The business card printing industry has correctly recognized the significance of the 2” x 3” piece of business stationery. Consequently, there is a never-seen-before spate of innovative designs and colors and shapes and materials that can go into the designing of cards, setting your presence apart from the rest.

One only has to know what one identifies with; the rest is taken care of by the business card printer. For example, a watercolor painter might choose several shades of lilac and blue on translucent plastic, to create a water color effect. Or an event manager might want an invitation card that reads like an invitation. The business card of a graphic designer simply said ‘hello' on one side, while the details were printed on the reverse. Then there are others that choose the portrait orientation, rather than the landscape. Use bright colors if your service or product demands it, the conventional white and blue can be given a miss.

Another important factor is the selection of the font. Lucida Handwriting looks truly graceful, but takes up a lot of space. Another very stylish font is, or used to be, the Nuptial Script. One does not see much of it these days; it probably owes its demise to its impracticality - one really had to strain to read it. The tried and tested Times New Roman, especially in italics, is always right and always safe. Many cards nowadays sport the barest minimum of skills; no cluttered look here. And you could tell your business card printing agency to lay out a short, clever catch-phrase strategically.

The business card printer you choose is limited only by your imagination. With Photoshop and Illustrator, some real classy stuff can be designed. For one, there is a variety of material to choose from. There are these lovely plastics, with a matte or grainy effect. Print your text in silver, in Sans Serif and you have an unbeatable classy look. In addition, you have quality finishing options like high gloss, spot UV gloss and spot silver.

Most business cards are die-cut, and this gives you a choice of sharp or rounded corners. An IT firm might choose the former while a beautician or soft skills trainer would probably opt for the latter. Business card printing has advanced to the stage where you can get embossed cards, or maybe you can even have the shape of your logo stenciled in. What, however, takes the cake in out-of-the-box thinking, is a business card printed on a wooden clothes peg. You sure would like to know if that worked! Don't you?

Business card printing firms do the whole bouquet of business stationery like business cards, postcards, flyers, brochures, stickers, presentation folders and so on. Most printing outfits have complete solutions. And what's more, there is an online ordering and proofing system in place. Some companies also rise to the occasion and supply your order within 24 hours within the United Kingdom. Of course, you have to choose from among their templates and customise your design as far as possible. But that still gives you a lot of options to make the desired statement.