The cards, which carry information and contact details of any business, company or individual, are called business cards. This is one of the most simple and direct form of advertising yourself and your business. The business cards serve as an easy way to formally introduce you. Also, it is easy for the prospective customers to remember your name and contact you when the need arises.
When do you need it?
The answer is simple – always! But, there are moments when you especially need the business cards, for example, when you look for job, meet perspective customer, or visit Trade Show. You may find that one type of the business card cannot cover your personality, so you create multiple cards for different life occasions. One card can describe you as professional, another highlight you as blog owner or amateur photographer.
Contents of business cards
Normally, the following contents are included in a business card:
- Company name
- Company symbol or logo
- Individual's name
- Individual's designation
- Address
- Telephone number
- Mobile and fax
- E-mail address
- Website, if any.
Style
In the beginning, business cards were in simple black font on white background. Slowly, colors started filling the fonts and backgrounds. Now days, images, photographs, etc. are also found on the business cards.
Business cards are printed on some form of card stock, the visual effect, method of printing, cost and other details varying according to cultural or organizational norms and personal preferences. The common weight of a business card varies some by location. Generally, business cards are printed on stock that is 350g/m2 (density), 45 kg (100 lb.) (weight), or 12pt (thickness).
High quality business cards without full-color photographs are normally printed using spot colors on sheet-fed offset printing presses. Some companies have gone so far as to trademark their spot colors. If a business card logo is a single color and the type is another color, the process is considered two color. More spot colors can be added depending on the needs of the card. With the onset of digital printing, and batch printing, it is now cost effective to print business cards in full color.
To simulate the "raised-print" effect of printing with engraved plates, a less-expensive process called thermography was developed that uses the application of a plastic powder, which adheres to the wet ink. The cards are then passed through a heating unit, which melts the plastic onto the card. Spot UV varnish onto matte laminate can also have a similar effect.
Full color cards, or cards that use many colors, are printed on sheetfed presses as well; however, they use the CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) four-color printing process. Screens of each color overprinted on one another create a wide gamut of color. The downside to this printing method is that screened colors if examined closely will reveal tiny dots, whereas spot color cards are printed solid in most cases. Spot colors should be used for simple cards with line art or non-black type that is smaller than 5 points.
A business card can also be coated with a UV glossy coat (offset-uv Printing). The coat is applied just like another ink using an additional unit on a sheetfed press. That being said, UV coats can also be applied as a spot coating - meaning areas can be coated, and other areas can be left uncoated. This creates additional design potential.
Business Cards can also be printed with a digital copier, which uses toner baked onto the surface of the card. Some industry leaders have begun avoiding the using the term copier in their literature, insisting their state-of-the-art machines are more like digital presses, than their office-oriented predecessors.
While some of the older office copiers may have had problems running heavy business card stock, the newest digital presses can print on stock as heavy as 80# to 100# cover stock, and 12 to 14 point stocks with ease.
In today's global marketplace, cards often are printed with English on one side and the local language (if not English) on the other.
History of business cards
The business cards of today are an evolution from the visiting cards or calling cards of yester years. Visiting cards were very popular in China in the fifteenth century. Later, they were found in Europe in the seventeenth century. Only the royalty and aristocrats, to announce their visit, used these cards. They handed these cards to the servants of the houses, which they visit. The servants would then hand over this card to their masters, who would decide upon how to welcome the visitor.
The calling cards were, thus, the fashion and passion of the sophisticated upper classes. America also caught this bug from the European nations. Slowly, their use spread among the middle class people too. However, these cards were never used among the working classes.
Business cards first came into existence in the 17th century in London. Back then, there was no proper street numbering systems and people found it difficult to trace their way to their favorite stores. So, traders used business cards to promote their businesses and to provide maps or route-ways for customers to find their shops.
Now days, cards have evolved from black and white and color, to images imprinting and engrossing. A recent invention is the CD business card. It can store up to 100 MB of data. They have the same dimensions as the normal business cards and fit in all normal computers CD drives. They can hold a lot of audio and video data of the business. However, they are not used commonly.
For some professionals today, business cards may seem like an unnecessary luxury. The small, hand-held introduction was a staple to social and professional protocol in times past, when published identification was required to open certain doors in the community or the workplace.
Nowadays they are less of a requirement and more of a contact medium. Business cards fit neatly into a wallet, billfold, or desk drawer, and provide handy references for repair workers or contract professionals.
If you're wondering whether to order a set for your business interests, here are a few tips:
1. Business cards are convenient and affordable. You can buy a set of 200 or more for less than ten dollars. Then if you decide to change the style or information later, the cost is relatively inexpensive. You can order them at most business supply stores, printing companies, or off the Internet and expect prompt delivery, usually within a few days. There’s nothing difficult or demanding about them.
2. Business cards make handy exchange items. When you meet a new contact person or a professional networking colleague or a potential client, you can readily provide your name, title, and contact information to someone who may use it to contact you later. In return, you may receive other people's cards to keep on file for future follow-up. They are a great way to present yourself to other people quickly and easily.
3. Business cards help others remember your name. When you interview someone, make a presentation, or brush elbows at conferences, you can quickly provide your business card with the correct spelling of your name and contact details to those who might otherwise forget it, misspell it, or be too embarrassed to ask again. Having a tangible reminder is helpful to someone who, after an introduction or meeting, thinks it over and decides to get in touch. Instead of searching for a scrap piece of paper with your name scribbled on it, the person can pull out a card and promptly get in touch.
4. Business cards give a professional impression. Having them sit on your desk, tucked into a coat pocket, or assembled with an information packet at a seminar tell others that you care about your role and the company you work for, as well as making yourself available to those that may be interested in your expertise or product line. Attractive cards represent your professional persona in your absence.
5. Business cards provide creative opportunities for self-expression. You can choose from a variety of colors, combine shades, select a font style and size, rearrange the design and information, add a quote or more information on the reverse side, and in general have fun deciding how to represent yourself on this small card. Obviously, you want to create the most effective design that will help others see you in the best possible light.
Business cards can accompany mailed letters, sales materials, and proposals. They serve a variety of purposes and interests. If you are serious about the business you are in, business cards may be a good investment.
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ReplyDeleteSO many thanks for this.
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