Quick answer
What should go on a tradesperson's business card?
- Business name and logo
- Your name, if it helps
- What you do, in a few words
- Phone number
- Business email
- Website
- The area you cover, if it helps
- If you're a limited company, your company name, as registered
The jargon
The words you'll come across, in plain English.
- Proof: the final version you check before it's printed.
- QR code: a square barcode people scan to open a web page.
- Bleed: extra background around the edge, trimmed off after printing.
- Registered name: a limited company's official name at Companies House.
One message
How much should I put on it?
Use a few words a customer gets straight away, like Plumbing and heating. If you do lots of things, use one umbrella phrase and let your website list the rest.
- A number someone always answers
- An email address the business controls
- A short website address
- Your area, only if it helps
- Qualifications only if they're current and you can prove them
- No “best”, “cheapest” or “number one” without proof
Layout
How should I lay it out?
Do this
Name, trade and phone number easy to spot.
Not this
Every service, town, qualification, social account and slogan, in tiny writing.
Legal details
What legal details does a card need?
Limited companies have to show certain details on business paperwork and websites. Check the current rules before printing a big batch.
QR codes
Should I put a QR code on my card?
Test the printed proof on a few phones, and point it at a web address you own, so it keeps working.
Before printing
What should I check before printing?
- Read every letter and number out loud
- Ring the number on it
- Send a test email
- Open the website and the QR code
- Check the writing's big enough and stands out
- Check the edges with the printer
Sources
Where this guide comes from.
Checked against these official pages on 27/10/2026. Next check due 27/01/2027. Things can change sooner, so check the official page before an important decision.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions.
Do business cards still work?
Yes, after a chat or a job. They back up being on Google; they don't replace it.
Should I list every service?
No. Say what you do in a few words and let the website do the rest.
Can I put my review score on it?
Only if it's accurate and the review site allows it.
Do I need my address on it?
It depends on your business type. Check the official rules.
Should I add my social media?
Only if you use it regularly and it looks professional.
How many should I print first?
A small batch, so you can fix anything before ordering more.
Got a question?
Send us a message and we'll point you in the right direction.
We're happy to help, even if it's not about a website.
