Zinestack Roundup No.16

Business Card Zines

It’s 2025, do I really need a business card—let alone a zine?

Fair question. Hear me out.

We’re all a little tired of everything existing only in digital spaces, endlessly scrollable, and instantly forgettable. So much of our work lives online it’s refreshing when someone shows up with something in the real world.

Enter the business card zine: a tiny, tactile introduction that does more than list your name and email. It invites curiosity. It tells a story. It gives people something to hold, flip through, and remember.

When you meet someone IRL and they ask, “What do you do?”, what better way to spark a conversation than by giving them a miniature zine that reflects your work, your voice, and your personality? An actual object you can hand someone and say “Here, I made this. This is me.”

So why a business card zine instead of a regular business card?

A standard, run-of-the-mill business card simply provides someone with your contact info. Yawn.

A business card zine gives them a glimpse of who you are. It’s the difference between a handshake and a conversation. With just a few folded panels, you can share your creative process, showcase your work, explain your services, or tell a tiny story. It makes your first impression feel thoughtful, memorable, and—most of all—human.

Plus, it stands out. People don’t throw away zines the way they toss business cards. They keep them, tuck them in their wallet or a book, show them to friends. A business card zine isn’t just a way to connect—it’s a reason for someone to come back, follow up, or say “hey, I loved your zine.”

Okay, cool—sold. Now what?

Start with this tutorial video from brattyxbre on YouTube that breaks down the process step-by-step. Search “one-page zine templates” to find a template that works best for you and your skills.

Then check out these three examples for some inspiration. Each one shows just how much can fit in a tiny format and how much impact a small zine can have.

Do you have a business card zine? Hit reply or post a picture in the comments—I’d love to see it! 🩷