Business cards date back to the 17th century and evolved from a combination of visiting cards, calling cards and trade cards that were used to promote businesses at the time.

Business card designs and printing techniques have since evolved into dozens of modern techniques for business people to choose from. Without the right knowledge, you could end up choosing the wrong type of business card.

To aid our readers on their quest for the ideal business card, we decide to list some of the best business card printing techniques available. They are:

Die Cut Business Card

Once printed, a cutting form is used to cut the shape out of flat sheets. More on this technique in upcoming posts.

Foil Block Business Card

Foil blocking is another example of business card printing with a high quality printing finish. Foil blocked business cards are the ultimate choice for creating business cards with decorative appeal.

Embossed Business Card

Thermography creates a raised print effect and can add texture to a business card by keeping it clean, simple and understatedly stylish.

Spot UV Business Card

Spot UV is a high-gloss UV varnish applied to a selected area of a printed image. Embossing creates a stunning 3D effect on a business card. Embossing is particularly effective when used in conjunction with other processes i.e. matt lamination and spot UV with the spot UV image embossed out of the lamination (or foil blocking and embossing).

Augmented Reality Business Cards (3D Business Cards)

This new business card printing technique might be in its infancy, but it shows just how much the business card industry can still evolve. The creator of this revolutionary business card is James Alliban.

Claimed by its creator as the world’s first augmented reality business card. James Alliban added to the back of his business cards a graphic that can be captured by a webcam and reproduce a cool 3D grid of coloured planes pop ups.

For a better understanding, we’ve added a video to help you get a nice picture of this - dare we say - boundary-pushing business card printing technique.

Don’t miss our upcoming posts where we’ll look at each of these printing techniques in more detail.