Unique business cards I saw in Artist Alley and how to make yours better
I attended Anime Expo at the L.A. Convention Center, and the sheer amount of passion and creativity is palpable. As a designer myself, the inspiration I get from walking through the aisles is invaluable. One of my favorite things to look out for are unique business cards. Sure, they’re needed for contact info, but business cards can reflect an artist’s style too. Not to mention, that a cool business card can make their brand stand out to me long after the expo is over. Artist Alley, in particular, is where I find myself spending the most time (and money) between panels and premieres.
With that in mind, I’ve rounded up some of the most eye-catching Artist Alley cards. I’ll show you how to use them as inspiration to make your own business cards better.
Why Anime Expo is such a big deal for artists’ businesses
Known as the largest anime convention in the United States, Anime Expo (AX) has become a bucket list item for fans of Japanese comics and animation. The first AX, then called “Anime Con,” was held in San Jose. Since 2008, the Los Angeles Convention Center has hosted the event. AX has grown tremendously over the years, drawing in fans and artists from all over the world. That was also the first year I attended AX and I’ve gone almost every year since. If you’re in L.A. at the right time (around July 4th weekend), you’ll see the effect of AX everywhere. The cute, colorful banners adorn the billboards, buildings, and even buses in downtown leading up to the convention.
Additionally, Artists come from all over the world to sell prints, comics, and merch. Accordingly, they put a lot of heart and soul into the details of their table or booth display. This includes everything from the largest banner to the business cards. And it really matters because AX attendance has grown to over 390,000 since its inception in 1991. Part of me misses when anime was considered a niche hobby, particularly while waiting in a 2-hour autograph line. But its massive popularity has drawn in a number of talented creators.
In fact, the AX Artist Alley, housed in Kentia Hall, brings together over 700 international artists, designers, and illustrators. It’s more important than ever for artists to stand out and connect with potential customers and fans. If I remember their art after the whirlwind experience of AX, then I want to connect with them online after the con too. That type of connection is important for their business in the in the long run.
4 unique business cards and how you can use them as inspiration
1) Incorporate hand-drawn design elements
Resources to get the look:
This article provides helpful tips for using Adobe Illustrator to create designs and print them on Avery labels (or cards).
Angelazy Doodles‘ business cards at Anime Expo really stood out to me. The unique hand-drawn elements perfectly showcase Angel’s artistic style and attention to detail. She even had a different color business card for each of the four days, which was such a fun idea. And the monochromatic full-bleed design really makes them pop.
From a design perspective, full bleed means that the color and design go all the way to the edge of whatever you’re printing. In my experience, normally, custom-printing your business cards is the best way to get a full-bleed design. But for those who want to try something similar at home, Avery 5881 business cards are a great substitute because they print all the way to the edge.
About the artist
Angel, an aspiring toy designer, was one of the many international artists attending Anime Expo this year. Hailing from Cebu, her colorful work features original characters inspired by Filipino street food. My personal favorite is Kwekie, an adorable orange fluff ball based on kwek-kwek (fried quail eggs). You can find more of her work online at angelazydoodles.com and follow her on social media using @angelazydoodles on Instagram, Facebook, X, and TikTok.
2) Try a unique business card shape
Resources to get the look:
I was drawn to the compact and symmetrical shape of the Charlie Bun Art business cards. Not only are they visually appealing, but they’re also super easy to handle and store. In my opinion, the unique dimensions give a fresh canvas for creative designs, inspiring branding that’s more individual and memorable. I’ve also noticed that the distinctive shape sparks curiosity and conversation with other con attendees, which is a great opportunity to make a sale.
Plus, the square format is more in line with the styles that appeal to younger people. And that’s starting to be more important considering that, according to a report on Gen Z spending power done by Snapchat, Gen Z makes up 40% of consumers worldwide. That’s in addition to wielding an estimated $450 billion in spending power.
About the artist
Charlie is a Vancouver-based illustrator and animator who specializes in small scenes starring adorably round bunnies. Their catalog boasts a variety of stationery and lifestyle accessories that feature the squishy buns living their best lives in cozy little rooms. In addition to their Etsy shop, you can find them on Facebook @charliebun.art, X, and Instagram at @charliebunart.
3) Add a QR code to make them interactive
Resources to get the look:
Check out this video that shows you how to make a QR code for free and add it to your business cards using Avery Design and Print Online (also free).
Business cards with QR codes are such a game-changer, seamlessly blending traditional and digital elements to create a unique and engaging experience. The square cards for Misohappy, for example, really caught my eye with their clever QR code placement. Just by scanning the code, I could instantly access everything I needed—from the website and shop news to upcoming events and social media links. It’s a huge time-saver and adds that modern, tech-savvy touch that younger consumers love. Plus, QR codes can lead to fun content like videos, special offers, or interactive forms, making the business card a gateway to more personalized and memorable connections.
If you’re thinking about starting with QR codes, there are so many creative ways to use them beyond business cards. I recommend this awesome article that gives a great QR code overview and dives into different business uses.
About the artist
Based in Washington State, Nina is an illustrator who loves creating art and cute, happy things. The food-based puns on her prints and stickers definitely made me smile, and her sweetly snarky enamel pins hit close to home in the most adorable way. Check her out on X and Instagram at @mis0happy.
4) Use a unique layout for your business cards
Resources to get the look:
This video shows you how to choose different layouts for any Avery business card product.
Sometimes a small change has a big impact. For example, these Munespice (pronounced “moon-spice”) business cards feature a “tall” layout instead of the traditional “wide” one. Typically, business cards are about 2.5″ x 3″ and designed in a landscape format. Simply turning the layout to a portrait or “tall” orientation gives them a totally different, more modern feel. I’m so glad the layout grabbed my attention because the beautiful artwork and the brand story on the card really made me interested in checking out more Munespice art.
About the artist
In 2019, Munespice was founded by California-based illustrator Nicole with the simple idea that ‘anyone can create.’ It’s since grown to encompass her other passions and interests, including education, conservation, sustainability, and round animals (especially frogs). You can find more of their art on @munespice on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Tumblr, and X.
Find unique business cards that inspire you
Year after year, I find that Anime Expo is a treasure trove of inspiration and creativity, especially for those of us in the design world. The unique business cards I found at Artist Alley are not just practical tools for networking, but also miniature works of art that reflect each artist’s brand and personality. From the colorful hand-drawn elements by Angelazy Doodles to the compact and symmetrical shapes by Charlie Bun Art, these cards truly stand out. The clever QR code placement by Misohappy and the modern “tall” layout by Munespice are just a few examples of how innovative these designs can be.
By incorporating some of these creative ideas into your own business cards, you can elevate your brand and stand out in any crowd. Whether you’re an artist, designer, or entrepreneur, a well-crafted business card can be a powerful tool for making lasting connections and showcasing your unique style. I hope the inspiration and ideas I gathered from walking through the aisles of Anime Expo will help you do just that. You can find more inspiration and business design tips by following Avery on Instagram or checking out our Pinterest board for small businesses.
