An ordinary business card is a right-angled piece of thick paper on which your full name together with other necessary information is polygraphically printed. There are no stringent restrictions on size, but European standard size of a business card is 85x55 mm. Managers of high rank may permit themselves 90x60 mm or even 100x60 mm business cards, and their wives’ cards are 10 mm smaller. Generally, men’s business cards are slightly bigger than women’s. By the way, a man should always have his wife’s visiting cards with himself.
However, it is better to order 85x55 mm business cards, as most of special card cases are of a size. You may show your creative ideas choosing interesting paper or making an original sketch. But still be careful as today there are three main types of visiting cards - business, personal and family cards. Sometimes cards may combine business and personal information and in that case they are called mixed.
Business cards
A business card should have a black inscription printed across the light background. Usually white, pink or blue are used as a background. In that case an inscription should be dark-brown, dark blue or black. The basic style requirement is its strictness. Use simple and readable font and avoid calligraphic one. It is advisable to choose high quality paper that can have a toned or/and satin finish. But glossy surface is not recommended. Now publishers also offer a wide choice of plastic and leather card print but the pragmatic business etiquette does not recommend departing to far from the classical design.
 Business card’s reverse side is traditionally reserved for notes. If you live or do business in bilingual country, order some sets of business cards in different languages. Two-sided cards are cheaper but it is also a bad form’s feature.
Business cards of artists, publishers, commercial travelers, servicers and advertising agents may differ from other cards. As they are not only information medium but also advertising. In that case a reverse side may contain a small topographic plan, a calendar, a motto or worker’s photo.
A business card shouldn’t contain unnecessary information. Classical cards are much better. Usually organization’s name is printed in upper center part, below name and surname of a person is placed, then his job title is written. The name is usually highlighted in an easily readable semi-bold font of a bit larger type size. Address, phone, fax, e-mail, web-site address are published in the right lower corner. Your company’s logotype should be placed next to its name. An important part of company’s image is permanent color spectrum that is used on all business cards no matter they belong to whom.
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