History shows that the earliest records of professional business cards used to promote one’s business were used in 15^th century China and they often included a map so customers would know how to get to a business. As well as a map they would also include the same basic information that one would expect to find on professional business cards today i.e. name and business type.

During the 19^th century, anyone in Europe or the US who wished to be taken seriously in business would own a stack of high quality business cards to hand out to potential customers. There was a lot of specialised etiquette surrounding the use of business cards in these days and if you were to hand one out there were certain hushed rules that one must follow. For example, if you were visiting a client’s house you would be greeted at the door by a servant who would likely hold out a silver tray to place your card in. The card will be taken to the head of the house and if your card is returned you would simply leave without receiving an explanation.

Men had to carry them loose in their pockets while women were allowed to use a card case. However, women were only allowed to own high quality business cards if they had been part of society for at least a year. Men must have enough cards ready to give one to every female member of a family rather than just one and only middle to upper class people would be able to afford such a luxury. Oh, how times have changed! Men, women, old, young, poor, rich; anyone running their own business now owns a set of high quality business cards and you are free to hand out as many as you want to whoever you want, whoever you are!

Posted Wednesday, January 13th, 2010 in business card printing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Why not leave a response?