A business card is often the first physical thing a prospect holds with your name on it. When it looks careless, it quietly says your work might be too. The encouraging part: nearly every bad card fails in one of the same nine ways, and each has a quick fix. Run your design past this list before you print.
The nine mistakes
| # | Mistake | The fix |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Text too small to read | 8 pt minimum, test at arm’s length |
| 2 | No white space | Cut content, let the card breathe |
| 3 | Too many fonts | Limit to two |
| 4 | Low color contrast | Dark text on light, or reverse |
| 5 | No bleed on full-color edges | Extend art 0.125 in past trim |
| 6 | Cheap, flimsy stock | Use 14 to 16 pt cover stock |
| 7 | Outdated or missing info | Verify every detail before printing |
| 8 | Cluttered with everything | Keep only what people need |
| 9 | Low-resolution logo | Use vector or 300 DPI art |
The three that matter most
Unreadable text. If a customer squints to find your number, the card failed at its one job. Keep body text at 8 point or larger and test it printed, not just on screen.
No bleed. Color that runs to the edge needs 0.125 in of extra art past the trim line, or a slight cut leaves a white sliver. This is the single most common reason a card gets bounced back for a fix. See the prepress checklist.
Flimsy stock. A thin card feels disposable and gets treated that way. Heavier stock signals that you take your work seriously. More on this in why cheap business cards cost more.
The fixes are almost all about restraint: fewer fonts, fewer colors, less text, more space, plus the technical basics (bleed, resolution, decent stock). A simple card done right beats a busy card every time.
A quick pre-print check
Before you approve a card, ask: Can I read every word at arm’s length? Are there two fonts or fewer? Does color run off the edge with bleed? Is the logo sharp? Does it feel substantial? Five yeses and you are ready to print.
We catch these before they print
Our team reviews resolution, bleed, contrast, and stock on every card so the common mistakes never reach the press. Browse our business card options, and read best fonts for business cards. Request a free quote.
About the Author
Alaska Business Supply Team
Print Specialists
The Alaska Business Supply team has been printing checks, forms, and stationery for Anchorage businesses since 1979.
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