15 Business card ideas for design inspiration.

1. Showcase yourself, your brand, or your business.

The fundamentals of your business card should include your name and your desired contact details. Beyond that, maybe you’d like to add some imagery, branding, or graphic elements. Add in your logo if you have one or build your card with branded colors or imagery to achieve a similar on-brand effect. These elements are a great place to start, and working together, they fulfill the essential purpose of your business card.

2. Take a sleek & professional approach.

If you want to convey yourself as modern or professional, a strong business card design can support you in doing so. We would classify this business card as sleek and professional for a few reasons. First, the muted, darker color of the card communicates something a little more serious. Second, there’s not a lot going on on this card, which gives us the idea that Miles Issac is the type of person who knows exactly how much to say at precisely the right time.

Craft a design that is clean, bold, and understated with the help of Adobe Express. You can up the impressive factor by printing on nice paper, such as cardstock.

3. Go for a fun, creative approach.

If it’s on-brand for you to create something with a more original approach, then do it. Don’t be afraid to make bold decisions.

4. Use full-page imagery.

Full-page imagery is captivating, even on a business card. If you’d like to use a photo as a focal point for your card, consider how the image fits on the page. Are you able to make out the important details of the photo? Does the photo make it hard to read any of the other text or details on the page? Business cards are two-sided, so you can always include a photo in full-bleed on the backside.

5. Make a photo collage.

Photo collages are a fun, dynamic design that allows you to share lots of imagery while working with a small amount of space. Collages can feature photos in some squares and text in others. Play with how you arrange your content across your collage. This particular example feels nice and cohesive as the images are all in a similar style with similar warm, bright lighting. The text box reflects that with the yellow and brown hues. Since a business card is small, you might have to crop your images, so use photos that still portray the subject matter even when cropped.

6. Feature a photo of your craft.

Feature a photo on your business card. Compared to the previous example, here’s a way to showcase a picture without making it full screen. Play with layout and framing options to find the style that works for your aesthetic.

7. Show off your self-portrait.

If you want to really make sure your recipient doesn’t forget who you are, share an image of yourself on your card. Insert a photo or a sketch of who you are on your business card. Choose an appropriate picture and proper placement and size. This design works well, and the sketch matches the same dark teal blue color seen elsewhere on the card. Attempt this approach by drawing out your sketch in any Adobe program and uploading your art right into your Adobe Express workspace from Creative Cloud.

8. Use icons for imagery that presents your business.

Icons are a versatile design tool for business cards. You can use icons for social media, or contact icons such as the Facebook logo, or a phone icon next to your telephone number. You can also scale icons up to fill your business card, making them into patterns or a prominent focal point. Use icons to convey emotions, actions, or symbols that are relevant to your brand or business.

9. Combine icons and imagery to match your offerings.

Lenny’s Landscape landed on a very exciting design by overlaying graphics on photograph image. The graphic design style is flat, meaning there aren’t shading or lines to create depth, but the overall card design feels dimensional with help from the background photo. The card communicates a feeling that is fresh and lush. Use your logo or branded icons in combination with photographs for a fun visual experience.

10. Choose fonts that make a statement.

Font choices can communicate a lot in design. Here, the word Hello makes a statement by being front and center in a unique font. It feels like a warm personal Hello by the size and the handwritten font. What types of fonts complement your brand? What types of fonts do you see used frequently in your industry? You can use negative space, as seen here, but also color, size, and placement.

11. Make a statement with your name.

Stretching out the name on this business card commands the reader’s attention and makes it near impossible to forget Emily herself. The handwritten cursive font choice creates beautiful curves and lines that make the name appear almost like a design itself. Find a font that resonates with you or your brand, then fill up the space with your name.

12. Get creative with a combination of both horizontal and vertical layouts.

Play with a combination of both horizontal and vertical layout, like in this example. Test out-putting content in non-traditional places, like sideways, angles, corners, or overlapping with another element.

13. Build a vertical business card.

Vertical cards are a popular option. If you feel like going for a less traditional approach, try out a vertical design. Going vertical can work well if you have a lot of information to share.

14. Keep it simple with your color choices.

You don’t need a ton of variables to get someone’s attention. Sometimes choosing just one element to work with is the best choice. See if you can commit to one color and see just how many opportunities there are to make something great with what may seem like a limited option. You can always get creative with your paper choices when you print your card to add another artistic element to the mix.

15. Choose creative color combinations.

The mix of colors seen here is almost unexpected. Yet, they work together along with the rest of the design to make something cohesive. See how sticking to two tones or making unique color combinations can leave you with a card that stands out.

How to make a business card with Adobe Express.

Design with your idea