Business cards come in all shapes and sizes. Paper types and thickness can change – as well as effects such as embossing. Shapes and sizes include:

• Standard
• Square
• Mini
• Rounded Corner
• Folded
• Perforated

Standard shapes are the norm for business cards, but alternative ones break from convention and can be more eye-catching as a result.

The thickness of a business card is measured in GSM, or grams per square metre. GSM varies according to the paper type the card is printed on.

Standard business cards are printed on 400gsm silk. This is much thicker than the 90gsm of regular printer paper, for example.

But you can opt for even thicker cards. These give you a sturdier and more premium feel. So if this is your aim, consider cards with higher GSM.

Yes. Your logo is at the core of your brand. You should expose customers to it as often as possible. If your company has a well recognized logo, it becomes important to associate your name with your company’s logo to build trust.

 Essential information to include is:

• Phone number and email address
• Name, job title and qualifications
• Company name and logo

Everything else is optional. But plan your text carefully to avoid overloading it with detail – and ensure what is there can be seen clearly.

The business card is 90mm by 55mm size, either portrait or landscape.