Business cards can be created using a variety of different methods

The earliest use of Business Cards can be traced back to France in the 17th Century, where visite billettes, cards about the same size as playing cards, were used in rich households to signal the arrival of an aristocratic visitor. Now, they are generally used as a promotional tool, to inform the receiver of a person or companies’ services or simply between those in business as a formal gesture. Some musicians even carry around cards with them to promote their act.
Business cards can be created using a variety of different methods; by designing and making them at home using a computer, by designing them online or by using a Business card printer.
Using a business card printer, while giving you a number of various layout options, does not allow the maker to design their own Business card templates, thus limiting the range of design choices. In addition, they can take up a considerable amount of time. Another method is to create designs using a laptop or desktop PC. A range of different software programs and online tools can help with this process. These can then be printed off with a desktop printer, however issues such as cutting the card and using different thicknesses of card can make the whole process tricky, and in addition printer ink can prove to be costly depending on how many cards you need and how regularly they need to be printed. However, if you are of an artistic nature, then pre-designed business card templates can be integrated with your own hand-drawn designs to create something special. There are also websites which allow you to draw up designs online using a variety of different tools and applications. This method is generally favoured by those who are limited by time restrictions, as it can be done anywhere where there is internet connectivity. There are preset business card templates which can be used as the basis for more complex designs. These tools are also rather similar to the design applications used by professional design companies to create designs. This method is also highly convenient in that the cards are then sent directly by post following online payment. Although in general this method is easier, a business card printer can be used for instances where a less professional finish is needed.
The impression that your business cards give should all depend on what they are being used for. Ideally, they should be unfussy, clearly readable and they should have a design which is tailored to their purpose. For example, if you were a legal advisor, you may wish to use colours which suggest professionalism and trustworthiness, such as grey or duck-egg blue, and perhaps a classic or contemporary, simple design. However, if for example an artist were to promote his or her work through using cards, they may wish to have them printed on a piece of heavy grade paper with a design made by the artist personally. The design of the cards given out depends largely on their purpose.