Business Cards for Contractors and Trades: What to Include

A trades business card works differently from an office card. It gets handed over on a driveway, stuck in a truck door or left on a counter, so it has to be readable at a glance and tough enough to survive a pocket.

What to include

- Your name and business name, large and easy to read - What you do, in a few words, such as plumbing, roofing or renovations - A phone number people can call or text, as the main contact - Your service area, so people know you cover them - Licence or certification numbers, if your trade requires them to be shown - A website or email, kept short

Leave off anything that is not helping someone decide to call you. A crowded card is harder to read than a clean one.

Choose a finish that holds up

For cards that spend time in pockets and trucks, a sturdier stock is worth it. Matte and uncoated finishes show fewer fingerprints, and uncoated is easy to write on, which is useful for adding a quote or a date on the back. A glossy finish makes photos and bright colours stand out. Ask us if you are unsure which suits your trade.

Use the back

The back is free space. Put your service list, a short guarantee or a space for notes. Some trades add a small checklist or a seasonal offer.

Make them easy to read

Use a large, plain font for your phone number and avoid light text on busy backgrounds. People often look at cards in poor light or in a hurry.

Need cards fast?

If you have a new truck, a new hire or a job starting tomorrow, we print business cards the same day for runs of 50 to 1,000. Order by 12 PM for same-day pickup at our Mississauga shop. See same-day business cards, or call (437) 997-9921. If you want to promote a neighbourhood too, door hangers are a common trades choice.