Every small business is unique, and your business cards should be, too. In fact, the most effective types of business cards are thoughtfully crafted to spark a specific action or outcome. While a caterer’s card might have a QR code that leads to an online menu and prompts a new customer to place a digital order, a hair stylist’s business card might instead feature loyalty or scheduling elements to drive return visits.
Business cards are important for many reasons, from making a positive first impression and promoting brand consistency to directing customers to a digital experience. With some reflection on how your business card can support your business goals and following some basic business card design rules, you can create a well-designed card that is not only stylish but also compels action and drives real results.
With today’s modern and digital formats, from QR codes to NFC cards, your business card can double as a physical introduction and a digital connection. To set your card apart, explore these business card types.
- Types of business cards include magnetic, NFC, digital and eco-friendly cards.
- Each type supports different business goals like driving repeat visits, making a luxury impression or creating digital connections.
- Your choice of finish, material, size and shape impacts cost and durability, as well as brand perception.
- Combining business card types (like a QR code on a recycled paper card) can help you connect with multiple customer needs at once.
Business cards designed like tarot cards
There are many business card examples, options and uses—each type of card has distinct benefits and suits different types of businesses or industries. Here are some modern and traditional types of business cards for small business owners to consider.
1. Appointment cards
As the name suggests, appointment cards confirm the details of an upcoming appointment. The front of the card can feature your relevant business information, while the back provides space to jot down the date and time for your client’s next appointment and any other personalized information they might need to refer to.
Appointment cards remind customers that they have an upcoming booking with your business.
Appointment cards can help to reduce missed appointments and bookings.
Best for: Small businesses wanting to encourage repeat customers and reduce no-shows. If your business books appointments in person, such as those in the health, beauty and wellness industries, appointment cards secure someone’s next visit and send them out the door with a tangible reminder confirming the details.
2. Magnetic business cards
Magnetic business cards take professional business cards and make them attachable to fridges, notice boards, filing cabinets and bookshelves. Durable and practical, magnetic cards are especially convenient for quickly referencing business information and for holding other items, such as notes and lists, on surfaces.
Best for: Businesses that want their contact information kept front and center, particularly if their services are needed quickly, such as restaurant delivery, home maintenance, plumbing or veterinary care.
3. Loyalty business cards
Long-term client and customer relationships benefit any business and its bottom line. Loyalty cards encourage repeat business by providing customers with an incentive for their ongoing custom. For example, a pizza take-away business can offer a free 12-inch pizza after ordering five pizzas, while a nail salon could offer a complimentary pedicure after 10 visits.
Combine physical and digital loyalty programs, printing QR codes on cards that connect with apps, to create both a tangible reminder of your business and a digital record of your connection.
Best for: Businesses relying on ongoing, regular traffic from customers, such as restaurants, takeaways, retail stores, entertainment centers, and health and beauty businesses. Ideal for brick-and-mortar businesses.
Loyalty business cards encourage customers to return.
Combining your business card and loyalty card fosters connection.
4. Business cards with QR codes
A QR code brings a digital twist to the traditional business card. Anyone with your QR code business card can scan the code with their smartphone and be taken directly to a digital location—your e-commerce website, landing page or social media profile, etc.—where they can further engage with your business. This technology nudges a prospective customer toward deeper engagement, converts them into a paying customer or brings about another specific desired result through a call-to-action (CTA).
A QR code brings a modern touch to traditional business cards.
Best for: Businesses that rely on their digital channels for engagement or custom, such as an e-commerce business. The QR code can lead wherever you choose, such as your online store, a mailing list signup, an appointment scheduler or social media profiles.
Direct customers to any online location of your choice with a QR code on your business card.
Create your own QR code for free with our QR code generator. Then customize your QR code business cards with a square shape or rounded corners to make a statement.
5. Near-field communication (NFC) business cards
NFC business cards offer contactless transfer technology similar to Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. With these ultra-modern and durable cards, customers use their smartphones to scan a chip that’s embedded in the plastic. They’re then directed to a custom landing page that can include a professional portfolio, social media links, schedules, signup forms, menus, product videos and much more. Give customers access to important updates, videos and examples of your work in real-time with your unique branding.
VistaConnect is a free service that connects customers online via your custom NFC business card, with smart scanning technology and an easy-to-navigate browser experience.
NFC business cards contain a chip that can be scanned to access your information.
Best for: Businesses with a tech-savvy clientele that favor contactless exchanges. Similar to QR code business cards, NFC cards are valuable for pulling prospective customers or partners into your digital orbit and providing them with more detailed, up-to-date information in a seamless, modern way. NFC business cards are also useful for businesses that need to let their customers know about regular updates and changes.
Bamboo NFC business cards communicate innovation and sustainability
6. Digital business cards
Digital business cards exist entirely online, allowing you to instantly share your contact details via email, text or a scannable QR code. Unlike traditional business cards, you can update your details at any time without reprinting, making them cost-efficient and eco-friendly. Many platforms also allow you to track engagement from your digital business card, i.e. who clicked your link and when, which can provide marketing insights, so you understand how well your card is working for you.
A digital business card with a QR code by Creed via 99designs by Vista
Best for: Freelancers, consultants and businesses that regularly update their contact details, service offerings or links. Digital business cards are great for networking events where speed and sustainability matter.
7. Interactive business cards
These business cards are designed to spark curiosity in the recipient. Think augmented reality (AR) overlays, cards with scratch-off offers or fold-out formats that engage the person you’ve given it to and encourage them to interact further than they would with a standard card. Interactive business cards create a sense of discovery, encouraging recipients to spend more time with your brand.
Best for: Creative industries like design, events, real estate or tech start-ups that want to showcase their innovation and personality.
8. Eco-friendly business cards
Eco-friendly business cards, such as those made from post-consumer recycled paper, bamboo or a hemp blend, are an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional paper business cards. Pairing eco-friendly paper stock with minimalist design can reinforce your sustainability values while communicating that your business is modern, responsible and forward-thinking.
Best for: Business owners seeking to highlight their environmental ethos as a market differentiator, for example, a sustainable food delivery subscription service, a cleaning service that uses only environmentally friendly supplies or a hair salon featuring natural products.
Eco-friendly business cards are perfect for brands that value sustainability
Eco-friendly business card made from recycled matte paper
9. Promotional business cards
Business cards are a perfect place to add coupons or promo codes that customers can keep in their wallets for easy access. You can hand out promotional business cards at events, include them in packaging or offer referral discounts when customers share your business with a friend.
Best for: Retail businesses, whether in-person or online, that want to encourage repeat purchases and show their appreciation for loyal customers.
Business card finishes, materials and textures
Choosing the right finish or material can transform how your card feels in someone’s hand and how they perceive your brand. For practicality, choose matte for readability or uncoated for appointment cards.
| Finish/Material | Cost (for 100 units) | Durability | Look/Feel | Brand Perception |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glossy | From $14.99 | Medium | Bold, shiny, vibrant colors, but can show fingerprints | Energetic, modern, great for visual-heavy designs |
| Matte | From $14.99 | Medium | Professional, glare-free, readable | Simple, reliable, versatile for most industries |
| Uncoated | From $14.99 | Low | Natural, writable surface | Practical, good for making notes/appointment cards |
| Soft-touch | From $33.99 | Medium | Velvety, tactile, premium finish | Luxury, high-end, sophisticated |
| Cotton/Linen | From $28.99 | Medium | Textured, fabric-like stock | Traditional, artisanal, trustworthy |
| Embossed/Debossed | From $28.99 | Medium | Raised or pressed text/design adds tactile depth | Premium, distinctive, memorable |
| Foil accent/Raised foil | From $28.99 | Medium | Metallic accents that catch the light | Luxury, creative, statement-making |
| Recycled stock | From $33.99 | Medium | Natural, matte, sometimes textured | Eco-conscious, modern, value-driven |
| Metal or Plastic | High | Very High | Solid, durable, weighty | Innovative, high-quality, reliable |
| Painted edge | From $54.99 | Medium | Pop of color on edges, subtle design twist | Creative, modern, detail-focused |
| Premium Plus | From $27.99 | High | Heavier stock, refined finish options | Elevated, professional, polished |
Match your finish to your business strategy. A finance consultant might choose matte for clarity, while an online boutique could use linen with embossed accents to convey sophistication.
Metallic accents work well on business cards for creative or luxury brands.
Business card sizes, shapes and layout
Most people picture the standard horizontal rectangle when they think about business cards, but a unique shape can make just as strong an impression with modern business card design. Whatever shape you choose—square, oval or circle—it’s important to keep key text and logos within the safe zone and extend backgrounds to the bleed line to avoid white lines around the edges.
| Shape/Orientation | Cost (for 100 units) | Practicality/ Durability | Layout Tips | Brand Perception |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard horizontal (3.5” x 2”) | From $14.99 | Very practical, fits wallets and card holders | Works with most layouts: logo left, contact info right; or stacked name/title above details | Professional, classic, universal |
| Square | From $25.99 | Less practical, doesn’t fit all holders | Centered logo or QR code with minimal text; bold visuals work well | Modern, creative, stylish, innovative |
| Rounded corners | From $21.99 | Durable; round corners don’t fray as easily | Standard horizontal or vertical layouts, but softened with rounded edges for a friendly feel | Approachable, design-forward |
| Oval/Circle | From $69.99 | Novelty shape, but may not store as easily | Center logo/monogram with minimal text; works best as a statement card | Playful, unique, memorable |
| Mini cards | Medium | Compact, less room for details | Keep only essentials (name + contact + logo); vertical split designs work well | Creative, unconventional, minimalist |
| Vertical orientation | Same as standard | Practical but unusual | Best for QR codes, digital links or stacked text; logo at top, details underneath | Bold, modern, tech-savvy |
Always think about legibility when designing your business card. On smaller or square cards, simplify the details and prioritize whitespace so the design doesn’t feel cramped.
Rounded corner business cards have a soft, approachable feel.
Square business cards stand out with their modern look.
The best business cards help your business stand out
With a thoughtful evaluation of your business objectives and some creative strategy, you can design a business card that drives action and results.
Leverage the different business card types available to distinguish your small business and nudge customers toward specific actions, whether that’s making an appointment, placing an online order or contacting you when they need a quick solution to a problem. You can mix and match different uses for business cards, such as placing a QR code on a magnetic card or featuring appointment details or loyalty rewards on an eco-friendly business card.
According to VistaPrint data, QR-enabled and soft-touch cards are among the fastest-growing categories, showing that small businesses are investing in both modern technology and premium finishes. Creating a custom business card can be a fun process that propels your business forward and helps you connect with customers.
