Business Card Statistics

Even in the world of smartphones, tablets, and laptops, 27 million business cards are printed daily. Find out why they matter.

You might question getting a business card for many reasons.

People mostly rely on their technology to store information. Business cards can get costly. Most of them get thrown out. But business cards are not dead yet.

Let's get into why business cards are important, and more.

Average Business Card Statistics

How many business cards are printed daily?
27 million business cards are printed daily.

How many business cards are printed per year?
Just under 10 billion business cards are printed annually.

How many business cards are thrown out within a week?
Of all cards printed each year, 8 billion will be tossed within a week. That's 88% of cards printed.

What percentage do sales increase for every 2,000 business cards handed out?
Despite the tossed cards, a company's sales increase by 2.5% for every 2,000 business cards.

What's the number one reason people throw business cards away?
People live in the moment. They throw business cards away because they don't need the service now. Unfortunately, 63% of people feel this way.

Business Card Costs

What is the average cost of a business card?
Business cards cost anywhere from $10 to $500. The average spent nationally is $194. The cost depends on the quality and complexity of the card. It also varies based on the card company.

For example, VistaPrint offered 250 free business cards to new customers during the company's earlier days. But there is a catch. You can't choose the material and the design has to be basic.

Hiring a professional could cost closer to the $500 range.

What is the average cost of having a graphic designer design business cards?
Many graphic designers charge per hour. The average per hour rate in the US is $25 - 150 per hour. The amount charged varies based on location and complexity of the work.

What is the world's most expensive business card?
The Black Astrum Signature Card, coming in at $1,500, is the world's most expensive business card. It is studded in 30 carats worth of diamonds and made of Swiss metal.

The cards are sold in packages of 25, 50, or 100 and are priced at around $1,500 per card.

Creating the Business Card

What information should you include on a business card?
A business card is a physical extension of your business. At a minimum, each card should include:

• Name (personal and business)
  
• Job title
  
• Email
  
• Phone
  
• Website
  
• Social media sites

What is the average size business card?
A standard business card measures 3.5" x 2". The outer 1/8th-inch of the card is the "bleed" area. It allows for the design or background to complete the card, minimizing any white space.

Should you have white space on your business card?
The cardinal rule of business cards is to keep it simple.

Overcrowd it and clients will throw it away. You want balance, readability, and comprehension. Each of these is only obtained with the right amount of white space, even if it's not "white."

Should you use more than one font on your business card?
Choosing the font can be overwhelming. With hundreds to choose from, you may want more than one. Make sure you only choose one serif font and one sans serif font.

Designers use serif for headings and sans serif for the body. Mixing up more than one of each can create clutter.

How can a photo on a business card help your business?
Add a photo if you don't want your business card to be thrown away. It can make the card more memorable.

Of course, it must tie into your business somehow. It can be a photo of yourself. It can also be a photo that signifies your business. The goal is to make the card enticing.

What is the most common business card mistake?
Don't choose cheap paper. That's the number one mistake. People judge your business on your business card. It's often their first impression of your business. If you choose low-quality paper, they may assume you provide cheap quality products/services.

The Importance of a Business Card

What are the most common types of businesses using business cards?
The corporate world is still filled with business cards. It's the number one networking tool. It's the icebreaker during a meeting and the branding when you part.

Small businesses, however, need business cards just as much. If nothing else, it gives a small business a professional appearance. It lets potential clients know your business is "real."

What is the number one reason to carry business cards?
Even in a technologically advanced world, it's a breach of etiquette to not have business cards. People expect them.

Attempting to network without them is a big mistake.

How do business cards continue to market for you after personal interaction?
Business cards continue to network for you long after you part ways with a potential client. It lets the other person know you have a legitimate business. It also lets them know you encourage future contact.

How much longer do people hold onto colored business cards than white cards?
Studies show that people hold onto colored cards 10 times more than white cards. But again, they have to be attractive, uncluttered cards to be effective.

How do business cards change a person's impression?
Business cards make you look prepared and not cheap. A quality card with a great design links a good feeling to your business. Handing out a poorly made card can seem as if you don't care about your business.

Digitally Saving Business Cards

How do people save business cards in a digital file?
Even though it's a common business practice to hand out business cards, not everyone saves them. But before they get thrown out, many scan the card into an app like Evernote. They can then add notes and even follow you on LinkedIn.

How many Americans have a smartphone?
Today, 85% of Americans have a smartphone. But the business card is still alive today. It's a way of acknowledging professionalism, even if it gets thrown out or scanned.

It's the act of handing out the card that matters.

Bottom Line

Business cards continue to hold an important role in a business. Creating the right card can help your business thrive.

Although 88% of business cards get thrown out, they can improve your image. They continue to market you to a potential client after you've parted ways. This is the reason why there are over 10 billion business cards annually.

So, consider the fact that business cards are not outdated. Not even in a world where 85% of Americans own smartphones.

Sources and References

• Adobe
  
• Thumbtack
  
• SBA
  
• Minuteman Press