15 Unique Business Cards to Make Yourself Memorable
How do you stand out in a networking crowd that’s only getting bigger? To be unforgettable and result in the engagement of your choice (sale, follow, RSVP, etc.), you need unique business cards to get your foot in the door.
But what constitutes as unique? We’re glad you asked! At Smartpress, we specialize in unique. To make your presence known and set your brand or organization apart, check out our rundown of 15 design options to make modern, memorable and cool business cards.
Explore all of Smartpress’ formats for business card printing.
Business Card Magnets
Want a first impression that sticks? Go with magnetic business cards. They’re one of the best business card designs and formats for increasing brand visibility and staying top of mind for clients. Think about it: Clients put them on filing cabinets and refrigerators and see your brand name and colors day in and day out.
Share these with vendors and customers, use them as marketing collateral at conferences or pop them in your sales kits.
Foil Business Cards
For details that are never dull, add foil printing to your business cards. When you print online with Smartpress, you get to choose from gold, rose gold, silver and holographic foil, plus clear spot gloss, to create a networking asset that truly shines.
Modern business cards like this make the exact impression you want, whether you go for subtle foil accents, glittering scripted letters or a shimmering full flood in the negative space of your design. And with the velvety Soft Touch laminate that covers it all, your facts look flawless.
Business Card in a Square Folded Cross
Sometimes it’s more about the presentation of your business cards than the cards themselves. In this case, we’re talking about the Square Folded Cross, a specialty fold that acts as a carrier for supplemental pieces like business cards, insert cards and event tickets.
A designer product by Foldfactory, this plus-shaped mailer is the perfect package for your creative business cards. Design them to work together with product and service details on the cross’ panels and your business card with contact information to seal the deal.
Learn how to design and advertise with a Square Folded Cross.
Square Layout
The shape of your business card can make it stand out, but one shape in particular deserves its own shoutout: the square. It’s different enough to be memorable yet similar enough to still fit neatly in a wallet.
As far as unique business cards go, the square layout works well for brands in any industry because no matter which design you choose, the shape does all the (memorable) work.
Colorful Business Card
When in doubt, play around with color to design business cards that stand out. Whether it’s just a splash of one color or a whole collage of tints and hues, a colorful card is a memorable one. You might stick to the brand colors of your business so clients can instantly recognize it or try colors that coordinate with seasonal products or services.
Before you submit your design for print, be sure to explore different color combinations to send the right message.
Business Card in a Pocket Folder
One way to network is to hand your card to potential clients and partners. Another subtle way is to leave your card for them to find – and not by chance. When you slip a business card into a pocket folder, your audience is sure to find (and leave with) your contact info.
Printing custom pocket folders with Smartpress means you get the option of which pocket you’d like your business card slits. You can even add slits on both pockets for double the exposure of your great business card designs. A classic branded asset, print your folders for presentations, meetings, client documents and more.
Check out our premium paper stocks to find the right one for your business card.
Unique Business Card Shapes
One simple way to be memorable is to switch up the shape of your business card. With digital laser cutting, you can design and print fun business cards in the shape of your brand logo, a signature product or a design that’s part of your overall branding.
With so many people handing out traditional rectangular business cards, whatever shape you choose is guaranteed to leave a distinct impression.
Business Card in an Industry-Specific Shape
For businesses or organizations in a particular industry or sector, business cards in custom shapes can be really effective. Run an ice cream shop? Create a business card in the shape of an ice cream cone. Work in the auto industry? Try the profile of a vehicle. In real estate? Turn that classic rectangle into the shape of a key or house.
Cool business card designs like this don’t have to be complicated. Even rounded corners or a simple oval or circle shape can stand out.
Transparent Business Card
If you’re looking for unusual business cards, look no further than transparent ones. Transparent business cards send a truly artistic message and can do a lot with little design. Leverage Smartpress’ digital laser cutting for simple or complex cut-outs, patterns and unique designs.
Check out how to leverage the power of light with digital laser cutting.
Use a Business Card as a Pin or Jewelry Backer
As you brainstorm creative business card designs, it’s a good idea to think about form and function. What do we mean? Well, the coolest business cards don’t have to be just a business card. They can also be a type of packaging, like pin backers or jewelry backers.
With this two-in-one approach, you save time and money by designing and printing one product. And as for your audience, they get both marketing and branding in one fell swoop.
See how a marketer-turned-musician uses Business Cards as pin backers.
Integrate Your Logo
Our list of designs for unique business cards wouldn’t be complete without a little logo love. Whether your brand logo is minimalist or a complex blend of designs, it’s gotta go on your business card. A logo is often the first (and only) thing customers recognize, and as far as good business card designs go, it’s as essential as your name, email and phone number.
Integrating your logo might mean it’s tucked in a top corner of your business card or it takes up your whole card and your contact info is layered on top of it. However you choose to include it, just make sure you do.
Get design tips, tricks and what to put on your Business Card.
Raised UV Business Cards
One of our favorite examples of good business cards is the use of a raised UV coating. A clear gloss that’s laid over the top of your design, raised UV adds transparent shine and 3D texture to every interaction.
Experiment with raised UV on top of your business or organization’s name, one design element or all of your contact details.
Learn how to upgrade your marketing with Raised UV Business Cards.
Minimalist Business Card
When you look at all the possible examples for business cards, more often than not, the simple ones stand out most. Minimalist designs often have a bigger impact than more complex ones because the information is clear – it’s as simple as that.
Without a lot of design elements clogging up your already limited space, your audience can focus on your facts without having to search for them. That clean aesthetic draws the eye to the essential info and looks super modern and sophisticated overall.
Have business card printing questions? We’ve got the answers.
Foldable Business Cards
With foldable business cards, you’re once again playing with the business card form. Just like the pin backers we mentioned earlier, business cards with a fold throw expectation to the wind and ensure your interactions are impressively unmissable.
Among our other unique business card ideas, this one in particular is about presentation. Try adding your brand logo on the front cover and revealing your contact info inside the fold. Or stick with just your brand colors on the front, your contact info on the inside and a QR code on the back.
Linen or Felt Material
We touched on texture with raised UV business cards, but you can take it one step further with linen or felt paper stocks. One of our favorite cool business card ideas, switching out a classic stock for a non-traditional textured stock adds a sensory element that sticks in recipients’ minds.
Smartpress’ linen paper stock features an uncoated finish with a raised grid texture. That rich surface pattern allows for excellent printability, and the stock is even made from 30% post-consumer fiber.
Our felt paper stock also features an uncoated finish but with a raised bump texture. That non-directional pattern is perfect for four-color imagery, and this stock is made from 30% post-consumer fiber, too.
Print Your Unique Business Cards with Smartpress
While they may be small in size, business cards are a huge part of your marketing and business strategies. Unique business cards make a statement about you and your brand or organization, so choosing the right design is crucial. With any one of our creative business card ideas, your details get the spotlight so your business does, too.
Printing business cards with Smartpress is easy and fast, with premium paper stocks and finishes, custom sizes, speciality print options and more. We even have a vast library of support articles to help you every step of the way, from the basics on bleed to how to create and upload your print-ready file. Start designing your business cards today!
