Making Your Own Business Cards – The Basics

Making your own business cards using a personal computer can be a simple and cheap way to get your information noticed. Using a quality printer, you can add color and photos to cards - options that a traditional printer would charge a high price for. After giving a brief history of business cards, this article will explain some of the basics of making your own business cards.

Visiting cards, or calling cards, were the original business cards. Originating in 15th century China, they made their way to Europe by the 17th century. A sophisticated set of rules determined when and where these cards could be used. Visiting cards have evolved over the years and divided into subsets such as greeting cards and trade cards.

England saw the appearance of visiting cards during the 17th century. They had several purposes for the London merchants that utilized them. The merchants used them to inform customers of the business' prices and location.

Visiting cards and business cards were used for different purposes in 19th century America. The social elite used visiting cards as evidence that they had met their social obligations. On the other hand, business cards were used for only one reason: business. Social calls were an inappropriate time to use business cards.

Business cards are here to stay, and with new technology the options are endless. Throughout the years they have remained highly important to businessmen of every field.

Color and style are just two of the many options when deciding on a business card. For variety, choose blank, uncoated cards of multiple colors. Photographs can be placed on matte coated cards. For a little more flash, designer backgrounds and borders are available. They are easy to print due to the uniform size and format.

There are computer programs that will have a template for printing business cards. The one most often used is Microsoft Word®. Once on Word, find Avery 3612 Business cards by clicking on tools, then letters and mailings, then envelopes and letters, and finally options. By printing your own cards you are able to decide how many cards to print. You can also reprint your cards if your information changes later.

Though small in size, business cards are giants of business communication.

About the Author

To make designer business cards, John Oberhauser is the man to see. He manages The Image Shop, a one stop shop for letterhead stationery, printable wedding invitations, Itoya portfolio, business card stock, and much more for quickly creating a professional custom look at the least cost to you.