DIY Blog Design Series: How to Make Business Cards

For many bloggers and business owners, business cards are a must-have for conferences and networking opportunities. You can find free generic business cards on the web, although they typically don’t capture the personality, or branding, you’re seeking. You may also consider having business cards professionally designed, however, some companies require you to purchase a minimum quantity, and after paying to have the design itself created, the business card investment might end up weighing more than its payoff.

For these reasons, I have chosen to make DIY business cards for my brand. For The Blended Conference, a blogging conference in Arizona, and I was in need of business cards to pass out at the event. I envisioned a card that displayed important contact information in a way that grabbed the holder’s attention without being busy or boring. I found useful, easy to follow instructions here. In this tutorial, I will demonstrate how to make your own business cards using Gimp, PicMonkey and VistaPrint.

Step One: Design Using Gimp

For the purpose of this tutorial, I will be using Gimp. Gimp is a program similar to Photoshop. I like it because it’s free and simple to use. I use it for all of my layering projects. If you don’t already have the program installed on your computer, you may download it here. Once it’s downloaded, open the program.

First, open any image in the size of 1062 X 615 pixels (the size of your business card.) For the novice graphic designer, I have a plain white 1062 X 615 image shown below that you may use. It’s all white, however, it’s outlined so that you can see it. Move your cursor over the image, right click, then choose “Save As.” Save it to your computer.


Next, head on over to Gimp. Go to File –> Open As Layers. A window will pop up for you to select your images. Select the 1062 x 615 image and any other images you want layered on top. I added a photo onto the back of my business card. I used the Move Tool (the blue cross) to place it where I want it.


Once you have the graphic looking as you like it, save to your computer by going to go to File –> Save As -> Export. Save as a jpeg or png file.

Step Two: Design Using PicMonkey

PicMonkey.com is a free website (with the option to upgrade) that allows me to easily add text and enhance my images. You may find it best to use Gimp to add text to your DIY business card, however, I prefer PicMonkey for its ease of use. I find that I navigate and design my images much more easily with this program. Simply go to www.picmonkey.com and select “Edit a Photo” and select the Gimp image you saved in Step One.



Click the “Tt” icon on the left to open up your fonts, and add your info.



Once this looks how you want it, go to Save -> Save to my computer.

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Special notes:
I have shown how to design one side of your business card. To design the other side, repeat steps one and two. For bloggers, I suggest including:
1.) Your name front and center. After all, you are the person running the show.
2.) Web address
3.) Email
4.) Phone number
5.) Are you trying to get followers to your social media? Add your handle. For instance, I added my Instagram handle “@erinbettis” to the front side of my business card.

Step Three: Printing With VistaPrint

VistaPrint.com specializes in stationery including business cards, invitations and cards. I have used VistaPrint for many occasions including for my business cards.

First, in the ‘Upload Complete Design” section, upload the front of your card.





Next, add a backside image by clicking “Back Side” located in the bottom right of the screen. Upload your design using the image you created in steps one and two.

Give your Online Proof Approval, and checkout. Viola! You just designed your quick and easy business cards.

Did you find this tutorial helpful? Speak your mind in the comment section below.

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For more awesomeness in the DIY Blog Design Series, please visit: 

• How to Make Your Own Business Cards
• How to Put Social Media Icons in a Blogger Header
• How to Remove the Blogger Navbar
• How to Get Your Picture in Google Search Results

Erin Bettis