Nothing quite matches the convenience of exchanging contact information like handing out your business card. Paperless office or not, business cards are still pretty darn useful.

So here are a few great choices from the Creattica network to give you a little inspiration to make your next business card design really stand out!

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Today we’re pleased to announce that we’re giving away a special FreelanceSwitch business card template to help you get started with your freelance switch!

The cards are attractive, yet versatile enough to be customized for any freelance profession. The pack comes with templates for writers, coders and designers.

Click here to download free business card templates in Adobe Illustrator format, created by Envato in-house designer Rod Blackney.

You can also choose from dozens of business card templates at GraphicRiver.

Today we’re launching a redesign and refresh of our popular Creattica gallery of inspirational work. The site features almost six thousand items, many of which are just mind-bogglingly amazing. Anyone can submit work for inclusion to the gallery, and we pick the best of the best for showcasing.

Over the years the site has become the premier gallery for business card design and this post is just a taste of some of the more unusual examples we’ve got in the gallery. Scroll down to check it out, and jump to the end of the article to learn about the redesign and some of the new features now available on Creattica.

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Business cards are so important when it comes to networking. They provide prospects with our contact info and, more importantly, a lasting impression. My rule of thumb good business card design is if people are no longer “oohing” and “ahhing” over my cards, it’s time to make a change.

The following is a sampling of business card designs from Creattica.com. If you’re thinking of redesigning your cards, looking for a little inspiration or just need a little eye-candy over your coffee break, take a peek at the eye-catching pieces below.

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At a time when networking is extremely important, freelancers can’t afford to have a business card that isn’t eye-catching. My rule of thumb is if people aren’t complimenting you on your cards, then it’s time to make a change.

After collecting business cards over the years, I’ve seen some pretty interesting and creative designs along with some that just plain aren’t effective. Before going over some ways to ensure your cards don’t fall into the latter group, I think it’s important to ensure all of the proper information is accounted for. When designing cards for myself and my clients, I ensure the following information is included:

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Clients can sometimes be nervous or hesitant about purchasing freelance services. Most of the time, freelancers (whether they are writers, designers, or something else entirely) won’t have a tangible product to sell, so it’s difficult to show clients what they’re paying for up front. This can provoke a lot of remarks from clients such as, “You design the logo for me and if I like it, I’ll pay for it,” or “Can I tell you if we plan to purchase the press release you write after we see it?”

I’ve found that to make clients feel more secure about purchasing services and to avoid spec work requests, a well put-together portfolio is key. People like to interact with portfolio pieces and feel the paper, see how an item folds, etc. If freelancers can use more than one of the five senses to show work to clients, it becomes a little more interactive, engaging and interesting.

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Photo by Sister72.

As freelancers, there are times when it is essential that we save money or spend it very economically. But there are other times when being cheap will wind up costing more.

I learned this the hard way when I set up my freelance writing business in January 2004. The biggest mistake I made, over and over again, was thinking of myself as having a home office, not a home business. I thought of myself as being small – and as a result, wound up spending money twice. Here’s how:

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The good people from UPrinting have been generous enough to give away 1,000 business cards shipped for free to 10 lucky FSw readers. They’ll give any combination of business cards that you can dream of: Any type of stock (including the eco friendly stock), finish or size. The sky is the limit.

Uprinting has been printing business cards for the past 25 years, and they support FSw’s readers, so don’t be afraid to send people their way.

Contest Details

So, let’s turn this into a little contest, shall we? In the comments below, write how you’ll use your free business cards to improve your freelancing. Be sure to use a real email that we can contact you at if you’re the winner. Comments must be in by Friday at 5pm CST. If you’re a winner, we’ll email you the information.

Now, there’s one unfortunate caveat: The contest is only open to U.S. and Canada residents, due to shipping costs for international rates.

Ok! Let the games begin!

Note: The contest has ended. Thanks for playing!

A good business card design is an essential tool in any freelancer’s arsenal. When you’re at a function networking, meeting new clients, or your work comes up in a conversation, your card is the anchor to make sure the discussion doesn’t come to nothing.

It’s important to think about what your business card says about you, as well as what to put on your business card, and whether it passes the business card trash test. But of course as any designer knows, the most important thing is to make sure your business card looks smokin’ hot!

So courtesy of our inspiration gallery FaveUp, which has just passed 1000 items of inspiration, here are 18 smokin’ hot business card designs:


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