Last updated on March 27th, 2024 at 02:38 pm
Technology has completely changed the way companies operate in the 21st century.
And yet, something as seemingly simple as business cards has stood the test of time and remains an integral part of any serious professional who wants to connect with prospective clients or partners.
But designing an effective business card is not easy. With very little space to convey what you represent, even the smallest details play a vital role. And choosing the best font for business cards is no exception.
But why do business card fonts matter? And what are some of the best fonts for business cards you should consider?
Let’s answer the important questions below and help you find the best font for a business card to match your branding elements and goals.
Why Font Matters
The average size of business cards in the United States is just 3.5 x 2 inches, which leaves very little room for creativity or elaborate designs. In most instances, you can only choose the type of logo that you use, the copy that you employ, the paper that you want to print on, and the font that you want the card to be written with.
Despite the fact that there are only a few variables that go into a business card, there are countless examples of how they can be used in different ways. And a beautifully-designed digital font for business cards is at the very center of making this possible.
By choosing the right business card font size and type, you can make your message pop and capture attention while also portraying yourself as a professional, both of which are crucial if the card is going to serve its purpose effectively.
The Best Font Size for Business Cards
Finding a great font for a business card is at the very center of the design, but how should you approach making a choice? How can you know what is the best font for business cards for your situation?
You may be tempted to choose a smaller font size for business cards to get more information on the card, but that is often a mistake. In order for the information to be useful, people have to read it, and few of your prospects are going to strain their eyes and squint trying to decipher the minuscule letters if you go too small. The best font for business cards doesn’t just serve a decorative purpose as part of the design; it also looks clean and is easy on the eyes.
At the same time, you don’t want to choose a font that’s too large—unless it’s part of a well-thought-out design—because you won’t be able to provide the essential information. The character limit for a standard business card is already low, so the perfect font needs to strike a balance between being convenient to read while still giving you enough space to display your message. That’s why it’s usually best to stick with the standard font size for business cards that have a point size proven to work well in small formats.
The typical font size for business cards is 10-11 pt font size for the body of the text, and can go a bit smaller for the contact information if you find yourself running out of space. If you choose a good font for business cards, this body text size will still be easy to read and look good as part of your creative design together with logos, contact details, company name, and other design elements.
Best Professional Fonts
Professional fonts for business cards determine more than just the style of the words on your card. It’s also a representation of you as a professional and how you want to position yourself.
If you want to convey a professional message, it’s a good idea to choose a professional font for business cards that has stood the test of time as part of a business card design. Three most traditional and time-tested fonts are:
- Helvetica
- Times New Roman
- Arial
If you’re looking for the best font to use for business cards, these fonts offer a simple go-to choice for business purposes: they’re easy to read and recognizably straightforward. However, if you’re considering the best business card fonts to make your business card text stand out in a memorable way, you may want to consider a less common but equally professional font choice. So, what font is best for business cards if you want something more unique for your company or have a distinct aesthetic appeal? Finding the right font will come down to whether you want the font style to have a more elegant or modern feel.
To choose your perfect, unique business card font, the first thing to consider is whether your work is more of a serif or sans serif kind of business. Serif fonts are classic, literary, and easy to read. They are commonly used in publishing. Of the three fonts listed above, Times New Roman is the only serif font. Here are some other serif font ideas that convey timeless class:
- Baskerville
- Palantino
- Bookman Old Style
- Century
- Georgia
On the other hand, if your business is sleek, modern, and minimalistic, you may want to lean towards a clean-cut sans serif font. Sans serif simply means the letters do not have a serif. In other words, there are no extra lines or strokes attached to the main strokes of each letter. Arial and Helvetica are both sans serif fonts. If you’re looking for a sans serif font that’s just as professional as Helvetica or Arial, but a bit less common, here are some suggestions for you to mull over:
- Futura
- Avant Garde
- Optima
- Droid Sans
- Roboto
Best Creative Fonts
While some of the best business fonts are professional and timeless, they might not be suitable for every situation, especially for professions that require showcasing creativity and a unique sense of style.
For example, if your business card needs to express your expertise in design, photography, or visual arts, the best font for your business card might need to be more expressive and daring, complementing the creativity of your personal brand.
Here are a few of our top suggestions for creative business card fonts:
- Emberly
- Saint George
- Author Type
- Bouquet
- High Life
Creative fonts tend to be a bit more unusual, and vary greatly. Depending on your business, you may want to choose a font that gives the appearance of brushstrokes like Author Type, a fashion-forward font like Emerly, or an elegant script font like Bouquet. Whatever the case may be, remember to keep your message clear and legible.
What to Look for in a Font
When selecting a font, think about what you represent and what type of brand you want to nurture: this will play an important role in your font choice. After all, once you make a selection, the font will become a part of your professional identity. It will be one of the first things people encounter when learning about what you do.
Whether you go for a classic font or a modern one, remember that the function of the business card remains the same. It needs to convey the essential information, but it also needs to be eye-catching enough to grab attention.
You may even find that a few different fonts complement each other perfectly for various sections of your business card, so don’t be set on using just one.
What to Avoid When Selecting a Business Card Font
With so few variables at play, each component—including the font—ends up playing a much more significant role. So what types of mistakes should you avoid when choosing a font?
For one thing, make sure that above all else, you strive for readability and comprehension. You can use countless clever ways to structure your business card, but make sure that they don’t make it harder to read or make the core message more difficult to comprehend.
Feel free to use small details to add a unique touch, but avoid overdoing it, as that will only turn them into a distraction that will make it less likely your business card will serve its primary purpose.
Matching multiple fonts is fine, but be careful not to create dissonance on your card. If you’re not sure about the stylistic choices to be made or are concerned about making a mistake, consider consulting printing professionals who can offer assistance.
How Printivity Can Help
Designing business cards is an art form that has been continually refined for centuries. It’s crucial to follow the best practices that have been developed to ensure that the effort you put in doesn’t go to waste. At Printivity, we have helped countless clients find the perfect design and the best font for business cards in their situation. We can offer you a comprehensive package of guidance that ensures the best results. If you want to learn more about our business cards cards or other services including rush overnight prints, please call us at 1-877-649-5463 or use our contact form!
