Vertical business cards – better than horizontal ones?

There are only 2 ways to do it. You can have a vertical business card … or you can have a horizontal business card. (Okay, I know some people undoubtedly have circles and other oddly shaped business cards, but stay out of this discussion!)

There is no question which is the most common orientation. But which one is better? Surely, there is no absolute answer. It depends on what you are looking for … the quantity and layout of your copy … and other factors. So instead of declaring an outright winner, let’s take a look at why vertical business cards are such an attractive option.

The benefits of vertical business cards:

The key advantage of vertical business cards is simply that they stand out very well. They make an instant impression that, all things being equal, of course, it is difficult to compete with horizontal cards. Why? Easy. Because vertical business cards are MUCH less common. That is not to say that there are not many people who have them. After all, there are many more people who have vertical cards than, for example, chocolate business cards, 3D cards, or other unusual or unique materials. But when you compare them to regular, traditional horizontal cards, there’s no question which one stands out.

Because of this, your vertical business card will most likely get deeper. (Even if it’s just because you give it to someone a little different)

The other benefit of vertical business cards is the fact that they are generally NOT more expensive than horizontal cards. That may not sound like a big deal, but you’ll be surprised at how much premium you could pay to stand out in other ways. Those chocolate business cards I mentioned a second ago? A couple of dollars one piece In most cases. Aluminum foil accent? Be prepared to cough up some extra bones.

But … go ahead, these vertical business cards are yours for the taking. On some websites, all you have to do is click a button and they’ll show you all of their vertical layouts. Which brings me to …

The downside of vertical business cards

If you are not a graphic designer and you trust the templates that you can find online, there is no question about it. The selection of vertical designs is smaller. In some cases, just small. You may have to look further to find a design that’s right for you.

The other potential problem is that it might be a bit more difficult to lay out your copy on a riser card. That’s because you are working with 2 inches wide, instead of 3.5 inches. In other words, website addresses, taglines, and some other content can be a bit stricter.

A big problem? Not really. In fact, the cons are not a big deal at all. Like everyone who wants a vertical design, you will manage. After all, it’s a pretty low price to pay for a business card that automatically stands out a little better. You do not agree?