For any small business, making a memorable first impression is crucial, and one of the most tangible ways to achieve this is with an outstanding business card. But navigating the business card printing process—especially when figuring out how to print on business card paper or how to print front and back business cards—can feel overwhelming.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the essentials of printing business cards, covering the different sizing options, materials and finishes that help small business owners create unforgettable cards that leave a lasting impact. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur refreshing your brand or a newcomer eager to make your mark, understanding the intricacies of business card printing is essential in today’s competitive landscape. So, let’s dive in and explore the best ways to bring your perfect business card to life.
- Before printing, finalize your business card design with a clear layout, strong branding and essential details for a polished and professional look.
- The standard business card thickness is 14pt, but premium options like 16pt, 18pt and 32pt offer a more durable and high-end feel.
- Most business cards are printed on cardstock, but alternative materials like plastic, metal, bamboo and linen can make your card more unique.
- Business card size is typically 3.5 x 2 inches (88.9 x 50.8 mm), but custom sizes can create a more distinctive impression.
- Learning how to print on business card paper at home can be cost-effective, but professional printing ensures higher quality and durability.
Before you start printing your business cards
Before printing your business cards, you’ll first need a great business card design. You can either use a customizable business card template (check out VistaPrint’s gallery for options!), design your business card yourself using business card design software like VistaCreate or hire a professional graphic designer to create a unique look tailored to your brand.
Key business card design considerations
Whether you’re starting from scratch or tweaking an existing design, a few key business card design rules can make a huge difference in how professional and memorable your card looks.
Logo placement and branding
Your logo is the face of your brand, so it needs to be clearly visible without dominating the entire card. A good rule of thumb? Place it at the top-left or center for easy recognition. If your business has a strong visual identity, consider adding subtle brand elements—like watermarks or background patterns—that reinforce your brand without overwhelming the business card layout.
Color scheme and typography
When choosing the colors for your business card, stick to your brand colors for instant recognition, but also keep in mind that:
- High contrast = better readability: Light text on a dark background (or vice versa) is easier to read than similar-toned shades.
- Decide whether you want serif vs. sans-serif fonts: Serif fonts feel classic and formal (great for law firms or financial services), while sans-serif fonts are modern and clean (ideal for tech startups or creative industries).
- Font size matters: Your name and job title should be larger than the contact details, but don’t go below a 7pt business card font size, or your details might be unreadable.
White space and clarity
Ever received a business card crammed with too much information? It’s overwhelming—and worse, it’s hard to read. Learn from those mistakes and use the following strategies:
- Less is more: Keep only the most essential details like name, job title, company, phone number, email and website.
- Use space wisely: Don’t stretch your text to the edges—leave some breathing room (aka margins) to maintain a clean and professional look.
- Consider QR codes: Instead of adding multiple social media handles, a QR code can direct people to your website, LinkedIn or digital portfolio.
There’s a key to understanding how to print on business card paper. If your design features a lot of text, choose a thick, high-quality cardstock so the design looks crisp and professional.
After you figure out how to design a business card, it’s time to focus on the best way to print business cards.
Source: Bright-colored chocolate shop business cards via VistaPrint
Choose your business card printing options
Once you are happy with your design, you can start the business card printing process. When printing a business card, you have a lot of options to choose from. There are some key decisions you’ll need to make, including choosing:
- Paper materials and weight
- Finish
- Shape
- Size
Paper materials and weight
The paper weight number refers to the mass of a ream of paper with given dimensions and a sheet count.
The standard business card paper thickness is 14pt, but weights can vary by paper type. More premium business cards are thicker at 18pt, while ultra-thick business cards come in at 28pt.
Business cards are usually printed on cardstock. However, in recent years, one of the biggest business card trends has been using alternative business card paper stock. Other materials include recycled paper, hemp, linen, bamboo, plastic, metal and other materials of different thicknesses. The material you choose will have a huge impact on the overall look of your business card, so choose wisely. Ordering samples can help understand how different thicknesses and materials will look and feel in real life.
Finish
Opting for a matte finish on your business card paper results in a smooth, non-reflective surface that exudes professionalism and sophistication. On the other hand, choosing a glossy finish offers a sleek, high-shine appearance that can make colors and images pop, creating a more vibrant and attention-grabbing look and feel. Another option for special finishes is to get your cards printed with embossed, raised or foil accents.
Shape
Classic-sized business cards, with their traditional rectangular shape, convey a timeless and professional impression, making them suitable for a wide range of industries. Rounded corner business cards soften the edges and offer a more contemporary and approachable appearance, while square business cards stand out as unique and modern, leaving a memorable and distinctive impression on recipients.
Size
The standard size of a business card is:
- 88.9 x 50.8 mm
- 3.50 x 2.00 in
- 1050 x 600 px
If you choose a more unusual size or shape (like a bigger or square business card), you can stand out from the crowd and create a more memorable experience for the people you hand your cards to.
To print business card designs correctly, make sure your artwork includes a bleed area (typically 1/8 in or 3 mm) to avoid white edges after cutting.
How to print front and back business cards
Many businesses opt for double-sided business cards to maximize space without overcrowding the design.
If you’re wondering how to print double-sided business cards or how to print two-sided business cards, keep these best practices in mind:
- Front: Focus on branding—logo, name and main contact details.
- Back: Use this space for additional information like a tagline, website or QR code leading to your portfolio. Check out our guide on designing the back side of a business card.
- Material and ink considerations: Dark backgrounds on one side and light backgrounds on the other may cause slight bleeding. Choose high-quality printing services to avoid this issue.
If using a home printer, ensure it can print front and back business cards accurately to avoid misalignment.
DIY business cards: Home printing vs. professional printing
These days, DIY business card printing is more accessible than ever to anyone with a decent home printer. With pre-cut business card paper, design software and high-quality ink, you can easily print business cards from the comfort of your own home.
Whether you’re a freelancer, a small business owner or just need a few cards for an event, you may be considering how to print on business card paper at home. After all, it can be a quick and budget-friendly option. But before you go all in, let’s break down the pros and cons of home printing vs. professional printing:
| Pros of printing business cards home | Cons of printing business cards home |
| ✅ Low cost – Ideal for small batches or one-time use. ✅ Fast turnaround – No waiting for shipping or print production. ✅ Full control – You can tweak designs and print as needed. | ❌ Cutting issues – Pre-cut business card sheets often result in slightly uneven edges. ❌ Color accuracy – Inkjet printers may not produce rich, true-to-life colors. ❌ Material limitations – Most home printers can’t handle thicker cardstock. ❌ Durability – Ink may smudge or fade over time, especially with heavy handling. |
While DIY printing can work in a pinch, professional printing services ensure higher quality, better materials and long-lasting durability.
But if you do decide to print at home, follow these tips:
- Use high-quality business card paper: Opt for at least 14pt cardstock for a professional feel.
- Set up bleed and margins correctly: Prevent cutting mistakes by ensuring proper alignment.
- Choose the right printer settings: Select the highest print resolution and test on plain paper first.
- Use a guillotine cutter or precision trimmer: Doing so ensures clean, sharp edges.
Source: Front and back business card with bold blue and white font via VistaPrint
Time to print your business cards
Now that you know how to print on business cards like a pro and have considered the various printing options for your business cards, you can select the combinations that best suit your brand. Then, you can place your order to get your perfect cards printed.
With all of the possibilities that modern printing options offer, think twice about getting a standard business card and consider going for something more unique! Nowadays, anything is possible when it comes to business card printing and it’s much easier than you’d think.
FAQ about the business card printing process
What’s the best way to print business cards that look professional?
If you want your business cards to look polished and high-quality, start with a clean design that highlights your logo and brand colors and has easy-to-read fonts. Pick a sturdy cardstock—14pt is standard, but 16pt or thicker feels more premium. Your finish matters, too! Matte gives a sleek, modern vibe, while glossy makes colors pop. And don’t forget proper margins and bleed settings to avoid awkward white edges when cutting.
How to print front and back business cards without misalignment
Knowing how to print two-sided business cards requires using duplex printing settings on your printer. You could also choose a professional printing service that guarantees precision. Make sure both sides have equal margins, and that text elements don’t shift when flipped. If printing at home, print a test sheet on plain paper first and adjust the settings before using business card paper.
What’s the standard business card size and thickness?
The most common business card size is 3.5 x 2 inches (88.9 x 50.8 mm)—the perfect fit for wallets and cardholders. Thickness-wise, 14pt cardstock is the go-to for standard cards, while 16pt, 18pt and even 32pt ultra-thick options give a more premium feel.
What are the most common mistakes in DIY business card printing?
DIY printing can save money, but it’s easy to make mistakes that affect the final result. These are some of the most common ones:
- Misalignment: This is one of the biggest issues, especially when printing double-sided business cards at home.
- Using low-resolution images: This can make logos and text look blurry, and home printers often struggle with color accuracy, leading to faded or dull prints.
- Skipping bleed and margin settings: This can result in important text getting cut off.
- Not doing a test print: Always do a test print on regular paper before using your good cardstock!
Is DIY business card printing worth it, or should I go pro?
DIY business card printing is doable, especially if you only need a few cards. It’s budget-friendly and fast, but you’ll need to watch out for misalignment, color issues and paper limitations. A professional printing service guarantees high-quality cardstock, perfect cuts and fancy finishes like embossing, foil stamping or soft-touch coating. If you want your cards to stand out, pro printing is definitely the way to go!
