What to Put on a Business Card

The essentials: name, title, contact

Every business card needs three things: your name, your role or title, and at least one way to reach you. That's it. Everything else is optional. Start with these three elements and only add more if each addition earns its space.

For contact information, choose the channel you actually want people to use. If you prefer email, make your email address prominent. If phone calls drive your business, lead with your number. Don't list every possible contact method — a card crowded with phone, email, website, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and a physical address looks cluttered and signals indecision.

Professional qualifications and credentials

In regulated professions — law, medicine, architecture, engineering — credentials matter and belong on your card. 'Jane Smith, AIA' or 'Dr. James Chen, MD' conveys authority. In creative fields, skip the credentials and let your card's design and quality speak for your taste and standards.

What to leave off

Fax numbers (unless your industry genuinely uses them). Multiple phone numbers. Your full mailing address (unless you need walk-in traffic). Social media handles (unless social is your primary business channel). QR codes that link to your homepage (people know how to type a URL).

Less is almost always more. A card with three lines of text on premium stock with a single foil-stamped logo will make a stronger impression than a card packed edge-to-edge with information.

Front vs back: how to use both sides

The front of your card should contain your name, title, and primary contact. The back can serve multiple purposes: a logo on a clean background, a tagline, a secondary set of contact details, or even a full-bleed image or pattern. If you're using specialty finishes — foil, emboss, or spot UV — consider putting the finish on one side and keeping the other side clean for readability.

Design tips for readability

Minimum font size: 7pt for body text, 8pt recommended. Sans-serif fonts read better at small sizes. Ensure strong contrast between text and background — light text on dark stock, or dark text on light stock. Leave generous margins; text too close to the edge looks cramped and may be trimmed during cutting. For detailed typography and layout guidance, our file requirements page covers the technical specifications you'll need.