University Stationery and Business Cards

Card Eligibility
Card Procurement
Card Content and Style
Requests for Exceptions to Standard Format
Color

To present a consistent University identity, Purdue Marketing Communications has established a standard business card format that displays necessary information in a clear, professional manner. Ordering this format from Printing Services is the most economical and efficient way to get a business card. It is the only card that may be purchased with University-controlled funds.

Card Eligibility

Staff members whose duties include significant public contact and/or travel, such as employment interviewers or admissions officers, may receive University business cards through Printing Services Business Procedures Manual. Departments are responsible for determining which staff members, students, or other persons are entitled to use a University business card, whether purchased with department or personal funds.

Card Procurement

University business cards may be ordered through Printing Services. Requests to print cards must come from the designated department source, who is responsible for checking all submitted information for consistency, appropriateness, and accuracy.

Card Content and Style

All text for business cards must conform to University stationery standards, including the proper use of school and departmental names, building names, and academic and staff titles. The one-column format accommodates lengthy items such as building names and room numbers, e-mail addresses, and Internet URLs. Phone and fax numbers can appear two-per-line if necessary.

Address information is presented in the recommended Postal Service format. Specifications include the following:

• The appropriate four-digit number must precede the building name.
• The final address line is "West Lafayette, IN 47907" plus the last four digits of the zip code, which match those preceding the building name.
• Street addresses are not necessary and are not normally used.

Other address options include inserting a line for "Purdue University" above the building name, adding a room number after the building name, and listing "USA" as the preferred Postal Service country designation.

The department may request inclusion of additional information, such as home addresses or dual University appointments. Such requests may require printing the reverse side of the card, which costs twice the normal price. With departmental authorization, a foreign-language translation may appear on the reverse side of the card. The customer is responsible for providing camera-ready artwork of the foreign-language text. If it is not clear what secondary information may appear on the back of the card, Printing Services will follow layout standards to move information to the back of the card.

To speed the production of your cards, please observe these guidelines:

Dos

• Submit all titles, addresses, and electronic contact information to make the relationships as clear as possible.
• Use official titles indicating relationship to the department (e.g., "Director, Special Programs," or "Professor of Education").
• Use the full, formal names of colleges, schools, and departments.

Don’ts

• Do not use abbreviations, except for postal abbreviations for states.
• Do not use ampersands (&).

Contact Purdue Marketing Communications with any questions about appropriate style.

Requests for Exceptions to Standard Format

Requests for exceptions to these standards must be made in writing to Purdue Marketing Communications, South Campus Courts Building D, and authorized in writing by our office.

Color

Standard cards print in black and gold thermography. When required, approved secondary logos may print with additional colors at an additional cost. Information on the reverse side of the card prints in black only.