Are business cards still worth it for creatives?

While portfolios remain firmly digital, the physical business card is having a revival. Putting a material representation of your style, neatly alongside all your contact details, straight into the hands of hiring managers and other creatives is a savvy networking move. Is the business card back in biz? Here’s everything you need to know about the timeless method.

Creative business cards collected by the team at a D&AD New Blood event

When it comes to hiring and networking, digital overload is real, leaving a lot to be desired. In the US, for example, 63% of Gen Z are now actively getting offline. Whether it's networking, creative meetups or the physical (i.e. firmly in the real world) business card, there's a growing preference for all things IRL.

With a website, an Instagram profile or an email, we’re all inundated – can you ever know for sure if someone’s received your 50th cold outreach message that week? With a business card, on the other hand, you’re literally putting a paper manifestation of yourself directly into someone’s (whether it's a creative director, hiring manager or fellow creative) hands, leaving a physical reminder of what you have to offer in your wake.

Compared to the online sphere, “the most fruitful connections I made were at design festivals,” notes graphic designer and illustrator Reign Barrun, who “absolutely” credits his use of the business card for helping him out IRL.

Reign's business card

And when it comes to attending events, making contacts and getting your name and details out there, a business card is also just pure efficiency. It’s “the quickest and easiest way to communicate important information to potential clients and collaborators,” says illustrator Olivia McAlister, who’s been handing out her card on the regular.

“Business cards just make the exchange of contact info a lot smoother and fluid in person, when conversing or presenting your work,” UX designer Mya Christie Lee similarly explains, a fellow adopter of the card.

Business cards, go forth into the world!

So where exactly are creatives handing out their business cards? Well, IRL, obviously! You should take them to “creative spaces or communities with other creatives and designers, such as at festivals, degree shows, industry panels, exhibitions or bulletin boards,” advises Reign. “Presenting your business cards in professional environments builds trust and credibility” and “immediately creates opportunities,” he notes.

For Olivia, creative industry events like D&AD New Blood have been the prime target. With a packed summer line-up of events, she decided to go in for a solid print run so she’d always have a trusted stack of cards to hand out while showcasing work, creating an exhibition-to-opportunity pipeline.

Mya notes that in addition to design events, she leaves her business card “in spaces that might be interested in my work or places that I’d love to work for”, like a favourite independent cafe or shop that might be in need of a designer. Opportunities are everywhere!

Olivia's business card

Standing out from the crowd

A business card is a little piece of you, so make it count. Olivia, Reign and Mya's cards all feature either strong type, illustrations, or even fun copy. It’s “a physical reminder of your visual style and practice,” says Olivia. Powerful, personable design will go far. For Mya, hers “very clearly reflects who I am as a designer. I use medieval type, bright neon colours, and clear iconography to showcase who I am.”

Reign notes that both visuals and texture are equally important to “effectively engage someone”. For Reign’s card design, capturing his personal brand was likewise key. It holds “a deep personal connection to my identity, my culture and work disciplines as a designer”, with a palette “Heavily influenced by my cultural background, taken from the colours of the Philippine flag.”

Mya's business card

Consider the cost – and where you’ll use them

Business cards aren’t essential, and they won’t suit everyone. Printing can be an added expense when you’re starting out, particularly if you choose specialist paper, finishes or a large print run. Start small, compare printers and only order an amount you’re likely to use before your details or portfolio change.

Their usefulness can also depend on where you live and whether you can access in-person events. If industry festivals, exhibitions or meetups are expensive or difficult to reach, focus on a strong digital portfolio and make connections online. A simple card can support your networking, but it shouldn’t become another financial or geographical barrier to getting your work seen.

Building a portfolio ecosystem

Your business card isn’t there to replace your digital presence, but to tie into it. Your business card, Instagram and online portfolio should all go hand-in-hand. “You need an easy way to direct people to said digital portfolio, and personally, I think that physical business cards are that solution,” says Olivia.

A business card can be a useful physical introduction, helping you stand out when you’re already meeting people in person. It won’t replace a strong digital presence or create access to opportunities on its own, but it can make it easier for someone to remember you and find your work afterwards.

What to include on a creative business card

Take a few everywhere you might meet potential collaborators or employers, from exhibitions and industry events to independent businesses you’d like to work with. Your card should make it easy for someone to remember you and explore more of your work later.