How to Make Business Cards on Canva (and Print Them Right)

Business cards are still worth having, even though we live in a world of LinkedIn and QR codes. A good one gets passed around at events, pinned to noticeboards and tucked into orders. Canva makes it easy to design one in an afternoon. Making sure it prints the way it looks on screen is the part that's easy to rush, and it's where most of the mistakes I see come from.

How to make a business card on Canva, step by step

1. Log in to Canva and search for Business Cards.
2. Choose a template. You can filter by colour, industry, style or theme, or start with a blank card.
3. Add your name, job title, phone number, email address and website.
4. Upload your logo and switch the colours and fonts to your brand.
5. Design the back as well. Add a second page for it if the template only has a front.
6. Turn on margins and bleed (see below) and check nothing important sits near the edge.
7. Order with Print with Canva, or download as PDF Print for another printer.

What to put on a business card

Must have	Nice to have	Leave off
Your name	A short line about what you do	Your full address, unless clients visit
Your business name or logo	A QR code to your site or booking page	Every social media handle you own
One phone number or email	A headshot, if you're the brand	Tiny legal text nobody can read
Your website	A line on the back with an offer or tip	Out-of-date details

Less is more. The card's job is to make people remember you and know how to get in touch, not to be a brochure.

Set up margins and bleed before you print

Turn on margins by going to File, Settings, then Show margins. Keep all text and your logo inside the broken line, in what Canva calls the safe zone. If your background colour runs to the edge, stretch it into the bleed. Canva adds 0.125 inches (3.175 mm) of bleed on every side for trimmed products, and that bit gets cut off.

During proofing, Canva shows a red danger zone for anything close enough to the trim line to be cut, even if it's technically inside your margins. Move anything flagged there inwards.

The catch: nobody checks your cards for you

Canva says it may be unable to check your design for quality control before it goes to print. So if your phone number has a typo or your logo is blurry, you'll get a box of cards with the mistake on. Before you order:

• Read every detail out loud, especially phone numbers and email addresses.
• Keep text at size 7 or above. Canva generally recommends not going lower for print.
• Zoom to 200% to check your logo and photos. Canva suggests images at 300 dpi.
• Use print-friendly colours. Very bright screen colours can print softer.
• Order a single copy first if you're unsure. Canva says nearly every print product lets you do that.

Making a digital business card in Canva

It can also turn your card into a digital version. Share the design as a view-only link you can text or email, or select Share, More and Website to publish it as a simple one-page site. You can also add a QR code with Canva's QR code generator, so people can scan your printed card and land on your website or booking page.

If you're tempted to go fully digital, have a look at my guide to NFC business cards. They work like a contactless card: tap it on a phone and your details appear, and you can update them without reprinting.

Design tips for cards people keep

• Use both sides. Logo and one line on the front, details on the back keeps it clean.
• Choose a readable font for contact details, even if your logo font is fancy.
• Leave white space. Crowded cards look rushed.
• Match your other branding. Same colours and fonts as your website and social posts.
• Think about who receives it. A card for a florist and a card for an accountant shouldn't look the same.

Ordering through Canva Print or elsewhere

Canva Print is the easiest route. Select Print with Canva, pick your paper and quantity, proof the design, check out and enter your delivery details. You can also browse paper types and sizes in the Print Shop before you start designing.

If you prefer a local printer, download as PDF Print with crop marks and bleed switched on, and send them that file. Ask what paper they'd recommend for your style: a heavier, uncoated card feels premium and is easy to write on.

My verdict

Canva is a brilliant way to make business cards: search, pick a template, add your details and make it yours. The design is the easy bit. Margins, bleed, text size and a careful proof are what make cards look professional when they arrive. Order one test copy if you're unsure, and consider pairing paper cards with an NFC or QR option. If you're also refreshing your logo, my guide to branded bags that show off your logo has more ways to put it to work.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make business cards on Canva for free?

Yes. You can design business cards on the free plan and download them, or order printed cards through Canva Print.

How do I print business cards from Canva?

Select Print with Canva, choose your options, proof the design and place the order, or download a PDF Print file for another printer.

What bleed does Canva use for business cards?

Canva adds 0.125 inches (3.175 mm) of bleed on all sides of trimmed products.

What is the smallest font size for a Canva business card?

Canva generally recommends not going below font size 7 for print.

Can I make a digital business card in Canva?

Yes. Share the design as a view-only link, publish it as a website, or add a QR code to your printed card.