(Image: Thomas_EyeDesign / iStockphoto)

Even though we are moving toward an increasingly paperless society, the single best way to exchange contact information in person is still to swap business cards. This is particularly true of larger events where you will meet and greet with a great number of people in a short span of time. The trouble, then, is trying to organize all this information after the fact.

It is far too time-consuming to open up your preferred contact management software to enter each contact’s information individually. There has to be a better way. Thankfully, a number of different companies offer business card scanning services both online and offline. With some, you can simply mail off a packet of business cards and receive vCards via e-mail. It doesn’t get more convenient than that.

Better still, a good number of places that offer business card scanning also offer a range of document scanning and document management services as well. This is definitely an added bonus.

US-Based Companies

OfficeDrop – Choose between the mail-in scanning service and the self-scanning solution, the latter of which capitalizes on cloud software. OfficeDrop also comes with the option for online digital filing and storage.

Shoeboxed – This company will likely sound familiar to readers of Smartlife, because we have already taken two looks at the receipt management company. As it turns out, Shoeboxed also scans business cards in much the same way.

Cloud Contacts

Cloud Contacts – One of the more popular services for scanning business cards, Cloud Contacts goes even further by connecting your business cards on social networks, email services, and CRM systems. Business cards can be sent via postal mail or as images via email.

DataBank – Offering imaging and information solutions, this company scans documents of all sizes, ranging from business cards to large engineering drawings. They also offer a 100 percent customer satisfaction guarantee.

The Letter Scanner – This company markets itself as “your virtual post office box in the United States.” Send in your stack of business cards and receive them back as searchable digital files via e-mail. The price is $10 per 20 business cards scanned.

ProjectCenter – Based out of Phoenix, Arizona, this single-source marketing and document services company will come and pick up the documents you would like imaged if you are in the Phoenix area.

Consumer Sketch Information – Marketing itself as offering “probably one of the lowest cost services you will ever find,” CSI will scan documents of all sizes, both printed and handwritten, ranging from business cards and index cards to waybills and instruction manuals.

Docufree – In addition to scanning paper documents, Docufree offers free shipping, free boxes, online review of images, and one year of free online storage. Every document imaged is indexed based on the criteria that you define.

International Companies

Docs on Disc – This Australian company is unique in that it not only offers a document scanning service, but it will also sell you a series of different document scanners, including a new camera-type business card scanner.

Copy Point

Copy Point – Based out of Hamilton, Ontario in Canada, Copy Point is a full service printing, scanning and faxing company. Document scanning will convert your piles of paper into usable digital files, transferring the data to fully indexed CD-ROM discs.

CalWest – Hailing from the other side of Canada in Calgary, Alberta, CalWest will scan business documents of any size and convert them into your choice of PDF or TIFF file formats.

Centrafest Technologies – This company may be based in India, but it will happily serve clients from all around the world. Scanned business cards are then output as a complete searchable database that can in turn be exported in Excel, Outlook, and other formats.

Marathon – A document management firm based in the United Kingdom, Marathon has been offering its range of services for 25 years. Output options include TIFF, PDF, and OCR to Word formats.

Pearl Scan Solutions – Also from the UK, Pearl Scan Solutions provides scanning, electronic archiving, and data capture solutions to businesses of all sizes. Past clients include BBC, NHS, and the University of Manchester.

Cleardata – Beyond the document scanning service, this UK company also offers secure document storage with fast digital retrieval options. Cleardata sells scanning hardware as well.

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(Photo: hidesy / iStockphoto)

Unlike everything else made of paper, business cards still make sense for the modern worker. Technology might be killing the newspaper, murdering the magazine, and forcing the evolution of pretty much every media into faster forms, but until we start implanting it into our heads, we’ll still need to tell people how to find us later. Even the flashiest web developer might meet the meat version of potential clients, and a business card speaks volumes of professionalism — while scrabbling for pens and paper in pocket lint shouts “amateur” in every language.

PDAs have been trying to replace business cards with “beaming” for years, and you can tell how well that’s going: PDA isn’t even a phrase anymore (replaced by smartphone and Blackberry) while any trade show attendee still turns twenty cards out of their pockets at the end of the day. So how has progress affected the printed words? We’re all connected now, so can’t technology help us to do this better and smarter? That’s why you read this blog! Here’s how to move with the times:

1. The Google

Google Cards

Everything about the Internet encapsulated in one clever card. Reactions to Google Cards can be mixed: some people appreciate the idea, associating sharpness and practicality with the bearer, while others see it as smug. Or worse, annoying – as well as digging out the card, they have to fire up the “Inter-net” to find out about what you do, and they may well not bother. It’s important for Internet-enabled workers to remember that everyone they meet is online because they usually meet them online.

Many potential clients still need phone and fax; judge where your target audience is and act accordingly. Remember that it’s just as easy to make a Google card with old-school information on it.  Most importantly, make sure your name really is the first match before you make any!

2. QR Codes

QR Codes

Quick Response (QR) codes are small, sharp machine-readable grids of black and white. They translate into words or web addresses, and they’re already a fact: many modern smartphones can translate them (especially if they’re able to download applications), and advertisers are already getting into the act.

QR Codes

A QR code on your business card is a great way to advertise experience with the latest in web technology (though that depends on your career — great for a web designer, not so hot in baking). Just make sure not to overdo it. Most people still aren’t able to read them, so a QR code on the back of a regular card is a great idea. One instead of a card isn’t.

Some are going even further: computers can already identify QR surfaces and use them for Augmented Reality (AR). In AR computers, they add virtual items to real pictures, using the QR code as a location identifier, and one man has already built the ultimate online business card with it:

QR Codes

3. Make MiniCards

The above are awesome extensions of the business card idea, but we wouldn’t be very Smartlifey without a labor-saving service. Step forward MiniCards: make them online, instantly, and get them delivered to your door. The only reason you even have to stand up is the postman won’t come into strange people’s houses (no matter how technologically-aware said stranger is).

MiniCards

MiniCards make excellent awareness tools, combining all the advantages of business cards with the convenience of modern design. They’re also much cheaper, meaning they can be used for any number of events. Hosting a party? Need to leave contact details for when you go on holiday? Making fun tickets for a promotion? Whatever you need, minicards can deliver.

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(Photo: Thomas_EyeDesign / iStockphoto)

Whether you’re a freelancer, business owner, 9-to-5-er, or even just a student with a part-time job, business cards are a must have. They’re an essential marketing and branding tool in the offline world. (You remember what that is, right?) If done well, business cards brand you and stick you in people’s minds. Not only do you need to have them, you’ve got to make them memorable, too.

So how do you go about making business cards impressionable? Well, it’s easy. Just assimilate what these reliable expert sources have to say:

• Dan Schawbel
• Seth Godin
• Freelance Switch
• Photojojo

Then go to one of the 12 sites listed below to place an order for your custom or personalized business cards. Each site offers a relatively cost-effective, high-quality, and hassle-free service along with delivery options that bring your business cards right to your doorstep. If you don’t like the business card design options that any of these sites currently offer, then head on over to 99designs to crowdsource your business card design. If you’re unsure about how to come up with or spec out a business card design that brands yourself effectively, experts like Dan Schawbel can help you through the whole process.

1. MOO

MOO “loves to print” — and it shows. It has a great set of options for designing business cards along with ready-made products you can buy online. While MOO is U.K.-based, it ships its products all over the world. What’s more, it’ll be opening a U.S. office later this year. If you’re thinking of using MOO for the first time, you can try a sample pack of 10 business cards for free.

Starting Price: $21.99 for 50 card pack.
Starting Time: 1-2 business days within U.K. and 5-10 days for international shipping.
Other Products: Mini cards, postcards, stickers, greeting cards, notecards, and Christmas and Holiday cards.

MOO

2. Overnight Prints

Overnight Prints is exactly that. It prints business cards overnight, cuts and processes them the next day, and ships them the day after that. You can choose its designs through its Express Designer, design your own through Advanced Designer, or upload your own designs. Overnight Prints has a great section where it outlines common mistakes when ordering/designing business cards, showing you the right and wrong way to do it through examples.

Starting Price: $9.95 for 100 cards.
Starting Time: Depending on which UPS option you chose, 1-3 business days.
Other Products: Postcards, marketing materials, T-shirts, stationary, magnets, invitations and announcements, and more.

Overnight Prints

3. PremiumCards.net

PremiumCards.net specializes in business cards, offering 14 different types. If Internet shopping isn’t your thing, you can also phone-in your orders. The site also sends sample cards to its customers every time it introduces a new product. However, in order to get those samples, you have to create an account. Don’t worry, the site doesn’t ask for credit card details. To help you make a decision on whether to use its services or not, PremiumCards.net has a testimonials page and also maintains a list of its clients.

Starting Price: $49 for 1,000 cards.
Starting Time: Depending on where you’re situated in the U.S., shipping can take anywhere from 1 to 6 days.
Other Products: Rolodex cards, postcards, short run printing, graphic designs, greeting cards.

PremiumCards.net

4. Pinball Publishing

Pinball Publishing is one of the more expensive business card services found online, but it justifies that high price with the excellent quality and customer service. It offers custom quotes as well as packaged ones. It does have a “pennywise” option for customers who’re on a budget. But if you want this option to work for you, the trick is to order in bulk.

While its starting price of $170 might seem steep, you’ll get 1,000 business cards printed for $185. That is indeed pennywise if you consider its normal business cards rates start at $190 for 250 cards.

Starting Price: $170 for 250 cards.
Starting Time: 7-10 business days after approval of PDF proofs.
Other Products: Promotional material, stationary, music and media packaging.

Pinball Publishing

5. Hotcards

Hotcards claims to have the “lowest cost full color printing in the nation.” To order your cards, you simply select the service you want, submit your shipment and payment information, upload your design, and then get on with your day. Unlike most print companies, Hotcards provides flexible shipping options. The company allows you to pick up your order from any of its offices and is open to multiple modes of shipping.

Starting Price: $60 for 1,000 cards.
Starting Time: 1-2 business days.
Other Products: Tri-fold brochures, flyers/club cards, posters, post card, door hangers, and more.

Hotcards

6. VistaPrint

VistaPrint is a U.K.-based service that ships overseas as well. It believes that being on a budget should not limit the number of colors you want to use in your business card. Its business card design process is simple. It offers three options: (1) select from one of its designs and add your own logo or photo to personalize it; (2) use its in-built card designer; or (3) upload your own design for printing.

Starting Price: £12.99 for 250 cards.
Starting Time: 3 business days (minimum).
Other Products: Marketing & signage, office stationary, promotion & events, and lots more.

VistaPrint

7. 123Print.com

123Print.com has a large collection of business cards, which are categorized by industry & professions and style & themes. You can order a sample kit, but only if you’re a U.S. resident, as shipping is limited to the States. There’s an option to choose between business cards assortments, which lets you print five themed business cards assortments, full color business cards, and magnetic business cards.

Starting Price: $3.95 for 100 cards.
Starting Time: 3-7 days with UPS options for faster delivery.
Other Products: Post-it notes, address labels, banners, postcards, stamps, invitations, and more.

123Print.com

8. We Are Printing

We Are Printing provides custom quotes upon request, offers hundreds of free templates, and gives you the option to upload your own design as well. Its payment plan varies with the period of delivery. And standard delivery time takes 3-4 days. For faster delivery, it naturally charges more, but if you’re on a budget, it offers the option of “Wait and Save” whereby your order is shipped in 5-7 days.

Starting Price: $38 for 250 cards.
Starting Time: 3-4 days standard.
Other Products: Bookmarks, letterheads, postcards, flyers.

We Are Printing

9. Bluegrass Print

Bluegrass Print claims to offer the highest quality prints at unbeatable prices. While a lot of online printing services offer the option to print business cards on green paper for an additional charge, Bluegrass Print gives you that option for free.

Starting Price: $25 for 250 cards.
Starting Time: 2-5 days (depending on the type of stock you choose).
Other Products: Brochures, calendars, catalogues, greeting cards, letterheads, and more.

Bluegrass Print

10. Shinebox Print

Shinebox Print is another expensive service, by comparison. Its products are unique and offer more printing options than the rest, however. Instead of the standard business cards, it makes booklets of cards that come in closable covers. While it might be expensive for individuals, for small companies or businesses with ten or more employees, you can order business cards for $75 for 200 cards per employee.

Starting Price: $149.60 for 200 cards.
Starting Time: 1-2 days for local shipping and 6-10 for international.
Other Products: Brochures, portfolios, coupons, and more.

Shinebox Print

11. Mind2Print

Mind2Print offers business card templates according to industry & profession along with the option of uploading your own design or designing your card online. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have any templates for media/journalism/freelancing industry. If you’re using its service and uploading your own file, be sure to read the site’s FAQs about file preparation.

Starting Price: $29 for 100 cards.
Starting Time: 1-6 days depending on your location in the U.S.
Other Products: Custom designs, envelopes, letterheads, logo design, postcards, and more.

Mind2Print

12. BizCard

BizCard offers four types of business cards: standard, slim, square, and calling cards. It has a huge collection of templates and designs for all four types. Ordering cards on the site is a simple four-step process. The company also offers the option to choose one of its free designs and get up to 250 business cards for free.

Starting Price: $19.95 for 250 cards on uploaded design.
Starting Time: 3-5 days for production plus standard UPS or FedEx delivery days.
Other Products: Magnets, postcards, letterheads, invitations, notecards, greeting cards, and more.

BizCard

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Additional sites: NexCards