8 Common Business Card Mistakes you should Avoid
Modern businesses are currently swimming in a digital sea of LinkedIn contact requests, cold emails and direct messages. Business cards can help you stand out by going against the tide. You get to literally put your contact information directly into a prospective’s hands – instead of blowing up their inbox with everyone else. However, the business card you deliver needs to be effective. A poorly designed or inaccurate card can do more harm than good for your brand’s reputation.
In this article, written by the company formations experts at 1st Formations, we’ll warn you about the common mistakes people make when creating their first business card. We’ll also give you suggestions for how to create an effective card. One that has all the information you need, as well as guidance for suggested colours and fonts.
1. Missing or incomplete contact details
The bare essentials? Your business card should include your: business name, your name, job title, phone number, your email address, and your website. Make sure your business address is on there too.
The ultimate aim of a business card is to make it easy to get in touch with you. If it fails in this task, you can’t expect prospective clients to work it out themselves; they’ll more likely go to one of your competitors instead. So double and triple-check your cards before you make a big order at the printers.
2. T.M.I – Too much information
Business cards are quite small, so too much information can create clutter and confusion for readers. Plus, when a card is overloaded, nothing stands out and recipients may not bother to read it at all.
Instead, stick to the essentials: your name, job title, phone number, company name, email, and website. If you have more to share – a portfolio or social media – consider using a QR code.
Don’t be afraid of white space either. It helps emphasise the important content and makes your card look more professional.
3. Poor font choices, readability and colour contrast
A card is pointless if nobody can read it. Avoid decorative fonts and fancy calligraphy. It might look good on screen, but they often come out as tiny, unclear, or illegible when printed. You want to stand out, but not for the wrong reasons.
As a rule, choose simple, professional fonts. Limit yourself to one or two typefaces and ensure that text size is large enough to read comfortably at arm’s length.
Similarly, bad colour choices – for instance light coloured text on a white background – can greatly undermine readability. Low contrast between text and background colour makes scanning a card more difficult than it needs to be – so avoid at all costs.
4. Using low-quality materials or poor printing
Using cheap paper or low-quality printing can make even a well-designed card feel flimsy. Low resolution logos or images can also betray a lack of care.
To avoid this, invest in heavier paper stock, choose finishes carefully (matte, gloss, soft-touch etc.), and get a printed proof before committing to a large print run. That way you can check print quality, colour contrast, and address any issues before mass printing.
5. Inconsistent branding or a “generic” design
Your business card should reflect your brand identity. A card that uses colours, fonts or logos inconsistent with your website or other marketing materials can harm brand recognition and confuse clients.
At the same time, being too “safe” or cookie-cutter risks your card blending in among dozens of others. While subtlety and minimalism are virtues, your card still has to communicate what your business does and leave a memorable impression.
If possible, include a well-designed logo that connects to your services or industry. Try to balance brand consistency with visual distinctiveness.
6. Layout and format mistakes
In the UK and Europe, the standard business size is typically 85mm x 55mm (3.35″ x 2.17”), so keep your card at least roughly that size and shape. The problem with unconventional designs is they can fail to fit wallets or card holders, causing them to end up in the bin.
Also watch out for important text or graphics being “cut off” during the trimming process. Give the card plenty of white space on the edges to account for this.
Use the back of a card too – never leave it blank. Use it for a QR code, a small map, a slogan, or a brief list of services.
7. Outdated information
Outdated contact information – old phone numbers, email addresses no longer in use, or a website that no longer works – can be worse than no card at all. If you have a pile of outdated business cards, do yourself a favour and dispose of them. You want to make it easy for clients to get in touch, not difficult.
Make a new card and get a second pair of eyes – a colleague or friend – to check everything before sending to print.
8. Failing to give out your cards
Even the best business card is worthless if it never leaves your desk. You’d be surprised how often businesses order cards and then forget to share them.
To make the most of your investment, carry some cards with you at all times. Have them ready at networking events and meetings of course, but remember to keep some in your car or tr
Also consider slipping a card into shipments, invoices, or notes to clients – you never know when it might be passed along to someone else.
Getting a business card right can pay dividends
Take the time to design your business card with care. Test a printed proof and review every detail line by line. Treat your business card not as an afterthought, but as an important part of your branding strategy.
Need a UK business address to add to your card? Use company registration services to get expert advice on registering and setting up your business. We’ll also guide you along the early stages of setting up your business for the perfect business foundation.
