37+ Business Card Templates in Word | PSD | AI | EPS Vector | Illustrator | InDesign | Pages | Publisher

The corporate world is comprised of a wide array of industries that each cater to different audiences. But in order to prosper in the market, you need to work hard for it. This involves a series of hits and misses in terms of job offers, business deals, and other once-in-a-lifetime shots in the industry. While having a compelling sales pitch ready is enough to leave a lasting impression, there’s no better way to solidify the encounter even more than with a good business card. But with a business card, it’s more than just about passing out contact information to your prospective market, as it’s also about making every encounter memorable enough to open doors to better opportunities.

A business card is a simple promotional tool used by corporate entities to connect with their respective markets. It comes in various shapes and sizes, and have been utilized in different ways over the years. But as we slowly welcome the age of instant interaction brought by digital communication, do business cards still have a place in our world? It’s difficult to determine how future developments may affect the general purpose of the average business card templates but if there’s one thing for sure, they certainly won’t phase out anytime soon.

Catering Service Business Card Template

Bakery Business Card Template

Creative Transparent Business Card Template

Green Simple Business Card Template

Professional Business Card Template

Simple Business Card

Double-Sided Business Card

Navy Gold Business Card

Multipurpose Business Card

Printable Simple Business Card

Bizarre Business Cards Facts You Never Knew about

Our understanding of the average business card revolves around the basic concept of contact details being printed on some special paper. But little do we know that it hasn’t always been that way. Truth is, best business cards have been around much longer than you might have thought. For centuries, these cards came in different forms and were exchanged in various ways. Yet, they all served a similar purpose. The history of these cards go deeper than our general knowledge of them, and the following points depict the interesting backstory that modern-day society no longer gives value to.

• Chinese “visiting cards” – Business cards first made its appearance in China during the 15th century. Back then, they were known as “visiting cards” where they were used more as a calling card to conduct meetings. It was a popular self-promotion tool among upper-class individuals who wanted to make their presence known in the most elegant manner. These cards were printed on handmade paper and then decorated with captivating calligraphy, usually bearing the sender’s name and respective title.
• “Trade cards” and its social purpose – During the 1600s, business cards — otherwise known as trade cards at the time — were used in Europe for various social purposes. Apart from being a means of introduction, they were also used to express well wishes and condolences, and as an announcement of arrival or departure. Cardholders were asked to inscribe certain initials, which stood for French words, on the card to indicate the reason for their visit. Some cards even contained a map to direct prospective customers to particular establishments.
• Social interaction between men and women – In the early days, visitors were obligated to carry business cards for multiple purposes. First, they were asked to present their calling card to the servant upon entering the premises. The card must be examined by the hostess before the given individual is permitted to enter. Men were also expected to leave a card for every woman present in the room. But if the card is not acknowledged by the woman, then you have no reason to bother her any longer.
• The birth of full-colored business cards – In the 1800s, printing companies began producing a series of durable paper stock to improve the quality of business cards. These cards also had different styles, anything from photograph cards to transparent cards. At this time, the use of business cards or trade cards became more popular in the United States but maintained its status in Europe. But because of how society was back then, women were a lot more guarded compared to men in terms of how they were allowed to introduce themselves on the card.
• Letterpress printing and the use of cards around the world – Thanks to the introduction of letterpress printing during the 20th century, it was possible for firms to print cards on various types of materials, such as wood, plastic, metal, and the like. While the use of these cards became more informal over time, other countries still preserved strict regulations with their means of exchange. For instance, the Japanese had to bow their heads and hand their cards over with both hands as a sign of respect. The exchange of these cards typically reflected the culture and traditions being practiced by the natives.
• Business cards in the contemporary times – The business cards we know of today are a far cry from what they were many years ago. Our present-day cards come in fancy designs with either a matte or gloss finish. There are some who have even gone as far as adding QR codes to their cards where clients may simply scan the code and immediately be directed to the card owner’s website or social page.

Metro Dark Business Card

Watercolor Business Card

Photography Business Card

Soft Creative Business Card

Stylish Business Card

Gold & Black Business Card

5 Reasons Why Business Cards Still Matter

With the birth of electronic mail, video calls, and online meetings, are business cards still as important as they were many years ago?

It may be a debatable topic for some to argue about but to answer this question in the clearest way possible, here are five reasons why business cards are still relevant in today’s age of digital communication:

1. Promotes Personal Interaction

The advancement of technology allows us to connect with others in the most efficient way possible, regardless of where they are in the world. While this may seem convenient to most, it’s also extremely impersonal. It no longer values the importance of personal interaction in building relationships, much like how today’s society is struggling to create bridges with one another.

With the help of a business card, you can create genuine connections with your prospects. You can start actual conversations and keep potential clients engaged throughout the whole encounter. This also allows customers to learn more about the company, especially if they have questions and concerns that they would rather discuss face-to-face.

2. Powerful Marketing Tool

Email marketing, advertising brochures, TV commercials, and other paid media all do a remarkable job in drawing attention towards a brand, but little do some entrepreneurs know how a simple business card exchange can seal the deal just as perfectly.

The distribution of business cards can be done in various ways. But they are best used during situations where contact is abundant, such as trade shows, conventions, conferences, and the like. That being said, arming yourself with a load of business cards ensures that you can make the most out of every opportunity thrown at you. As for casual encounters, carrying around a bulk of business cards isn’t exactly an ideal thing to do, so you might want to keep some in your wallet or bag just in case.

3. Introduces Your Brand

When we think of business logos, we immediately associate such with its respective brand. Similarly, everything about your business card reflects the identity of the brand it represents. But it’s more than just the card itself, as this also includes the exchange of words with your prospective clients. The goal is to create a business card that is memorable enough for one to recall the meeting in a positive light. It’s about making an impact that could fuel a series of conversations even after the encounter has taken place.

4. Efficient and Effective

Unlike billboard ads and newsprints, business cards are small objects that may be carried around and handed out at any given time. What makes a business card different from the regular verbal exchange is how it enables the brand to stay with your prospects for as long as the card is with them. Let’s be honest, what are the chances of you remembering the name or number of the person when the whole ordeal is over? And because of how handy these cards can be, people are likely to keep them close and use them whenever the time calls for it. After all, even if a client does not seek for your services at the moment, that doesn’t mean you won’t be of any help in the near future.

5. Exhibits Preparedness

Nothing’s worst than being forced to write your phone number down on a table napkin and then handing it over to leading prospects, all because you never thought business cards were necessary, to begin with. Not only is this extremely unprofessional (not to mention embarrassing) to do, but there’s a high chance of it ending up in the nearest trash bin as well. And between an individual who awkwardly scrambles to find a pen and paper and a person who swiftly pulls out a well-made business card, who would you rather do business with? A business card serves as one of your best weapons, so you always need to come prepared.

Modern Business Card

Retro Business Card

Abstract Business Card

Personal Business Card

Floral Business Card

When Are Business Cards Appropriate?

There are times when we feel the urge to hand over a business card to potential clients and investors, but feel as if we aren’t in the right position to do so. While it’s important for us to take advantage of every opportunity at hand, we must also consider the situation in place.

Imagine handing out business cards to random mall-goers without initiating a conversation. Instead of building a connection, you’re actually scaring people away. Keep in mind that business cards are meant to be professional, they aren’t scraps of paper with your number on it that you could just hand over to every good-looking individual of the opposite sex. It’s important to use these cards accordingly, specifically during situations where both parties may benefit from it. For instance, after you deliver a sales pitch to some big-shot executive. Whether or not the individual asks for your business card, pulling it out already portrays confidence. It says a lot about your character and can leave a good impression every time. In turn, this can lead to better opportunities and possible business deals. These cards are also great for keeping in touch with prospects to discuss further matters after business meetings and other similar occasions.

Furthermore, business cards may be utilized by volunteers of non-profit organizations as well. This is great for striking sponsorship deals with companies who may either doubt your position as a member of the organization or the credibility of your cause. Through the card, representatives may reach out to the entity you represent for further verification.

Marble Business Card

Modern Business Card

Simple Colored Business Card

Retro Style Business Card

Fresh Business Card

Golden Marble Business Card

Elegant Business Card

Colorful Business Card

Floral Design Business Card

The Three Most Important Things to Include on a Business Card

The common misconception about business cards is that it’s merely seen as a tool for giving out information to prospects. But it’s more than that, as it’s also a great opportunity for us to connect with prospective clients on a more personal level. It makes us seem more human than the typical corporate robots in dark vests and fancy shoes that society has become accustomed to. With that in mind, it’s important for us to be aware of the essential ingredients of a powerful business card for us to attain its desired outcomes.

Name

Meetings with potential clients typically start with simple introductions. But it’s unlikely for both parties to remember each other’s names days after the actual encounter. It’s pretty obvious why a name is a significant part of a business card, especially since there’s no good reason why you should keep your identity a mystery from the card’s holder. The card must have some sort of statement that indicates who owns the card — either a person’s name or a business name — for contact and reference purposes. Having even the slightest knowledge about the entity behind the card is also a great way to develop trust.

Title

You’d be surprised how many people hand out business cards without stating what their job title is in the company. The title plays an important role in the business card, as it gives the holder an idea of what they may hire you for. For personal business cards, your position in the agency must be specified, while commercial business cards may indicate the services being offered by the company. Without such, prospects could possibly question the credibility of the card and the entity behind it. This can also be helpful in determining the nature of the business, especially if the company has yet to establish itself in the market.

Contact Information

How do you expect executives, associates, clients, and other prospects to get a hold of you if they have no way of reaching you? A business card without contact information is as good as nothing. The whole point of a business card lies in the personal connections being made from person to person. Imagine how insulting it would be if you provide your prospects with a generic email address or general phone line where they’d have to go through at least five different phone operators just to reach you.

Instead, consider taking the traditional approach. Make sure you have a business phone line and a business email available before you start printing your cards as well. This allows you to keep your private life behind the curtain, while still being able to maintain personal ties with prospects. However, try not to fill the card with every possible contact option, focus only on the specifics that seem necessary to the situation you are in.

Whatsapp Business Card

Retro Template Business Card

Hipster Business Card

Creative Dark Business Card

Gold Glitter Business Card

Corporate Business Card

Equestrian Business Card

Freelance Business Card

Tips on How to Make Your Business Card Stand Out

The average business card has three essential attributes: a name, a title, and one’s contact information. But with a thousand other cards bearing the same exact specifics, how do you expect prospects to differentiate you from the others?

For every business operation, it’s all about standing out from the competition. This can be quite challenging, considering how other companies have the funds and manpower to do so with ease. Knowing this, you might want to think about taking the old-fashioned approach with the help of a traditional business card. But in order to draw attention, you must design your card in such way that optimizes every corner of the tiny canvas to its full potential.

• Always include social outposts. Just about anyone who has a smartphone or any mobile device has a at least one social media account to keep in touch with the outside world. Since most businesses consider social media as a platform to keep their audience engaged 24/7 with current events and upcoming corporate releases, it makes perfect sense to emphasize these sites on your card. Commonly-used social networking services such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest are some of the most suitable sites for such, considering their vast number of users and easy accessibility.
• Consider how prospects may reach you. While it might seem tempting to add in every single one of your contact options to the card, you also need to be practical about it. Think about how often you check your text messages, emails, Facebook inbox, Twitter DMs, and other contact options before you decide on what to include. This allows you to narrow down your choices and focus only on those that you could fully commit to.
• Be visually creative. Adding a logo design to your business card is a great form of strong branding, but it’s not enough to keep your audience interested. You must be able to send a message to your prospects through visual storytelling. You can include images, graphics, and other creative features to develop a deeper connection.
• Evoke curiosity. Kick it up a notch by adding a thought-provoking slogan or tagline to your business card. It doesn’t need to be groundbreaking or anything, just concentrate on taking a friendlier approach that won’t make people feel intimidated to reach out to you whenever necessary.
• See your card as a call to action. Apart from using a business card to persuade leading prospects to do business with you, the card also serves as an invitation. While not a lot of individuals will feel the need to avail your services, that doesn’t mean you can’t keep them intrigued by what you could offer. Remember, business cards are shareable marketing mediums. So if one person can’t benefit from it but does not want the card to go to waste, he or she could always give it to somebody else.
• Think differently. Business cards are relatively smaller in size compared to other advertising tools. Because of this, space is limited and you’re forced to maximize such wisely. But this should not hinder you from applying out-of-the-box ideas that go beyond its standard form. Think of it this way. People have already set expectations with what a business card is meant to look like. If you go for a state-of-the-art design that combines utility with creativity, then your audience can appreciate how the card may be used in more ways than one.

It’s hard to deny how something as simple as a business card could promote a brand just as effectively as other print and digital media. Not only is it small enough for one to hang onto, but it also bears a sufficient amount of details for it to be considered both useful and reliable. The key is to make a business card that speaks volumes about your character as well as the brand it represents. So whether you’re a freelance developer, a writer, or an entrepreneur, always remember that the best business cards are those that are comprehensive, gripping and worth-remembering.