> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.printery.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Business Cards

> Complete guide to designing and printing professional business cards

## Project Overview

Business cards are one of the most common print projects - and they require precise specifications. This guide covers everything you need to create professional, print-ready business cards.

<Note>
  **Time to Complete**: 30-45 minutes (including design)
  **Difficulty**: Beginner-friendly
</Note>

## Standard Specifications

### US Standard Business Card

| Measurement           | Value                       |
| --------------------- | --------------------------- |
| **Final Size (Trim)** | 3.5" × 2" (89mm × 51mm)     |
| **With Bleed**        | 3.75" × 2.25" (95mm × 57mm) |
| **Safe Area**         | 3.25" × 1.75" (83mm × 45mm) |
| **Bleed**             | 0.125" (3mm) all sides      |
| **Resolution**        | 300 DPI minimum             |
| **Color Mode**        | CMYK                        |

### European Standard Business Card

| Measurement           | Value                       |
| --------------------- | --------------------------- |
| **Final Size (Trim)** | 85mm × 55mm (3.35" × 2.17") |
| **With Bleed**        | 91mm × 61mm                 |
| **Safe Area**         | 79mm × 49mm                 |
| **Bleed**             | 3mm all sides               |
| **Resolution**        | 300 DPI minimum             |
| **Color Mode**        | CMYK                        |

<Tip>
  **This guide uses US standard** (3.5" × 2"), but the same principles apply to all sizes.
</Tip>

## Paper & Finish Options

### Paper Weight (Stock)

| GSM         | lb      | Description        | Best For            |
| ----------- | ------- | ------------------ | ------------------- |
| **300-350** | 80-100  | Standard thickness | Most business cards |
| **400-450** | 110-120 | Premium thick      | Luxury feel         |
| **500+**    | 130+    | Extra thick        | Ultra-premium       |

<Info>
  **Most common**: 350gsm (100lb) - professional without being excessive
</Info>

### Paper Types

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Coated">
    **Appearance**: Smooth, glossy or matte finish

    **Pros**:

    * Vibrant colors
    * Photo-quality printing
    * Professional look

    **Cons**:

    * Can be slippery
    * Hard to write on

    **Best for**: Designers, photographers, modern businesses
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Uncoated">
    **Appearance**: Natural paper texture

    **Pros**:

    * Easy to write on
    * Elegant, organic feel
    * Absorbs ink naturally

    **Cons**:

    * Colors less vibrant
    * Can look less polished

    **Best for**: Lawyers, consultants, eco-brands
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Textured">
    **Appearance**: Linen, felt, or other textures

    **Pros**:

    * Unique, memorable
    * Premium feel
    * Stands out

    **Cons**:

    * More expensive
    * Limited color vibrancy

    **Best for**: Luxury brands, creative fields
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

### Finish Options

| Finish      | Description                | Cost     | Effect               |
| ----------- | -------------------------- | -------- | -------------------- |
| **None**    | Paper only                 | \$       | Natural              |
| **Matte**   | Flat, non-glossy coating   | \$\$     | Sophisticated        |
| **Gloss**   | Shiny coating              | \$\$     | Vibrant, modern      |
| **Spot UV** | Glossy areas on matte base | \$\$\$   | Premium, tactile     |
| **Foil**    | Metallic stamping          | \$\$\$\$ | Luxury, eye-catching |

## Design Best Practices

### Front Side

<Steps>
  <Step title="Essential Information">
    **Must have**:

    * Full name
    * Job title
    * Company name

    **Nice to have**:

    * Logo
    * Tagline
  </Step>

  <Step title="Contact Details">
    **Include**:

    * Phone number
    * Email address
    * Website URL

    **Optional**:

    * Physical address
    * Social media handles
  </Step>

  <Step title="Visual Hierarchy">
    **Prioritize**:

    1. Name (largest)
    2. Title/company (medium)
    3. Contact info (smallest)

    Keep most important info most prominent
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Back Side Options

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Full Design">
    * Background pattern or color
    * Logo lockup
    * Services list
    * QR code to website

    **Pros**: More information, visually impressive
    **Cons**: More expensive (two-sided printing)
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Minimalist">
    * Solid color or simple pattern
    * Optional tagline or website
    * Keep it clean

    **Pros**: Cost-effective, space for notes
    **Cons**: Less info conveyed
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Blank">
    * Leave completely blank for notes

    **Pros**: Most economical, practical
    **Cons**: Less visual impact
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

### Typography Guidelines

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Font Sizes" icon="text-size">
    **Recommended sizes**:

    * Name: 18-24pt
    * Title: 10-14pt
    * Contact info: 8-10pt
    * Minimum: 6pt (but not recommended)

    **Rule**: If you squint and can't read it, it's too small!
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Font Choices" icon="font">
    **Professional fonts**:

    * Sans-serif: Helvetica, Avenir, Futura
    * Serif: Garamond, Baskerville, Georgia
    * Modern: Montserrat, Raleway, Lato

    **Avoid**:

    * Comic Sans, Papyrus, Curlz
    * More than 2 font families
    * Very thin weights (hard to print)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Legibility" icon="eye">
    * Use sufficient contrast (dark text on light background)
    * Avoid text on busy backgrounds
    * Keep line spacing comfortable
    * Don't stretch or condense fonts artificially
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Step-by-Step: Creating Your Business Card

### 1. Set Up Document in Figma

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create Frame">
    * Press `F` for Frame tool
    * Width: **3.75"** (with bleed)
    * Height: **2.25"** (with bleed)
    * Name it: "Business Card - Front"
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Guides">
    Enable rulers (`Shift + R`), then drag guides:

    * **0.125"** from each edge (bleed line = trim)
    * **0.25"** from each edge (safety zone)

    These guide your design placement
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Background">
    * Add fill to frame
    * Extend to all edges (including bleed)
    * Choose your brand color or white
  </Step>
</Steps>

### 2. Design Content

<Steps>
  <Step title="Add Logo">
    * Import logo (SVG preferred)
    * Position in safe area
    * Keep at least 0.25" from edges
    * Ensure 300 DPI if raster
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Name & Title">
    * Use readable font (14pt+)
    * High contrast with background
    * Align consistently
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Contact Info">
    * Font size: 8-10pt
    * Consistent alignment
    * Adequate spacing between lines
    * Test readability by zooming out
  </Step>

  <Step title="Optional: Add Design Elements">
    * Shapes, lines, patterns
    * Keep subtle - don't overwhelm
    * Maintain professional appearance
  </Step>
</Steps>

### 3. Create Back Side (Optional)

<Steps>
  <Step title="Duplicate Frame">
    * Duplicate front design (`Cmd/Ctrl + D`)
    * Rename: "Business Card - Back"
    * Position next to front for easy comparison
  </Step>

  <Step title="Design Back">
    Options:

    * Simple pattern + logo
    * List of services
    * QR code
    * Tagline
    * Or leave blank
  </Step>
</Steps>

### 4. Prepare for Print

<Steps>
  <Step title="Check Design">
    Use [First Project Checklist](/getting-started/first-project):

    * [ ] All text readable
    * [ ] Logo clear and sharp
    * [ ] No important content in outer 0.125"
    * [ ] Design extends to all edges
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Printery">
    Select frame → Launch plugin
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Settings">
    **Document Tab**:

    * Bleed: 0.125" (3mm) ✓
    * Crop marks: Enabled ✓

    **Color Tab**:

    * Convert to CMYK ✓
    * ICC Profile: ISO Coated v2 300% ✓

    **Export Tab**:

    * DPI: 300 ✓
    * Compression: 85% ✓
  </Step>

  <Step title="DPI Check">
    * Switch to DPI Check tab
    * Verify all images ≥300 DPI
    * Replace any low-res images
  </Step>

  <Step title="Export">
    * Click "Export PDF"
    * Save as: `BusinessCard_Front.pdf`
    * Repeat for back if needed
  </Step>
</Steps>

### 5. Verify PDF

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open & Inspect">
    * Open PDF in viewer
    * Zoom to 200-400%
    * Text should be crisp
    * Images shouldn't be pixelated
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check Crop Marks">
    * Visible at all four corners
    * Outside the design area
    * Clear and readable
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Bleed">
    * Design extends to page edges
    * No white borders visible
    * Background extends beyond trim
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Ordering Your Cards

### What to Tell Your Printer

**Specifications to provide**:

```
Quantity: [500, 1000, 2500, etc.]
Size: 3.5" × 2" (US Standard)
Sides: Single or Double-sided
Paper: 350gsm Coated Card Stock
Finish: Matte [or Gloss]
Special: [Any spot UV, foil, etc.]
Files: PDF with 3mm bleed and crop marks
Timeline: [When you need them]
```

### Choosing Quantity

| Quantity  | Unit Cost   | Total     | When to Order     |
| --------- | ----------- | --------- | ----------------- |
| **250**   | \$0.20-0.40 | \$50-100  | Testing design    |
| **500**   | \$0.10-0.20 | \$50-100  | **Most common**   |
| **1000**  | \$0.06-0.12 | \$60-120  | Active networking |
| **2500+** | \$0.04-0.08 | \$100-200 | Large events      |

<Tip>
  **Sweet spot**: 500 cards. Enough to last a while, affordable price per unit.
</Tip>

### Proof Before Printing

**Always get a proof for**:

* First time with new printer
* New design or brand
* Orders over 500 cards
* When color accuracy is critical

**Types of proofs**:

* **Digital**: Free PDF review (color not accurate)
* **Physical**: \$10-50 printed sample (accurate)

## Common Mistakes to Avoid

<Warning>
  **Top 10 Business Card Mistakes**:

  1. Text too close to edge (gets cut off)
  2. Font too small to read
  3. Low resolution logo
  4. Too much information (cluttered)
  5. Poor color contrast
  6. No bleed (white edges)
  7. Wrong dimensions
  8. RGB instead of CMYK
  9. Spelling errors
  10. Forgetting phone number or email
</Warning>

## Special Considerations

### QR Codes

If adding QR codes:

* Minimum size: 0.75" × 0.75"
* Keep in safe area (0.25" from edge)
* Test scannability on phone before printing
* Use high-res QR code (not screen capture)
* Ensure good contrast

### Multiple Languages

For bilingual cards:

* Front: Primary language
* Back: Secondary language
* Maintain visual consistency
* Translate accurately (get native speaker to review)

### Photo Business Cards

If including your photo:

* Use professional headshot
* Minimum 300 DPI at printed size
* Good lighting and contrast
* Consider black & white for timelessness

## Templates & Resources

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Download Templates" icon="download" href="/templates/business-templates">
    Pre-made business card templates
  </Card>

  <Card title="Video Tutorial" icon="video" href="/video-tutorials/basics-series">
    Watch step-by-step card creation
  </Card>

  <Card title="Typography Guide" icon="font" href="/tutorials/design-to-print">
    Best fonts for print
  </Card>

  <Card title="Color Guide" icon="palette" href="/color/overview">
    Master print colors
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Recommended Printers

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Premium Quality">
    **Moo** (moo.com)

    * Excellent quality
    * Unique finishes
    * Higher price
    * Fast shipping

    Best for: Design professionals, premium brands
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Budget-Friendly">
    **Vistaprint** (vistaprint.com)

    * Affordable prices
    * Quick turnaround
    * Frequent sales
    * Good quality

    Best for: Small businesses, startups
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Local">
    **Local Print Shop**

    * Face-to-face consultation
    * Support local business
    * Custom options
    * Immediate proofing

    Best for: Complex projects, custom finishes
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Business Card Checklist

Before sending to print:

* [ ] **Dimensions correct**: 3.75" × 2.25" (with bleed)
* [ ] **Bleed set**: 0.125" all sides
* [ ] **Safety zone respected**: Content 0.25" from edge
* [ ] **All text readable**: Minimum 8pt
* [ ] **Logo high-res**: 300 DPI or vector
* [ ] **Colors CMYK**: Converted for print
* [ ] **Spelling checked**: No typos!
* [ ] **Contact info complete**: Phone, email, website
* [ ] **PDF exported**: With crop marks
* [ ] **PDF verified**: Opened and inspected

<Check>
  All checked? Your business cards are ready to print!
</Check>

***

<Info>
  **Need help?** Ask in our [Discord community](https://discord.gg/kUJZQEfdUF) - designers love sharing business card tips!
</Info>