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13 Unique Business Cards to Inspire You

Old-school but effective, business cards remain a quick, cheap, easy way to market your business.

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HOW LONG DOES IT take to hand someone your business card? One second. Maybe a smidge longer if you must dig the card out of your bag or wallet. A business card remains the fastest way to share information in person. The best cards also boost brand awareness, list social media channels, and/or provide an incentive to make a purchase or use a service. These six stand out from the stack.

Homeward Bound Animal Care

GILFORD, NH

Alix Marcoux DiLorenzo touts her company’s more than 15,000 walks to date on the front of its business card. On the back, she features animals in her care — a selection of 15 adorable dogs and cats. “It’s fun to let people pick out their favorite. With so many different photos, they’re likely to find a pet they relate to in the bunch, which helps break the ice with a potential client.”

Price: 24 cents each, plus design services

Source: moo.com

Tip: Don’t settle. “I didn’t love the first design presented to me, and I let the designer know I wasn’t blown away. We worked together to come up with something that represented the Homeward Bound brand.”

Youngblood’s Natural Animal Care Center & Massage

GREENFIELD, IN

The design aesthetic of their business extends to its card. “We own an all-natural animal care center, and we love flowers and soft colors … this card reminded us of purity, nature, organic and a feeling of peace,” Samantha Youngblood says.

Price: 4 cents each

Source: vistaprint.com

Tip: “Find a design that fits your vibe, and don’t be afraid to go through few designs before you find the ‘one’ you love!”

Wishbone Pet Care

MISSOURI CITY, TX

Store color orange catches the eye of potential customers, and Tammi Bui keeps their atttention by listing multiple deals. She even tells them how to get more via text message.

Price: 4 cents each

Source: vistaprint.com

Tip: Formerly employed as a graphic designer, she shares: “People will keep a color business card longer” than a white one.

Loyal Biscuit Co.

FIVE STORES IN MAINE

This store has five locations, and many customers shop at more than one. With that in mind, Heidi Neal noted which offer self-service bathing on the front of its business card and put addresses for all on the back. “I’m also in love with our logo and wanted to make sure that was prominent.”

Price: 7 cents each

Source: vistaprint.com

Tip: Order in small quantities so as to not waste cards when updates are needed.

Flying M Feed Co.

HOUSTON, TX

Trace Menchaca upgraded from paper to wood for her personal business cards.

“As a recipient of thousands of cards, there are many that I’ve kept, but only one that really stood out: It was made of real wood. I put out traditional cards on our counter, but for distributors, vendors and business networking, I had to have these. I get tons of compliments and everyone keeps them.” From cards-ofwood.com, the material suits the store’s logo, a burned brand. She orders a variety of tree species.

Price: 35 cents each

Source: cardsofwood.com

Tip: Include “cardsofwood.com” on card to get a 5 percent discount.

Wag Central

STRATFORD, CT

A bone shape helps this card stand out, as does listing store pet Lady Lulu as Chief Tail Wagger.

Price: 40 cents each, plus initial design services

Source: ghpmedia.com

Tip: Be different. Owner Angela Pantalone says, “I definitely wanted a unique design and not something that everyone else has been using. I have yet to see another outfit with a bone-shaped card! Win!”

Bow Wow Beauty Shoppe

SAN DIEGO, CA

Leel Michelle carried her store’s trademark pink, green and Mumsie the Poodle through to its business card. The loyalty program and social media channels help fill the back.

Price: 15 cents each, plus initial design services

Source: gotprint.com

Tip: “Make your corners rounded so they don’t get damaged as easily while in wallets, purses and such.”

Dogaholics

CHICAGO, IL

This business card doubles as a lead generator. Potential clients can visit adogaholicsguide.com, provide their email address and get a free downloadable pet-parenting guide. Employees can then follow up. Candace D’Agnolo uses photos of clients on the cards.

Price: 7 cents each

Source: 48hourprint.com

Tip: “It’s nice to say, ‘Take my card and download our free pet parenting guide.’”

Birds Unlimited

WEBSTER, NY

After a cluttered business card that included way too much information, Paul Lewis decided that a just-the-basics approach worked best for his store. He has two versions, one with a grooming appointment reminder for those customers and another without for business associates and fellow trade show attendees.

Price: 5 cents each

Source: Local printer

Tip: Work with a local printer whenever possible.

Camp Dogwood

LAKE DELTON, WI

A photo of her husband, Al Edelman, and dog, Stella Blue, captures the essence of Alysa Slay’s camp for people and pets, and takes up the front of this business card. The back contains includes info.

Price: 40 cents each, plus initial design services

Source: vistaprint.com

Tip: “Don’t cheap out. Get the good paper stock and finish, make it visually appealing.

Scout & Zoe’s

ANDERSON, IN

“My inspiration for this business card was the best photo of the three of us we have ever taken,” Cindy Dunston Quirk says. “When I look at it now, especially since Zoe crossed over the Rainbow Bridge in 2014, I see and feel the love I have for both of them and the unconditional love they have for me.” The photo also embodies what her treat company stands for, she adds.

Price: 53 cents each, plus initial design services

Source: moo.com

Tip: “Opt for something a bit different, whether that is in the design, stock that is used or the shape of the card. I definitely wouldn’t go smaller than a standard size card since those can be lost or misplaced very easily.”

 

Busch Pet Products

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO

Buschie, the store mascot, appears with his kitty sidekick on all marketing materials, including this business card.

Price: 5 cents each, plus initial design services

Source: vistaprint.com

Tip: “Whatever you decide to do with your design, my best suggestion is to make it memorable, so customers will always know what your passion is.

Lucky Dogs

SKANEATELES, NY

Clean and not cluttered was the design goal for this card, DIY designed by Amy Schiek. For example, instead of listing social media URLs, she simply uses their logs and trusts that customers can find her easily through search.

Price: 5 cents each

Source: vistaprint.com

Tip: “Don’t forget to print on the back of the card! The front of our card lists the traditional ways to get ahold of us: phone number, email, and website. I used the back of the cards to call out our social media tags. Whenever we talk to customers about posting their pet photos on social media and tagging us, we give them one of our business cards to help them remember.”

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