Business card can serve as ice-breaker.

It's an inexpensive, effective marketing tool

Business cards can be clever and original. They can include graphics that are highly individualized or even photographs. They can be folded, printed on the back, or include a sales pitch. But, depending on their type of business, most companies still favor a traditional, professional-looking card.

"An impressive business card can be a salesperson's gentle way of creating conversation, building rapport and ultimately doing business with a prospect," said Michael Locke, a partner with Paradigm Printing and Graphic Design in Houston, Texas. "We understand the importance of having a Fortune 500 look in a company's …