Picture yourself at a big conference.
You are just one of the pack, rubbing elbows and collecting cards with warm handshakes. At that moment, someone hands you a business card that makes you give up a few seconds to receive the card and the person. Perhaps your attention remains captivated, and then you tell someone at work about the card that stood out from the crowd.
Mission accomplished. The business card made your job simple.
An old-fashioned business card could get the person through a meeting door. Now, there are many companies online that make great business cards. Maybe, it's not for you yet because you're a solopreneur just starting out in a coffee shop.
Don't let that stop you. Deal aggressively with business cards.
Free business card templates are around and in abundance. They can get you out the door if you follow the maxims of good business card design. Let's take a look at some professions and see how creative designers give us so many wonderful templates to download and use, even when we don't have a lot of money.
The humble business card template is the hero of this story.
A business card can be a job search tool. In software development, coding and design are often siblings, and as a programmer, you can bring out your creative side with a well-made card. Every developer is different, from the front end to the back end. Find a template to help you put your special skills (on the front or back). Don't overwhelm him.
Saqib Ahmad's free business card design for web designers and programmers on Behance.net should spark an idea:
DeviantArt has this neat, two-sided horizontal template that sends an “I know my job” message.
If you want to do all the work after a dream job, check out this DIY tutorial on Instructables. If you have the skills to back it up, I'm sure you'll be a welcome addition to any company.
You can expect to find the best variety of business card designs for this industry. After all, this is the tribe that's carrying the most stuff on this list. If you're a graphic designer yourself, you won't need a template. Go ahead and design one of your own that is unique to the work you do. But if you're still unsure of your abilities, the templates will at least be inspiring.
One of my favorite sources for free designs of any kind is Deviant Art. It's full of (free) hidden treasures. Just notice that there are business card designs. and then there are business card templates .
This Vecree double-sided vector design template is simple and colorful.
For those who prefer a bit of grunge, this nice and clean business card template from Robby Designs is available as a ZIP download.
Graphic designers are in every nook and cranny and so are some of their best creations. Try this vertical business card design from All Free Download.
I like the typographical minimalism of this polished design from Graphic Burger.
And the striking simplicity of Suzon Abdullah's project on Behance.net.
So this scribbled version of a cartoon business card isn't bad either.
Business cards for IT network specialists sounds out of place. Aren't they the guys who are invisible in the background? Maybe, but a simple 3.5" x 2" card can easily be turned into a resume to troubleshoot future jobs.
This free, vertical QR stamped card design is just what you need to remember.
The usual image of a blogger is someone who works alone. The best bloggers and freelance writers in the business don't. They attend meetings, industry events, have face-to-face meetings with sponsors and collaborators. For a tech blogger, big industry shows like CES are a great opportunity to interact with the who's who of the consumer electronics industry.
Even if you're a budget-conscious blogger, take a stack of business cards with you and hand them out to your network. A memorable card will stay in the top drawer. For example, I loved the use of humor in Milena Savic's design, but unfortunately there is no free template.
Now, I'm looking at this QR-inspired business card. In case you didn't know, QR codes can be put to many creative uses. 8 Really Cool Yet Creative Ways to Use QR Codes Around the Home. 8 Really Cool Yet Creative Ways to Use QR Codes Around the Home. A high-tech start:Toyota used them in its manufacturing process to scan car components. From there, QR codes have made the journey to fashion ramps. That shows their… Read more and they are easy to generate.
If you don't find a good design right away, you can reuse any other business card design for your blogging business. I fell in love with this scribbled business card. There are no effortless downloads here, but Chris Spooner's tutorial is easy to follow.
Looking for something sober? How about this elegant black and white yet minimal template for copywriters?
Social media strategists have to lead teams and link up with other campaign managers and PR agencies across the many stakeholders. When face-to-face marketing and advertising skills come together, social media strategists need well-designed business cards.
Just like its online counterparts, the business card should also promote your IDs because most people will. “Meet” The person through their social accounts and not a website. Adding an easily scannable social media handle to a business card is an essential step. Take this personality-rich business card by Yara El-Soueidi on Behance.net, for example.
This was an example, but you can easily find social business card templates.
This social business card from flowpixel is available in six different colors and the template includes fully editable layers.
If you want to stay in the black, this simple business card from the same artist for any kind of profession should hold your social media handles too.
Photography is serious business because that expensive equipment doesn't pay for itself. The Hard Truth About Photography 4 Hard Truths About Professional Photography (And Solutions) 4 Hard Truths About Professional Photography (And Solutions) Want to start making money with your photography skills? Here are a handful of important considerations to make before you take that leap. The truth is that photography is not easy. Read More Either way, you need a business card to advertise yourself to the world. The good news is that photography business card ideas and templates are readily available. And the variety encompasses the different types of photography businesses. The five most lucrative careers for a budding photographer. The most lucrative careers for a budding photographer. Do you want to make money with photography? There are a plethora of possible career paths before you. Here are some considerations to help you make the right decision. Read more:from wedding photography to sports photography.
This simple menglong PSD template hosted on DeviantArt.com isn't too flashy.
Here's another free print-ready template that you can customize and download. It seems like a perfect fit for a glamor or portrait photographer, but you can easily customize Photoshop layers for your own genre.
Template.net has listed a number of stylish photography business card templates that are not free, but cheap enough for a serious shooter.
Photographers have their muse and musicians have their instruments. But the goal for both is the same:to get someone to call you to work. An independent musician has to be multi-skilled to make a track and then make a living. Balancing all of your skills on one business card is hard, so the trick is to show what matters most. Perhaps, you are more of a music producer and less of an instrument arranger. Maybe you're just a guitarist who sings at weddings. Choose your main ability and go find a card..
Behance.net has a lot of great designs and this free template is a basic choice.
I loved the retro art on this card, which is suitable for DJs or anyone in the music industry.
Or this all-black card that boldly announces the musician.
Health and fitness is big business. You could be a wannabe aerobics instructor or yoga guru 5 Helpful Guides To Help You Get Certified As A Yoga Instructor 5 Helpful Guides To Help You Get Certified As A Yoga Instructor If You Like To Stay Fit With The Benefits Of Yoga , follow That knowledge could be the next step. These five tools could help you get started. Read More Word of mouth can ride on its tail after that. A business card is one of the cheapest ways to convert a potential customer into a customer that gives you a lifetime's worth of business.
This free business card template can be adapted to any type of healthcare business.
If you're looking for something more sophisticated, try this template designed by Borce Markoski which is available as a free PSD template.
Alternatively, this colorful version is a suitable template for all healthcare businesses.
This beautifully designed business card template for yoga professionals is relaxing in pink.
But my own vote goes to the vertical alignment of an Ivan Rosenberg freebie.
You can create minimalist business cards and use them creatively for different types of clients. For example, if your personal trainer offers meditation classes, senior classes, or outdoor adventure activities, you can create additional cards for your clients.
And if this detailed article on PT Direct.com is true, you can do a lot for your business in 45 seconds!
Travelers are like blades. Here today, and somewhere else tomorrow. Experience is the best bet that they will remember you; a business card that is kept in your rolodex is almost a guarantee that you will be called.
This travel-themed business card is available in both vertical and horizontal layouts.
Here's a world map business card template with rounded corners that sticks to the theme.
A travel-related business card template doesn't always have to include a panoramic image. Try this flat clear plastic card template featuring a QR code. Printing on plastic can cost you, but the QR code can be a powerful shortcut to an online hosted travel brochure.
It's not all technology and it's not all business. The noblest profession also needs its fair share of business cards. The teaching profession has a big stripe:you can be a substitute teacher or a golf coach, but you have to remind people that you are a “friendly teacher”.
This teacher business card template is intended for personal use only, but is a graphic example of saying it all in a simple card.
FreshBusinessCards.com has another simple single-sided template that you can customize.
The well-known TeachersPayTeachers.com also has some free educational business card templates that you might like to try. Nothing fancy though.
Business card templates are intended for the budget conscious. I wouldn't recommend it to someone who has spare change and is desperate to make a great impression. As I discovered, free templates are few and far between, and here are some of the resources where you can try your luck:
Tipping: Do a Google search for “free business card template pack”. Some design sites regularly provide these downloads.
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As you'll find, the free options are limited in numbers and styles. Then it's time to move on:Angela has you covered at six places where she can design and print business cards. 6 Great Fonts for Cheap and Beautiful Business Cards You Can Print 6 Great Fonts for Cheap and Beautiful Business Cards If You Can Print Whether you're a freelancer or have a small business, you know that having a good business card is a valuable asset. However, when you're just starting out, business card printing can seem a bit... Read More When you want to go the distance, take these stunning business card design examples 13 Creative Business Card Ideas To Help You Stand Out 13 Creative Business Card Ideas To Help You Stand Out In The Business World Nothing Helps You Stand Out more than a memorable business card. Here are some ideas to help yours stand out. Read More They can burn your pocket, but they can help you make some leaps in your profession.
I think they're breathing fine.
The most beautiful examples of business cards demonstrate the fact that clever design can cut through any clutter. Virtual cards simply cannot convey the feel of the role and the genius of a creative designer. Think of the time you browsed through a book just because it had a fantastic cover. A business card can influence you like this.
Does the humble business card matter in your profession? Have you put in the effort to make one that stands out for one more second? What's the best example of a business card you've found?
