Did you know?
Business cards evolved from a fusion of visiting cards and trade cards. Visiting cards ( or calling cards) appeared in China in the 15th century and in Europe in the 17th century.
The footmen of aristocrats and of royalty would deliver these cards to the servants of their prospective hosts solemnly introducing their arrival.
Visiting cards became an indispensable tool of etiquette to any 19th-century upper or middle class lady or gentleman, with sophisticated rules governing their use.
Visiting cards included refined engraved ornaments and fantastic coats of arms and provided a streamlined letter of introduction.
Trade cards first became popular in the 17th century in London.
These functioned as advertising and maps, directing the public to merchants’ stored as no formal street address numbering system existed at the time.
Later, as the growing demand for the cards boosted the development of color printing, more sophisticated card designs appeared, making the cards works of art.
The trend toward fanciful trade cards was balanced by the pragmatic need of a growing group of private entrepreneurs who had a constant need to exchange contact information.
These users often started to print out their own cheaper business cards.
If you need business cards and your need them quickly West Coast Printers can help you, click here for more details.
The History of business cards
In the 18th century, today's equivalent of not being tech savvy was illiteracy.
There was no point of giving someone a detailed, printed account on who you are and what you do if that person could not read.
So, many people of that time would draw small symbols of their trade on the business cards that they would hand around.
Through tiny drawings of fruit, paint brushes or teeth you could find out if you were dealing with a merchant, an artist or a dentist.
Business cards first appeared in the 17th century when European merchants and aristocrats used them to announce their impending arrival in a city. Just like now, back then it was one of the best and simplest ways of letting someone know that you mean business.
By the 19th century, business cards had become a staple of high-society.
While lounging in their quarters, aristocrats would receive tens of such cards every day.
They were each presented on a silver tray by their servants while the senders would patiently wait for an audience in the parlor.
The lucky ones who would get to see the master of the household were those whose business cards had the best or most appealing design.
In the 20th century, the advent of print technology made business cards available for everyone. They soon became a must-have marketing tool for everyone that was involved in any sort of business.
From company directors to car salespersons to exterminators every work category required them. As a result, there was an explosion in design features, colours, and presentation.
Even a difference in font could spell success or failure depending on the client's perception of your sense of aesthetics.
WhatsApp us