What to put on a business card: essentials and layout

A business card should include your name, your job title, your company name, a phone number, an email address and your website. Those six items cover what most people need to follow up with you. Optional items include a street address, a QR code, social media handles, a short tagline and a note that the card is printed on recycled paper. This guide covers what to put on a business card, what to leave off, how to use the back, and the layout, file and paper details that make a card easy to read.

The essentials

• Name: your full name, or the name people use for you at work. Make it the largest text on the card after the logo.
• Job title: a clear title tells people what you do and why they would call you.
• Company name and logo: use the logo file from your brand guidelines so the colors match your other materials.
• Phone number: one number is usually enough. If you list two, label them, such as office and mobile.
• Email address: use a company address rather than a personal one.
• Website: you can drop the "https://" and "www" to save space.

Optional items

• Street address: include it if clients visit your office, store or showroom. A home-based business can leave it off.
• QR code: a QR code can link to your website, a booking page or a digital contact card. Print it at least 0.75 in square so phones can read it, and test it before printing.
• Social media handles: list one or two accounts you keep active. A row of icons for every platform takes up space and rarely helps.
• Tagline: a short line that explains your service can help, especially if your company name does not describe what you do.
• Recycled paper note: a small line such as "Printed on 100% recycled paper" tells clients about your values, as long as it matches the stock you choose.
• License or certification numbers: some trades and professions are required to list these, so check the rules for your field.

What to leave off

A business card is small, and every extra line makes the important details harder to find. Leave off fax numbers you no longer use, long lists of services and more than two phone numbers. Avoid personal email addresses, outdated social accounts and small print that no one can read. If information changes often, such as a promotion or seasonal hours, put it on your website instead and link to it.

Using the back of the card

A two-sided card gives you room without crowding the front. Many businesses put the logo alone on one side and the contact details on the other. The back is also a good place for a QR code, a short list of services, appointment lines or a map. A solid brand color on the back makes the card easy to spot in a stack. The back can also hold the recycled paper note so the front stays clean.

Layout and type size

The standard US business card is 3.5 x 2 in. Our business card size guide covers other sizes and print specs. Within that space, a clear layout matters more than adding details.

• Keep contact details at 7 pt or larger. 8 to 9 pt is easier to read for most fonts.
• Make your name larger than the contact details, often 10 to 14 pt.
• Use one or two fonts at most, with enough contrast between text and background.
• Leave some blank space around the logo and text. A card with room to breathe looks more professional than a full one.
• Avoid thin light-colored text on dark backgrounds, which can fill in on press and become hard to read.

Bleed and safe area

If any color or image runs to the edge of the card, add 0.125 in of bleed on every side, so the file measures 3.75 x 2.25 in. Keep all text and logos at least 0.125 in inside the trim line. This safe area keeps important details from being cut off if the trim shifts slightly. Our guide to bleed, trim and safe area explains how this works, and our guide to print-ready files covers resolution, color mode and fonts.

Choosing the paper

The paper changes how a card feels in the hand as much as the design does. Most business cards are printed on 100 lb to 130 lb cover stock, and heavier stocks feel more substantial. Uncoated paper is easy to write on and has a natural feel. Coated paper gives sharper color and a smoother surface. Our guide to matte vs glossy business cards compares the two finishes.

We print most business cards on recycled stocks such as Mohawk Loop and Neenah Environment, and we also offer cotton paper and kraft paper. Our guide to recycled paper business cards covers each stock. For a pressed, tactile look on thick cotton paper, see our guide to letterpress business cards. You can request samples on our paper samples page before you decide.

When your design is ready, see our business cards page for options, or send your file through our quote form. Most orders are ready in one to two weeks from artwork approval.

Common questions

What should be on a business card?

Your name, job title, company name and logo, phone number, email address and website. A street address, QR code and social handles are optional.

Should I put my address on a business card?

Include it if clients visit your location. If you work from home or meet clients at their sites, you can leave it off and list your website instead.

What is the smallest font size for a business card?

Keep text at 7 pt or larger. Most designers use 8 to 9 pt for contact details and a larger size for the name.

Should a business card have a QR code?

A QR code is useful if it links somewhere helpful, such as a booking page or contact card. Print it at least 0.75 in square and test it before you order.

Is a two-sided business card worth it?

For most businesses, yes. The back gives you room for a logo, QR code or list of services, which keeps the front clean and easy to read.