It's strange that despite the onslaught of the digital world and digital business cards, the business card has still remained in today's person's pocket, on the desk.
The last two new smart generations haven't been able to avoid it or kill it off. However, new generations have reimagined it and adapted to the business card as such.
Today's business cards have divided into three main directions:
1. Business card as combo -- advertising flyer + business card.
Simple and practical, the business card's front side has company and person's contacts, visual communication from the company. On the other side, a QR code that leads immediately through the phone to a so-called landing page on the internet, where there's for example a service or product advertising flyer, online store, homepage, social media channel, etc.
2. Business card as gift card or discount coupon
Exactly like the previous one, the front side has company, contacts, logo, etc. But on the other side, you'll find either a gift card or discount coupon. Next to it is a QR code that takes you to the online store to make a purchase with the promised discount for the service or purchase. The same practice is also used in physical stores and service establishments. Additionally, there are first signs of a lottery ticket-like consumer game created on the other side, whose purpose is again marketing.
3. Business card as exclusive card with VIP solution
With the goal of conveying visual identity, class affiliation, representativeness, etc. Behind this trend are mostly state representatives, state companies, but also service sector players whose only "sales packaging" is the business card handed to the client. As a rule, these cards use exclusive design papers and printing effects that reflect the price class and prestige of the services provided (beauticians, hairdressers, barbers, masseurs, personal trainers, teachers, consultants, doctors, lawyers, etc.).
The business card in today's world is constantly changing, sometimes going to complete extremes, like metal and wooden cards. The trend of printing on transparent or milky plastic has persisted. For example, architects have used a ruler on the edge and photographers have imitated picture frames or camera screen views... Yes really, fantasy has been completely unleashed. At one point, there was even a competition about who could have the business card cut into the weirdest shape, for example an octagon, while a circle seemed boring at times. Then it became a competition about who could make the most interesting cut on the card using laser cutting.
The very latest trend is gluing together different (design) papers, resulting in a massive coaster-thick card with different colors shining from the sides. Our house record is gluing together 4 papers, which in my assessment is already obvious waste of material, time, and money, since only the edge can be seen from the paper... However, for example, it's not such a bad result if the front side is white and the other side is for example wine red, black, golden, or whatever :) Read more about materials here.
Gluing papers together allows creating cards that have limited possibilities with other printing technologies. Gluing allows using both digital and screen printing effects on the same card. At once, we can offer nearly 46 printing effects to choose from. Not to mention personalized possibilities, for example using unique numbers or codes on each business card separately.
The choices are so large that in connection with them we recommend doing homework beforehand or using professional designer help. We definitely recommend going to the print shop or nearest paper store to get acquainted with the choices.
A bit also about business card etiquette norms. The business card is still a consumer design product, which means it would be polite to have easy readability. This also while driving. Many designers are surrendering to design beauty, that max. amount of information would be placed using as little space as possible. Business card text shouldn't be as hard to read as the composition on the other side of a gum pack in six languages. Read more about business card golden rules here.
Therefore, if this piece of writing generated ideas and curiosity, my goal has been fulfilled, meaning there's a high probability that we'll meet to create a unique, characteristic, and trendy business card just for you! Send inquiry here.
