The history and etiquette of business cards dates back to the 17th century, when, in Europe, they were used to announce the arrival of prosperous merchants and aristocrats. By quickly conveying who you are, what you do, and how to contact you, these simple and effective prompts are yet to be bettered.

The cost of business cards is trivial compared to most other sales and marketing tools, yet they hold great potential to build connections and win business. When you meet someone in person, presenting a business card will help forge an early impression of you, your brand, and your values. And after the meeting, your card will serve as a handy reminder, keeping you and your organisation front of mind.

For business cards to have impact, we think there are three things to consider – design, materials, and functionality.

business card design

Although small (usually only the size of a credit card), there is always scope to be creative when designing business cards. An experienced graphic designer should be able to suggest ways to present contact information clearly and showcase your brand authentically. Try to avoid the temptation to include too much information – focus on the main details your cards need to convey.

Finishing techniques such as embossing, die-stamping, foil blocking, lamination, and spot varnishes can be used to make logos stand out and add interest and texture. And if you don’t want to be confined by space, a folded business card will provide additional real estate while retaining the overall size.

If you’re feeling really creative, you could even consider creating a business card with a unique shape – a light bulb for an electrician, a spanner for mechanical services, for example.

However you decide to make your business cards memorable, remember that their primary purpose is to make it easy for people to get in touch. It’s imperative your contact details are clear and, of course, correct. 

what paper is best for business cards?

As with anything printed, business cards are tactile and will create an impression as soon as they are held. The weight and texture of the board you choose should be considered part of the statement you want your cards to make.

Many of the business cards we produce are printed on a smooth board, then laminated on both sides for a stay-clean, professional finish. An uncoated board can look and feel more sophisticated, especially when there is little ink coverage, and the surface texture is visible. Coloured boards can create interesting effects too, and there are endless options to mix inks and cards of different colours or create layered cards by bonding different coloured boards together.

We’re always happy to show customers the range of materials available, including recycled boards, and to advise on the most suitable paper for the design you have in mind. And because we can exclusively print on Carbon Balanced or Carbon Captured paper, you can celebrate using sustainable business cards.

functional business cards

Want your business cards to work harder? Here are a few of the ways you can adapt these pocket-sized sales tools to do more:

promotions

Promote offers and discounts, or make your business card double up as a loyalty card. Include a QR (Quick Response) code linked to a landing page on your website.

appointment cards

Add an area for recording appointments, so your clients will never miss a meeting and always have your contact details to hand.

pricelists

Include the prices of key services as an added incentive for customers to keep your card for easy reference.

portfolios

Mix things up by creating a set of business cards that showcase different product images, work examples, or brand colours on the reverse.

business cards and other stationery

Creating business cards with a strong, memorable design will help make a great first impression, but don't consider your cards in isolation. Every organisation has multiple customer touchpoints, and each one is an opportunity to make a positive impression. Find out more about how we can help you design and produce a suite of stationery aligned to your organisation’s brand identity.

To discuss business card design and printing, or ways to align the look and feel of your business stationery across online and offline touchpoints, please get in touch on 01865 242098 or via the button below.