30 Clever Business Cards with Unique Shapes and Materials « Graphic Design Blog – An Ultimate Resource for Graphic Designers

30 Clever Business Cards with Unique Shapes and Materials

29 Comments

Posted on Tuesday, January 10th, 2012

Nowadays, business cards are considered old-fashioned for business promotion. However, the fact is, no matter how old school business cards maybe, they still prove to be a highly effective promotional tool. Some graphic designers stutter at first meeting with clients and expect them to break the ice. This is where business cards serve as icebreakers to start up a conversation with clients.

Conventional business cards were simple and plain. Their shapes and sizes used to be standardized. But in today’s contemporary graphic design world, business cards have to be designed in a trendy and creative fashion in order to make it attractive and memorable. A dull and boring card will be disposed right away in the dustbin by customers. However, when you create business cards that are unique and creative, the recipient of the card savors it for a long time instead of throwing it into the trash can.

Here are some factual guidelines to creating the perfect business card design:

1. Pick the Right Fonts – Among the most popularly used fonts in business cards are Helvetica, Garamond, Eurostile, Bodoni, Clarendon, Rockwell and Champion typeface.

2. Choose Appropriate Color Mode – Most graphic design software like Photoshop and Illustrator have an option of select the ‘Color Mode’. Usually, graphic designers select the default mode which is RGB. But CMYK is the appropriate color mode for print purposes.

3. Decide on a Size and Shape – While designing a business card, you must also be sure to select a standard size (in Inches). For instance, the standard size used in US and Canada for a business card is 3.5 in x 2 in. Moreover shapes of business cards include circular, square, rounded edges and die-cut style.

4. Select the Print Material – Traditionally, business cards were printed on simple paper and stock papers. But now unique materials such as wood, plastic, metal, magnetic and out-of-box methods are being used.

For your inspiration, here is a compilation of 30 creative business cards that were created with unique materials and shapes:

• Business Cards with Unique Materials:

Plastic Business Cards

Motion Dreams

Clear Plastic Business Card

Throncraft Transparent Business cards

Dreamten Studios

Metal Steel Business Cards Laser Cut

Business Card

Colored Metal Business Cards

Steve Wozniak

Wooden Business Card

Road Dog business card design

Wooden Business Card 2

Wood Business Card 3

PVC Business Card

Wooden Business Card 4

• Business Cards with Unique Shapes:

Die-Cut Business Card 1

Charleston Naturally Letterpress

Guitar

Mineral Water Business Card

Die-cut Business Card 2

Rust And Martin Custom Business Cards

DDQ Design Business Card

oooocomua

Sara Mantle

Ninja BTL

Christmas Business Card

Furniture shop

Bombay Bakery

USB Drive Business Card

Fuelhaus Business Card

Tags: business card materials, business cards, business cards sizes, clever business cards, Creative Business Cards, inspiring business cards, perfect business cards, unique business cards shapes

29 Appreciated Responses

Adam Booth On January 11th, 2012 at 4:01 am

1

Great post full of inspiration.
I understand why business cards have gotten a bad reputation and can be seen as an outdated form of self promotion. It is because of the bad design and clip art associated with business cards. I personally feel that business cards still have a place within design and self promotion. It feels like designers are now starting to embrace the medium of business cards again and thinking laterally about them and coming up with new and innovative ideas for business card design. Designers are getting away from the standard size and material to create truly eye catching business cards. I feel business cards such as ‘Die-cut Business Card 2′ and ‘Christmas Business Card’ are a fantastic idea because it gives the recipient a chance to interact with the business card and make it memorable.

Adam On January 11th, 2012 at 6:11 am

2

Great Article, some nice tips on how to start out creating a business card along with the most important aspect – be creative! A business card that truly stands out from the rest will always get the attention it deserves.

Lisa Walker On January 11th, 2012 at 8:08 am

3

Creativity can be very useful in any sphere of our life and I find this cards really nice and unique. They can be very memorable and surely it is too early to state that the business card time has finished. They can be still successfully used for business promotion.

Paris Leaf On January 11th, 2012 at 1:06 pm

4

We love all your business card designs! You’ve showcased some truly revolutionary design concepts. Here at Parisleaf we’re a group of individuals dedicated to producing environmentally conscious web and graphic design materials.

Shane Harwood On January 12th, 2012 at 7:09 am

5

It’s nice to see some creative business cards rather than the run of the mill designs which we see everywhere. In most of the cases I see no effort put in to make the business cards look different. Fantastic effort.

ferrial On January 12th, 2012 at 3:18 pm

6

So inspiring! ♥ it!!

Estudio de diseño gráfico On January 13th, 2012 at 7:41 am

7

Nice compilations about Business Cards!! Thankss!

Plastic Business Cards On January 16th, 2012 at 7:26 am

8

Its really fantastic information you have posted. The Plastic Business cards is yet another common tool that is used in marketing. The Plastic Business cards helps the company get in touch with millions of people.

geethasarah On January 18th, 2012 at 1:20 am

9

Wow!! great ideas i’m inspired!! i’m trying my best to think of something original to do with my one…..
Bombay Bakery, Dreamten Studios, Plastic Business Cards & Metal Steel Business Cards Laser Cut are Vry nice collections…..Thanks 4 Sharing …..

Hjieronymus On January 20th, 2012 at 10:54 am

10

I saw a Flash drive and sim card all in one when I looked at the fuel haus card, then I looked at it more closely and saw a box of matches and guess got burned

James On January 24th, 2012 at 2:42 am

11

As many of our clients have stated, most of these can’t go into a wallet. I don’t actually believe any business card should go into a wallet, but….yes, some do, unfortunately. C’mon people, wallet?! Ugh!

Anyway, the designs are all nice and we are happy to see one of our own (Circle – Karen Geiger) Thank you and keep up the great work

Davina On January 24th, 2012 at 5:24 pm

12

They maybe regarded as somewhat old fashioned but what a handy way of giving another person some information when they ask for it.
It is when someone shoves a business card under my nose that it ‘gets up my nose’ so to speak. It is the unsolicited handing out that annoys people. And what do they do? Throw it in the bin.
I love the idea of the biscuit design. At least if it were made of biscuit you could eat rather than throw it away.
There is nothing wrong with creating an individual design particularly if your product lends itself to a shape.
Cheers, Davina

Jason Grzybowski On January 26th, 2012 at 8:35 pm

13

Always love to check out other amazing business cards, I have always had a lot of fun working on business cards for my clients and myself but some of these are just straight wicked. I have been planning on doing a few runs of plastic cards for myself when I get the designs right. They’re pretty expensive so I don’t want to do something unless I am absolutely head over heals in love with it.

Joshua Parkhurst On January 26th, 2012 at 11:09 pm

14

Great unique list! The Wooden 2 cards are my favorite by far. Nice solid block of wood, brilliant!

99designs Reviews On January 27th, 2012 at 2:46 am

15

Outstanding business cards, i love to see these unique and creative designed which is the great sign of good identity of reputable company.

Mike Palmer On January 27th, 2012 at 7:13 am

16

Am I the only one with the attention to detail to notice that the “Guitar” is a “Violin”? As the owner of a small design consultancy, I am always looking for new and interesting ideas for business cards, and thought that edible paper or starched cloth would be a fun idea. Anyone?

premium silk business cards On January 27th, 2012 at 5:57 pm

17

They are all awesome! Definitely got some ideas for my next business card purchase Thanks!!

Matt Creason On January 28th, 2012 at 10:46 pm

18

Great collection of creative business cards. Thanks for the inspiring examples!

David On January 30th, 2012 at 6:19 am

19

These business cards are terrific but aren’t they overcomplicating something simple? I suppose they’re cute and bring a smile to your face, and maybe I’m just jealous because I don’t have one!

New Web Templates On January 31st, 2012 at 2:43 am

20

Unique design of these business cards. Ninja BTL, Guitar and Die-Cut card design looks literally awesome! its shape, color and designs is perfect

Manvi On February 3rd, 2012 at 7:13 am

21

So creative and so inspiring

Web design Newcastle upon Tyne On February 16th, 2012 at 12:39 pm

22

Some of those cards are amazing, makes me feel like I need to up the budget for this year’s print run!

Calvin Evans On February 20th, 2012 at 4:37 am

23

That biscuit business card is the best thing I’ve ever seen! I’d end up eating them all though

Jason On March 1st, 2012 at 5:24 am

24

Great article, the ninja stars are amazing! I wonder though at the practicality of carrying some of these around in your wallet/pocket (which I assume they must as well as the people they hand their cards to)..

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25

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Raised Business Cards On March 24th, 2012 at 5:11 pm

26

Great article love the shapes!

Brushstroke Media On April 15th, 2012 at 8:47 am

27

I am very impressed! I’ve lost count of how many flimsy, plain and boring business cards I have been handed over the years. It is so refreshing to see some true originality and inspiring design work. I have always been happy with our business cards but suddenly I feel like taking another look at them. Thanks for the inspiration.

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