Craft Fair Business Cards: How to Design Cards That Turn Shoppers Into Repeat Customers

Craft fairs are incredible for making sales — but what happens after the fair ends? Without a way for customers to find you again, every sale is a one-time transaction. That's where business cards come in.

A well-designed business card is the simplest, most cost-effective marketing tool a craft fair vendor can use. It turns a casual browser into a repeat customer, an online follower, and a word-of-mouth ambassador for your brand.

In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about creating business cards that actually work for craft fair vendors — from what to include, to design tips, to how to hand them out effectively.

Why Business Cards Still Matter in 2026

You might think business cards are outdated in the age of social media. But for craft fair vendors, they're more relevant than ever:

• Shoppers can't always buy on the spot. Maybe they're browsing, comparing, or haven't brought enough cash. A business card gives them a way to find you later.
• They're tangible. Unlike a verbal "find me on Instagram," a card goes in a pocket or bag and resurfaces later.
• They show professionalism. A quality business card signals that you're a real business, not just a hobby seller.
• They drive online sales. Most craft fair vendors also sell on Etsy, Shopify, or their own website. A card bridges the gap between in-person and online.

According to surveys of craft fair vendors, those who consistently hand out business cards report 20-30% more repeat customers compared to those who don't.

What to Include on Your Craft Fair Business Card

The biggest mistake vendors make is treating their business card like a corporate card. Your card needs different information than a typical business professional's card. Here's what to include:

Essential Information

1. Business name — Your brand name, front and center
2. What you sell — A brief tagline like "Hand-poured soy candles" or "Custom leather journals"
3. Website or online shop URL — Where they can buy from you online
4. Social media handle — Pick your most active platform (usually Instagram)
5. QR code — Links directly to your shop or website (more on this below)

Nice to Have

6. Email address — For custom orders or wholesale inquiries
7. Phone number — Only if you want customers calling you
8. Your name — Especially if your brand is personal ("Sarah's Ceramics")
9. A discount code — "Use code FAIR10 for 10% off your online order"

Skip These

• Physical address — Unless you have a retail location, this wastes space and raises privacy concerns
• Fax number — Obviously
• Multiple social media handles — Pick one, maybe two. Don't clutter the card.

The QR Code Advantage

If there's one thing that's changed business cards for craft fair vendors, it's QR codes. Here's why every vendor should have one:

• No typing required — Customers scan and they're on your site instantly
• Trackable — Use a QR code generator that tracks scans so you know how many people actually use your card
• Versatile — Link to your shop, an email signup form, or a special landing page for fair visitors

Best QR Code Practices

• Make the QR code at least 1 inch square — Too small and phones can't read it
• Test it before printing 500 cards
• Link to a mobile-friendly page — Most scans happen on phones
• Consider a dynamic QR code that you can update without reprinting cards

Pro tip: Create a special landing page like yoursite.com/fair that offers a discount code. This lets you track exactly how many sales came from your business cards.

Design Tips for Craft Fair Business Cards

Your business card should match the vibe of your brand and booth. Here's how to make it stand out:

1. Match Your Brand Aesthetic

If your products are rustic and handmade, your card should feel that way too. If your brand is modern and minimal, go clean and simple. Consistency builds trust.

2. Use Quality Card Stock

Cheap, flimsy cards end up in the trash. Invest in:

• Thick card stock (14pt or 16pt minimum)
• Matte or soft-touch finishes for a premium feel
• Recycled or textured paper if sustainability is part of your brand

3. Make It Memorable

Some ideas that work well for craft vendors:

• Die-cut shapes — A candle-shaped card for a candle maker, a leaf shape for a plant seller
• Rounded corners — Simple but feels more polished
• Letterpress or embossing — Adds a tactile element that people notice
• Mini size — Stands out from standard-sized cards

4. Keep It Readable

• Use fonts that are easy to read at small sizes
• Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background
• Don't cram too much information — white space is your friend
• Test readability by having someone else look at it from arm's length

5. Use Both Sides

The back of your card is prime real estate. Use it for:

• A discount code for online orders
• A photo of your best-selling product
• A brief story about your brand
• A loyalty stamp area ("Buy 5, get 1 free")

Where to Print Business Cards

Here are the best options for craft fair vendors, from budget to premium:

Budget-Friendly

• Vistaprint — As low as $10 for 250 cards. Quality has improved significantly. Good templates.
• Canva Print — Design in Canva, print through their service. Great for beginners.
• GotPrint — Competitive pricing with good quality.

Mid-Range

• Moo — Known for excellent quality and unique options like NFC cards and different designs in one batch.
• Zazzle — Good for unique shapes and premium finishes.

Premium / DIY

• Local print shops — Support local, get exactly what you want, and you can feel the paper before ordering
• Letterpress studios — For that handmade, artisan feel that matches craft products perfectly
• Print your own — If you have a good printer, specialty card stock from Paper Source or Amazon works great for small runs

How Many to Order

For your first order, start with 250-500 cards. This gives you enough for several fairs without committing to a huge print run. As you refine your design, you can order larger quantities.

Budget tip: At most craft fairs, you'll hand out 30-100 cards per event. A batch of 500 cards will last you through an entire season.

How to Hand Out Business Cards Effectively

Having great cards is only half the battle. Here's how to make sure they actually get used:

1. Put Them in Every Bag

The single most effective distribution method: slip a card into every purchase bag. The customer already bought from you — they're the most likely to come back.

2. Display Them Prominently

Don't hide your cards behind your products. Place a cardholder:

• At the front of your table where browsers can grab one
• Near your checkout/payment area
• Next to your best-selling items

3. Offer Them to Browsers

When someone admires your work but doesn't buy, say something like: "Here's my card — I also sell online if you want to browse later." No pressure, just helpful.

4. Include a Reason to Keep It

A card with a discount code ("10% off your first online order") is far less likely to be thrown away than a plain card. Give them a reason to hold onto it.

5. Network With Other Vendors

Don't forget about the vendors around you! Exchange cards with:

• Non-competing vendors who share your customer base
• Fair organizers (for future event invitations)
• Anyone who compliments your work

Tracking Your Business Card ROI

How do you know if your business cards are actually working? Here are ways to track their effectiveness:

1. Unique discount codes — Create a code specifically for your business cards (e.g., "CARD10") and track redemptions
2. QR code analytics — Use a trackable QR code to see scan counts
3. Custom landing page — yoursite.com/card shows you exactly how many visitors came from cards
4. Ask customers — Add "How did you find us?" to your online checkout
5. UTM parameters — Add tracking parameters to your URLs for Google Analytics

Business Card Alternatives and Additions

While traditional business cards are the foundation, consider these additions:

Stickers

Custom branded stickers cost about the same as business cards and people actually want them. They end up on laptops, water bottles, and phone cases — free advertising.

Postcards

A 4x6 postcard gives you more room for product photos and information. Great for higher-end products.

Thank You Cards

Include a small thank you card with every purchase that has your business info. Feels more personal than a standard business card.

Loyalty Cards

A punch card ("Buy 5 candles, get the 6th free") gives customers a reason to seek you out at future fairs.

Common Business Card Mistakes to Avoid

1. No online presence listed — If someone can't find you after the fair, the card is useless
2. Outdated information — Check your cards before each season; update if your social handle or website changed
3. Too much information — A cluttered card gets ignored. Edit ruthlessly.
4. Poor quality printing — Thin, flimsy cards signal a non-serious business
5. No call to action — Tell them what to do: "Shop online," "Follow us," "Use code FAIR10"
6. Forgetting to bring them — Add business cards to your craft fair packing list!

Design Templates to Get You Started

If you're not a designer, don't worry. These free tools have craft-fair-friendly templates:

• Canva (canva.com) — Hundreds of free business card templates. Search "handmade" or "craft" for relevant designs.
• Adobe Express (adobe.com/express) — Clean, modern templates with easy customization.
• Looka (looka.com) — AI-powered brand kit that generates matching business cards, logos, and more.

Your Business Card Action Plan

Ready to create (or upgrade) your business cards? Here's your step-by-step plan:

1. Define your must-have info — Business name, what you sell, website, social handle, QR code
2. Choose a design tool — Canva is the easiest starting point
3. Match your brand — Use your brand colors, fonts, and style
4. Add a CTA — A discount code or reason to visit your site
5. Generate a QR code — Link to your shop or a custom landing page
6. Print a test batch — Order 250 cards to start
7. Test the QR code — Scan it yourself before the fair!
8. Distribute strategically — In every bag, on your table, offered to browsers

Finding Your Next Fair

Now that your business cards are ready, it's time to find craft fairs to hand them out at! Browse upcoming craft fairs on TheCraftMap to discover events in your area. You can filter by state, date, and booth fee to find the perfect fit.

Planning your fair season? Check out our Craft Fair Seasonal Calendar to know when to apply and our guide on How to Choose the Right Craft Fair for your business.

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TheCraftMap helps craft fair vendors discover, compare, and track events across the country. Browse fairs near you or explore by state to plan your next season.