What are Business or Visit cards?
A business card is an essential thing in the modern business world. It really no matter what your business is — if you are selling something or providing a service, then surely you should have business cards.
Business cards are a representation of the essential data of a company, of a person, or business.
As a rule, the typical business card is a rectangular made of a carton or cover stock with dimensions 8.9 cm x 5.1 cm (centimeters) or 3.5 in x 2 in (inches).
Business cards could be made in different shapes, colors, and materials.
Typically the information that business cards contain can be:
- Title or title of the Person;
- The Name of the individual;
- Name of the brand, company, or organization to which it belongs;
- Address of the office where the holder of the visit card work;
- Office and cell phone number;
- An e-mail address.
- The website/s of the company and person;
- Company Logo;
- Images and other decorative elements;
- The slogan, if there is one, which also can be included in the logo;
History of the Business cards
Do you know where the modern business cards came from? About 5 thousand years ago, merchants used clay tablets and leather segments on which their names and their place of residence were written.
Three countries in the world are closely related to the origin of all modern business cards. These are China, Germany, and France.
China and the Business Cards
Business cards appeared in China about two and a half thousands of years ago.
In those days, every state official was required to have a red paper business card, which was indicated the Name and position held.
There were individual tablets that were given to the owners of the house. These “business cards” have contained the Name of the visitor and the purpose of the parish.
France and the Visiting Cards
The word business card comes from the French “visit,” which means a visit. And the founder of business etiquette for the delivery of business cards/visit cards is the king of France, Louis 14.
In those days, various ornaments and luxuries, which showed the status of the owner of the accessory, served as cards.
Germany and the Printed Visit Cards
The first printed copies of business cards appeared in Germany in the 18th century, and the famous Johann Goethe was the most renowned card collector of those times. When printing became more common, people from the middle class began to use business cards.
Tips for Impressive Business cards
There are few things to consider when planning the perfect business cards which will represent you or your business in the future.
Here you will find some useful tips and ideas on how to make a genuine and good business card.
- Think about how your business card looks like and what impression does it make. The first impressions count, so you have to pay attention to the appearance of your business cards. The latter includes the colors, shape, material, and the design of the business card in general;
- Add a special touch to stand out of the crowd, but remain consistent with your brand, logo, and other promotional materials, such as your business’ website. You can have a look below where you will see some great ideas for inspiration on how to give your visit card some additional uses;
- Your contact details must be correct and easy to follow. Let’s remind here that the primary purpose of each business card is to facilitate and stimulate repeated business contacts, expand the circle of clients, partners, or potential customers. With this in mind, the information on the visit cards should always be correct. Besides the info shared on the cards has to be relatively brief, because the main idea of the business cards is to present a piece of essential information conveniently.
- Use professional services. If in doubt about how the perfect business card should look like, then talk to professionals that design business cards.
Designing Business Cards
These days many people believe that business cards are still one of the best ways (most economical and practical ways, as well) for attracting other people’s attention and promoting ourselves or our business.
The business card’s designs vary depending on many factors, and there is a world of variety in design materials and sizes.
Ideally, the business cards are economical but without losing the quality, elegance, and efficiency of their primary purpose.
Business card sizes or dimensions vary from country to country. The typical sizes of standard printed (finished) business cards are usually 8.9cm x 5.1cm (centimeters) or 88.9mm x 50.8mm (millimeters) or 3.5 in x 2 in (inches).
Business Cards Material
Materials used for manufacturing visiting cards can vary, but typical business cards are printed most commonly on card stock (pasteboard).
Other materials also used for business cards are plastics, metal, or wood. Choose a design that represents your brand, company, services, or products.
Business Cards shapes
There are various shapes of business cards available. However, the typical business cards are printed mostly in a rectangular shape, usually on card stock. Don’t forget to select the most appropriate size and shape for your own needs.
Here you can see examples of visit cards that are not in the traditional rectangular shape.
Business Cards Colors
Have you heard about color psychology? People perceive and respond to different colors differently.
You can use a single color or a combination of colors of your business card to represent your brand or company.
The colors of your business card matter, so it is good to know that the different colors can affect the general impression that the business cards bring;
- The black color resembles Sophistication, Fear, Grief, Expensive;
- White color means Sincerity, Happiness, and Purity;
- The blue color is a sign of Reliability, High quality, Masculine, Competence, Corporate;
- The green color is the right color to show up Good Taste, Eco-Friendly, Nature or Health;
- Yellow colors can symbolize Happiness, Competence, Inexpensive or Low Quality;
- The red color resembles Power, Excitement, Speed, Love, Anger or Lust;
- Orange is known as a symbol of Excitement and Warmth;
- Pink usually stands for Feminine, Sophistication, and Sincerity;
- Violet (Purple) is equal to Power, Authority, and Sophistication;
- The Brown colors often remind of Resilience, Strength, Reliability, Security;
If you are interested in color psychology, then check our article Business Cards Colors.
Business Cards Ideas
Here you can see some examples of smart and original business cards.
They can help you to find inspiration if/when you are looking for some unconventional ideas of business cards’ designs.