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Tired of being stuck with run-of-the-mill business card templates? This wikiHow teaches you how to use simple Photoshop tricks to create your own custom business card that is creative, catchy and ready to print!

Part 1
Part 1 of 5:

Creating a New Business Card Photoshop File

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  1. It has a blue icon that says "Ps" inside of a square. Click the Photoshop icon on your home screen to open a new Photoshop session.
  2. It's in the menu bar at the top of the screen. This displays a drop-down menu.
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  3. It's the first option in the File drop-down menu. This displays a pop-up window you can use to create a new Photoshop document.
  4. This creates a document that is 3.5 x 2 inches with a 1/8th-inch 'bleed' area around the edges.
    • The unit of measurement should be "Inches". If it is not inches, click the drop-down menu next to "Width" and "Height" and select "Inches".
    • If you are using a print service, such as Vistaprint or Moo or a print shop, make sure you use their recommended Photoshop settings. You can even download a blank Photoshop file from their website.
    • The bleed area ensures that the colours "bleed" out over the edges when the cards are cut. This prevents the white marks around the border of the card when it is cut.
  5. This creates a file that has a resolution of 300 pixels per inch. This is standard for most print materials.
  6. Use the drop-down menu next "Color Mode" to select "CMYK". CMYK is the color mode most commonly used with printed graphics.
  7. This creates a new Photoshop document with the dimensions you set.
  8. It's in the menu bar at the top of the screen. This displays a drop-down menu.
  9. It's about halfway down the "View" menu. This turns on Rulers for your documents.
  10. To create a guideline, click on the ruler at the top and left of your document and drag inwards. Do this to create two horizontal guidelines. One at 0.125 inches and one at 2.125 inches. Then create two more vertical lines at 0.125 inches and 3.625 inches. The area outside the guidelines is the bleed area.
  11. It's in the menu bar at the top of the file.
  12. This opens a new window you can use to save your document.
  13. Use the text box next to "File Name" to type a name for your business card document.
  14. PSD is the file format that is native to Photoshop. Saving your files in Photoshop format is the best way to preserve the color detail and editable layers. To select PSD, use the drop-down menu next to "Format" to select "Photoshop" or "PSD".
  15. This saves your photoshop document.
    • It's a good idea to save frequently while working in Photoshop. To save, click File in the menu bar, and then click Save or press Ctrl+S on PC, or Command+S on Mac.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 5:

Adding Color to your Business Card

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  1. The toolbar is on the left side. There are two overlapping colored squares at the bottom of the toolbar. The one on top is for the foreground color. The one on the bottom is for the background color.
  2. Use the color picker to select a color for the foreground. Click a color in the rainbow (spectrum) colored bar, and then click the exact hue you want in the large square on the left. Then click Ok.
  3. It has an icon that resembles a square with a white-to-black color fade. This displays a flyout menu with more tools to the right.
  4. The paint bucket tool is used to fill an entire area with the foreground color.
  5. This fills the entire document with the foreground color you chose.
    • If you want to create a color-gradient fade, use the background color square to select the color you want the gradient fade to transition to. Then click the gradient tool, and click and drag across the entire area you want the color transition to take place. You can also select different gradient transition types in the upper-left corner of Photoshop.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 5:

Adding Text to Your Business Card

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  1. It's the icon that has a "T" in the toolbar to the left.
  2. Use the drop-down menu in the upper-right corner to select your font. The text that says "Sample" next to each font in the drop-down menu shows what the font looks like. Select a professional font that is easy to read.
    • You can also select the font style (i.e. bold or italic) and text size using the drop-down menu next to the Font menu.
    • If the "Sample" text is hard to read, it's probably not a good font for your business card.
    • Keep your font consistent throughout your business card. Avoid using fonts that are too different from one another.
  3. To select a color for the font, click the colored square at the top of Photoshop. Then use the color picker to pick a color for your font.
    • Be sure to pick a color that's easy to read against your background color. If your background color is dark, pick a light colored font. If your background color is light, pick a dark colored font.
  4. This places a text cursor on the page.
  5. This creates the first text item on your business card. Repeat for as many text items as you want on your business card. Your business card should include at least one of the following: Your name, your position, a business phone number, and a business email address. You can also include any other contact information you want to include.
  6. The transform tool is the item that resembles a black arrow at the top of the toolbar. This allows to move objects within your document and resize them.
  7. Use the following methods to adjust your text position and size.
    • To move your text, click your text with the Move tool and drag it to where you want to go.
    • To adjust the size of your text, select the Move tool, then click a text item to select it. Click one of the small boxes in the corners around the text and drag it to adjust the size. Hold Shift to keep the size proportional. Then click the checkmark icon at the top of Photoshop to apply the changes.
    • To align your text. Click the move tool. Hold Shift and click all the text items you want to align. Then click one of the icons with a square and a rectangle and a line. Look at how the square and the rectangle are arranged with the line to see how the icon will arrange your text items (i.e. The icon with the line to the left of the square and rectangle will arrange the text items evenly to the left. The one with the line down the center of the square and the rectangle will center the text items).
    • Your business card should have your name at the top in large letters. Then add your position below your name in small text. Place your contact information on separate lines using medium-small text. Make sure your text items are properly aligned to whichever side of the card they are on. Keep your text items at least 1/8 of an inch away from the bleed area.
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Part 4
Part 4 of 5:

Adding Graphics to your Business Card

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  1. This displays the Layer menu with a list of layers. You can use layers to separate different elements of your document.
    • If you don't see the Layer tab, click Window in the menu bar at the top, and make sure "Layers" is checked.
  2. It's at the bottom of the Layer menu in lower-right corner. This creates a new layer. It should appear above the "Background" layer in the list of layers.
  3. This allows you to type a new name for the layer. The current layer name is most likely "Layer 1".
  4. This renames the layer to Graphics. Use this layer for all of your graphics and drawings.
  5. To change the position of a layer, click and drag the layer in the Layer menu in the sidebar to the right. Drag the layer below all the text layers, but above the Background layer.
  6. It's the first colored square at the bottom of the toolbar on the left. The one on top is for the foreground color. The one on the bottom is for the background color. Click the one on top.
  7. Use the color picker to select a color for the foreground. Click a color in the rainbow (spectrum) colored bar, and then click the exact hue you want in the large square.
  8. It's the icon that resembles a paintbrush in the toolbar on the right.
  9. It has an icon that displays the current brush type and the brush size below it. Clicking this icon displays a drop-down menu that allows you to select a brush time and change the size of the brush.
  10. Click an image in the drop-down menu to select a brush type. The solid circle brushes create solid lines of varying sizes. The faded circle brushes create soft lines of varying sizes. Other brushes can be used to create simple patterns, textures, and simple images.
  11. To adjust the size of the brush, drag the slider bar labeled "Size" at the top of the drop-down menu. Drag it left to reduce the size of the brush. Drag it right to make the brush bigger.
  12. 12
    Use the brush tool to create simple graphics. There are a few ways you can use the Brush tool. Click and drag on the document to draw shapes and lines using the circle brushes. If you are using texture or image brushes, you can click once to place an image, pattern or texture item. Be creative and don't be afraid to experiment.
    • If you make a mistake, click Edit in the menu bar at the top, and then click Undo to undo what you just did. You can also click the icon that resembles an eraser in the menu bar and use it to erase your work.
  13. It's in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
  14. It's near the bottom of the File menu. This opens a file browser.
  15. Use the file browser to navigate your computer. You can click folders in the sidebar to the left. When you find a photo you want to import, click it to select it.
  16. It's on the left side of the file browser near the bottom. This places the photo in your Photoshop document.
  17. You can reposition the photo by clicking and dragging it.
  18. To adjust the size of the photo, click the corner and drag to change the size. Hold Shift while dragging to keep the image dimensions proportional.
  19. It's at the top of Photoshop. This confirms the position of the photo and places it as a new layer. You can use this to add a picture of yourself, a company logo, or even an image to use a background.
    • If the image is placed on top of any text, click the layer that contains the image in the Layer menu to the right. Drag the layer below all text layers in the Photoshop file.
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Part 5
Part 5 of 5:

Printing Your Business Card

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Tips

  • When adding external images to your template, make sure they have a high resolution so that they do not appear pixelated.
  • Create a new layer for each new object you add, even for different sections of text. This will make it easier to move them around individually, apply effects or even delete parts of your template with ease.
  • Try to work on your template at or near 100% magnification so that any part that is blurry or pixelated will be immediately apparent.
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Warnings

  • Make sure you use your own images or have permission to use others' images in your design.
  • If you use custom brush sets or other artwork in your design, credit the creator if possible and get their permission for using it on print.



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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about adobe photoshop, check out our in-depth interview with Shari Fairclough.

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About This Article

Shari Fairclough
Co-authored by:
Social Media & Graphic Design Expert
This article was co-authored by Shari Fairclough and by wikiHow staff writer, Travis Boylls. Shari Fairclough is a Social Media & Graphic Design Expert based in Atlanta, Georgia. Shari is a versatile designer with extensive experience in social media marketing, UX/UI design, and graphic print production. She has over 4 years of both freelance and in-house experience working as a UX and Graphic Designer. She currently works as the Social Media & Marketing Coordinator at Guidepost Montessori. In this role, Shari curates engaging content and enhances the school's online presence. In 2022, Shari founded Sunni Aesthetics, a design platform that blends culture, design, and art. Shari holds a Google UX Design certification. Additionally, she studied graphic design at The Creative Circus, has four years of experience working as an assistant teacher, and is certified as a TEFL instructor. Shari has contributed to various publications, including Canvas Rebel, VoyageATL, and 11 Alive, and has film credits on IMDb for her work in "Black Lightning," "The Color Purple," and "The Staircase." She received a BA in Film & Media from Georgia State University. This article has been viewed 584,417 times.
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Co-authors: 18
Updated: September 11, 2024
Views: 584,417
Categories: Adobe Photoshop
Article SummaryX

1. Create a new 3.75 x 2.25 inch high resolution Photoshop file in CMYK color mode.
2. Turn on Rulers and drag a guideline 1/8th of an inch in from all the edges.
3. Select a color using the squares at the bottom of the tool bar on the left.
4. Use the color bucket or gradient tool to create a background color.
5. Use the text tool to add your name, position, phone number, email address, and other contact info.
6. Use the Move tool to adjust the size and position of the text.
7. Use the brush tool to add drawings, textures, and patterns to your business card background.
8. Select Place from the "File" menu.
9. Place an image in your business card.
10. Click and drag to adjust the position of the image.
11. Click and drag the corners of the image to adjust the image size.
12. Select Save As from the "File" menu. 13. Type a name for your business card file and click Save.

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