Printing business cards and what they do for your brand

Recently, we had a friend visit our Grand Rapids, Michigan Print shop. Walt 3’s travel buddy, Nikolai, asked if we had ever seen the Business Card scene from American Psycho. It’s always a good laugh. To the average person, these business cards all look the same, but to the printer they are all different. The bit about the raised type always gets me. As I watched the clip again it made me think, how important are business cards in modern times?

There are so many ways we can communicate. With instagram new businesses don’t even need a phone number, website, or email - patrons just message right on the platform to connect. Then again, if you go to a business after hours event or community gathering you see business cards being exchanged left and right.

I think it really depends on the event setting and type of event.

I joke about a life lesson I learned from my first job out of college. I was so excited to get my business cards that I happily passed them out to everyone - including patrons at the bar on Friday and Saturday nights. Turns out that was not a great place to pass out my phone number. Haha

I always have a card on me. Now, I’m a printer so I have to have an amazing card to show off our printing capabilities. So I actually have a summer card and a winter card. Or you could describe them as a casual business card and a formal business card. The formal business card is blind embossed on the back and shows off our building. The front of the business card is four color printing and has all my contact info. The card is round cornered and is edge painted in Swift Blue. A card like this puts Paul Hallen’s card to shame. (or at least I think it does.)

My casual business card is a tiny round cornered card. It is printed on a synthetic stock and has our logo on one side and contact info on the other side. This business card can survive a lot. I’ve accidentally washed them in several loads in the wash and it’s held up fine. This card really holds the test of time as it ventures through pockets, purses, change, keys, ect. This card is perfect for when I meet a new friend and want to exchange numbers. It’s also great for the beach- I actually gave one out once on the shores of Grand Haven.

I think it’s important to always know where your business cards are located. If you’re going to a networking event you’re going to meet people. That’s the point, right? So put 3-5 in your pocket. Pick a pocket. Know exactly where they are located. This is a great opportunity to make a first impression with colleagues and mentors.

Here’s an example: You’re at a networking event and you finally got to chat with one of the three people who you had hoped were going to be there. Conversation is flowing, you’re on fire. Wow, it’s going really, really good. Then the City Treasurer needs to pull them away for a moment to introduce them to the Mayor. They kindly ask for your business card and you reach right into the pocket to grab your card and hand it to them with a smile.

Or…

You’re at a networking event and you finally got to chat with one of the three people who had hoped were going to be there. Conversation is flowing, you’re on fire. Wow, it’s going really, really good. Then the City Treasurer needs to pull them away for a moment to introduce them to the Mayor. They kindly ask for your business card and you freeze. Did you bring business cards? Are they in your purse? Did you leave them in the diaper bag? Shoot! You fumble and look in every pocket. The person is walking away. You feel your heart racing. You feel like you’re in slow motion. You finally find a crusty business card from three months ago in a hidden pocket and hand it over at the last second. Ugh, how did I forget to pack my cards again?

What situation do you think will help cultivate this new relationship? As I’ve played all of these roles before, I will tell you the person who knows right where their cards are is always making a better impression.

How do you feel about business cards?