If you use your business cards to promote your business, a little injection of humour applied to the design will make them much more memorable and attractive (unless you are an undertaker). In most cases a clever business card design will make you seem more approachable and likeable, especially if yours is a small business you can show your individuality.

Here are some examples of how clever designs have been applied for different professions and as a result have even ended up promoting these businesses on the internet as they have gone viral!

The most obvious one: Graphic designers and other creative guys showing off their skill on their own business cards:

These cards speak for themselves (click on image to see larger version):

Clever business card designs for lawyers and counsellors:

One of my favourite designs must be this divorce lawyer’s business card, which provides the divorcing couple with an amicable 50/50 deal (at least as far as the business card is concerned)! And here a post marriage counselling card that promises to heal the rift. You could either just tear your own business cards to shreds to achieve this effect and stick them back together – or simply print the image to achieve the optical effect.

A funny business card design for this shop:

This second hand shop card design is not only very creative, but also environmentally friendly and unforgettable! Printing double sided business cards is inexpensive, so this and similar creative design ideas are not difficult to realise.

Even in medical profession you get creative business card designs:

Dentist, doctors and physiotherapists all have come up with funny designs vying customers their way. The hole in the tooth disappears when this dentist’s telephone number becomes visible. Very clever stuff! This is another example of a dentist whose business card will leave you with a good impression of what he is about!
Thanks to the creativity of their business card designers, this orthodontist handed out promotional pacifiers with his business cards.
And then this personal trainer has you working out before you can even given him a call!

Unless humour is really out of place, a genuinely funny business card will give you an edge on your competitors. I believe that for most lines of business it is possible to come up with a clever and creative idea. It really pays off to take the time and think about it.

Neither had I, but now I am in the know.
So, “konichiwa” dear visitor!

It seems that in Japan the practice of exchanging business cards is not just simply important, but there even is an etiquette to it. In Japan, your business card represents your social status. Important knowledge in an increasingly globalised world.

I have found some instruction videos online that teach the novice how to exchange the card. Unless a business card has been exchanged, no business can take place. And if the card is exchanged badly, well you can imagine what that means for the ensuing business relationship.

Here is one of these instruction videos:

Business card etiquette starts with the layout of the actual business card itself, which should be printed in Japanese on one side and in English on the other.

So here you go, this is what you have to bear in mind:

1. First of all the handover: You use both hands to exchange the business card and you do this with the Japanese side of your business card pointing up.

2. Secondly you need to know your social status in comparison to the social status of your opposite as this will establish how deeply and how long you should bow for. Factors that have an influence on your status include age, nationality, your sex and employments status. Also, if you have made the decision that you are lower in ranking, you should make the innitial step and offer your card first.

3. When it is your turn to receive the business card, you should bow even lower and for longer. Same as when handing it over, you receive the business card with both hands and say “Hajimemashite”, which means “Nice to meet you”.

4. Next you are expected to spend some time looking at the card. Try to remember the name of the giver in connection with his face. This is the best time to do this and he will probably remember you.

5. And finally: Treat the business card that you have been given as a piece of art. Do not write on it and store it safely in your bespoke business card holder. “Wakarimasuka?”

But on a lighter note, even the Japanese themselves see the funny side of this strict set of rules as this bit of Rakugo comedy shows:

“Sayonara!” Hope you found this post instructive!

I believe that business cards have an important role to play, both in private and in business circles, as after all, they represent an introduction to who you are and what you stand for! Business cards represent part of our identity!

To demonstrate what I mean, here is an example: For me there are few TV scenes as memorable (especially ones that involve business cards!) as the “American Psycho” business card scene – the high flying investment banking executives of this New York company comparing their not so cheap business cards! In my opinion, this scene showcases a prime example of fine acting, something I am not so surprised about seen that it comes from Christian Bale.

If you don’t know what I am talking about, just check it out for yourself (click on the image below):

If you want to find some nice design ideas on the web you do not have to go far. The title of this website for example was taken from the above mentioned film scene: “It even has a watermark“. They understand the importance of image and have therefore dedicated their website to the display of a variety of exciting business cards. You can check out their various sections ranging from creative to custom business cards. And if you have a business card design that you yourself are proud of – why not upload it and add to the collection?

If you are not a design aficionado and just a mere mortal, I believe that this is a good place to start and look for some inspiration before you decide on your next business card design! In our custom business card section you can upload your own creative artwork and be your own designer! Try it out – just decide between gloss, silk or pulp material and add your own artwork- an easy way to get completely individual and cheap business cards!

But do you have to spend a lot of money to get a product that looks good? Not all of us are investment bankers - and even investment bankers are selling their posh pads and toning down their business cards! Of course there are limits to what you can do with a certain budget but we believe that business cards from Solopress will make you look good for less and not just image is important – your wallet is too!

Solopress.com would like to welcome you to our new website, we have tried to make the site as informative and helpful as possible.  Solopress are very proud of our new website, but it would be fantastic to gauge the opinion of our users, so please submit your views and thoughts as a comment.

The new Solopress website should make is easy for you to place and order, to check our latest delivery times and to find information on our product range, which to name a few include:

• Business Cards
• Leaflet Printing
• Flyers
• Posters

For any questions you have about our products our live help team should be able to provide the answers, and help guide you to the correct product for your needs.

I would like to welcome you to the Solopress Print and Design blog. As experts in printing we are very proud of the knowledge we have of business cards, leaflet printing and flyer printing. Solopress will be updating this blog on a regular basis to share our printing expertise and to discuss our own thoughts, however random and off topic they may be. From time to time, you will also find we show off some of our latest in-house artwork, we may even use this artwork to poke a little fun at ourselves.