Today’s name card does double duty as a reference piece and, more important, as a marketing tool. Some cards are handed out in person, some sit on refrigerators, while others sit on cash counters waiting to catch a customer’s eye. Lucky cards are filed neatly in Rolodexes; more are lost in untamed piles in desk drawers. Each situation demands something different of a card, which leads to another key lesson: if a card can make a strong and positive first impression on its intended audience, it has a better chance of surviving a range of harsh conditions. Consider the following scoring system for judging a name card on it’s technical merit:

• Does the card offer appropriate contact info? Pretty basic stuff: leave out your mailing address or URL, and you’re harder to reach
• Does the card say what the company does? You can’t assume the cardholder knows what you offer, unless your company name makes it obvious. The more specific, the better.
• Does the card include a compelling marketing message? Why should anyone do business with you? If you don’t answer that question and your rivals do, you won’t get the call
• Legibility: Readability is the price of admission. Still, we could barely decipher some entries.
• Is the card visually pleasing? An attractive card that obeys basic design principles connotes a caring business that pays attention to detail. Spot UV name card would catch more attentions.
• Functionality: Can the recipient write on it? Is critical information hidden on the back? Is your card easy to carry or file?
• Durability: You don’t want your card thrown out, but cheap paper tears and home-made cards can bleed. An example of good quality name card is water proof matt laminated paper.
• Is the card especially memorable? Catchy slogans, interesting materials or full-force gimmicks can imprint the customer’s mind with your brand.