I’ve written before about the onslaught of digital business card apps, and my overall opinion of the options available.

As an eco-conscious individual I like the thought behind them.

As a marketer, I don’t.

I just came across a great article on the topic from someone who did what I have not. Michelle Mastin of PC World actually tested a whole bunch of digital business card apps – CardFlick, Snapdat, CardCloud, and Bump among them – and despite some general praise for the apps themselves, she makes a good case against them.

Here’s her article: Digital Business Card Apps Tested: The Future is Not Quite Ready

My belief has always been that a paper business card is simply a more effective marketing tool.

It makes a stronger and more lasting impression than a digital card, or bump, or whatever.

Michelle makes another great point…

These apps are supposed to be convenient, but when you’re networking it can be a pain in the you know what to take out your phone, unlock it, open the app, and then perform the necessary function to exchange info.

To that I say: Yup.

Of course, unlike her, I’ve yet to actually try them.

Green Printers Rule!

I love business cards.

But I also understand that they waste a LOT of paper.

And that I don’t like.

So I certainly support the purchase of recycled paper business cards, or at the very least, green business cards that use soy based inks and environmentally conscious printing processes. The good news is that green printing is growing in both popularity and availability.

The next time you order, consider choosing a company that has made an effort to offer recycled paper business cards to their customers.

Oh… and the next time you feel like tossing a business card someone gave you… recycle it!

4 places you can get recycled paper business cards:

• Greener Printer – A printer totally devoted to green printing
• VistaPrint – Offering 100% recycled paper business cards at up to 85% off
• PSPrint – Very environmentally-friendly printing company
• 123 Print – 100% recycled business cards and many green designs too

Consider printing with one of the companies above.

The finished product will still look great, and your customers and contacts will appreciate your decision to support the environment!

Prefer digital to traditional business cards?

Personally, I’m a fan of traditional business cards.

I like the act of handing them out.

I like that you can get a reaction from people.

And as someone else pointed out, what happens if 2 people don’t have the same digital business card sharing technology? You still need a printed card then, right?

But alas… different strokes for different folks, right?

If you prefer digital business cards to traditional business cards here are:

8 Digital Alternatives to Paper Business Cards

Make a Statement with Recycled Business Cards.

Recycled business cards generally use both post consumer paper and vegetable based, or soy inks, and a sustainable printing process.

That makes them a great deal less wasteful than the average business card. When you consider how many business cards trade hands every day, that’s a wonderful thing.

While recycled business cards are becoming more widely available, they’re still not as prevalent as you might think (or, hope).

Of course, that’s certain to change as more people begin demanding them.

In the meantime, if you’re looking for recycled business cards here are a few places to consider.

1. 123 Print
   123 Print is certainly one of the most accessible options at the moment because they offer a wide variety of templates for their recycled business cards. Both designers, and non-designers alike will find this to be both an easy and affordable option. You can print on both the front and back of these business cards.
2. Sustainable Group
   As the name suggests, Sustainable Group is a company committed to sustainable business practices, and recycled business cards are but a piece of their product line. They also a variety of other office supplies as well. Check them out.
3. Wizard Graphics
   Wizard Graphics now offers their entire product line on recycled paper. That includes postcards, doorhangers, brochures, calendars, and  more.  Their recycled business are available in 4/0, 4/1, or 4/4 (translation: blank back, black back, color back)