How to Print Business Cards at Home: The Ultimate Guide

Making Business Cards at Home: What You'll Need

Learning how to print business cards at home is a great way to save money and get a design that you love. Here are a few things you'll need for making business cards at home

1. Business card printer
2. Card stock paper
3. Scissors or craft knives
4. Card designing software/app

As you can see, there's not much you need to design and print business cards at home. Keep reading to learn more about these equipment types and supplies for DIY business card making.

How to Create a Business Card? 5 Super Simple Steps:

Can you print business cards at home? Definitely! With the right tools and instructions, you'll print your first card in no time. Just follow these five super simple steps that will help you make homemade business cards.

STEP 1: Selecting the Paper for Business Cards

Choosing the right paper for business card printing is essential for a professional look. There are some crucial things you need to consider before making your choice, such as the type of paper, card size, etc. Let's discuss them below.

Pick the Paper Size

When printing your DIY business cards, choose a size that will look great on the cardholder you have chosen. The standard length of a U.S. business card is 3.5 inches by 2 inches. You can cut your cardstock to the appropriate size.

Select a Paper Color

It's exciting to choose your brand colors for your custom business cards. The most common colors used are cream, off-white, and white. But, you can choose bolder colors if you want to. Make sure that it's similar to your brand colors.

Choose Your Paper Stock

The most crucial factor is the quality of the paper. Make sure it's high-quality and thick enough to give your cards a sturdy appearance. The best paper for printing business cards at home is cardstock. You can buy regular cardstock, which costs the least. Or, you can purchase premium cardstock for a little extra money. And if you want something extra fancy, try exploring plastic card stock. However, check your printer before getting plastic stock, as not all of them print on plastic.

Thickness and Weight

How thick is a business card? The thickness should be at least 14 pt or 0.014 inches so that all printing will appear uniform and legible. Make sure to choose heavyweight paper (at least 200-340 GSM) so your cards have a premium look and feel. The GSM (grams per square meter) is important since thicker cardstock is sturdier. Since business cards are carried around for a long time, they need to be able to handle rough treatment.

Finish

There are mainly two types of paper to print business cards at home. You can choose between glossy and matte . If your card has a combination of different colors or graphics, go for a glossy finish, as this will make things pop. However, the matte finish is perfect for cards with primarily black text and graphics.

Printing Type

Are you going to print on just one side or both sides? Regular cardstock will work fine for the former, but for the latter, you need a special double-sided printing cardstock that's not see-through or has the ink bleeding through it.

STEP 2: Deciding on Business Card Information Layout

When designing a business card, the first thing that needs to be done is to decide what information should be in it. Here are a few things to consider:

Name

This is an essential part of your card and should be in a large, easy-to-read font.

Job Title

Your business card is a way to introduce yourself to many people, so make sure to put what you do on it.

Contact Info

Include your business phone number and email address. Feel free to include the website URL of your brand as well.

Social Media Links

If you're active on social media platforms such as Twitter or Facebook, consider including their handles at the bottom or at the back. You can also add QR codes for your social media handles at the back of your card.

Personalization

If you're looking to stand out from your coworkers or just have a unique card in general, consider adding a small headshot, a slogan, or even a quote from you when designing a business card..

STEP3: Designing a Business Card

Business cards made at home can look high-quality with suitable designs. Now you'll need to choose the elements for your business card printing. This includes fonts, colors, graphics, etc. Let's discuss them below.

Decide on a Logo

A good logo should be fairly easy to spot and recognize, look modern and elegant, and reflect your brand. If you don't have the resources or time to design a logo, consider getting help from a professional graphic designer.

Pick a Color Scheme

First, pick a color scheme that will be the dominant one on the cards. For example, you might go for a light blue as the base color, with different shades of purple or green used sparingly. Furthermore, you can go with bold colors or less saturated versions so that they'll look more natural on different printers. To help you decide, you can check out color palette generators, such as Canva business cards and Coolors. And lastly, consider using textures or patterns to add some extra visual interest.

Choose a Font(s)

Next, it's important to choose a font that is both legible and eye-catching. We recommend using a typeface such as Arial or Verdana, which are ideal for printing business card information.

Graphics

You can use photos, graphics files, or even handwritten notes for your cards. However, be sure to choose high-resolution files so that they'll print nicely without any errors.

Layout

Finally, decide on a layout for your cards. You can go with a classic design or something more creative and unique. Consider the overall look of your card—do you want it simple and minimalistic or flashy? The choice is yours!

STEP 4: Choosing the Designing App

Now, there are tools that you can use to creatively design your business cards. You can start from scratch or get free templates. If you have the skills to create your own graphics, feel free to use software that will allow you to do so.

DIY Business Cards From Scratch

Here are some tools you can use to make business cards from scratch:

Microsoft Word

How to print business cards in Word? It's super easy just by utilizing the different fonts or inserting images and shapes. It's best for non-tech-savvy people as it has limited but simple controls.

Adobe Illustrator

Perfect for people with a little knowledge of graphic design and those who can make cards with software. You have the freedom to design your card however you want.

Free Business Card Maker

Learning how to print business cards at home can be a cost-effective way to get the cards you need without breaking the bank. On the other hand, if you want to save time, there are free templates that you can use. Where to get free business cards templates to print at home? There are a ton of places on the internet where you can find free business card templates to print, such as:

Canva

How to print business cards from Canva at home? Simply choose or type business cards in the search bar. Canva offers various design options and allows you to create creative and professional cards. With many templates and designs to choose from, it's easy to find one that suits your needs perfectly.

Freepik

Another free template you can try is Freepik. It has millions of stock images that you can use without spending a cent. Get inspired by various designs as you start to create your own business cards.

Adobe Express

This is a free online version of Adobe Photoshop—best for those who don't have the software installed. It has thousands of templates you can choose from. It's the best choice if you're not yet confident with your Photoshop skills.

Have a Graphic Designer Do It

Alternatively, you can outsource the designing bit to someone professional, like a graphic designer with skills in business card design. A skilled person can make custom business cards that look polished and professional and don't cost an arm and a leg. Plus, they'll likely have access to more premium templates and designs than you will at home. Try searching for graphic designers on Fiverr, Design Crowd, People Per Hour, or Upwork. You can discuss what you want with the artist, and they can send you the design so you can make your own business cards at home.

STEP5: Printing Business Cards at Home

The most crucial step in learning how to print business cards at home is to print them without any mistakes! Here's how to do that!

Start Printing

Now that you have the design ready, it's time to bring it to life with some printing magic. Once you've decided on the design elements and fonts/colors/graphics you want to use, you can start creating your DIY business cards!

Now that you have the design ready, it's time to bring it to life with some printing magic. Once you've decided on the design elements and fonts/colors/graphics you want to use, you can start creating your DIY business cards!

Make sure you have the right printer, and you've selected the right settings, such as:

1. Set to print for the finish you're using (glossy or matte)
2. Set to print one or two sides
3. Correct card dimensions

Let's proceed with the steps on how to print out business cards:

1. In your preferred design software, create a new page/document and enter the card dimensions (3.5 x 2 inches).
2. Add the card's color(s), information, graphics, and other elements.
3. Put your text and graphics where you want them, and then use the formatting tools in your design program to make any changes you need to line spacing and letter size.
   
4. Save your document as a JPEG or PNG file. Open the saved file and right-click on it. Choose Print.
   
5. Once the settings appear, fill in the necessary fields such as paper size, paper type, and photo size. Click Print to do a test print first.

Pay attention to the design and how everything, including colors, text, graphics, and other elements, appears in relation to the card's dimensions. Also, proofread the card for any typos or mistakes to fix before printing the first batch.

Business Card Printer Buying Guide

If you're planning on printing your business cards at home, it's important to do some research and purchase the right printer for the task. There are a few key things to consider when purchasing a business card printer:

Compatibility

Most printers are made to handle standard paper, which is 80 gsm. On the other hand, business cards have a heavier weight, ranging between 200 and 340 GSM. So make sure to buy a compatible printer.

Print quality

To get high-quality prints, ensure your printer is capable of producing at least 300 dpi resolution.

Print speed

Most printers can print business cards quickly; however, if you go for a higher DPI like 300-600, it will take some time to print. So if the printer is faster, the less time you'll have to spend waiting for prints.

Paper type

Most business card paper has a synthetic coating that helps cut down on glare and keeps the colors on the card true. Some printers are not compatible with this type of paper, so be sure to choose one that is before buying.

Size

Since you're going to print business cards at home, you need a smaller printer than those giants in the commercial printing business.

Laser or Inkjet

Both kinds of printers can print DIY business cards at home, but using an inkjet is more convenient. Inkjets are great for printing in colors, graphics, and on a wide variety of paper sizes. Laser printers can sometimes curl the card due to heat. So you will have to place cards under some heavy objects like books to straighten them out. Determine whether an inkjet or laser is the best printer for your project.

Connectivity:

location. It's nice to have if you want the printer to start printing when you're away from home, so you don't have to sit down and wait for prints to come out. You can also directly print from your mobile devices with ease.

What are the Best Business Card Printers for Home?

If you don't own a business card printer and want to start printing your own, you can try exploring our list of the best printers for business cards. The printers on our list are all compatible with cardstock paper. Below, you'll find more information that will help you choose the right printer, like how fast it prints, how it connects, and how much ink it needs.

Canon Pixma iX6820

The Canon PIXMA iX6820 is an excellent home photo printer. This printer is suitable for both families and students. It comes with a large input tray for a wide range of paper sizes. You can achieve low-cost printing but with great photo quality as well. The perfect printer if you aim to use graphics when printing business cards at home.

HP OfficeJet 3830

The HP OfficeJet 3830 has superb printing quality both for photos and documents. It accepts a wide variety of paper sizes. If you're looking for a small printer that's easy to navigate so you can print your own business cards at home, this should be your top choice. However, the printing cost is a little higher compared to other printers that are best for business cards.

Epson EcoTank ET-4760

If you're looking for the most budget-friendly printer to make cheap business cards, the Epson EcoTank ET-4760 takes the cake. Its incredible cost per page will help you save on printing costs. This printer is the right choice if your goal is to print thousands of business cards with basic colors and a minimal design.

Brother MFC-J895DW

The Brother MFC-J895DW is best for black and white business cards. If convenience is your top priority, this printer is a great choice since it has an efficient app that you can download. Although it can print great looking photos, it can do better with color accuracy. Overall, it's a great home printer that can deliver basic printing needs quickly enough to create your own business cards.

There's no need for you to go out and spend a fortune on a commercial business card printer when you can print them at home for a fraction of the price. Just make sure the printer you choose is compatible with the paper type, size, and connectivity before getting started!

And if you need the right cartridges and/or cardstock for your business card making project, feel free to explore CompAndSave's product range. We have affordable compatible cartridges for almost every major printer brand. The best way to make business cards at home is to make sure that they're high-quality and budget-friendly.

Finally, you're all set to start making business cards at home. If you're looking for other printing projects that you can venture into as a small business or just a hobby, we have more guides for you. You can try making stickers with a thermal printer or creating printed magnets . Another great printing project is photo printing . There's a lot of things you can do with your printer and ink!

Are you in need of further assistance? Talk to us at our toll-free number: 1-833-465-6888. You can speak to one of our customer service representatives from 6am-4pm PT from Mondays to Fridays. We are glad to be of help!