Table of Contents
10+ Card Designs
An estimated 7 billion greeting cards are bought and sent out every year. And this figure does not take into account other types of cards made and sold annually. That is why if you are interested in creating any kind of card for personal or commercial purposes, you need to know what works and what does not in the card-making industry.
This article is a treasure trove of facts and must-knows about card designs and how to choose the perfect card design for whatever design project you are working on. Read until the end of this article as we will also share customizable card templates and designs that anyone may use.
Elements of A Good Card Design
How do you know if a card’s design is right for you? This is a question that most people ask whenever they are faced with choosing a card design. We have simplified the process by identifying the top five most important elements of a good card design. Read all about them below and be guided in your card design selection process.
- Card Theme: When looking at a card design, the first thing that should be considered is if the design matches the theme or motif you are going for. For example, if you want to create either a business card or a wedding place name card, the best card design for you should be the one that complements the wedding’s theme or your business’ branding identity design.
- Paper Type: The type of paper used for printing a card is another factor that should be considered when selecting a good card design. The sturdier the paper and the more intricate the paper cutting pattern is, the more favorable impression it gives out. The next time you decide on a card design, also factor in the type of paper and printing technique it will best go with.
- Card Layout: A well-designed card is one that follows a clutter-free layout. Look for a card design that has a good mix of images, text, free space, and other design elements. However, it does not mean you always have to go for a minimalist card design. You may still choose other elaborate card designs as long as they help achieve a visual goal without looking too over-the-top and messy.
- Card Typography: Another important element in a good card design is good typography. This refers to the overall style and arrangement of type or text in a card design. Choose a card design that best combines different typefaces making the card more readable and appealing.
- Card Size and Shape: The best card designs are those that are sized and shaped according to the end user’s preferences and project needs. Choose a card design whose size and shape will best showcase what your card is for. For example, if you are creating a Halloween party invitation card, choose a card design that can be cut and inserted into scary-looking envelope designs.
Now that you have learned the top five elements of a good card design, do not forget to apply what you have learned in your card design template selection process. Take a look at different sample card design templates below.
10+ Card Templates
Embedded below are multiple card designs and templates that anyone may download, edit, and print out on their own. These templates are free for personal use. Commercial use is allowed after a purchase of an extended license. Check out the designs below and select the card design that would best suit your needs.
Free Blank Trading Card Template
Free Club VIP Membership Card Example
Free Lace Place Wedding Place Card Template
Free Membership Card Sample
Free Senior Tennis Trading Card Design
Free Water Color Place Card Sample
Simple Blank ID Card Format
World Tourism Day Greeting Card
World Wide Web Day Greeting Card Template
Colorful Personal Business Card Design
How to Create an Excellent Card Layout
One of the most important elements of a good card design is having a well-designed layout. Most of the time, this characteristic will be taken cared of when you buy a pre-made printable card template. However, end-users still need to check if the card template they are eyeing incorporates the most basic design principles that help create an excellent card layout.
Listed below are a few tips for an excellent card layout. Read on…
- Limit to using up to three font styles only: A basic rule in typography is to use at least two typeface families and/or up to three different font styles belonging to one typeface family. This makes any graphic design project exude a united design front. It also looks more pleasing to the eye.
- Use complementary colors: Unless you want an ironic card design, it is best to use a complementary color palette. This makes the entire design project appear more attractive and easy to look at. Monochromatic card designs work well too.
- Apply visual hierarchy: This refers to the process of arranging different design elements according to their importance and relevance to your creative project. For example, if you are designing an ID card, the most important elements are the employee photo, name, and business logo. Design these elements so that they will catch a reader’s attention first.
- Use white space: White space or negative space is any unused space in any design. Make use of this in your card layout to make it appear more organized, clean, and easy to navigate around. Remember, you do not have to fill up every nook and cranny of your card design.
Steps To Designing A Good Card
Listed below is the step-by-step guide on how to design a good card. Read each step carefully so that you can easily replicate them when it’s your turn to make your own card.
1. Determine what type of card you need.
2. Decide whether you want to create a handmade card or use a printable card template.
3. Gather all materials:
4. Decide on a theme and layout.
5. Put together all materials or edit the card template.
6. Review the card design.
7. Make changes or adjustments on the design or template.
8. Print out the card template.
9. You now have a completed card design!
Types of Card Designs
Listed below are different types of cards according to the purpose they serve.
- Membership cards: Cards used to identify a person as a member of a group, club, or organizations.
- Place cards: Cards used to identify the seat number or table location during weddings and events. The watercolor place card template shown above is an example.
- Business cards: Cards used containing contact information about a business, entrepreneur, or organization.
- Greeting cards: Cards printed with a message of acknowledgment or kindness. Examples are birthday greeting cards and greeting cards for special occasions.
- ID cards: Cards used as proof of identification or admission to a place of work or school.
- Trading cards: Cards used in sports, games, and as educational tools.
- Comment cards: Printed cards where customers fill out feedback and comments about a service, product, or establishment.
- Invitation cards: Cards created to ask an individual to attend an event. Birthday and wedding invitation cards are the most common examples.
Card Sizes
A card’s size will vary according to what type of card it is. We have listed down the most common sizes available for each card type below.
- Membership cards: 3.5 inches by 2 inches
- Place cards: 2.25 inches by 3.5 inches
- Business cards: 3.5 inches by2 inches
- Greeting cards: 5 inches by 7 inches, 4 1/2 inches by 6 1/8 inches, 4 1/4 inches by 5 1/2 inches
- ID cards: 2 inches by 3.5 inches
- Trading cards: 2 inches by 3.5 inches
- Comment cards: 8 inches by 11 inches, or any file size
- Invitation cards: 5 inches by 7 inches, or any file size
Card Design FAQs
What is a card template?
A card template is a pre-made file that contains all the graphic design elements needed to create a card. These card templates are usually customizable and printable making them a most efficient alternative to handmade card designs. Multiple examples of printable card templates are included above like the membership card template embedded above.
What tools to use to create and/or edit a card design?
To edit any printable card design templates, you will need to use graphic design and compositing software tools like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or InDesign. Some card designs may also be edited using Microsoft Word, Publisher, or Mac Pages.
What is a visiting card?
A visiting card is another term for a calling card. They contain the name, rank, and insignia or emblem of an individual. They were used in the 18th century among those in the higher classes when they visit each other’s homes and estates. In the modern world, visiting cards have been replaced by business cards.
How to print a card design?
Card designs may be printed on any kind of home or commercial printer. But if you are looking to print out cards in bulk or if you want to use special printing techniques, it is best to hire a professional card printer.
At Template.net, you can find hundreds of card designs and templates that you can use for school, work, or for your business. Most of these templates are available for free so make sure you take advantage of them when making any kind of graphic design and business projects.
More in Design Templates
