As you may have noticed, Ooprint loves business cards.  And we’re not the only ones.  Professionals, students, advertisers, even bloggers use them to promote themselves, their businesses and their ideas.  But where and when did these wondrous cards come from??

Business cards as we know them today evolved from a fusion of trade cards and visiting cards. 

Trade cards became popular in 17^th century London, and were used as advertising and as maps, directing the public to merchant’s stores (no formal street address numbering system existed at the time). 

Visiting cards, or calling cards, date back to 15th century China but are more popularly recognized as a trait of proper etiquette of 17th century Europe. The footmen of visiting aristocrats would give a visiting card to the servants of the host to announce the guest’s arrival.  Visiting cards were often highly ornamental and boasted family coats of arms.

Today business cards are used by almost every company and professional.  Technology has evolved such that cards can be printed in color, and include photos or logos.  The business card design has changed as well; some business cards are so creative that they appear to be works of art.

Ooprint is proud to offer a wide variety of business card formats and designs.  From colorful square cards and flashy vertical promotional cards, to ornate calling cards and modern blogger cards . . . Ooprint is making business card history in the 21^st century.

Photo credits: http://freepages.family.rootsweb.com/~carpediem/images/people/P%20Williams%20Card.JPG