a different perspective. A transparent business card provides your potential clients with a filter to view the world in new ways. Your card might imitate a camera’s viewfinder or put a playful fake mustache on a friend’s face. The best part is, you can still add frosted edges, illustrations, photos, and pops of color just like you would on any other business card.
Konnected
Graphic Designer Template
White Tiger
Fanakical
Ruslan Khasanov
Dario Monetini
Like Giants
I-M-A-G-E
Jim Kennedy Photography
Make It You
Business cards do more than just provide basic contact information. Each card speaks volumes to your potential clients—not just about the company, but about you. You’re not a boring person (at least, we hope not), so why hand out a business card that says you are? Worse, why hand out a business card that you’re not proud of?
It’s time to throw that old design out the window. Pick a new style of card, then spice it up with your own unique twist. You’ll have a business card that you actually want to show off, and your clients will love interacting with the cool new design.
Did we miss anything? Want to show us your favorite business card? Share it all in the comments!
