Sunday, May 30, 2021

25+ Best Free Die Cut Business Card Template Design Shapes for 2021

Looking to make some die cut business cards for your business? Consider using die cut business cards for a look that really stands out. 

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This elegant business card has subtle die cuts; note the rounded edges. Download this premium business card design on Envato Elements.

Die cutting refers to cutting a printed piece into a particular shape. So, die cut business cards are business cards with shapes cut into them (or around them). This can be highly detailed or something subtle. The cuts can be on the outside of the card, the inside, or both.

There are a lot of cool die cut business card design options out there. For example, you could try:

  • triangle business cards
  • butterfly shaped business cards
  • arrow shaped business cards
  • and more

Imagine hammer shaped business cards for a construction business or camera shaped business cards for a professional photographer. There are so many possible die cut business card shapes

In this article, we'll take look at some free die cut business card design files, explain how to use a die cut business cards mockup, and more. 

Best Premium Die Cut Business Card Templates on Envato Elements and GraphicRiver (With Unlimited Use)

If you're interested in premium options at a bargain price, then check out Envato Elements. It's an awesome resource for creative professionals. One, low fee gets you access to thousands of professional assets, including die cut business card templates.

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Choose from thousands of business card templates on Envato Elements. They're all included. 

With unlimited access, you can download as many business card templates as you need. They're all included. 

But Envato Elements has a lot more than business card designs. You can also download:

  • graphics
  • backgrounds
  • stock photos
  • fonts
  • much more

All this professional content is included because you get unlimited access to the entire library of content. 

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Download premium die cut business cards designs on GraphicRiver.

But if you're not necessarily looking for a library of content,  check out GraphicRiver. It's another collection of high quality, professional assets you can download content a la carte. Only download and pay for what you need. 

5 Best Premium Die Cut Business Cards Templates and Mockups

Take a look at these beautifully designed, premium business cards and mockups available for download now. Consider giving them a download, or sit back and enjoy the design inspiration:

1. Rounded Die Cut Business Card Design

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Here's a clean, classy design that makes great use of some subtle die cuts. Jump in and edit this design in Adobe Photoshop.

2. Die Cut Business Card Mockup Template

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Want to try experimenting with some custom die cuts? Then try out a die cut business card mockup, like this professional template. Use any custom shape you'd like.

3. Die Cut Business Card Design Corners

rounded die cut business cardrounded die cut business cardrounded die cut business card

This fun design makes good use of some subtle, rounded corners. It's a fun design choice. Download this business card template today and edit it in Adobe Photoshop.

4. Die Cut Business Cards Mockup Design

Die Cut Business Card Mock-Up GraphicRiverDie Cut Business Card Mock-Up GraphicRiverDie Cut Business Card Mock-Up GraphicRiver

If you're looking for a die cut business card mockup, check out this easy to use design from GraphicRiver. Easily change up the design and try out your own custom die cuts.

5. Creative Cloud Shaped Die Cut Business Card Template

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Prefer a business card that's already designed to shape? Check out this fun, creative die cut business card template. 

25+ Top Free Die Cut Business Card Template Design Shapes to Download 2021

Free is everyone's favorite price tag. But keep in mind that free doesn't necessarily mean entirely free of copyright. Besides, it's much harder to find exactly what you're looking for, when hunting for free files. Prepare to invest extra time in searching and customizing your free business card design.

Before looking for a free die cut business card design on the web, check Envato's free offerings first. Try out various premium template files (not always die cut business cards) at no cost to you.

Here's the deal:

But if you can't find what you're looking above, let's take a look at some free die cut business cards and mockups you can download now:

1. Free Simple Die Cut Business Card

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Looking for a simple but elegant design? Check out this free die cut business card design template. You can keep things minimalist or dig right in and add more. 

2. Camera or Film Business Card Template 

This business card template looks like a director's cut board. You could push this further by adding some interesting die cuts to it. 

3. Free Rounded Corner Die Cut Business Card Template

Looking for a versatile, professional design? Check out this free template. It looks great with some subtle, rounded corners. 

4. Free Rounded Die Cut Business Cards Mockup

free business card mockupfree business card mockupfree business card mockup

Want to see how your business cards would look with sleek, rounded corners? Download this free die cut business cards mockup and give it a try.

5. Free Color Block Business Card Design Template

This business card design has a blocky aesthetic, which could lend itself well to some interesting die cuts. Try cutting out one of the shapes or trying different edges.

6. Colorful Free Business Card Template

You could push this colorful business card in so many directions. Try giving it rounded corners. Or you could try more dramatic die cuts. 

7. Free Business Card Mockup

free business card mockupfree business card mockupfree business card mockup

Rounded die cut business cards can be such a stylish, elegant choice. Try out your next design in this free mockup template. It even comes with a mockup for a card holder. 

8. Free Elegant Business Card Template

Here's a classy, stylish business card template that could work really well with some subtle, rounded corners. Or try rounding just one corner and leaving the others straight edged.

9. Die Cut Business Card Mockup Free Download

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This awesome, free die cut business cards mockup template lets you freely experiment with different die cuts. Give it a try and start experimenting with your down contours.

10. Free Blocky Business Card Template Design

Here's another free design that would lend itself really well to some interesting die cuts. Consider cutting a corner or adding other interesting contours. 

11. Free Business Card Template

free business card templatefree business card templatefree business card template

Looking for a clean, sleek business card with some subtle die cuts? Download this free die cut business card template and customize it today.

12. Key Color Free Business Card Design Download

This free business card design would be an interesting choice for some interior die cuts. Try cutting out the silhouette for your logo design, for example.

13. Free Geometric Business Card Template

Love a geometric look? Then give this free business card a look. Try cutting out one of the triangles to push the aesthetic here further. 

14. Free Retro Business Card Design Template

If you like a retro vibe, this business card template might be right up your alley. Try cutting out some of the geometric shapes or use a more subtle, rounded die cut on this design.

15. Business Card Mockup Free

Business Card Mockup FreeBusiness Card Mockup FreeBusiness Card Mockup Free

Die cut business cards mockups can be a great way to get a feel for your design in a mock 3D space. Give this mockup a try for your next rounded die cut business card. 

16. Mustache Free Business Card Template Download

Here's another fun, free business card that's got plenty of potential for die cuts. Imagine this design, but with the interior mustache cut out. It could be a fun way to draw emphasis to this part of the design.

17. Free Cassette Tape Business Card Design

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Isn't this design cool? It looks great on a standard card, but this is a great example of how die cuts could take this further. Cut the perimeter to shape and cut out the interior holes. 

18. Angled Color Block Free Business Card Design Template

Check out the stylish shapes and colors in this free design. They lend themselves really well to die cuts; try cutting off the corners in this one, for example.

19. Free Business Card Mockup

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Prefer your die cuts with contrasting sides? This is a really stylish design approach, and you can download this business card mockup template for free. 

20. Free Food Service Business Card Template 

Really decorative die cuts can be difficult to pull off, but a food service template like this one could be really cute with a big "bite" taken out of it. Give it a try.

21. Free Business Card Template with Pixel Squares

Here's another free template with plenty of potential for some interesting die cuts. Why not try cutting out some of the decorative squares here, in the design's interior?

22. Free Die Cut Business Card Ornate Design

Free ornate business card die cutFree ornate business card die cutFree ornate business card die cut

Isn't this a fun die cut business card idea? This amazing mockup template lets you create any die cut you like. Test out your design in this free mockup today.

23. Free Circles Business Card Template

Circles are a large part of this free design, so why not push it further with die cuts? Consider cutting some of the dashed curved lines to add even more interest here. 

24. Free Rounded Corner Die Cut Business Card Design

This free template has rounded corners and some really interesting texture. Customize this design to meet your professional needs. 

25. Free Textured Die Cut Business Card Mockup Template

Free Textured Die Cut Business Card Mockup TemplateFree Textured Die Cut Business Card Mockup TemplateFree Textured Die Cut Business Card Mockup Template

Prefer some texture and depth in your business card design? This mockup has rounded edges and plenty of potential. Download it for free and try it with your design.

How to Make Custom Die Cut Business Cards with a Die Cut Business Cards Mockup

One of the great things about working with die cut business cards is that your die cuts can often be entirely custom. But how do you know what would be best for your die cut business card design? 

Try using a die cut business cards mockup, like the die cut business card mockup from Envato Elements below:

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Create any kind of custom die cut business card you want with this dynamic die cut business card design mockup.

This way, we can get a realistic rendition or our design in simulated 3D space. This is easy to do in Adobe Photoshop with Smart objects. Check it out. I'll show you how it's done. 

Let's get started:

1. Open Adobe Photoshop

Start by opening up the die cut business cards mockup in Adobe Photoshop. Then, open your Layers panel by going to Window > Layers.

There's a Layer called Place Card Design Here. All we need to do is double click on the Layer Thumbnail of this layer to begin. 

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2. Create a Shape

Photoshop then opens up a new document for us. This is actually the inside of the Smart Object that our die cut business cards mockup uses in its composition.

We'll need to paste our content in the folder called Your Design/Die Cut Here. First,  let's focus on creating a custom die cut. 

You could use any tool you prefer to delete or select content here. In this demo, I'll use the Polygonal Lasso tool to create an angular shape, like we might see in triangle business cards. Then, delete these selections by pressing the Delete key. 

Once you're happy with your work, go to File > Save, to save the content in this Smart Object.

smart object business card mockupsmart object business card mockupsmart object business card mockup

3. Preview Your Die Card Mockup

Then, we can go back to our original die cut business cards mockup file. Check it out. Our custom die cut business card shape has been applied here, so we can preview it in a realistic 3D space. 

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4. Apply Template

Take a look at what we could do here with a premium business card design applied. I decided to make a die cut on the inside of the card, in a circle shape, using the same methods. All you've got to do is add more content to your Smart Object and define any die cut you like.

You could do this with any number of designs and shapes. Using a die cut business cards mockup, like this one, is a great way to get a feel for what kind of die cut you might want to try.

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Premium business card design template from Envato Elements.

6 Quick Die Cut Business Card Design Tips for 2021  

Curious about what direction is best for your die cut business cards? Check out these design tips for some extra inspiration and insight:

1. Cuts Should Enhance, Not Distract

While something whimsical like hammer shaped business cards could look fun. But keep in mind that this could also be distracting. 

Die cuts could enhance the look of your business card. If you go with a really unusual cut, make sure there's good reason. If you go with a more subtle cut, use this to create a stylish finishing touch that aligns well with your design. 

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Download this die cut business card mockup from Envato Elements and try cutting out your own logo, like this.

2. Die Cuts Don't Have to Be Shape Dependent

But your die cut business card design doesn't need to be shape dependent. Something like butterfly shaped business cards would be quite niche. Where a subtle, rounded corner could be a more universal approach. 

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This fun die cut business card design is designed to look like film. Download this mockup creator on Envato Elements to try our own cut ideas.

If you're considering die cut business cards for your business, consider what best reflects your professional brand.

3. Remember, Less Space Means Less Content

Let's say you opt to work with triangle business cards. Think about how much of the card is cut off in custom die cut business cards with this shape. When considering die cut business card shapes, remember to also think about the available space on the card. Will there still be room for everything you want to include?

4. How Does the Die Cut Component Communicate?

Your die cuts add to the composition. They communicate just as much as the printed design.

For example, let's say a client uses arrow shaped business cards. This lends itself to the idea of "going forward" or movement. If this message lends itself well to the brand, it could be a great idea. But If we had camera shaped business cards and the shape had nothing to do with the business itself, it could come off as confusing.

Check out this creative card design. This could be an awesome fit for a creative professional because it's unusual and memorable. But it probably wouldn't be a great fit for something like a law firm, where the visuals here would likely not be appropriate.

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This die cut business card takes on creative texture and cuts. Try this die cut business card mockup yourself; download it on Envato Elements.

5. Which Comes First: the Cut or the Design?

So, which should you explore first: the business card's design or the shape of the card itself? The answer is subjective, but here are some important things to consider:

  • A good business card doesn't have to be an unusual shape to be successful. 
  • If you opt for an unusual shape, the design is going to have to properly accommodate this. 
  • Subtle cuts are more adaptable and can be used on many standard sized business card designs.
  • Cuts can also be interior cut outs. The focus doesn't have to be only on the exterior perimeter of the business card.

6. Remember Practicality

If your business card doesn't fundamentally work as a business card, then it's objectively failed. Your business card should be easy to read, easy to share, and easy to keep. Don't get so wrapped up in aesthetics and fun visuals that you forget the essential purpose of the card.

Make sure your card's content is clear and legible. It needs to be easy to read your content. 

But that's not to say die cut business cards can't be a fun and memorable direction. Just be careful of common pitfalls. It's about finding that balance between form and function. It needs to look good, but it also needs to work well. At the end of the day,  less is more. 

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This premium die cut business card template has elegant, curved corners. Download it now on Envato Elements.

 

Discover More Top Business Card Template Designs

Looking for even more business card design inspiration? Check out these collections from Envato Tuts+. There are plenty more professional designs to see and download today.

Learn More About Making Great Business Cards in 2021

Want to learn about making business card designs yourself? There's a wealth of knowledge on Envato Tuts+, and these tutorials are free! So, why not dig in and learn about business card design today? 

Start Your Die Cut Business Card Design Today

Custom die cut business cards can be a memorable addition to your branding and marketing efforts. Remember, if you're not sure what kind of die cut would be best for your project, consider trying out a die cut business cards mockup. It's a quick and easy way to test out different shapes in a photo realistic setting.

Remember, you can download your next die cut business cards mockup or a host of die cut business cards on Envato Elements. One low fee gets you access to an entire library of content, so you can download as many as you want, with unlimited access.

Or, if you prefer to download files a la carte, check out Graphic River. There's a gallery of beautifully designed die cut business cards over there to admire and download too.

Good luck with your next die cut business card design!

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