Let’s face it, 90% of all the world's business cards face one of several destinies; they’re either left in their box, filed away never to see the light of day, or used for cigarette roaches. Only 10% ever fulfill their dream of actually being used for their contact information.
Perhaps if our cards were a bit more imaginative, they could look forward to an altogether more rewarding future. If you fancy spicing yours up, here are some ideas from around the world to get your creative juices flowing.
Have you got an interesting card? Upload an image of it below.
Green fingered cards
Adding a taste of the garden to your meeting and greeting, this card from architecture firm Tur & Partner is seeded so that when you add a drop of water to it, within a couple of days the seeds sprout through the holes in the plan and you’ve got yourself a professionally landscaped miniature garden.
Useful cards
Many companies have begun offering cards with some kind of practical application. This punched-out sheet metal turns a card into a fully functioning set of lock-picks, and this one doubles up as a shoe horn.
A personal trainer opted to give prospective customers a mini-finger workout with his stretchy rubber business card. 
Want your customers to be able to find your business? Why not make them a mini-map that shows exactly where you are?
Peanut cards
Taberu Me cards are created by Japanese firm Arigatou using a high-grade CO2 laser engraver nicknamed “Shiawase-kun.”
They can etch characters onto hard organic materials like beans, nuts, rice and pasta to cleanly print names and telephone numbers on the irregular surfaces of peanut shells. You can buy a jar of 150 for 5800 yen, about £37.
Meat cards
What better way could there possibly be to combine the serious business of business with the spicy brilliance of beef jerky? The clever chaps at Meatcards.com have come up with a way to sear your details onto a strip of beef. Alas, these aren’t for sale just yet, but watch this space for salty, meaty, delicious business cards very soon.
Smartrings
The idea of doing away with business cards completely in favour of ‘smart rings’ that automatically transfer information when you shake hands might be a little too clever for its own good. These little gadgets are powered by the heat of your finger, and can be synced with a digital card so you can view the information you’ve received and customise your own profile. Unfortunately, everybody would have to have one for it to be of any use; but the idea is interesting.
If you've got an interesting business card, why not tell us about it or even post a picture below?
