Types of Business Cards

What started as a simple name card in the 17th century has advanced immeasurably over the past few hundred years. Nowadays there are several types of business cards, all of which offer unique advantages to their holders. Visit any of the links below for more in depth explanations of each type of business card:

Four Color

Standard four-color business cards are made to order, printed on 2 x 3.5 inch 12pt+ weight card stock. The four-color printing process involves the primary ink colors cyan, magenta, yellow, and black in order to create any color you need to impress potential customers. One of the most cost-effective of the business card types, standard four-color printing provides the professional printed images and text for traditional business needs.

Advantages: cost effective, traditional, full-color options, firm card stock weight, often increases reader retention of information
Disadvantages: not as creative as some other business card types

Two-Sided

Two-sided business cards are printed with text and/or images on both sides of the card stock. Two-sided business cards are appropriate when you want to take advantage of more space for your contact and advertising information or when you want to include a form on one side. Two-sided business cards include a standard four-color process, printed on 2 x 3.5 inch 12pt+ weight card stock.

Advantages: space worthy, full-color options, firm card stock weight, offers more creativity in business card design
Disadvantages: slightly more costly, less space for hand-written notes

Raised Print

Raised print business cards are usually printed in one or two colors with raised lettering. The most cost-effective business card type, raised print business cards are excellent for high-volume, low budget needs. They may be used for fill-in-the-blank customer forms and simple designs. Raised print business cards are printed on 2 x 3.5 inch 12pt+ weight card stock.

Advantages: cost effective, traditional, firm card stock weight
Disadvantages: not as creative as some other business card types, uses only one or two colors

Metal

Metal business cards are printed on brass or silver aluminum metal using one color—black, blue, or red ink. Metal business cards are creative, durable, and offer your potential customers a solid impression of you and your business. Metal business cards are printed on 2 x 3.5 inch 12pt weight card stock.

Advantages: firm and durable metal, offers more creativity in business card design, impressive, easy to locate and not likely to be discarded
Disadvantages: more costly, less ability for hand-written notes, uses only one or two colors

Plastic

Plastic business cards are printed on durable yet flexible plastic using the one-, two-, or four-color printing process. Plastic business cards are more expensive but long-lasting and make a first-rate impression. Plastic business cards are printed on 2 x 3.5 inch plastic.

Advantages: firm and durable plastic, offers more creativity in business card design, impressive, easy to locate and not likely to be discarded
Disadvantages: more costly, less ability for hand written notes

Die-Cut

Die-cut business cards are printed in custom shapes and sizes. Die-cut business cards with a combination of square and rounded corners may be a perfect alternative for non-traditional businesses. Use die-cut business cards for other purposes as well—everything from reminders to lists. Die-cut business cards are printed on 12pt+ card stock weight with adjustments to the standard 2 x 3.5 inch business card size.

Advantages: offers more creativity in business card design, impressive
Disadvantages: more costly, subject to misplacement due to non-traditional size or shape

Minis

Mini business cards are cut at one-half the size of a standard 2 x 3.5 inch business card. They are a great new alternative if you do not need the extra space for your contact information. Minis can be printed on both sides and used as date cards, gift tags, and more.

Advantages: offers more creativity in business card design, impressive, new and trendy
Disadvantages: slightly more costly, subject to misplacement due to non-traditional size or shape, less space for contact information or hand-written notes

Capture

Capture business cards offer removable adhesive labels on the back sides of the business cards. The adhesive labels can be used as address labels, appointment reminders, coupons, or anything you or a potential customer may wish to detach. Capture business cards are printed on 2 x 3.5 inch 12pt+ weight card stock in two styles.

Advantages: offers more versatility in business card options
Disadvantages: more costly, less space for contact information or hand-written notes

Unique

Unique business cards are for non-traditional people or non-traditional business. If you need an interesting and trendy design, consider alternative styles, materials, and typefaces for your business card order. Plan to spend more, but make a long-lasting impression on your potential customers.

Advantages: offers more creativity in business card design, impressive, new and trendy
Disadvantages: could be more costly, subject to misplacement due to unique features

QR Code

A QR code business card is the newest technology for exchanging online contact information. This business card embeds your contact information including Facebook, Twitter, etc., into a “Quick Response” bar code that can be automatically scanned into someone’s cell phone, computer, or other device. The QR code business card includes a standard four-color process, printed on 2 x 3.5 inch 12pt+ weight card stock.

Advantages: offers ease in contact exchange, impressive, new and trendy
Disadvantages: slightly more costly, requires the recipient have a cell phone or computer with a camera, requires the recipient download a free code reader