A businessman, hairdresser or translator without a business card is almost unthinkable today. The little rectangles are so ubiquitous in everyday life that we often don't even think about what they mean. They are on every counter - always ready to be taken away. Each of us has a place for them, be it in our wallet, in our handbag, on our desk or at home with important contacts. We keep them not only for practical reasons, but also because they have become part of our culture - be it for remembrance, collecting or as souvenirs (including of events where we have met people). Today we want to look at a relatively new type of business card: Plastic business cards.
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Business card as one of the elements of identity
In a world where first impressions count, business cards have become an integral part of business communication. But not every card stands the test of time and remains in the recipient's memory. Only business cards with an interesting design and high-quality material will be remembered and look good. A business card of inferior quality that is easily worn, soiled or faded is quickly forgotten and thrown away. A high-quality and well-designed business card, on the other hand, is not only a carrier of information, but also an image carrier and thus serves to position the company. It shows the owner as someone who pays attention to detail, whom you can trust and who values their reputation. In the business world, where every detail counts, this is of fundamental importance.
In this context, plastic business cards are a very attractive choice. They offer an ideal balance between price, durability and appearance. Thanks to their robustness and abrasion resistance, they remain in good condition for a long time and continue to serve as a reliable tool for establishing and maintaining business contacts.
So why are plastic business cards worth a closer look?
First impressions are a key moment that plays a constant role in all walks of life, especially in the business world. When it comes to getting to know each other and establishing business relationships, exchanging business cards is part of the process. It is the business card that recalls the memory after the meeting and can therefore also influence a potential customer's decision.
Imagine the situation: Your potential customer has picked up your business card after a meeting and is thinking about a possible collaboration. However, if your business card is printed on thin cardboard and has a standard design because you just downloaded a free template from the internet, this can be a reason to miss out on a potential client because it has made you arbitrary. After all, if you skimp a little on the business cards, you're missing out on the opportunity to position yourself professionally in all areas of your public image. In the business world, that's not the way things are done. If you are a professional in your field, there are no small things. Strive for perfection in every detail, place great importance on your reputation and do your best to impress your partner with consistent quality. For you, a business card is not just an information carrier, but a reflection of your professionalism and style. It says something about you as a professional partner, about your uniqueness and about the quality of your work. Your business card is not just a piece of paper with a phone number, it becomes a piece of craftsmanship that emphasizes your self-confidence and professionalism. Plastic business cards offer a number of advantages that make them an attractive and effective means of communication for companies.
Advantages of plastic business cards
Plastic business cards offer a number of advantages and benefits, the most notable of which is durability. Here are some of the key benefits:
- Durability: one of the main benefits of plastic business cards is their strength and durability. They are resistant to wear and tear, moisture and mechanical damage, so they remain in excellent condition for a long time. Thanks to this resistance, plastic business cards retain their elegant appearance and the legibility of the information even under heavy use.
- Attractive appearance: Plastic business cards offer a wide range of individual and design options. They can be produced in different colors, with bright and creative design elements, which makes them more attractive and memorable.
- Functionality: Plastic business cards are characterized by excellent readability and ease of use. Thanks to the smooth surface and high-quality printing, the information on them is easy to read, and their compact size makes them convenient to store and pass on.
- Professional impression: The use of plastic business cards naturally conveys a professional and stylish impression of the owner. It emphasizes your difference from your competitors.
To understand why plastic business cards are much more expensive than classic cardboard cards, let's take a look at some of the production steps of plastic business cards.
Design and layout:
- At this stage, the look and structure of the business card is designed. Designers can use specialized software to create the layout of the card, such as Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop, Affinity Designer or Publisher, or CorelDRAW.
- It is important to include various design elements such as the company logo, color scheme, fonts, contact information and other important details.
Printing:
- Printing information onto a plastic substrate is done using various technologies.
- Thermal transfer printing: This process uses heat to transfer the ink to the plastic surface. It provides a high-resolution and high-contrast image.
- Sublimation printing: In this process, a special ink is applied to a special paper, which is then heated, whereby the ink becomes gaseous and penetrates the surface of the plastic, resulting in a high-quality print.
- UV printing: In this process, the ink dries when it is exposed to ultraviolet light. This process ensures fast drying and high print resistance.
Laminating:
- After printing, the plastic backing can be laminated to protect it from abrasion and damage.
- Laminating makes the business card stronger and more durable as it protects it from external influences such as moisture or mechanical damage.
Cutting and pressing:
- In the final step, the cards are usually cut and shaped to specific dimensions, e.g. with rounded corners.
- This process ensures that the cards are perfectly shaped and sized so that they are ready for use and distribution.
The technologies used in the production of plastic business cards are constantly being improved to ensure high quality and efficiency of the production process. This enables the production of cards that meet the highest quality standards and customer requirements.
The production of plastic business cards requires more expensive equipment and materials compared to conventional paper business cards. This is due to the use of special technologies and materials that ensure high quality and durability of the products.
As a result, the cost of plastic business cards is generally higher than for conventional paper business cards. But the extra cost is a good investment to achieve high quality and a professional impression.
Are plastic business cards environmentally friendly?
For a long time, I too was of the opinion that plastic business cards were not an environmentally friendly solution due to the use of petroleum products in their production and the long decomposition time in nature. This stereotypical perception was due to the widespread belief that plastic has an unfavorable impact on the environment. However, with the development of technology and the realization of the need for sustainable solutions, new approaches to the production of business cards have emerged in recent years, including the use of eco-plastic.
Plastic business cards can be made not only from virgin plastic, but also from recycled material or with the addition of reused materials. This means that materials that were waste products and would have simply polluted the environment are used in their production.
If it's important to you to consider ecological aspects when choosing business cards, you should look out for manufacturers that offer options made from recycled material. This way, you can make a decision in favor of more sustainable and eco-friendly options. Don't hesitate to ask the manufacturers what material they use to print the business cards to ensure you are making a conscious decision in favor of the environment.
What conclusions can we draw about plastic business cards?
The importance of a first-class business card in business life has already been outlined above. Not only is it an integral part of a successful businessman's image, but it also serves as an important reminder of your presence. The most important requirement is high quality in design and feel. This means not only an exquisite design, but also impeccable execution in every detail. Plastic business cards are characterized by their durability, attractive design, user-friendliness and the professional impression they convey of the owner. Particular attention is paid to environmental compatibility, as new technologies such as the use of eco-plastic are paving the way for environmentally friendly solutions in this area. This makes plastic business cards not only an effective means of communication, but also an expression of professionalism and environmental awareness.
Corporate design
As part of the corporate design, the business card literally plays a small role in the overall visual image of a company. It is not only an information document, but also an effective branding tool that conveys the values, style and professionalism of your company. The use of consistent design elements such as logo, color scheme and fonts on a business card creates a uniform appearance and makes it identifiable among the competition. In this way, the business card becomes an integral part of the corporate image and helps to round off the company's brand and professional reputation.
Business card templates Word
Our business card templates in Word format are ready for you to download! Created by professional designers, these templates not only simplify the process of creating your business card, but also help you express your individual style and professionalism.
Once you've downloaded a Word business card template, you can edit it immediately in MS Word. This is incredibly convenient: simply add your logo, edit the text and your business card is ready to print. Even with minimal MS Word knowledge, you won't need more than 5 minutes to edit this business card template.
