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Creative Business Cards

debinz by debinz

Why are creative business cards so important?

Your business cards are often a first impression people have of your business. These people could be potential customers, business partners or even future employees and you want to make sure they get the right idea about who you are.

Here are some examples of creative business cards to inspire you. Think outside the box and you'll see that a business card can be a work of art.

And if, for whatever reason, you don't do business cards, remember that these same tips can apply to any sort of customized merchandise: brochure printing, poster printing, magnets, flyers... Use your imagination!

Beautiful

Will people put your card in a wallet or a frame?

Just because business cards are functional, doesn't mean they can't be beautiful. Think of your business card the way an artist would think of a blank canvas: square inches to express and create. With some clever graphics, you can create a thing of beauty that reflects your business's function and philosophy.

What do your business cards look like now? Are the graphics limited to a logo in the top left corner? Think about ways you can incorporate pictures and designs into the text on the card, or make use of the opposite side by adding an attention-grabbing image.

This goes double for anyone who works in a creative industry! If you're a company of graphic designers, you're pretty much expected to create business cards that elicit gasps.

Illustrator's card

If you work in graphics or design, use your card as a mini sample of what you do. Think about it... Would you hire an illustrator with a plain business card?

Clever

Try playing off your business's name or industry to create a clever business card that will cause people to give it a second glance. Anything that can elicit a giggle is a bonus!

Divorce lawyer's card

This business card maybe the fondest memory you have of your divorce.

Unconventional materials

Why limit yourself to paper?

Printing business cards on non-paper materials is an easy way to grab someone's interest. Plastic, wood and metal are all much more substantial than flimsy paper, and the noticeable weight in-hand might be enough to cause someone to meditate over your business for a minute or two.

If nothing else, the recipients will spend some time thinking about where to throw out your business card. What do you do with a printed sheet of wood? Can you recycle a business card on a thin square of tin?

These revolutionary business cards are, admittedly, more expensive than the old paper models but they could very well be worth the expense for the attention they'll be sure to attract.

Razor blade business card

Cutting edge!

Rubber band card

A good personal trainer will never let an opportunity for exercise slip by... Even getting this guy's phone number requires a finger workout.

Shapes and Cut-outs

Who says business cards have to be rectangles? The neat thing about paper is that it can be cut into just about any shape you can imagine, so don't restrict yourself to the only 3.5 x 2 inch space.

But before you get too crazy and creative with shapes and sizes, consider that the reason standard business cards are the size and shape they are is to fit into wallet pockets. Your brilliant idea for circular business cards four-inches across might look amazing, but keep in mind that if it doesn't slip neatly into a wallet or a roladex it may find its way to the trash.

Cut-outs are a great way to play with shapes without compromising the store-ability of the cards. Take bites out of corners or WHAT. The possibilities are endless!

Combs

Fun use of cut-outs... They may not function as actual combs, but they will fit into a standard wallet pocket!

Acupuncturist's card

A card for an acupuncturist with the name written in pin-pricks? What a great hook!

Interactive

What do you mean your business card doesn't do anything?

Sure, business cards fulfill a few very important functions: memory aid, formal introduction accessory, record of contact information, bookmark... But who says that we should be satisfied with flat, static rectangles for all those functions?

Remember when you were a kid, and how much better your picture books were when they had pop-up illustrations, windows to open and tabs to slide? Adults may hate to admit it, but we're just as amused by these things as we were at age 6. Hand a grown man a business card that folds into a tiny, paper car and watch his face light up. You better bet that thing will be sitting on his desk for years to come.

Build-a-car

No one can resist the charm of a business card that folds into a tiny toy car. No one.

Pop-up characters

Collect one from every member of the company and then create a tiny civilization on your desk!

Functionality

It's a fact that most people throw out business cards within 24 hours of receiving them. You can't really blame anyone for tossing away a little square of cardboard, even if it does have your name and contact information on it. That's why some companies have developed business cards that are good for more than just name-dropping.

Business cards that contain seeds... Business cards that fold into toys... Business cards that ARE toys... Bonus points if you can use a multi-purpose business card in a way that highlights what your company does. Thought here's nothing wrong with cards that are just plain fun!

Clothespin

I have no idea what they do... But I would definitely hold on to this business card!

Lego business cards

Rather than throwing these in the trash, recipients are much more likely to pass them on to their kids, nephews and granddaughters: your future customers! You can never get them too young.

Bobby pin cards

The bobby pins on this card make for a clever image, plus... free bobby pins! Everyone loves free stuff!

Get printing!

A final tip: don't skimp on the printing

I hope you're thoroughly inspired and ready to design something unforgettable!

And this brings me to my last tip. Once you've got your brilliant ideas committed to paper (or better yet, to a pdf file!), send it off to your business card printer. Whatever you do, don't try to print them yourself. No matter how snazzy your office laser printer is, you'll never be able to produce cards as polished-looking as a professional printer.

Online printing of business cards is starting to take off: an easy process in which you simply upload your design and submit your order. An online business card printer will usually deliver the final product straight to your door within a week.

And then you can get started spreading your amazing new business cards around town!

Reader Feedback

  • jadehorseshoe Jan 1, 2012 @ 3:28 am | delete
    GREAT Lens.
  • poted Jul 19, 2011 @ 12:22 pm | delete
    Nice article. Thanks for sharing. Project Management Software
  • olpampam Jun 30, 2011 @ 6:22 pm | delete
    What an interesting lens.
  • Mickie_G Apr 17, 2011 @ 6:48 pm | delete
    It would be nice to know where one could purchase cards like this. The images are great! Where did you find them?
  • WeirdStuff Apr 2, 2011 @ 9:44 am | delete
    Cool, great inspiration!
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debinz

From New Zealand and love to write! more »

Deluxe. Remarkable. Creative. Unusual. Successful. Upmarket businesses push the envelope -- does yours?

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