How Custom Business Cards Can Make a Lasting First Impression

Just because it's 2025 now, one might question the relevance of traditional business cards. However, these small, printed pieces of information continue to hold significant value. Business cards remain a timeless and powerful networking tool that professionals, entrepreneurs, and businesses use to make memorable first impressions.

At First Colour, we understand the impact that a well-designed business card can have on your professional image. As a trusted London-based printing partner, we offer premium design and high-quality custom printing services to help you stand out from the crowd. Here, we will explore why business cards are still essential, what information to include, and how to design business cards that leave a lasting impression.

Why Business Cards Still Matter in 2025

Even in 2025, business cards are an invaluable asset in both personal branding and professional networking. Despite the rise of social media and digital communication, there is something incredibly powerful about the tangible nature of a business card. The exchange of a business card in a meeting or at a conference is a personal, physical connection that can leave a lasting impression.

Business cards also provide a quick and efficient way to share contact details. Whether you’re meeting a potential client, a collaborator, or a new business partner, handing over a business card is one of the fastest and most professional ways to ensure you stay connected. Not only do they help make an impression, but they also reinforce your brand’s identity. A high-quality, custom-designed business card is a powerful way to stand out in a sea of digital communication.

What to Put in a Business Card

When designing a business card, it’s essential to ensure it contains the right information. But how do you know exactly what to put in business card designs to ensure that your card is functional, professional, and memorable?

Essential Information:

• Name and Job Title: The most important information on any business card is your name and job title. Ensure these are prominently featured for easy recognition.
• Company Name and Logo: Your company’s name and logo are a reflection of your brand, so they must be included and presented clearly.
• Contact Details: Include all necessary methods for potential clients or contacts to reach you. This may include your phone number, email address, and website. If relevant, consider adding your social media profiles or other means of communication, particularly if you operate in a tech-driven industry.
• Address (If Relevant): If your business involves physical locations such as a store, office, or meeting space, include your address on your business card.

Optional Elements:

• Tagline or Mission Statement: A short, compelling tagline can effectively communicate your brand’s values or core message.
• QR Code: A QR code can link to your website, portfolio, or LinkedIn profile, offering a quick way for recipients to access more information about your business.
• Special Finishes: Embossing, foil stamping, or other specialty finishes can enhance the tactile and visual appeal of your card, making it more memorable and reflective of your brand’s quality.

What are the Dimensions of a Standard Business Card​?

When considering how big is a business card, it’s important to understand the standard dimensions and when it might be appropriate to opt for custom sizes or shapes.

In the UK, the standard business card size is 85mm x 55mm, while in the US, it measures 3.5” x 2”. These dimensions are designed to fit comfortably in wallets and cardholders, ensuring your card is easily stored and accessible.

While these standard sizes are popular, custom business card designs have become increasingly sought-after as companies look for ways to distinguish themselves. Custom shapes, such as square, rounded corners, or even vertical cards, can help elevate your business card to the next level and make a memorable impact.

Printing Considerations: Bleed Areas and Safe Zones

Whether you’re designing a standard or custom-sized business card, you’ll need to account for bleed areas and safe zones during the printing process. The bleed area extends beyond the final trim size to ensure that colours or images extend to the edge of the card without any white borders. The safe zone ensures that important details, such as text or logos, are not placed too close to the edge, avoiding accidental cropping during production.

Best Practices for Business Card Design

When it comes to how to design business cards that make a lasting impression, there are several best practices you should follow:

Choosing the Right Layout

A clean, well-organised layout is essential for readability and professionalism. Avoid cluttering your business card with too much information. The key is balance – include only the necessary details and leave some space for the design to breathe.

Selecting Fonts

Choosing the best fonts for business cards is crucial. Opt for fonts that are easy to read and align with your brand identity. Professional sans-serif fonts like Helvetica, Arial, or Futura work well for modern, clean designs, while serif fonts like Times New Roman or Garamond convey tradition and reliability.

Avoid overly decorative or hard-to-read fonts, as these can detract from the clarity and professionalism of your card. Stick to one or two font types for a cohesive design and limit the use of font sizes to ensure readability.

Colour and Branding

Colour is a powerful tool for reinforcing your brand identity. Ensure that your business card design aligns with your brand colours and industry expectations. For example, blue is often associated with trust and professionalism, while green can indicate environmental or wellness-oriented businesses.

Contrast is important for readability, so choose background and text colours that stand out against each other. A dark background with light text can create an elegant and modern look, while a lighter background with dark text offers a more traditional and accessible appearance.

Material and Finishes

The material you choose for your business cards plays a significant role in how they are perceived. Premium paper stocks like matte, gloss, and textured options can help elevate your card’s feel and durability. Specialty finishes such as spot UV, foil stamping, and embossing can further enhance your card’s visual appeal and make it more memorable.

A high-quality card creates a tangible sense of your professionalism and attention to detail. Choosing the right material and finish for your business card is one of the most important design decisions you can make.

How First Colour Can Help with Custom Business Card Printing

At First Colour, we specialise in high-quality, custom business card printing services. Whether you’re looking for professional design assistance or premium materials and finishes, our team is here to ensure your business card leaves a lasting impression.

Professional Design Assistance

Our expert designers can work with you to create a polished, brand-consistent business card that represents your business in the best possible light. We understand the importance of business card design and offer guidance on layout, typography, and visual elements to ensure that your card captures the essence of your brand.

High-Quality Printing Options

We offer a wide range of premium materials and finishes to help your business card stand out. From matte to gloss to textured paper stocks, we provide options that enhance the tactile experience of your card. Our specialty finishes, such as embossing and foil stamping, add a layer of luxury and sophistication, making your business card even more memorable.

Same-Day Printing Service

Need your business cards in a hurry? At First Colour, we offer a fast turnaround time for urgent printing needs. Our same-day printing service ensures that you get your business cards quickly without sacrificing quality.

Wrapping It Up: Why Your Business Card is Still Your Best First Impression

A well-designed business card is more than just a piece of paper with contact details – it’s a powerful marketing tool that can help you make a strong first impression. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, freelancer, or part of a larger organisation, your business card is a reflection of your professionalism and brand identity.

At First Colour, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality, custom business card printing services in London. From expert design assistance to premium materials and finishes, we’re here to help you create business cards that leave a lasting impression.

Get in touch with First Colour today for professional business card printing services tailored to your brand.