Undoubtedly business cards
play a great role in marketing. A
business card may serve as a great tool for advertising a business, an individual or a company. Some of them
feature exclusively contact information,
while others are meant to provide a medium for artistic expression. Business cards represent a way of expressing a
philosophy, a concept via their design.
Let's start with some really impressive business cards that were made using innovative techniques. Some of these business cards are shaped like objects, some business cards have pop-up textures and some even feature plants that grow from within the business card.
This is an original business card with 3D letters.
This business card features an innovative
design due to the fact that it resembles Swiss
cheese.
Tasty business card that looks like chocolate
with a piece bitten out of it.
This business card is extremely original because it has seed in it and a real plant grows out of the card.
An odd but still original business card looks just like a toy airplane.
A great idea was to make this business card a punch out toy car.
This business card is created of metal, having punch-oil pick locks that were designed by Kevin Mitnick, a former hacker.
Generally business cards represent cards that
feature the data about a company or a person. These cards are convenient for business
people and companies since they are often shared at formal introductions as
a memory aid. An ordinary business card features the name of the giver, company
affiliation (in most cases including a logo) and contact information, including
street address(es), telephone number(s), email address(es) and personal website
of the giver or official website of the company. Very simple business cards may
include a black text on white stock; however, some professional business cards
may feature an original design with particular visual effects.
Very often business cards are used during visits in order to provide information to potential customers. Thus companies and individuals build connections with their customers by providing them the necessary contact data.
Every business card should be easy to memorize
as it represents the image of its owner. Business cards should bring positive
feelings. Whether a business card was handed with the goal of attracting or
conveying business data, it must be original and well printed.
Business cards represent a very important feature of contemporary business communication, which always starts with the exchange of cards. Business cards are of much convenience when dealing with foreign people. Therefore your personal business card must include your full name, the name of you company, the position you fill in the company or organization, full postal address along with some other important information. It is worth mentioning that the logotype of the company you work for will also be of much convenience. Government officials or members of parliament may include on their business cards the national flag of the country or its emblem.
Note that a business card, besides helping the
receiver in contacting you, serves as your representative, it tells the
customer about you and what you represent. For instance, a business card
featuring a catchy design states that you and your company enjoy
creativity and style and that you do a lot of effort for your business. A
business card simply improves the
professional image of your firm or organization. It is the first sign by which a customer
can identify you. The first impression is always important, so make sure your
business card reflects professionalism and creativity.
Tip: In case your phone number has changed it is alright to cross the old number on the card and spell a new one. However, this is not acceptable for the position title. If your position has changed you must order a new card.
Almost every business card should have the address of the giver; an exception goes to government officials and members of parliament. People working as shop assistants and clerics, possessing an informational and advertising function should have their business card created unconventionally with an original and striking design. Very often these people have a small topographic plan, an emblem of the company and the motto of the firm on the reverse of their business cards.
An ordinary business card has a rectangular shape and is made is semi-compact quality carton. Note that there are no strict rules of how a business card should look like. Usually men have business cards that are bigger in size than women's. The main rule of a business card is that everything spelled on it should be easily readable. It is not recommended that sophisticated fonts are being included, especially if your card is in foreign language.
Although classic business cards include a black text on a white
background, contemporary publishing
houses provide a wide gamma of color
plastic print. However, strict rules of business say that a person should
not go too far from the classic style of business card. When thinking about
making a business card it is important to pick a high-quality paper, which may have a toned finish. The paper may also feature a satin finish. Lustrous
surface is also not quite recommended. Stylish and colorful designs of
business cards often suit various artists, publishers, commercial travelers and
advertising agents.
In international business two-sided business cards may be very
useful. Such business cards are written in two different languages. A business
card written in two languages on its obverse and reverse is not a rule, because
very often the reverse is used for notes. However, a card written in
international language is highly appreciated.
In case there is a company's logotype on the card, its range of colors should be meticulously reproduced. When dealer's business card has the same color spectrum as his or her foreign boss, it provides a good impression.
Tip: Apply the same rule for the font and the general style of your business card.
The upper mentioned rules are not limited only to foreign partners. In case the colors of the logo on different business cards that belong to different workers but who work in the same organization have differences, it may not create a good impression.
Despite the fact that business cards represent an old school of promoting the company or a person, they still serve as a core element to effective promotion of the image of your business.
Tips for a successful use of a business card:
- When offering a business card, it is worth asking for one in return – while this tip may sound like a simple advice, but it is very important if you want to make the other individual feel important. It is also important to look and analyze the business card (read the name several times) before putting it into the wallet. You may also consider writing on the back of the card the place where you met the person or some other details that will help you remember the person later.
- It is important to have several business cards with you because there is always a chance of meeting someone who might be important to you. Be active in passing out your business cards when the time is right.
- Think of a slogan – this, however, may not suit everyone, but catchy slogans surely serve well for the company's image and make its brand memorable in consciousness of people. An effective slogan makes you and your company easier to remember.
The performance of a business card depends on its appearance. When choosing a business card it is worth thinking about impressing the receiver and that's when colors, designs, shapes and font come into the act. Remember that different colors have different influence on people, which is why it is crucial to choose the proper color for your business card.
Special requirements also go to fonts, spacing as well as the background of a business card. Strict rules should be taken into consideration when writing the content for the card. Get acknowledged with the useful information regarding business cards and make your personal business card impressive.
Details to consider when making a
business card:
1. People
Name of the person.
(Nickname)
Title
Affiliations
Professional/academic descriptions
2. Place
Pronunciation of atypical names
Department name
Company's street address
City/state/state abbreviation
Zip+4/postal code
Home street
3. Communication
Mobile phone number
Fax phone number
Home phone number
E-mail address
URL
4. Details
Office hours
Time zone
Map/directions
5. Orientation
Company's name
Business description
Product/service categories
Invitation
Photo
Logo
Organizational affiliations
Sponsorships
The Effect Created by 4 Colors
Some professionals
assure that the more colors a product has the better it sells. Colorful
packages are very successful due to the fact that people get attracted to
bright colors. Despite the famous saying, everyone still "judges the book by its cover", meaning that people
(especially children) are highly influenced by colors. Thus a colorful product
has a good potential to becoming popular. The same goes to business cards. If
you look forward to gain success in today's highly competitive market, you have
to apply to multiple colors (still note that colorful business cards mostly
suit people that have their profession linked with creativity, for example
advertising agents).
A very impressive business card is the one that has been printed in four different colors. Please remember that today there are lots and lots of ways to create four color printing. Modern equipment allows the creation of multiple-color business cards literary in no time. In addition there are firms that grant a discount for color printing. Thus you may become the owner of an eye-catching business card by spending less time and money.
The majority of
printing firms offer two types of four color printing process. One refers to procedure printing, which is often used
for styles and pictures that require luminous coloration. The most often
applied colors in this process include cyan, magenta, yellow
and black. By applying such diversities of coloration, you may gain
various tints, hues and tones.
A good printer can generate and mix the four available colors in a way that in the end the developed style will reach its main goal. However, afterwards the effect is still going to be defined by the initial planning and design. In case you are not satisfied with the quality of the printer, consider choosing another one.
The second method of color printing refers to spot printing. Hues are applied on plates and then are separately imprinted in order to create changeable shades and nuances.
With a wide range of inventive tools and gears that people can use today, there is no doubt that four color printing isn't hard to generate. This is the main reason why individuals are engaged in it. Note that it is quite easy to obtain four color printing. There are various options to choose from if you go online and surf the web. When choosing the one you consider suits you best, think about the price you will pay and the time required for the printing.
Tip: Before placing an order of a business card, investigate the price list of the firm offering such services and its printing quotes.
While some people have a good job and look forward to contact potential customers, others either have been fired or quit their jobs, being in search for something more suitable or thinking about starting their own business. The latter, for some strange reason do not own a business card, probably thinking that only those currently employed should have business cards. This is not right, because a business card is only a card that serves as a means of contacting a person. Owning a business card doesn't mean that one should be employed at a profitable job. Business cards are created for people to offer their contact details.
Hints provided
below will be of much help to those who are in search for a new job:
- It
is worth investing in good-imprinted business card. Remember that your
business card tells much about yourself. Thus paying attention to the quality
of your business card is crucial; it is the mirror of your image, creativity
and style. At the same time you shouldn't spend a lot of money on a high-class
business card in case you cannot afford a business card with a cool design. Try
to have a simple one; at least it's better than nothing.
- Let the design of your business card be simple. Impressive business card doesn't have to have a fascinating design and you don't have to spend a lot of money on it. When ordering a business card the main thing to remember is that the letters on the card should be large enough so the receiver could easily understand the words. Your card really doesn't need any ornate font. Most printing firms may help you with the planning of a business card.
- Do not include your personal phone number. Consider keeping your personal information private. There is no need to equip the business card with your personal phone number so the kids or someone else wouldn't answer the call and take note from your potential employer. It is safer to leave the number of your mobile phone. Thus you'll be able to answer any incoming call and talk in a more professional way. This rule also refers to your e-mail. Don't use e-mail addresses such as ready2party@yahoo.com so you won't spoil the first impression. A better e-mail address would be for instance info@spencer.com.
- State
a position. A lot of people, when looking for a new job, are concerned
about the position they must include on their business card. Consider posting
on a business card the position linked with your previous job experience.
Although the position of an "Assistant" might be a great example,
some consider this term as a more general one. In case you held the position of
a human resource manager, you may write on your business card "Human
Resource Consultant." The professional in the field of information
technology can rely on the title of a Database Management Expert.
- After
the cards are created, keep them always with you. Live is
unpredictable, you never know what might happen and who you could meet. Keeping
your business card permanently in your pocket will undoubtedly be helpful,
making your card work for you. A buck of cards should also be left in your car,
your case, some clothes you often wear and every pocket of your coat. It is
like a lottery ticket that some day might help you find your dream job.
Business Card Cases
Holders of business cards are useful business tools
for surfing through business cards and finding contact information of a certain
person or company. A business card holder is also important for your image. An
eye-catching card case is an effective instrument that can create a good first
impression. While the main goal is surely the design of your business card,
outlining your contact information, a stylish business card holder will never
spoil the first impression.
Having a business card holder may serve you well when starting up a dialog regarding your personal business activity. For instance when a person offers his business card you won't have to stick it in a bunch of other crumpled business cards you stored somewhere in a pocket. Having a business card case is easy and it builds you the image of a successful and accurate, competent person, who takes his business seriously.
Another advantage of a business card holder is linked with the handling of business cards, meaning that if you handle one's card carefully, storing it in your holder, then you might motivate the person to store your card accurately as well, without folding it or even disposing of it.
There are different ways to express yourself besides words. Color is probably the most popular means of expression. It influences almost instantly and is one of the fastest methods of transmitting information.
Every color has its influence. The human's eye instantly catches the signal given by a color, which is why various colors are widely used in business, especially in product marketing, where they serve as tools that facilitate sales of different products. Each product or product category has its own effective color. The influence of colors is subconscious and most often customers are unaware of the fact that they are being persuaded.
Combining colors is a very powerful instrument as well. Color associations are very important to keep in mind in order to create an effective business card. Choose colors for your business card that you consider might be advantageous for you. The meanings of some widely used colors are stated below to help you.
Red
Red is the color that refers to fire, blood and is often associated with
danger, power and war. However, it may also be associated with passion and
love. It is the color of emotions and its effects include the increase of
respiration and blood pressure. Red is a highly visible color, which is why a lot of signs are written in it, including
stop signs. A red text is always in the foreground. Red is often used to push
people toward some action. In advertising it serves as a tool of promoting games, cars and some drinks. It
may also serve well for the promotion of lipstick
and other cosmetics products that
suggest erotic feelings.
Yellow
This is the color of sunshine; it brings joy and happiness and is often
associated with intellect and energy. Yellow creates the effect of
warming, increasing cheerfulness. It may also serve great for mental activity
stimulation. In advertising yellow is associated with food. The overuse
of yellow is not recommended. Only when written on a black background a yellow
text can be easily readable. It is an attention catcher.
Advertisers use yellow to promote products for children as well as items linked with leisure. Very often men perceive this color as childish, thus it is not recommended for serious business man. Yellow cannot suggest safety, since it is the color of instability. Men will never sell a yellow BMW or wear a business suit painted yellow.
Blue
This is the color of sky. Blue is associated with stability and serves as a symbol of wisdom, loyalty, confidence and truth. It is believed that blue is good for body and mind and it
also creates a calming effect. In advertising blue is used to promote goods and
services that refer to cleanliness, air and sky and water. When marketing high-tech products, this color implies
precision.
Researchers noticed that blue is a masculine color. This color should not be used when promoting food and cooking since it represses appetite. In case some other colors are applied in combination with blue, the effect can be quite sharp. A great combination is blue-yellow-red.
-
In China,
blue refers to eternity.
- In ancient Egypt blue referred to protection against evil for the pharaohs.
Black
Black is in fact lack of color. It mainly refers to authority, sexuality,
style, horror, rage and death, but it is also a perfect technical color. In ancient Rome and
Black represents mystery and it is also associated with fear or something unknown. Very often the word "black" is used with a negative meaning, for instance "blacklist." However, this color denotes authority and power and is considered to be an elegant color, take for example a black Mercedes.
In combination with red, which is also a powerful color, black provide an extremely aggressive color design.
White
White refers to light, purity and innocence. White is the antonym of
black, it brings positive feelings. Advertisers use this color to promote
products that refer to cleanliness and freshness. White may also be applied
when promoting high-tech products. Because this color is often associated with
doctors and hospitals, it may be applied to medical products.
Green
Green symbolizes nature, health, youth and energy. But it
may also be associated with bad luck or envy. Green is a healing color.
- In France it is not a good color for packaging.
- In ancient Greece green referred to victory.
- Some tropical countries use green to mark danger.
Non-standard Business Card Design
Most of the companies use a classic design for business cards, and namely they apply a black text on a white paper. When you want to impress you potential customers a special design would be more advantageous. With an unusual business card you will most likely outrun your competitors.
Today's technology
allows the creation of various designs. Modern
technology allows placing colors and insert text virtually on any type of
material, be it plastic, metallic or wooden. You may order a business card from torn money or made from stretchy magnet. However, before diving
into the ocean of creativity when picking a business card, you must use your
brain and ask yourself some questions, such as: what do you need a business
card for? Is it a great first impression you are looking for or an effective
way to present contact information about yourself?
Obviously your business card should be easy to remember and at the same time deliver the necessary information about yourself. The key here is to be original and creative. Original business cards imply great advantages.
The Benefits of
Unusual Business Card Design
- Such card is noticeable. If you don't have enough carma and you are not the kind of eye-catching person that becomes popular in school and then in the office, then a creative business card may fix the situation.
- Unusual and creative business cards have more chances of being retained.
- A business card made of a long-lasting material such as plastic, wood or metal will serve as a symbol of stability and dependability.
- A business card made of particular material may have connections with your business, meaning that in case you deal with metal, your card might be metallic or if you make, for instance, furniture your business card might be of wood.
- Non-standard business cards imply unusual usage. Take for example a peel-and-stick business card, which can also be used as an alternative to magnetic cards.
Printing Business Cards
The printing of business cards is performed on a form of card stock,
which features the precise parameters, estimated according to the national or
local standards, required effect and type of printing and price. Usually
business cards use stock that weights 350 g/m2 or are 12pt thick.
Business cards of high quality, which do not feature full-color photos, are usually printed using colors on a sheet-fed press. Today there are companies that even trademark their spot colors, for instance UPS refers to brown and Yahoo to purple. In case the logotype of a business card uses one color and the type another, then the technique is considered to be two color. If considering the needs of your business card you may add some extra spot colors. Using digital printing, you may save money on printing your business card in full color.
In order to reproduce the effect of a "raise print," which implies printing with engraved plates,
people developed a special process dubbed thermography.
This process is less costly and it involves the usage of a plastic powder,
applied to the wet ink. When the cards go by a heating unit, the latter melts
the plastic onto the card. The same effect can be reached if spot UV glaze onto
matte laminate.
Business cards that feature multiple colors, also called full color
cards, are created using sheet-fed presses as well. The main difference is the
use CMYK four-color printing technique. The abbreviation stands for cyan,
magenta, yellow, and black, the four colors. Parts of every color are printed
over one another, thus creating a broad range of colors. The main disadvantage of
this particular method is linked with the fact that screened colors, after a
more detailed examination may reveal tiny dots. In contrast, spot color
business cards are printed usually solid. It is advised that spot colors are
used for plain cards with line art.
Below there are some examples of terminology used in full color
printing:
-
4/0 - Full Color
Front / No Back
-
4/1 - Full Color
Front / One color to reverse
- 4/4 - Full Color Front / Full Color Back
These terms are pronounced as "four back one" or "four back zero."
Every business card can be covered with a UV lustrous coat, which is applied just like ink. The coat is applied upon the card with the help of an extra unit on a sheet-fed press. In addition a card may not be entirely covered with glossy coat - some areas of the business card can be left uncoated, thus making an additional design prospective.
You may also print business cards using a digital copier, which applies toner baked onto both sides of the card. Usually these business cards required lighter stocks for printing so the printer won't be damaged. In order to make the card thicker and thus more durable a UV coating or a plastic lamination should be used.
For speeding up the manufacturing of business cards, experts use UV
coats along with some other coats, including Aqueous
Coatings. Business cards that are still wet will offset, meaning that
the ink from the front of one business card will reach the back of the
following card. Usually UV coatings are very lustrous; you are more likely to
leave your finger print on them. Aqueous Coatings, on the other hand, are less
noticeable and they increase the durability of a business card. In case you
want to obtain an extremely durable business card, which would be uncoated,
then you may consider applying to dull aqueous coatings used upon uncoated
stock.
During the process of business card creation, in case the color expands to the edge of the finished cut size, bleeds are used. Bleeds is a term that refers to the extension of printed lines or extension of colors away from the boarder where the paper is going to be cut. The bleeds are given to ensure that the paper will be cut without white edges because of an extremely small divergence in the area where the cards are cut. White line can appear if being just a hair off. The blade will then pull the paper during the cutting process.
Images may also jump from one paper to another. This is called bounce. The bounce is usually off by a hairline on an offset press. However it can be larger if working with lower end equipment such as, for instance, a duplicator press. Generally bleeds are an additional 1/8 to ¼ in to all edges of the business card.
-
Bleed Size: 3.75 ×
-
Cut Size: 3.5 ×
Methods of Making Business Cards
Generally there are three methods of creating a business card. These include: foil stamping, serigraphy, and offset printing. There are times, however, when a person needs to save time or money. This is the case when a business card can be easily printed on inkjet or laser printer and afterwards laminated. It is important to note that such cards are of little help to their owner, as they do very little for the image, and may in fact spoil the impression about a person offering them.
Below the three types of manufacturing business cards are presented in detail and you can find out about the differences of these methods and how can you figure out if a business card was manufactured using one method or another.
Foil Stamping
This method is
very recognizable due to the fact that the characters of the paper are slightly
presses in the business card. The technology behind foil stamping method
implies printing a foil image onto the base of the business card. Note that the
foil image might be of any color. Business cards that have foil logotypes that
feature colors playing like the colors of soap bubbles were created with the
help of a special holographic foil imprinting, which is sort of stamping as
though made from inside, raising letters and images over the surface of the
card in low relief.
Serigraphy
This method implies the printing of a color image on the business card's surface using a special silk-screen. A business card made using this method can be spotted thanks to a slight relief of the image over the surface. This method does not require special manufacturing facility.
Offset Printing
This method is applied by printing houses when manufacturing booklets, posters and books. It is considered to be a professional technique used for printing business cards. This method implies a wide range of colors.
Many alternatives can be applied on a business card. Unique features may vary from simple copy methods to ultra-modern ones, including embossing and foil stamping. Several methods are stated below.
Text on a Track
This method is used to gain interest to a certain field on a business card. The method implies a line of text, which follows the trace of an item (for instance the logo of the company).
Reverse Type
This type shows the text in white on the obverse and an analog colorful text on
the reverse. The reverse type may provide extra influence on your business card
design.
Bleeds
This method refers to the
printing cards that run off the edge of the piece of paper. This attribute
influences positively the value of your business card, illustrating that the
card should have been of a bigger size.
Screen
Tints
These tones can be applied to create a shadowed effect on your business card.
Quite often they are applied to logos.
Thermography
This printing method creates an image in relief. Thermography is quite often
used on business cards as it gives them a great appearance.
The Reverse of
Your Business Card
A good business
card always has something on its reverse, which should be at least as
good as the card's front side. Very
often the backside of a business card is used to provide the main points of its
owner's business, list satisfied customers or products the giver offers. The
backside of a business card should not be overfilled with information; instead
it should include something that would favor the card's owner. It is worth
mentioning that white space obverse and reverse is the mark of an expert.
The reverse should serve as a personal ad of the card's owner, as a promotion tool. The only thing you should copy from the front side of your business card is your name. You may consider placing some important information on the reverse, such as the phone numbers of police, fire and hospital. A calendar may also be included. There are also business cards that feature useful hints, exchange tables or charts.
A great idea would be to leave enough space on the backside for future handwriting some
additional information, not listed in the business card, such as private phone
number.
Tip: If the obverse of the business card includes a colorful design, the
reverse should be printed in black and white. Besides, it is less costly.
The Company Logo
on a Business Card
Note that logotypes are used mainly for international firms. They are suitable for any firm, which looks
forward to obtain the respect of its customers through its skillful image and
work. The logo is a very important tool in branding.
It works better when placed on business
cards, receipts, invoices as well as publicity.
In case you have a website, the logo should feature on its every page. In addition, it's worth noting that most companies place their logos on virtually all of its promotional items, such as calendars and key chains.
The main goal of logotype promotion is to make your business more visible in a group of competitors and get hold of recognition.
The design of a business card logo is simplistic. This is mainly because today there are a lot of software programs that might be of great help. If you don't have the possibility to use these software programs you might consider applying to a designer, who would do the work. When personally creating a logotype you should be aware of certain rules:
- The logo on a business card should be memorable. It should be simplistic so
other could easily reproduce it. In addition a simple logo is quite identifiable.
- The logo should not include a wide range of colors. It should neither be dark
nor featuring saturated colors.
- The logo of a company should have tangency points with company's production. Take for example car industry, when logos include the initial of the company's name included in a quite simplistic shape: General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Volvo etc.
Choosing the color of the logo is anything but simple, mainly because each color has its effect on people and may not be suitable for certain types of products. Take for instance yellow – a serious company would probably not choose this color, because, as it was mentioned previously, yellow is a childish color.
Tip: Brown is really not a good color for a business card.
The logo on your business card has to be flexible, so to be able to meet all of
your promotional requirements.
Choosing
Photographs
When picking the design for your business card, it is
worth thinking on whether to place your photograph or not. The same refers to
logo, graphics and other elements besides text. These details should be taken
into consideration depending on who is going to receive them and where will
they be distributed.
Undoubtedly your business card may attract new
customers. A business card, if attractive enough and designed correctly, may in
fact turn into a small billboard. Attractive "small billboards"
should be colorful, easy to read, and comprehensible in terms of the main
service and advantages of your business.
In case you consider providing your business card to existing clients or to your colleagues, you may add extra contact information. There is no need of repeating the information about your business.
Such details as photographs, logotypes and graphics are great tools for catching the attention of your business card. It is worth taking into consideration the pros and cons when thinking about adding graphic to your business card.
Advantages of Photos:
- Name/Face recognition - in case your name cannot tell about your
gender or it is unknown to the receiver of your business card, a business card
with a photo will serve you well. Your photo on a business card may also
benefit you when contacting a client via phone or email.
- Encourages self-confidence - such businesses as, for instance, real estate, public speaking, implies a lot of trust and confidence. Posting your photo on a business card can be of great help to receivers to get to know you better.
- Generates interest to you business card.
Disadvantages of Photos:
- Very often people judge a person by his or her face – it is in human's blood to judge other people by the way they look. Every detail may affect a person's way of appreciating you, including gender, age, race, dress and the look of your face.
- A photo may show how old is your business card – you will have to change your business card after a while.
In case you want your photo to feature in your business card you should not skimp on it. Your image depends on the quality of your photo, thus you need to get in touch with a professional photographer, who would make a picture really worth your money.
It is worth mentioning that every graphic detail on your business card should be made by a professional designer, who knows what should be included and where it needs to feature.
Standard clipart is not for a serious business card since prospects might consider you a businessman who cannot afford good quality artwork. Your business card may become more recognizable and memorable if it features monogrammed initials. However, these do not include contact information and cannot be really good reason to contacting you.
A colorful background is a great way to make your business card look attractive. When picking the background for your business card it is worth considering the color of the text so the two could compete with each other and it would be easier for the prospect to read the information provided of the business card. It should also be mentioned that colors differently influence human's perceptions.
Tips:
-
Don't make your
own business cards;
-
Don't apply big
letters for your contact information and address;
-
Think before
making a metal business card, especially if you fly by plane often;
-
A business card
with lots of colors and a picture of you on it is not a good idea;
-
The edges of your
business card should be rounded;
- Consider margins.
History of the Business Card
Today's business cards were mainly influenced by three different ancestors, and namely:
All three have their own niche in history and each one of them was used for a specific purpose. They all had a different evolution. These cards illustrate one of the earliest forms of advertising, at the same time playing an important role in society for several centuries. Every card was very important for its owner, as it carried great business and social importance. Although we live in a technologically advanced environment, business cards still have their niche in it, being important for advertising and used for connecting different individuals, who carry the same goals.
The Story of Bearer Cards
For the first time bearer cards were noticed in the late 16th century. They were created either in England or France. The main goal of bearer cards was to provide an official means of informing intent or obligation. Usual bearer cards were in fact ordinary playing cards, upon which a person left his signature. Bearer cards served as tools of conveying debt, they could be used as promissory notes and carried the power of law. Supposedly there were also particular cards developed exclusively for the upper classes. On such cards there was engraved the likeness of the bearer, however, not one of those types of cards survived till nowadays.
Visiting Cards
In
Quite soon, offering "Visite Bilete" turned into a polite means of asking for an audience. Such means was applied for both ladies and gentleman. Even in the 17th century the design of the card had a high influence on the receiver, thus the more stylish the card was, the better it was accepted. In a while presenting a "Visite Bilete" became an official etiquette of the French court.
The calling cards were tools used to transmit certain messages and as a real (material) evidence of having met certain requirements. The oldest calling card that survived till nowadays dates back to 1786, being printed in Germany. Most cards of that time were quite simple; however, some cards were quite pompous, featuring gold and silver letter.
The predecessors of business cards, calling cards were mainly effective letters of introduction. These cards were quite popular within the upper classes, which had a rather specific etiquette. The tradition of "calling" was partially based on the custom of "visiting" and partially on the tradition of the court. As time passed, these traditions transformed into a set of rules created by society. These rules were used to people living in both small towns and large cities. There differed very little from one country to another, and were able to reach even Russia and Far East. An example of a calling etiquette is provided below:
Every home had a card tray made
either of silver or wood. It was set on a hall table next to the door. The tray
was a tool set for receiving calling cards. After the arrival, the caller asks
for permission to enter the house and then the servant shows caller the card
tray. Near the tray there may have also been a pad and a pencil, for necessity.
A very important aspect of the tradition was the way a calling card was presented. For instance it was very important for a gentleman to have a card for every lady of the house, when he was about to make the first call. After being in a society for at least a year, every lady should have had her own card. If a card was folded in the middle, it was a signal that the call is on several family members or the whole family. The caller could also consider writing specific abbreviations, each implying a certain meaning. The caller could write the abbreviations by hand. Below there are some types of abbreviations:
- p.p. – This is a typical abbreviation for introduction; the letters stand for "pour presenter."
- p.f. – This abbreviation served for congratulations; the letters stand for "pour féliciter."
- p.r. – This abbreviation was used to communicate one's thanks; the letters stand for "pour remercier."
- p.c. – This abbreviation
served as an expression of mourning; the letters stand for "pour
condoléance."
- p.f.N.A. – This is a Happy New Year abbreviation; the letters stand for "pour feliciter Nouvel An."
- p.p.c. – This abbreviation was used to take leave; the letters stand for "pour prendre conge."
The goal of the caller is to leave the calling card to the servant, who then delivers the card to the hostess. After the hostess has examined the card, the caller is allowed to see her. In case there has been no acknowledgement, the caller should understand that the hostess currently does not wish to set a meeting. Gentlemen were not allowed to look through the calling cards in the tray; this is because a gentleman doesn't have the right to know who calls upon a lady.
A gentleman coming from the United States should note that he should not fold the corner of his calling card. In contrast, the European gentlemen do so in order to show that the card has been delivered by them, but the servant is not allowed to give a folded card to his master.
Although it is considered that the first to invent the cards were the French, the Chinese claim that their ancestors were the first ones to use cards and it happened shortly after they created explosive powder. However, the German card from 1786 is the only evidence that survived till nowadays. Due to some specific rules of use, the cards became very popular within the 19th century.
Trade cards
The first trade cards appeared early in the 17th century in London.
Trade cards were mostly used to help customers find the store of a particular
merchant. This is because at that time there was no official street numbering
system.
The printing industry was not highly developed and newspapers included far from qualitative images. Printing different illustrations was very complicated and required intensive work. Woodcut or letterpress was used to print some of the first trade cards. Such method of printing was considered to be expensive. During the 18th century a new method came into play. The copperplate engraving became very popular. Till 19th century trade cards were quite simple, featuring simple tones. Some of them were hand painted and such cards are very sought after pieces today.
There was a great need in business cards and as their popularity grew, trade cards became one of the most effective types of advertising. They were cheap and easy o handle to the customer. The business in the 19th century developed and so did the production of trade cards. People started exchanging trade cards more often. Now industry allowed the creation of a more complex design for the cards.
Somewhere around
Only after the Civil War the color printing of trade
cards became a trend in the
In the follow-up decade, trade cards started appearing in stores around
At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th,
the technology registered a great improvement. Thus newspapers and periodicals
were widely used due to their low price and because they were more practical.
Advertising based on printing saw a great development. It became more
affordable and the production of trade cards started decreasing.
When the Food and Drug Administration set new rules it highly affected the advertising for patent medicines. Due to a great reduction in this field of advertising, nearly all producers of trade cards lost their business.
After the US Post Office launched in 1898 its new
postal regulations, it made postcards very cheap and a lot of people could
afford them. In this period post cards became a new trend in the
In the contemporary life, trade cards are treated as something new. Event in a technologically improved ambiance trade cards show an impressive output for many businesspersons.
Business cards
About a century ago it was very important for
aristocrats to known which corner of their visiting card should be folded to
call on to ask about the health of the master, when considering leaving the
card with a footman.
The upper class used visiting cards as an important attribute of etiquette. It is worth mentioning that the rules of using visiting class were quite complicated. A hundred of years ago visiting cards were part of the polygraphic art, they were considered to be masterpieces.
The first businessmen used cards to make themselves notices and in such a way were the first to influence the trend of changing the design. After the popularity of visiting cards grew, the polygraphic industry registered a great increase. People asked for even more original and complicated card designs. New, even more appealing cards appeared. Those that had a very expensive card were appreciated higher and considered more fanciful.
During the period when a new social group appeared and
continued growing (i.e. private entrepreneurs) these individuals quite often
needed to exchanged their contact data. This was the main reason why private
entrepreneurs started printing out their own cards, as the polygraphic industry
had a lot of orders and did not manage to print fast and in high amount cards
for entrepreneurs. Thus appeared business cards, which were surely cheaper than
cards printed by the polygraphic industry, but at least they had all the
necessary contact information. Private entrepreneurs offered their business
cards at various exhibitions and presentations.
Today it is still easy to find a difference between two types of business
cards, those that are fanciful and business cards that are functional.
The goal of the fanciful business cards is to make it clear that everything is possible for the owner of the business card. It is believed that the more impressive the design of the business card s, the more materials are used to manufacture it, the more sophisticated is the procedure of making the business card, the better. The main idea of a fanciful business card is to show its uniqueness. Its content is in the "background," little attention is pain to it in contrast to the design. A stylish business card, citing Vladimir Dal, is made for "conventional, non-business, visits and friendly calls."
On the other hand a functional business card pays more attention to functionality. Such cards are very popular in Western countries. These business cards are important for company workers who need to have good relationships with the clients.
Businesspersons from the
On the contrary, business cards were very popular a