14 creative, alternative business card uses

TLDR: MOO Business Cards are great for swapping contact details, but you can use them for so much more, too. With their extra-thick paper stock, they make beautiful, long-lasting loyalty cards. They’re brilliant as bookmarks. And packaging inserts. And appointment cards. And… you get the idea.

Table of contents

• Loyalty cards
• Appointment cards
• Swing tags
• Miniature art
• Mini feedback forms
• Bookmarks
• Backing cards
• Membership cards
• Care Cards
• Product insert cards
• Event tokens or vouchers
• Place cards
• Gift message cards
• QR code cards

We know a thing or two about Business Cards. We know, for example, that they’re not just for swapping contact details. From loyalty cards to mini art prints, those little rectangles can be used in all sorts of surprising ways.

By thinking outside of the box, you can gamify shopping, streamline your customer service, and turn every piece of packaging into a branded moment. Here are 14 of our favorite uses for Business Cards (that aren’t using them as Business Cards).

1. Loyalty Cards

A free coffee. 10% off. Perhaps even some freebies. There’s nothing more exciting than building your stamps up on a loyalty card. And there’s no better way for brands to reward their regulars and make them feel special. Whatever your business, creating cards is a great way to get customers coming back. 

To do so, brand well with your logo on one side and space for the stamps on the other. Anywhere between six and ten spaces work well for most companies, and fits neatly on a Business Card too. It’s a good way to add a little gamification to the shopping experience and can help when it comes to someone choosing your business over a competitor. 

Design tips:

• Planning to use ink stamps? Make sure the card is light in color so the stamp will show up.
• Use a card with a matte finish or absorbent surface so the ink won’t smudge off. Stay clear from shiny or glossy finishes. 
• Add a line of copy to remind customers what their reward will be.
• Make sure the branding on the card is consistent with your store or venue so customers remember at a glance that the card is from you – there may be several in their wallet, after all.

2. Appointment Cards

Appointment reminder cards are handy for any kind of business with services that need to be arranged in advance. From salons to real estate agents or personal trainers – it helps customers keep track of their bookings with you. But they also act as a reminder of your brand – especially if stuck to a fridge, or corkboard. 

Design tips:

• Display contact details for your branch or store – which will come in handy if the customer is running late or needs to change their appointment.
• Leave a space for your staff to write down the time and date of the appointment, as well as any notes. Like which particular service has been booked. 
• Consider adding a message like “If you need to cancel, please let us know as soon as possible” on your appointment business cards to minimize the chance of no-shows.

3. Swing Tags

Using a hole puncher and ribbon, you can turn Business Cards into swing tags for clothing and other products. Your company logo on one side, price and product details on the other.

Design tips:

• Be aware of where you’ll punch the hole when designing your tags.
• Opt for our smaller versions like MiniCards if you’re attaching them to your products. 
• Choose sturdier paper like our Luxe options, as they’ll be more robust. 

4. Mini Art Prints

Whether you’re a graphic designer, artist or painter, introduce customers to your work with smaller versions of your prints or add them to purchases of your bigger products as a freebie. 

Design tips:

• On one side, show your art. And on the other, feature a QR code that’ll take people to your portfolio or social pages to showcase more of your work. 
• Printfinity is a great way to showcase a wide range of your work. Let customers pick their favorite, and they’ll be more likely to pin it up!

5. Mini feedback forms

What does your company do well? What could it do better? And what’s a quick way to get your customers to answer this question anonymously? Simply print cards with these questions and space for their answers, and provide a drop-box at your store, branch or hotel for them to leave their replies.

Design tips:

• Do something different. Go square, or add rounded corners to ensure your card stands out from others. 
• Opt for matte or Cotton Business Cards as they will be easier to write on as opposed to a gloss finish. 
• Use a bright color on the other side to make them more eye-catching and likely to be picked up. 

6. Bookmarks

Whether you’re an artist, own a bookshop or want to display your branding in more creative ways – bookmarks are another great way to do this. As with hang tags, all you’ll need after creating your MiniCards is a hole puncher and ribbon to finish it off. 

Design tips:

• Avoid our thickest paper option (Luxe) as it might not be ideal for books with delicate binding.
• Add a fun design or encouraging message for customers to enjoy when reading. 

7. Backing cards

You’ve designed your product. Refined it and crafted it. Now to present it. A well-designed backing card is a great way to creatively spotlight your product and get your brand out there too.

Design tips:

• Be aware of where you’ll punch the hole when designing your tags.
• Stand out from the crowd with rounded corners, Gold or Silver Foil or design it with a different shape (like mini or Square.) 

8. Membership cards

If you own a subscription-based business or club-oriented organization, membership cards are a great way to provide your customers with a sense of belonging and status. They can be used to admit people into events or to provide access to benefits and discounts. It helps to keep your brand on show, make customers feel welcome and adds a luxury feel to the brand. 

Design tips:

• Create different versions of membership cards with Printfinity to differentiate between different levels – from starter to premium.
• Opt for our Luxe range to ensure a sturdy and premium finish. 

9. Care Cards

Whether you’re offering services or products, handing out care cards can round off your customer experience and show that you really care. They can be used to give tips or instructions on how to look after products but also shows that you’re a specialist in your industry too. 

Design tips:

• Keep the copy as clear and simple as possible so as not to overcomplicate things. 
• Add a QR code to take your customers to further details of the product online, if necessary. 

10. Product insert cards 

Tuck a custom insert into your packaging to upgrade your unboxing experience. Whether it’s a handwritten thank-you note or a discount on their next order, a small, physical note can build goodwill and drive repeat business.

Design tips:

• Keep one side clean and uncluttered with space to write a personal, handwritten note to the buyer.
• Add a promotional code on the back to encourage secondary purchases.
• Use tactile finishes like Soft Touch or Raised Spot Gloss to make the unboxing moment feel premium.

11. Event tokens or vouchers 

Planning a big event? Don’t let your brand down with flimsy paper drink tokens or access passes. Our durable, pocket-sized Business Cards make any event feel more premium, and the eye-catching print quality will keep your branding front and center throughout the event.

Design tips:

• Use Printfinity to print different colors or designs in a single pack.
• Choose a sturdy stock so the cards hold up after being passed around or kept in pockets.
• Feature clear, bold text for event details or terms so they’re easy to read in dim venue lighting.

12. Place cards 

Add a personal touch to corporate dinners, meetings or brand launches with bespoke place cards.

Design tips:

• Select a matte or uncoated paper stock like Cotton so you can easily write guest names without ink smudging.
• Use eye-catching details like Gold or Silver Foil alongside the event’s color palette to make everything feel that bit more premium.

13. Gift message cards 

Give your customers space to write a dedicated message with premium, feel-good gift message cards. As well as being a thoughtful touch, they can save the buyer time and ensure your brand is part of a memorable moment.

Design tips:

• Keep the design minimalist on the message side to leave ample room for handwritten notes.
• Opt for a thick stock like Luxe to give the card a substantial, premium feel.
• Place your logo on the reverse so the customer’s personal message remains the focus.

14. QR codes

Direct customers straight to your website with a dedicated QR code card.Whether you’re linking to an online portfolio, booking system, social channel or landing page, a physical QR code is an eye-catching way to continue your customer’s journey.

Design tips:

• Ensure strong visual contrast between the QR code and the background color so mobile cameras scan it easily.
• Pair the code with a clear call to action explaining where it leads.
• Include a URL too, just in case your customer would rather type it out.

Ready to get creative with Business Cards? From Gold Foil to Spot Gloss, print cards with eye-catching papers, color print that pops and oh-so-customizable templates. 

You can also sign up to one of our Business Services for dedicated support, exclusive products and discounts, and tools to help you connect like never before. Just fill out the form below, and a member of our team will be in touch soon.