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Business cards are a staple of doing business these days, but how much do they actually cost you? In this post, I’ll outline the true costs and share some tips on where to find free or nearly-free business cards.
In general, there are no completely free business cards. Instead, complimentary business cards are often sent as a marketing technique to get your contact information or to upsell you on higher-quality items. There are, however, some printing firms that provide high-quality, low-cost business cards without the headache of a deceptive promotion.
How We Decided Which Free Business Cards Were the Best
Free business card offerings are usually a marketing tactic rather than a guarantee of free cards. In most cases, you’ll still have to pay for “free” business cards via shipping, expedited printing, or add-ons like premium layouts. Even if you never purchase the “free” cards, websites will utilize your email address to send marketing materials.
We compared business card printing providers to discover the greatest bargain since really free business cards are hard to come by. We analyzed each firm based on printing and paper quality, delivery speed, branding, and pricing to determine the top business card suppliers. The firms that best meet your small business’s requirements were then identified.
To discover the top business card companies, we looked at the following criteria:
- Printing & paper quality: The quality of your business card is the first thing clients will notice when you hand it to them. At a minimum, choose a card that is sturdy enough to look professional. If you want to spend more on your business cards, consider a thicker paper or premium finish.
- If you’re purchasing business cards in preparation for a major meeting or trade event, shipping timeliness is critical. If you need something quickly, several printing services provide same-day or next-day delivery.
- Some firms may put their logo on the back of your business cards in order to provide free or low-cost business cards. This might make your business cards seem amateurish and distract from the image you want to project.
- Price: While true free business cards are rare to come by, there are plenty of high-quality and reasonably priced alternatives.
Vistaprint has the best overall business cards
Vistaprint is a website that sells business cards and other marketing items like signage, shirts, and gifts. Because of the wide variety of templates, high-quality cards, and affordable costs beginning at $9.99 per 500 cards, Vistaprint is our top overall option. Vistaprint is an excellent place to get professional-looking business cards at a reasonable price.
Pricing
For $9.99 plus delivery, Vistaprint delivers 500 Standard grade, one-sided business cards. Metallic printing, rounded edges, and a printed backside are premium elements that cost extra depending on the kind of paper. Vistaprint’s cheapest choice is 100 Standard cards for $7.99, making their 500 for $9.99 offer a fantastic deal.
Vistaprint Business Card Cost Comparison
Vistaprint provides consumers with easy-to-use templates as well as high-quality goods at affordable pricing. However, because of continual upselling tactics, some consumers have complained about a lack of transparency in Vistaprint’s price. If you decide to get business cards from Vistaprint, make sure you’re informed of any extra expenses before you start designing.
Vistaprint is offering 500 standard grade cards for $9.99 when you use the coupon code TVPROMO. Start creating your business cards immediately with Vistaprint’s online templates. You keep your prices at $9.99, be sure to choose Vistaprint’s basic finishes.
Moo is the best option for high-quality business cards
Moo is a website that specializes in designing and producing business cards, stickers, and other printed items. Moo provides sleek and contemporary card designs, as well as the finest quality paper and printing choices of the providers we tested, starting at $119 per 400 cards. If you’re prepared to spend a premium for gorgeous, high-quality business cards, check out Moo.
Pricing
Moo’s most affordable box is 50 Original cards for $19.99, making it the priciest choice on our list. Moo also sells 400-card full-color business card bundles for $119 to $199.94, as well as 1,000-card packages in a variety of paper types, including original, cotton, super, and luxury.
Look through Moo’s design platform to get the right template for your small company. Although Moo does not provide free business cards, it does provide a free sample pack of its goods. Simply give your contact information, and you’ll get 10 free sample business cards in a choice of Moo’s shapes, paper types, and finishes.
4Over4.com
4Over4.com is the only company we researched that actually provides a free alternative. It gives out 200 complimentary full-color business cards with the 4Over4 logo on the reverse, and custom-branded cards start at $33 for 500 cards. If you’re on a budget but still need cards to network as your business grows, 4Over4 is a good option.
Pricing
If you don’t mind business cards that are co-branded with the printing provider, 4Over4’s free business card offer is the lowest choice. It provides 200 free business cards to new clients. Then, for 500 cards, you’ll pay $33 for 14 pt paper or $137.92 for 32 pt paper, referred to as Standard and Prestige grade, respectively.
If you don’t care about high-quality paper or bespoke branding, 4Over4.com’s free option is a great method to acquire free business cards. The appearance of a printing company’s logo on your card might seem unprofessional and communicate an incorrect impression about your firm, even though 4Over4 is the only fully free bespoke business card option on our list.
To get your small company off the ground, use 4Over4 for 200 free business cards. Although the free card option from 4Over4 has its logo on the reverse, it’s a terrific way to become acquainted with their goods and begin networking with business cards for free.
PsPrint has the best customizable business card templates
PsPrint is a printing firm that specializes in personalized goods, with prices beginning at $21.90 for 500 cards, making it one of our more affordable options. PsPrint produces high-quality business cards, and its online platform shines because of its 250 completely configurable, user-friendly themes. If you don’t require a card with a distinctive design but want the freedom to tweak a predesigned card template, use PsPrint.
Pricing
PsPrint’s business cards vary in price from $21.90 for 500 standard one-sided, full-color cards to $147.55 for 500 heavyweight cards and $127.90 for 500 bespoke die-cut cards. UV coating, a full-color back, and rounded corners are additional costs. For $10.63, you can get 50 standard, one-sided cards, making it one of the most affordable options.
PsPrint’s designs, unlike some other business card design websites, enable you to move text boxes and photos around on the business card. This means you won’t be limited to a standard layout, and you’ll be able to freely design your cards. PsPrint’s web platform, on the other hand, lacks snap alignment, making text alignment problematic.
If you’re looking for low-cost, completely personalized business cards, PsPrint is an excellent choice. Request a free sample kit to acquaint yourself with PsPrint’s goods if you’re worried about the quality of its cards or don’t know which paper grade to pick.
FedEx Office has the best in-person business cards.
FedEx Office is the FedEx delivery company’s office supplies division, which also provides commercial printing services. FedEx, in collaboration with Kinko’s, provides bespoke business cards beginning at $29.99 per 500 cards for both online and in-store purchasing. If you want to create and pick up your business cards in person, go to a FedEx Office location.
Pricing
FedEx Office sells three different types of business cards, with prices ranging from $29.99 to $199.99 for 500 cards. Features such as a full-color back or a metallic finish are optional. FedEx Office has some of the most costly business cards out of all of the firms we looked at. It does, however, sell 250 cards for $19.99.
FedEx provides business card printing both online and in person. FedEx’s online design platform and business card possibilities aren’t as extensive as some of the other firms on our list since it isn’t a specialist business card supplier. FedEx is a good alternative if you like to create your business cards online and pick them up in person.
If you’re new to business cards and want to see paper selections, colors, and finishes in person, FedEx is a good place to start. You may buy online or at your local FedEx shop after you’ve determined what works best for your company.
Overnight Prints
Overnight Prints is a business card printing service that stresses speedy delivery and charges $24.81 for 500 cards. If you purchase by 8 p.m. Eastern time, you may obtain next-day delivery using their “Buy It Today. Get It Tomorrow.” (BITGIT) option. If you need business cards quickly without compromising quality, look into Overnight Prints.
Pricing
The cost of 500 Premium cards begins at $24.81, $131.17 for Fat cards, and $155.33 for color-filled Sandwich cards with Overnight Prints. If you wish to print on the backs of cards, have rounded corners, or other characteristics, the price will go up. Furthermore, if you want next-day delivery, the cost of Overnight Prints business cards skyrockets.
Expect to pay a premium for processing and delivery if you pick Overnight Prints’ next-day service. For example, we ordered 500 business cards and the delivery cost was more than $40. If you really require next-day service, Overnight Prints’ BITGIT function is a wonderful bargain, but the absence of a rapid and economical shipping option makes FedEx a preferable alternative for a short turnaround time.
If you need business cards quickly but don’t have access to a local printer like FedEx, try Overnight Prints. Overnight Prints offers inexpensive promotional rates for their business cards in addition to its BITGIT function.
Cost Influencing Factors
Options such as paper material, style, color, and delivery time all determine the total cost of business cards. Many companies that promote incredibly low-cost business cards employ lightweight materials and charge high shipping fees. We advocate bypassing the “free” alternatives in favor of higher-quality cards that accurately reflect your company.
The following card characteristics have an impact on the cost of business cards:
- Paper stock: Most business card businesses will offer a variety of paper choices, including matte, glossy, metallic, raised lettering, and thick paper; the mid-tier thickness option is typically the best since it is still reasonable without being fragile.
- Front and back design/color: Having a design on both the front and back will cost you more, so consider simply having your design on the front; color will also cost you extra depending on the business; To make your logo stand out, use color on the front.
- Shipping time: This is entirely dependent on how fast you want your cards; business card suppliers understand that many delays and forget to get their cards until the day before a networking event, so they charge a premium for expedited delivery.
Free Business Card Printing Instructions
Print your own cards using a firm like Avery if you want professional cards but don’t want to pay or wait for shipment. To make cards with a precise edge, use free internet designs and heavy-stock, precut paper. Printing business cards necessitates the use of a computer and printer, but it is an excellent alternative if you need business cards quickly.
You’ll need the following supplies to make your own business cards:
- Free business card printing software: You’ll need software to design your business card and lay it out in a way that works with business card paper; for example, Avery offers free business card templates that work with their paper products.
- High-quality paper: Pick a high-quality paper that will represent your company professionally; choose business card paper manufactured exclusively for business cards or any thick paper that can’t be cut easily.
- Inkjet or laser printer with high resolution: If you want to make professional business cards, you’ll need a color printer that can print sharp graphics on heavy-stock paper.
What Should You Put on Your Business Card?
The content on your business cards should be sufficient to identify you and your firm, as well as to convey crucial information to customers. If space allows, your card should also direct them to your physical location, website, and social media profiles. Decide what you want your business card to achieve and add information that supports that goal.
Always remember to include the following information on your business cards:
- Your first and last name, as well as the name of your company: Make sure your name, title, and company name are visible on your new business cards.
- Phone number: You should have a business phone number that is distinct from your personal phone number; for your business phone system.
- Include a business email address (name@yourcompany.com) rather than a personal email address (name@yahoo.com) in your email address. Your credibility will be harmed if you include your personal email address on your business card.
- Website: If you want visitors to learn more about your company when they get your card, add a link to your website; if you don’t have one, learn how to create one for under $3 per month.
- Consider using a light color and matte surface on the reverse of the card as well, since many individuals utilize the back of cards to jot down notes during a discussion.
Consider providing the following information if it will fit:
- Include your company’s logo on your business card to help brand it.
- If you have a local company with a real address, you should absolutely include it; but, if you just operate online, you may want to consider utilizing the space for something else.
- Include your work title so that others are aware of your position at the company.
- Slogan: If you have a snappy one-liner about your company, it’s a good idea to include it on your card so people can get a better picture of what you do.
- Include your Twitter username or Facebook page to increase interaction on your social media profiles.
- Fax number: This may sound outdated, but if you work in a company that often utilizes fax machines, try placing the number on your business card.
- Picture of you: If you work in a field where you and your company are one and the same, such as real estate or insurance sales, utilizing your photo is a good option.
Final Thoughts
When meeting someone for the first time, small company owners usually hand out business cards. Your contacts may not recall a beautiful business card, but they will remember an amateurish card that makes a bad first impression. Choose a business card supplier that provides both value and quality to make a great first impression.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best free online business card companies?
A: In the USA, one of the best free online business card companies is VistaPrint. They offer a wide variety of unique design options and seem to be constantly updating their site with new designs for both personal and professional use.
