As a small business owner, your business card is often the first tangible representation of your brand. It’s not just a piece of paper—it’s the first physical testament to your entrepreneurial dream. In fact, 57% of business owners say business cards remain an essential part of in-person marketing efforts despite the availability of digital tools. With that in mind, small business print and design partner VistaPrint has checked the pulse of its community of designers to identify five trends that will help your business cards stand out in 2025.
Source: Business card design with central QR code by maxgraphic via 99designs by VistaPrint
Scan to Connect
As technology continues to blend with design, QR codes have become more than just a functional element—they’re a design feature. In 2025, expect to see QR codes incorporated into business cards in creative, visually engaging ways. Some designers are using the brand’s signature colors to make the QR code blend seamlessly into the design, while others are placing it on a solid or minimal background to create contrast.
What makes this trend so effective is its ability to facilitate instant connections. By scanning the QR code, customers or partners are directed straight to your website, social media, or digital portfolio. This eliminates the need for typing in URLs or looking up social media handles, offering a fast and efficient way for people to engage with your brand. For a small business owner, this is a practical and innovative way to create immediate connections—and it’s easier than ever to implement. When designed thoughtfully, a QR code can complement the overall aesthetic of the business card while serving a practical purpose, ensuring that your brand stays top of mind long after the card is handed over.
Source: Camera-shaped business card design by bo_rad via 99designs by VistaPrint
Shapes and Silhouettes
Gone are the days of simple rectangles. Modern business cards embrace unique shapes and die-cuts to leave an unforgettable impression. These silhouettes go beyond traditional edges, allowing SBOs to express creativity and stand out.
Custom-cut silhouettes make your business card—and your brand—instantly memorable. Especially effective for businesses that want to convey creativity, rebellion, or cutting-edge innovation, this trend ensures your card stands out, whether it’s on a crowded table or tucked into a cardholder. For a subtler approach, unique cutouts on rectangular cards can achieve a similar effect without compromising practicality.
Source: Business card design with letterform logo by Terry Bogard via 99designs by VistaPrint
Make Your Text Stand Out
Typography has always drawn eyes to key details like your name, role, or website. In 2025, bold and custom lettering is becoming a central design feature. Instead of complementing graphics, the lettering isn’t just a message—the text itself becomes the visual focus.
Strong typography grabs attention and communicates confidence. By making the text the centerpiece, this trend ensures that essential details are impossible to miss. Expect to see bold, unconventional fonts or even custom-designed letterforms that tie the brand—and the information you’re seeking to communicate—together in a unique and memorable way. For small business owners, it’s a powerful way to blend clarity with creativity, leaving an impression that reinforces your brand identity.
Source: Business card design with embossed name by HYPDesign via 99designs by VistaPrint
Raise Your Profile with Embossing
Embossed business cards—where the design is raised on the surface—are gaining traction for their tactile appeal. This technique adds texture and sophistication, turning a simple card into an elevated experience, where a commitment to quality immediately conveys a sense of care, professionalism, and quality. As a business owner, you want customers to feel a connection to your brand, and now you can extend that approach to business cards.
Embossing adds a tangible element that feels premium and professional. This trend communicates attention to detail and a commitment to quality. For these cards to work, thick, high-quality paper is best. Not only does the heavy paper stock contribute to the luxe feel, but it also allows for a visually interesting double-sided effect, where the embossed elements are visible on both sides of the card. By creating a card that’s not just seen but felt, you leave a multi-sensory impression that lingers with potential clients and partners.
Source: Business card design with bright, clashing colors by Galaxiya via 99designs by VistaPrint
Get Loud
If you want to make a statement with your business card in 2025, then loud lettering and clashing colors are the way to go. This trend draws inspiration from modern art and design movements, embracing bold typography, mismatched shapes, and bright, unexpected color palettes.
These cards are anything but subtle. You’ll find combinations of vibrant, eye-catching hues that contrast sharply against one another, creating a high-energy, dynamic effect. The typography may feature different weights, sizes, and alignments, making the name or logo stand out even more. Designers may also layer shapes and textures in ways that challenge traditional design principles, adding a sense of chaos and energy to the layout.
Bold designs reflect energy, innovation, and confidence. They’re especially effective for SBOs who want to showcase a daring, standout personality. By using unexpected combinations of colors and shapes, you create a card that demands attention and communicates your brand’s unique edge.
Even in the digital age, business cards remain a crucial marketing tool, particularly for small businesses. Whether through creative designs, tactile elements, or digital integration, a well-crafted business card reflects the professionalism, reliability, and creativity that small business owners bring to their work. Make 2025 the year your business card does more than share contact information. Let it tell your story, inspire connections, and make your dream tangible. Your brand deserves nothing less.
Erin Shea is the Senior Director of North America Marketing at VistaPrint. VistaPrint helps small business owners and entrepreneurs create custom designs and professional marketing.
Business card stock image by fizkes/Shutterstock