The history of the business card is a storied one. Through time, the exchange of a simple piece of paper has come to represent much more than contact information.
Business cards have evolved into important symbols of identity and connection. They can convey your brand's personality, speak to a level of professionalism, and represent a certain promise of connection. This article will take you through the complete history of business cards, showing you where, why, and how they came to be.
Business card definition
A business card is a small card containing professional information about an individual or business. Typically printed on cardstock, business cards often contain a name, occupation or role, company name, and contact information.
That being said, the meaning of a business card can be fluid. While most are intended to offer a way to get in touch with the card giver, they often carry subversive campaign messaging or be used as a form of artistic expression.
For example, if you’re an event planning business that wants to recreate a Squid Game-esque event, you could print your own Squid Game business cards and hand them out to potential players. Now, your business cards have become a marketing tool.
The history of business cards
The history of business cards, for print aficionados like us, is an interesting one. Over time, business cards have been known by many names: visiting cards, meiji, calling cards, trade cards, and name cards. Each name holds the same meaning, with important cultural and societal distinctions.
To get a full picture, we need to touch on China, Britain, a brief history of calling cards, and the printing press.
First appearance
You can trace business cards all the way back to 15th-century China, though historians believe they didn't gain mainstream popularity until 17th-century England.
Back then, aristocrats and royalty would announce their arrival with “visiting cards”. These cards were simple paper or wood cards adorned with ornate calligraphy and, for the fancier folks, occasionally engraved with gold.
Designer unknown, date: ~1870
The rise of print
As you may know, German goldsmith Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press in 1436. This piece of technology changed the game, allowing all manner of people to access literature, news, and all manner of printed text like never before.
Designer unknown, date: ~1870
Of course, at the time, people were still fairly illiterate. And the distribution method for the newfound explosion of books was still lacking; how were you supposed to sell 100 copies of the bible in a town where only three people could read? But once printers hit the ports and found a market with sailors who would ship the news to different town centers, print started to blow up.
Literacy soon began to rise alongside the popularity of the printing press, and, as a result, text-based products were booming.
The history of calling cards
Likely influenced by the visiting cards used by the Chinese upper class, calling cards were used by Europeans as a social accessory. You would have one side printed with your name or a design, and the other left blank to write a message. You’d leave your cards in the homes of friends with a note.
Here’s a similar example from Jukebox’s private collection: a 1914 card from a Mr. Edward Kimball.
Designer unknown, date: ~1914
Authentic Victorian calling cards came with a slew of intricate rules. Their strict etiquette meant they could either lift you up in your social circles or banish you with shame. Your card carried a great deal of weight. And, those with well-designed cards reaped the benefits.
In an often-quoted book, "Our Deportment, or the Manners, Conduct, and Dress of Refined Society," by John H. Young, you can see how much emphasis was placed on the act of leaving your card:
“To the unrefined or unbred, the visiting card is but a trifling and insignificant bit of paper; but to the cultured disciple of social law, it conveys a subtle and unmistakable intelligence. Its texture, style of engraving, and even the hour of leaving it combine to place the stranger, whose name it bears, in a pleasant or a disagreeable attitude even before his manners, conversation, and face have been able to explain his social position.”
Trade cards
Around the same time that calling cards were having their heyday, trade cards were also rising in popularity in London. Trade cards were essentially the LinkedIn of the card world. Back then, addresses weren’t commonplace and you certainly couldn’t Google map your way through London.
To solve this, businesses would sometimes print a map leading to their storefront on one side of the card and promotional materials on the other. Or, they would describe the area they worked in on the front of the card. Company representatives would then hand these cards out in town squares to drum up business.
Source: British Musuem
Modern business cards
In terms of design, business cards have come a long way since the days of antique calling cards. But one thing remains constant: They offer a simple method of giving your contact information to others.
Business cards remain an essential tool for entrepreneurs and business owners alike to find potential clients and contacts. Leaving someone with tangible contact information can make a more lasting impression than simply asking for an email.
Now, thoughtful or beautifully designed modern business cards have more potential to stand out than others. Enhancements or personalized business card details can go a long way. Plus, today, there are tons of resources on how to design your business card.
Here are a few ideas for your modern-day business card style.
Embossed details
Embossed business cards are a great way to add tactile elements and dimension to your card. 3D embossing, like the example used for this project, is printed with a special die created from custom artwork which can be raised up from the stock itself into multiple levels instead of just one. Embossed details can also come in various textures, such as velvet or linen, to enhance the design.
Shaped business cards
Nothing makes you stand out from the crowd like having a differently shaped business card.
You can create a shape that speaks to your business, like the hand-shaped business cards we created for French illustrator Jean Julien.
If you have a bakery, you could try a bread-shaped business card printed on brown cardstock.
Or use 3D printing to create an even more dynamic shape, like this elegantly embossed clamshell.
Antique calling cards
Letterpress printing your business cards can create a classic, vintage look. Bonus points if you’re in the historical or antique business. Modeling your business card after the style of the industry you’re in is a clever nod to what you do.
The non-card business card
If you're looking for a fun, out-of-the-box way to network, try a non-card business card like how Lego used minifigures! It's a great conversation starter and will make sure your contacts never forget you.
Unlike regular business cards, a non-card business card usually won't get thrown away, especially if you make it useful (like a custom magnet) or fun.
Explore our free business card maker and create your own business card today.
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