DIY Artist Business Cards
Turn old artwork into unique, handcrafted cards
In a former life, I had plenty of boring, pre-printed business cards. Clean, professional… and completely forgettable.
As an artist, that no longer feels right. I want something that reflects how I work, handmade, imperfect, personal. So instead of ordering new cards, I started looking at what I already had: old pieces of artwork. Failed experiments, leftovers, works that didn’t quite find their place.
In this video, I show how I turn those pieces into one-of-a-kind artist business cards. Each card becomes a small artwork of its own. Something people don’t just take, but actually keep.
When someone receives one of these cards at an art fair, they’re not just getting my contact details. They’re holding:
a piece of my work,
a glimpse into my process,
something personal enough to remember.
I don’t need to put all my information on it. My name and website are enough. If the card stays on their desk (or even gets framed), it’s already doing its job.
Materials Needed
This process is intentionally simple. Use what you have.
Old artwork (finished, unfinished, or “failed” pieces)
Cutting board or cutting mat
Craft knife, cutter, or scissors
Ruler
Glue stick (or matte medium)
Optional: markers, crayons, collage scraps
A stamp with your name and website
Instructions:
Choose your artwork
Pick pieces you’re not planning to use anymore. These can be experiments, leftovers, or artworks that feel unresolved. They’re perfect for this.Trim the edges
Cut away white borders or uneven edges. Don’t aim for perfection, because small imperfections are part of the charm. I roughly aim for a card size of about 2 × 3 inches, but this isn’t a strict rule. Each artwork decides its own size.Cut into card-sized pieces
One artwork easily becomes two (or more) cards. As you cut, you’ll notice something interesting: seeing your work in smaller sections often reveals new compositions and is sometimes even better than the original.Decide if it needs more
Some cards are perfect as they are. Others might benefit from a small collage element, a line with a marker, a subtle accent to make it feel “finished”. If you catch yourself overthinking, just stop. Leaving it simple often works best.Glue & embellish
Use a glue stick for quick, clean results. This isn’t about durability for centuries; it’s about ease and play. Markers, crayons, paint, collage papers… everything is allowed, nothing is required.Stamp the back
Finish the card with a simple stamp: your name and website. That’s enough. The artwork already tells the rest of the story. If you don't have a stamp, but nice handwriting, just grab a pen.
A different way of thinking about branding
These cards are not about looking “polished”. They’re about being recognizable.
They show how I work, how I think, and what kind of artist I am, without having to explain it. And as a bonus: they help me see my own work differently, too.
What’s next?
This is one of many ways to reuse materials and let your existing work support your creative business.
Try a variation
Experiment with different sizes, substrates, or finishes. Let your cards evolve with your work.
Reflect & continue
Notice which cards you like most and which ones others pick. That feedback is valuable.
You’ll find more tutorials and process-based ideas throughout this blog and on my YouTube channel.
