Yet people —and particularly businessmen— still carry around small stacks of business cards, giving them away at every chance they get and at the slightest provocation. Don’t ever tell a businessman you’ll call and he will give you his card, faster than you can say “Jack Robinson”, whoever he is, regardless of whether he has given you one earlier.

This only proves business cards still play a vital role in business or even everyday life, because even those not in business, such as students, have calling cards in their names. Why so? A number of reasons have been advanced as to the business card’s functions, and they range from as a source of personal pride to a business tool.

The functions of a business card

As a business advertising tool. A business card will normally contain the owner’s name, form or list of business or service rendered, phone or contact number/s, and some sort of catchphrase or slogan for the business. In this way the holder will immediately see in the card if the card owner is the appropriate solution to his immediate needs. So actually the card acts as a kind of ‘sleeper’ or inactive advertising for the owner, accessed when needed.

As a social link. Many people accept other people’s business cards and promptly forget both the card and the person right afterwards. Then the card is remembered when the holder needs to contact the card owner socially, and so the card is dredged up from the dustbin of ‘where-did-I-place-it’ questions. Or, you may not care what the guy sells, but he is so hunky…

As a travelling reference. If you know a friend who requires his boat engine serviced and you bump into someone who does that, you may wish to request his card to pass to your friend, who might later pass it on to another with similar needs. Without the card, neither potential customer will remember the boat engine service provider when the service is required. With it, the card owner may well capture a whole boating association.

As a personal affectation. It is simply classy to give away business cards, even if the owner has no business. It gives the owner a feeling of ‘superiority’ -for lack of a more appropriate term-over others. It is also a lot easier to just hand a receptionist, say, your business card instead of explaining who you are.

So, the card

Different people have different uses for a business card and if you think one reason is enough, then you’re wrong. A business card does all of the above, and often, more.

This is also a consideration when selecting the paper used in your business card printing, as there are generally a number of options available to you including a recycled paper option. The recycled paper is only slightly thinner than the usual paper or card used for standard business card printing, but will contribute towards your sustainability policy and saving the environment. The same options should be available for other kinds of paper-based promotional materials such as flyers and leaflets.

When designing your flyers, you can tie them into so that they match your business card design. Cards Made Easy have a number of different paper options available, including recycled paper for flyers and leaflets over 300gsm in thickness.

Other paper types include matt and gloss (both laminated and not laminated) and silk. As well as having the recycled option, using a flyer made of a paper of this thickness will give it a more professional look and feel, meaning that it is more likely to be looked at by potential clients rather than thrown away.

Flyers are also available in different sizes, from A6 through to A4, and can either be folded or one single or double sided page. All of Cards Made Easy’s printing services are as environmentally-friendly as possible, as they use digital printing to create less waste and avoid the use of harmful chemicals.

They also won the Carbon Smart award in 2010 for reducing their carbon footprint through these measures and consequently helping their customers to do the same through the materials that they purchase from them.

The Article is written by www.cardsmadeeasy.com providing Business Card Printing and Business Card Uk. Visit http://www.cardsmadeeasy.com for more information on www.cardsmadeeasy.com

A good business card should not be taken for granted as an item for announcements, to connect with your clients or a way for you to obtain connections.  Business card is a form of self promotion and relays the information about you and what you do or rather what your company is all about.  If your business card doesn’t provide you with sales or make your business stand out, this just proves that your business card isn’t effective at certain level.

A lot of individuals think that business cards are the sole advertisement method that is effective; though this thought is mostly common among people who are just new comers in the world of commerce.  The general method of idea is that a business card is easily thought up as well as generated from the comfort of one’s house or one’s desktop and that is sufficient enough for new business associates to get recognition or sales from clients.  Unfortunately, this is not the case.

Honestly, business cards is an effective item that has been taken for granted.  Having a business card that is elegant and specialized will allow customers to have an idea of how you are and how your company is like where else a card that is made in the comforts of your house just provides customer with the idea that you are not an expert at what you do.

Here is a list of 23 tips in designing good business card:

1. Choose convincing pictures that represents your product, business or company.
2. Ensure your business card is done in a manner that it attracts and maintain your clients’ interest.
3. Ensure your business card is made out of 100 pound card stock and various array of colors.
4. Using images that toys with people feelings have been noted to be very appropriate however some images may not be suited to a commerce environment.
5. Choosing cards that are made out of plastic, colorful cards or something out of the ordinary will give you the opportunity to not be easily forgotten.
6. Think of your business card in various sizes and diameter.  You can make your business card to represent the item you are selling just to stand out.
7. Allow the idea of your business card to be in perpendicular form as it will surely get you noticed.
8. Having your business card made to double folding or triple folding can act as a small catalogue.
9. Come up with various card designs so that people will be excited to obtain your business card and enhance their card collection.
10. Think of adding a tune or music file on your card.  You could even ensure your card smells nice however some individuals can be sensitive to certain smells.
11. You must make sure your card has the necessary ways for people to get in touch with you such as the name of your business, business location, telephone digits, facsimile digits, online sites as well as electronic mail address.  Do not forget to add in your given name as well as your occupation.
12. Do not worry about the money you will be spending on those cards.  Spending a bit more on your card will go a long way so do not thrift on the amount.  Getting the best on your business card will have more people calling you thus enhancing your business even more.
13. Having two different cards could enhance your sales way beyond your imagination.  People can see you have taken your time as well as your creative side is waiting to be flourished.
14. Ensure your business card states your company brand, image or realistic pictures which should also be on your business advertising brochures or presentation.
15. Have a marketing one liner ready.  This one liner will normally hit a cord in terms of feelings as well as provide your products with a relate ability factor.  It also provides your clients with a reason to choose you as their provider.
16. Do not choose a writing that people cannot understand as this will loose you a few customers.
17. Do not ever give out business cards that contain old contact details, post or even address.  You will appear as an unprofessional person.
18. Ensure the notes on your card are a summary instead of a long write up.  People can loose interest even before you know it.
19. The behind of your card should contain important points about your services, customer reviews, offer on your services or even encourage people to try out your services for free.  The behind of the card will make people remember you easily.
20. If you realize you are not using at least 1000’s of business cards in on year, you are loosing out on all the businesses that is out there for you to penetrate.  So, change your gear and make your business card work for you.
21. The best way to see if your business card is memorable for you, place your card amongst a bunch of other business card either on a hanging board or something and see whether your card entices you.  If it doesn’t, you know something is wrong.
22. If your client does not say anything about how good your card looks or anything about your card when you give it to them, this signals that the card does not have that WOW factor and will not be talked about.
23. Once you give a client your card, ensure you obtain their card as it will allow you to keep in touch with them thus expanding your business in a more flourished way.

Source: http://dzineblog.com

Double-sided business cards are a great way to display your logo or a creative element, such as a photo or graphic, without diminishing the focus on your contact information or name. Double-sided cards also are just more eye catching.

However, if your small business is trying to reduce expenses or you have no one in-house with design or printing experience, trying to make your own business cards might be difficult. The two primary reasons some organizations avoid double-sided business cards are difficulty in development and the loss of a writing surface.

In the past, every business card was printed on plain white card stock with simple personal details displayed on one side, and nothing on the other. This made writing a brief note on the backs of those cards easy, but these boring cards were also the first to be discarded when the person possessing them cleaned out their wallet.

The clear benefits to printing duplex cards are extra design features and more space to put important and unique company information. Full color business cards printed on both sides are common in today’s world of business.

A memorable photo that symbolizes a company’s standard or value proposition printed on one side of the card with the employee/employer contact information included on the other helps clients to remember who the card belonged to and why it was given.

Trying to create your own business card is difficult for those who are not professional designers or printers. Luckily, many online business card sites provide easy-to-use templates for whatever style of card you choose, so you can make your own business cards and stand out in the workforce.

Because a personalized card doubles as advertisement and a quick way to trade contact information, it is an indispensable part of any businessperson’s repertoire.

By: Jeremy Duboys

Article Directory

Jeremy Duboys is the owner and founder of AllBusinessCards.com. ABC specializes in custom business cards. Design business cards in minutes using an exclusive online business card design system.

Business card printing is as indispensable now as it ever was, despite recent eruptions of alternative methods for company profile promotion: pens, stickers and magnets are equally effective, but there are some situations in which only a business card will do.

Business cards seem to have their origins in the practice of leaving visiting cards so beloved of English high society in the 18th and 19th centuries. During the 1980s, they were much beloved of Japanese businessmen, who made their ritual exchange at the beginning of a meeting a high profile event. They are, in other words, class – and a measure of respect. Business card printing is essential if a company is to maintain the correct impression in circles where a magnet, a postcard or a pen just won’t do.

The choices involved in business card printing are indeed extremely important. Just as one’s clothes tend to say something about the way one wishes to be viewed (so you wear a suit for a wedding and shorts on the beach); so does one’s business card say a lot about the way one wants one’s company to be seen.

That means choosing the right type of card – matte; gloss; plastic; proper cardboard; embossed; plain; and so on – and also the correct font. Also, what information gets put on the card, and what gets left off? The more stuff there is on a card the more cluttered it looks – which makes the business putting the cards out on the meeting table look disorganised and flaky.

Business card printing has to be done right, then – and that’s a big responsibility. There are plenty of self-service type business card printing companies out there on the net, who’ll do up hundreds of cards for very little money.

But all that means is that someone who doesn’t know anything about design ends up making a hash of it and everyone looks silly at the next important meeting. Given that business card printing is so important, it should be left to professionals – like Mr Printerman, who have a design department that perform an active role in advising clients on how their cards ought to look.

A business card is a company’s first impression – and lasting face – where important business is done. Don’t let it fail the company image – get it done right and keep everyone happy.

By: Printerman Limited

Article Directory

Business card printing is hugely important for the look and profile of any company. Definitely not a DIY job – it should be left to the professionals.

According to marketing experts a business card is an affordable way to advertise your business or services. It represents you on paper and so it should reflect your style and class. The 10 essentials of a business card are:

1. Choose a paper that is durable and does not crumple. The size should not be unwieldy and the font should be readable.
2. Before you hand over details to a printer log on to the World Wide Web and view the many websites devoted to the designing of online business cards.
3. Type out on your computer basic information: name, profession, contact numbers, office address, e-mail and so on. If you have a website include the URL too.
4. Use a company logo if you have one.
5. Be innovative and include a picture of yourself.
6. Decide to be unique and have either a business card in two colors say black and red or use a touch of gold or sheen.
7. Nowadays many people have business cards that are plastic coated and so can withstand a great deal of wear and tear.
8. If you are bold choose shapes other than the standardized rectangle. The are shapes like square, round, triangle, and house shaped used by people in the real estate, design, and advertising industry. But think a bit before choosing a different shape, if you are quite and stylish a business card in an odd shape may stand out like a sore thumb.
9. If you have specially designed office stationary then you could create a business card that apes the “branding” of your business.
10. For printing you have two options you could print cards in your office printer if you only need a few or appoint a local printer to print business cards for all office employees.

The business card throughout your office should have the same design, color, and paper. Only the name, designation, and contact details should be changed. Make the business card a successful marketing tool and increase your business profits by giving out business cards to the right contacts.

Think about adding value to your business card by having a visible statement that delineates what you do. So, run a slogan either at the bottom of the business card or on the reverse. Some people use the reverse of the business card to print contacts of branches, or put a map indicating where the office is, or list what services the business covers. So think carefully and make the card send a lasting message that conveys who you are and what you do.

A business card is a valuable tool that is not very expensive so make the most of your business card.

By: Arthur Raise, Article Directory

Arthur Raise is a freelance writer for Free Business Cards , the premier website to find business card, cheap business cards, free business card, online business cards, business card printing, unique business cards, business card design, sample business cards, free business card template and many more.

Business cards are engraved or printed with a persons name, telephone number, address and business affiliation. They help market a business or the services provided by a professional. Well designed business cards are helpful in making a strong impression on people.

A business man should spend the necessary time to figure out the best business card that would help him communicate effectively with potential clients. Business cards are, after all, a personal statement made by an entrepreneur. Nowadays, custom made cards do not cost a great deal of money. In fact, a number of manufacturers encourage people to design their own cards, in addition to offering ready made templates. Even if the recipient of the card is not interested in the products or services provided by the business, a unique card has a greater chance of being retained rather than being thrown out.

Unique Business Cards

Metal Business Cards: Metallic business cards have become popular because they are durable, fade resistant and scratch proof. These cards are generally made of .010″ thick stainless steel and have a gold, silver, aluminum or brass finish. The necessary information is etched on the card using a process known as photochemical etching. The cost of the card depends on the metal used and the desired thickness of the card. The card can be designed by the person ordering the card or by a graphic artist employed by the card manufacturer.

A layout film that has the necessary details, is created and superimposed on the metal. The process of photochemical etching transfers the information from the layout film to the metallic card. This layout film has been designed for repeated use and is expensive. Discounts can be availed on bulk purchase. A metal business card definitely gets noticed and renders a classy image to the person disbursing the card. It also exudes confidence since it conveys the expectation that the card would be retained.

Folded Business Cards: Folded business cards are mini brochures intended to convey maximum information. The card can be used to convey and record a plethora of information including product description and pictures. A folded business card can also contain coupons, punch cards for frequent buyers and a map showing the location of the business. It can also be used to advertise sales.

For example, a restaurant owner can include recipes, as a gesture of goodwill. A good recipe will not be tossed out and would compel the recipient to retain the card. He may also be tempted to eat at the restaurant offering such culinary delights. Folded business cards may, however, include too many details and clutter the card with unnecessary information. While opting for a folded business card, one should ensure that the task of marketing the business is accomplished.

Designing a Unique Business Card

For people who are not interested in using a metal business card, effective and unique paper or a polycarbonate business card, can be designed in order to make a lasting impression and highlight the services provided. For instance, a person who owns a shop that sells swimsuits, can have a business card that shows the beach and youngsters frolicking in the sun. This would automatically help people connect having fun at the beach with shopping at a particular store. An orthodontist can have a picture of a tooth embossed on his card while a beautician can have a mirror or a pretty woman on hers. A cake shop owner should definitely have the picture of a luscious cake on his business card!

Metal, plastic or paper cards can be an effective marketing and advertising tool, for a businessman or a professional, provided a bit of creativity and imagination is used while designing the business card. A unique well designed business card will convey much more than what is actually embossed on it. It indicates the willingness of the businessman to go a step further in order to woo his customers.

By Aparna Iyer

Business cards are extremely essential if you wish to advertise or promote your business. They turn out to be a great help to people entering the business for the first time. Businessmen, as well as other professionals, need to give out cards to communicate with their clients. As business cards represent you, and at times, your company, they have to made with great care. Unusual business cards are gaining a lot of importance as some people wish to be distinct from the others.

Unusual Business Cards

Typical white colored business cards are common. Their better versions are the colorful ones with glossy or matte finish texture. Ready made templates of business cards are available with printers, but people are inclined to have innovative and creative business cards. Customized or personal business cards have become very popular of late.

Unusually shaped business cards, with a picture related to the business and made with attractive textures and fonts, are generally the more favored among unusual business cards. A business card should be such that the recipient should feel like preserving it. Unusual business cards have a higher probability of being kept rather than ordinary ones. Magnetic business cards are the latest trend in uncommon business cards. Let us take a closer look at these magnetic business cards.

Magnetic Business Cards

Magnetic business cards, as the name suggests, have a strip of magnet or a magnetic sheet attached at the back of the business card. This enables a person to stick these business cards to any metallic surface. The recipient can stick the card to a desk or locker, or even the refrigerator. It is a great marketing strategy, as the card can be viewed by the person literally on a daily basis. Some people even stick their own magnetic business cards on their cars as a further step in advertising.

Magnetic business cards are available in a myriad of colors and designs along with photos and logos. Fully colored business card magnets with attractive designs, catchy logos and a smooth silky finish can also be made. One can have them prepared to any size and shape. These cards can be printed from a local printer, or one can just order them online. Magnetic business cards can easily be made at home as well. Get small strips of magnets which can be stuck easily, and glue them to your existing business cards. This will indeed be an unusual business card, and go a long way in promoting your firm or business.

Magnetic signs and business cards are most useful for restaurateurs, workmen and agents as their services are needed frequently. Magnetic business cards are beneficial to both, businessmen as well as clients. Clients will no longer spend time in searching for contact numbers and businessmen will see their sales rise! Although they are more expensive than ordinary business cards, magnetic business cards are durable, wear resistant and also water proof. They can be even preserved by people as collectibles.

Business card magnets are also beneficial for holding photos or other papers on your refrigerator. They are also useful for long term marketing, as such magnetized cards are usually preserved by people for a long time. However, they should be of good quality in order to be durable. Magnetic notepads are also a great way of promoting your business. You can have magnetic notepads customized with your name as well as your company’s name. You can even stick your magnetic business cards to these magnetic notepads.

One should be original and creative in appealing to clients. A successful business is all about marketing. Unusual business cards will not only help your business be recognized and stand out from the rest, but will also boost your business sales considerably.

Selecting the right business card is quite essential to make the best first impression amongst your prospective clients. Though business cards not always go into the thrash due to their bad design, but the same is definitely one of primary reasons. If you want the clients to take interest in your business and feel like knowing more about it right after the first meeting, a business card can defined help it happen. While a client holds a bunch of such cards, it is the design and layout of your business card that will make it stand out and get noticed.

A cleverly designed business card definitely takes you one step ahead in promotion and marketing of your business. Yes, while everyone is searching for ways to promote their business, a simple little card can be enough for this task if it is designed well and lists the required information. So wondering how to design business cards? Well, there are various business card design ideas that you can consider while deciding your pick. Let us get some ideas and tips on designing an impressive business card.

Business Card Design Tips and Ideas

Decide the Base
When you start working on the business card design, the first thing to remember is the paper used. Now this is the base of your card and makes a huge impact in entire appearance of the same. Cheap quality paper is a strict no-no while designing your business card. You can have eco-frendly business cards made from recycled paper which look classy. Apart from plain thick cards you can also have those made of textured paper or those having embossed stripes or checker patterns. Untearable paper is popularly used in making business cards.

Think Out of the Box
As I said above, making your card look class apart is very essential and this is what you need to remember while designing one. While card paper, rectangle shape, plain white background and a logo is what all those business cards look like, you need to have something special that will help you have a unique business card. Well, how about a metal or magnetic business card? One of the creative business card design ideas is to use a base that speaks about your business even before your client reads out the details. Like a wooden business card can be an ideal one for a professional carpenter. Or a thick fabric, textured business card for a boutique owner? Remember to stick to the average business card dimensions, no matter how you design it. Try out various shapes and patterns and horizontal or vertical layout. Your business card size also matters a lot.

Choose the Colors
Colors are next essential step to work upon. While you decide to go for one of the various business card design ideas, choosing colors can be quite confusing. As a general rule, remember that the background must be light or neutral colored. On any type of card, the text and images must pop up and must be clearly visible. Do not use colors that are too funky. Again choosing colors according to your business is a great idea. You can follow the company logo design colors to add right colors to the text. One of the business card design tips is to use minimum colors and have the best and elegant looking business card.

Text, Images and Layout
Once the text and images to be added are finalized you can work on the layout. Depending on whether your card is vertical or horizontally designed, decide the layout. Accommodating the available text rightly is what the layout must do. Well, remember to add ‘only’ the essential text. Your company name, logo, a small tag line or slogan, your name, position and contact details is all what makes the necessary text for a business card. Remember that the contact details can be moved to the backside in case you want a very clean card. In this case the contact details can mention two contact numbers and address as well. Your contact number, email-id and company website address is a must to be mentioned on the card in any case.

These were some business card design ideas and tips to help you have the best piece in your card holder. So remember the basics of designing a card and get started to choose one perfectly suitable for your industry. You can have a look at the free business card templates online to get more ideas or order them online. Remember to have that set of cards placed rightly in a leather card holder and get set to share your business cards.

By Mamta Mule

When you visit diners, talk to the owner and ask if you can put a business card holder on the counter. Anywhere you go where you think there are a lot of people who might be interested in what you have to offer, make sure to leave your card.

In other words, get rid of your business cards. If you check on your card holder and there are still a good number of cards left, then you are not doing any progress in handing them out. Get out there and give them out to people. As one of the most crucial marketing tool you can use in your business, your cards will serve as your initial contact with your target customers. This is why it is critical that you have your card with you anywhere you go.

But your business card won’t be any good if it doesn’t look professional, engaging, and doesn’t let your prospects remember you and your products or services. Achieving all that in a piece of paper that is just 3 ½ by 2 inches in size may seem impossible. But that is realizable. How? Here are suggestions you can consider:

Use a slogan. If what your business offers is not easily recognizable to people from your business name alone, you can create a one line slogan that will tell people what you offer. This slogan has to be in your business card and in all other marketing materials that you use.

Put in your website and email address. We are in the digital age today, so people would naturally look for your website and email in your business card. If you don’t have a website and an email yet, you may want to consider getting one right away. It’s ideal to use and email that uses your website as the address instead of using the commercial email hosts such as Yahoo and Google to make your business more credible. If worry about spam, ask your webmaster to create two email accounts for you, one that you can put in your business card and a private email that you can give out only to your trusted associates.

Create a business card that stands out. There’s a good chance that your business card may end up in the trash or stuffed with the other business cards in the drawer. As much as possible, you want a card that is unique and attention-grabbing to increase your chance of getting noticed. Use bright colors in your business card templates and good card stock to ensure people will notice your card.

Choose a good card stock. A business card that looks flimsy will only leave a poor impression to your target customers. So, be sure to use a heavyweight and high quality card stock to ensure you create a card that means “real” business. Also, have your card printed by a professional printer on a good card stock to guarantee that you leave a good impression on people.

Source: proarticlesdaily.com