You want your business cards to stand out from the competition, but you can’t sacrifice legibility for style. Selecting the right font for your business card is crucial, as font choice impacts how people read and perceive your information. If your contact information, name, and website are not readable, then your card is ineffective. Standard business card dimensions (2” x 3.5”) restrict how much content you can include. A precise, neat typeface successfully utilizes limited space.
The best business cards are clear and easy to read. You don’t want a font that is crowded or indecipherable. Most business card designers avoid script fonts, which mimic handwriting and are often hard to read at small sizes. Your font size should be at least 8pt, with the more important words, like your name, printed in larger sizes.
The two main font types are serif and sans serif. Serif fonts have a small stroke at the base or end of the letter. Think traditional styles like Times New Roman and Georgia. A sans serif font, on the other hand, do not have the decorative lines. Fonts like Helvetica and Arial are sans serif. People tend to use a sans serif font for business cards to save space. These fonts are often straightforward and legible.
Another deciding factor in your business card layout is your industry. Real estate, finance, and business professionals typically have more formal and traditional business cards. After all, clients might not trust a lawyer with a Comic Sans business card. People in the arts, like DJs, artists, and hair stylists, can have more artistic, creative business card design ideas.
Regardless of your field, your business card doesn’t have to be boring. Any of the cool fonts mentioned here will look sharp on your design. But choosing a less conventional font style can help people remember your information. These five stylishly practical free fonts will ensure your business cards stand out.
Clean lines and sharp edges define this modern typeface. The bold lettering is eye-catching and is sure to make a statement. This font is excellent for the information you want in larger sizes on your business card. It is dramatic yet professional.
Inspired by 18th century European advertising posters, Abril Fatface has a vintage vibe without feeling dated. The style is fancy and sophisticated, yet it is still smooth and readable. Graceful curves and slightly rounded lines effectively lean into the extravagance of a serif font.
If this font seems a bit quirky, it’s because it was inspired by Lewis Carroll’s book Alice in Wonderland. The proportions are wide, which prevents the text from being crowded. The curves and serifs make it excellent for displaying your most important info. This font is charming and delightful — perfect for a more artistic business card layout.
Straightforward doesn’t mean boring, and this clean font is anything but. The sans serif style and edgy lettering appear modern and clean-cut. The letters are spaced close together, and they are very easy to read without being crowded. This font is perfect for people working in tech or other modern fields.
Bold and striking, Delicious features a slight curve without being a serif font. The design is minimalist and uncomplicated. This font can easily be used throughout your business card design. The condensed letters are ideal for the limited space on a business card.
Other great choices are Liberation Sans, Verdana, and Josefin Sans. All of these fonts are readily available in GotPrint’s business card design tool. You’ll also find them on many of our free business card templates, which you can customize online. Of course, make sure your font fits the rest of your design as well. In the end, though, creating a design that is easy to read should be your main priority.
Don’t be afraid to use an unconventional business card design. Oftentimes, taking a bold design approach improves your marketing materials. You can even go the extra mile and design a business card with Raised UV or Raised Foil elements. Alternatively, use our ultra-thick Trifecta paper stock, which is triple-layered, or our 18 pt. Ultra Premium Smooth White stock. Get a Free Sample Kit to explore GotPrint’s paper stock options before ordering your business cards