By creating your own business card on your home computer, you can get your business noticed and save money at the same time. You can do it yourself, even if you want to use color and photographs, for less than a regular printer would charge simply by using a home printer that offers photo quality reproductions. It is the objective of this article to deal briefly on the history of business cards and show you available options in do-it-yourself business cards.

Today's business cards are a form of the historic visiting cards which were also referred to as calling cards. These cards were first featured in 15th century China and 17th century Europe. A sophisticated set of rules governed the use of these cards. Through out the years visiting cards evolved into other types of cards such as greeting cards, trade cards, and now the business cards.

Considered by many to be the predecessor to the business card, visiting cards first appeared in 17th century England. London merchants were the first to use them. They were used to advertise a merchant’s location and merchandise and goods.

There was a sharp distinction between visiting cards and business cards in the United States during the 19th century. In the past, the social elite used visiting cards as concrete evidence that they had met their social obligations. Business cards were strictly for business and not for social purposes. It was inappropriate to use a business card for anything other than business purposes.

Nowadays business cards come in a wide variety of colors and materials. Business cards still remain one of the best tools to help build and maintain a business.

Business card stock grants you many options in printing your unique business card. There is a wide variety of colors to choose from for the blank, uncoated cards. You can also add a photo to a matte card that has a coating. The variety of designer backgrounds and borders available for the cards are many. It's easy to print business cards yourself because the size and format are the same for almost all cards.

Software programs usually have templates that are designed specifically for the creation of business cards. Microsoft Word® is one of the more frequently used programs. The template can be located by going to tools > letters & mailings > envelopes & labels > options > Avery 3612 Business Cards. The great advantage of this is you will be able to print as many as you need and can reprint more in the future as you desire.

Business cards appear to be the tiniest communication tool but they are the most effective and efficient.