Rituals surrounding the exchange of business cards can provide the perfect opportunity to impress your international business associates—or it might be the cultural faux pas that costs you a potential client. Make sure your business card etiquette reflects your meticulous preparation.

Korean Business Card Etiquette

• Never toss a pile of your cards onto the table, nor deal them out like cards. Stand and exchange cards individually, starting with the highest-ranked person in the room.
• Present and receive cards with a slight bow, using both hands. If you must use one hand, use the right—never the left.
• Take a moment to study a received card right then and there, acknowledging the person’s name and rank. You might even compliment the card itself.
• It shows respect to keep the cards you receive on the table in front of you while in the presence of the giver. And never write on them until the meeting is over and you’ve got a moment alone to jot down some notes.

Hungarian Business Card Etiquette

In Hungary, business interactions are warm and personal. This relaxed congeniality doesn’t means you shouldn’t observe a few Hungarian formalities, though.

• Use your last name first, then first name.
• Include the date your company was founded, along with any advanced academic degrees you have attained.
• Be prepared to exchange cards with everyone you meet.

Arabic Nations Business Card Etiquette

• In Middle Eastern countries, always defer to the eldest person in the room, not necessarily the highest business title.
• Bring plenty of cards, and always give and receive them with the right hand, never the left.
• In Israel, engraved cards are preferred over printed or embossed.

Iranian Business Card Etiquette

In most Arab countries, business cards are exchanged with anyone and everyone you meet. Iran is the exception; in general, you will exchange cards with only senior-level individuals.

Universal Rules

A few universal rules apply to international business card etiquette.

• It is critical to make sure your title is translated properly, keeping in mind that certain words may not exist in other languages.
• Always present dual language cards with your associate’s native language side up.
• Invest in a good quality business card holder to keep cards you give and receive in pristine condition.

Contact us today to make your next “foreign exchange” pitch perfect.

Technology advances at the speed of the latest microchip. Everything’s smaller, lighter, and more portable. Some business practices never go out of style, though—a firm handshake, good customer service, and the good old-fashioned business card.

There are a few ways to make your business cards a vital link to your online social and business networking presence.

Include your social media contact information on your card. It will not only show that you’re up on all the latest technology, it’ll also give clients a wider variety of choices to get in touch with you.

• Keep it simple. If you have profiles on multiple networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn, use the same screen name for all of them, but print only the one you use most. This not only preserves precious card space, it makes it easy for clients to find you.
• There’s also “the more the merrier” approach. If you are a social media butterfly and are diligent about frequent visits to each and every profile, by all means list ‘em all – on the back.
• QR (Quick Response) codes are one of the newest networking trends. Printed on your business card, a quick scan with a smart phone can take the customer anywhere you want them to go – a web site, blog, social networking site, or URL that will list every possible way to get in touch with you.

When was the last time you couldn’t lay your hands on that potential client’s business card? Or returned from a productive conference with a stack of business cards that takes hours of data entry time to integrate and manage? Not to mention figuring out where to store the cards themselves.

LinkedIn.com’s free CardMunch app, currently available for iPhones, scans information printed on a card and stores it in your digital contacts database. It will also automatically link the contact to a LinkedIn profile and fire off an invitation to connect. CardMunch can be downloaded to your iPhone from iTunes.

Contact us today to design a business card that will widen your digital horizons.

Creating beautiful, classic business cards has never been faster or easier than it is now. Our do-it-yourself options let you make all the decisions to suit your individual preferences. No need to settle for a generic business card when you have the ability to choose from a wide array of designs, including your own artwork. Customize your special card as much as you want with your own logos and designs. Whatever your business card ideas, remember that this is the place to showcase your originality and uniqueness

Vibrant, petroleum-free, soy-based inks ensure the clearest and richest colors every time. Use innovative shade combinations that ripple and pulsate with energy, or calm and soothe with serenity. The choice is up to you. Make a bold statement or a subtle whisper with a personal business card that represents who you are and what you have to offer. Clever business card ideas can set the stage for more clients, more business and more opportunities.

Thousands of templates offer you ready-made choices and options, or they might plant the seed for an original idea that you can build from. Let your imagination run free as you brainstorm with family and friends to design your own line of business cards, letterhead stationery, and other products that will keep your business front and center at all times. Experiment with abstract designs, use original artwork or photographs, or import a favorite public domain logo. The sky is the limit with our DIY technology.

Lasting first impressions translate to making your phone ring with new business. Using the right business card ideas can put you on the highway to success. Be unforgettable and original; stand apart from the crowd with your own affirmation of quality and professionalism. You may have only one opportunity to engage with a new client. Make it count every time with a card that they will want to read and retain. After all, you are unique and so is your business.

A business card will bring you success if you can ensure that it is seen often. However, cards are all too often stashed in a drawer or hidden in a wallet.  For the highest chance of visibility, consider our magnetic business cards that adhere readily to any metal surface. Attached to a refrigerator, they will be seen dozens of times each week. They are the only practical choice for workshops where choice viewing space is at a premium. Placed on a toolbox, metal cabinet door, machinery or other applicable surface, they are always ready when your customers need to reach you right away.

With a full back magnetic sheet for maximum adhesion, our cards stay where you want them instead of falling off or sliding around.  Super thick 17-point magnetic card stock guarantees a quality card that will last even in active work areas.  Colors stand out with crystal clarity, thanks to our superior UV gloss, which is always a free bonus with your order. Your magnetic business cards can be seen easily from across a room or shop for an instant reminder of whom to call when services are needed or whom to recommend to a business associate.

With our do-it-yourself technology, you can custom design your cards online and preview the final product before you spend a penny. There is no need to pay expensive design fees, waste valuable time with a printer or wait weeks for your cards either.  We offer the lowest prices, fastest turnaround time and thousands of design templates all at your fingertips around the clock.  Have it your way with the ability to upload custom artwork or logos whenever you are ready to get started.

Magnetic business cards are the smart choice for staying power when you want your contact information to last and be seen time and again. Deep, rich colors in every hue guarantee the look you want and the attention you need to increase your business activity. In today’s competitive market it pays to have a classic, quality business card that can outlast and outshine the rest. Plan your new look now with options that will save you time and money as never before.

When you need a business card that is fully customized, original and versatile, our adhesive business cards are the perfect choice for anyone. Always eco-friendly and environmentally safe, we know you care about the planet even when promoting your important business. Soy products produce beautiful results without harmful chemicals and tell your customers you are green savvy.

Choose from thousands of templates or upload your own original logo with our user-friendly online options.  A choice of matte or glossy finishes and a wide range of colors ensure that you can create a look that is both an effective business tool and pleasing to your customers. Specially cut round corners add an extra custom touch when you want to stand out. Adhesive business cards attach safely and easily to virtually any surface and peel off again without fuss. Sturdy 14-point stock or optional extra-heavy 16-point stock makes these cards long-wearing and durable for long-term use.

Attach them to a suitcase or briefcase for a mobile advertising surface that spreads the word about your unique business or services for the cost of a simple business card. Placed on dashboards, backpacks, lunchboxes, computers and desktops, these colorful, vibrant cards will attract attention, and garner brand awareness everywhere they go. With our low prices and fast turnaround times, you can afford several designs to emphasize every aspect of your special business.

Whether as your primary card or a supplemental way to market your services, adhesive business cards are the smart way to spread the word about what you do. Our customer service is second to none, so your satisfaction is always guaranteed as our first priority. Convenient online design and ordering options guarantee that you can conduct transactions when it suits your schedule, and get exactly what you want without any sales pressure. Discover why our customers rave about our services and come back again and again for all their business cards, letterhead stationery, self-inking stamps, envelopes, bookmarks and more. For the lowest competitive pricing without sacrificing quality or service, they know we offer the best resources available online.  Design your new cards today and give your business a boost.

You have options when it comes to the ink used in the printing of your business cards; there is the traditional petroleum-based ink, or there is soy ink. Soy ink is quickly becoming the go-to choice of environmentally friendly business people, since it does not contain hazardous substances, and therefore can produce eco-friendly business cards. Each of these two options has unique advantages and disadvantages.

Price is something that needs to be considered early on. Petroleum-based ink is cheaper than soy ink—always an attractive feature. Petroleum-based ink also dries faster, due to evaporative solvents within the ink, which release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are known to be harmful to our planet; the time saved may not be worth the overall cost to the environment.

Petroleum-based ink, as you can infer from the name, is made from petroleum, which is not a renewable resource. Soy ink is a more sustainable option, produced from a renewable resource—soybeans.  Soy ink is also a more environmentally friendly option; it releases little or no VOCs, keeping pollution to a minimum. Recycling is simpler with soy ink because it is easier to remove from paper than petroleum-based ink.

Soy ink is naturally clearer than petroleum based ink; this results in more brightly colored ink. You can still get the exact colors you need for your business card when using soy ink rather than petroleum-based ink. Because the oil from soybeans used in the fabrication of soy ink is naturally clear, less ink is needed in the production of goods, ultimately resulting in a reduction of the cost of ink.

All Business Cards is an environmentally responsible company, so we use soy ink on all of our products. When purchasing new business cards, go the green route. The advantages of using soy ink far outweigh those of using petroleum-based inks. Eco-friendly business cards are a way to gain and give back at the same time.

Quality business cards are an essential accessory in the professional world. To stand out and make a lasting impression, you must have the best cards. Traditional business cards are printed using an offset printing process.  A new trend in business card printing involves the use of UV gloss, which makes the card more sleek, clean and appealing to the eye.

Offset printing works by feeding paper through the machine to an area in which ink is applied to a plate, then to a special blanket made of rubber, and finally to a printing surface. This kind of printing can produce a large volume of high quality output, so manufacturers of business cards and newspaper printing companies prefer it. Most enterprises that print business cards use this offset printing technique, because this method is so cost effective.

Applying a UV gloss to the paper’s surface produces quality business cards. Your business cards may be the only way in which potential clients hear about your company. To ensure interest in your enterprise, you want to have a stunning business card.

UV coating can be applied to cards two different ways: the spot method, in which only certain parts of the card are coated; and the flood method, in which the whole surface is coated. The flood method is most commonly used. After the image is printed on the card, the paper is sent through rollers where it is flooded with the UV solution. It is then exposed to an infrared lamp and an ultraviolet lamp, which dries the coating instantly.

There are many advantages to using a UV coating on your business cards. The finished product is very shiny, and makes colors pop for an eye-catching card. The cards are durable, since the coating provides a protective layer to the card, making it abrasion- and smudge-resistant.  The UV coating is solvent-free and does not emit harmful compounds, making it a more environmentally friendly option. Finally, because the coating dries instantly, rather than waiting for ink to set, it reduces production time.

When in the market for quality business cards that will stand out among competition, the addition of UV coating will help your company be recognized and remembered.

Business cards are essential in the professional community. They are the primary way of promoting your business and making contact with potential clients. Metal business cards are an exciting new option. All Business Cards now offers metal business cards in gold and silver coloring. These unique cards make a statement. This is a new and original way to make a dramatic, lasting first impression. Your client will be impressed with the detail, thought and precision put into making your metal business cards.

These cards are not very common yet. A great way to ensure that a client remembers you is to supply them with one of your metal business cards. Catchy in gold and silver, these high-class cards convey a sense of professionalism, which will be attractive to your patrons. In addition to the choice of base metal, you also have the ability to choose between a number of fonts, and the colors black, blue, green, red and turquoise to find the perfect fit for your business.

These metal business cards receive a protective coating that makes them scratchproof and fade-resistant. They are printed using a unique anodizing process. The corners have been rounded and dulled, giving you a safe, functional and memorable business card. These cards are perfect to give to a client who needs to regularly contact you. The ink will not run if water gets on it, and the card will not rip in half, get crumpled up, or fade. Conveniently, our metal business cards are the same dimensions as conventional paper business cards.

Paper business cards are easily ruined, and because of that, are sometimes lost or thrown away without a second thought. Metal business cards are aesthetically pleasing and different; they are so novel that the person receiving it will make it a point to keep it. This is good not only for you and your business, but for the environment as well, since it eliminates paper waste. The cards may initially be more expensive than paper business cards, but it’ll pay off in the long run because of the long lasting impression that metal cards will make on everyone that receives one.

Choosing the right font for your business cards can be a tricky business. There are a number of factors to consider when beginning this process. Are the business cards for a personal venture, or your professional business card? You should always consider who your target audience is. Will the font appeal to them? Is it readable?

If the cards are your professional business cards, you may want to choose a more classic font, something that evokes a sense of security and stability. Remember that this is often the way that people find out about your business, and the first impression that they have is very important. If the cards are for you, as an individual, you have more creative freedom as far as fancier fonts go. Be sure that the information is readable and concise.

Who is your target audience? If you are trying to appeal to a younger crowd, try a less conventional font. The use of bold and italics draws the eye, and is appealing when used in an appropriate manner. If you are trying to appeal to families, or a generally more mature crowd, you may want to use a more traditional font. Using something familiar but also timeless draws the eye, and instills confidence.

One of the most important factors to keep in mind is that a business card needs to be readable. Your card is often how people find out about your business. Until they contact you, this is your one chance to make an impression. While there are fun and fancy fonts available, it is best to use one that is easy to read. You do not want to drive away a prospective customer or client because they were unable to read your contact information.

One more thing to think about when choosing a font for your business cards is the size of the cards. Business cards are small, so be sure to preview your preferred font in the card format before making your final decision.

Whatever you decide, All Business Cards can help you find the font, and business card type to suit all of your needs.

Those of you who took one look at the title can easily be forgiven for thinking it to be an oxymoron. “Business cards about me? Isn’t that the very antithesis of a business card?”

Well, when you think about it, it makes perfect sense. The purpose of a business card is to drum up recognition, customers and the like—a subtle but indispensable method for sustaining your livelihood and perpetuating your success. So it would make perfect sense to use those same applications on a smaller scale, i.e. yourself.

You should still use the same ideas for designing business cards; that much hasn’t changed. A simple, complimentary color scheme can work wonders, though you want to avoid the information printed on them being unreadable. You can also make due with a background image related to your profession or industry. For example, someone making their living by writing (journalism, books, etc.) should use an always-handsome inkwell and quill feather motif; a tastefully displayed set of paintbrushes can work wonders for an artist; anyone working in construction or with a trade can make do with tools pertaining to their skills. Be sure to avoid cartoony effects and aggressive color schemes; it’ll make it impossible to take your card—and by extension, you—seriously.

How much of your personal information a person wants on their card will vary from case to case, but there are some general guidelines to stick to. Aside from obvious entries such as your name and any title/s you have at your business, the email address you or your business uses should be one of the main bits of information on there. Social media connections, such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and others can make it easy to connect with you, but these pose their own set of problems. LinkedIn is a sure thing, as it is specifically designed for professionals. Other services are more problematic; if your material is inane, irrelevant, or otherwise unprofessional, or if your username has one or more punctuation-as-letters, numbers-as-letters, or unconventional spelling, then it would be best to leave them off. It would be unwise to include your personal phone number, as your card can be picked up by an unintended audience, which can lead to gratuitous unpleasantness. Your business number, on the other hand, will suffice. Also, be sure to choose a simple, plainly legible font that can work in either black or white (whichever stands out more on the card). Text effects can work, but only if they’re minimal and limited to one, maybe two. Your card is obviously no good if no one can read what’s on it.

And if nothing else, having your own personal business card will make you look more professional and valuable, even when you aren’t doing anything related to your business.