Frequently we receive phones calls asking the seemingly simple question, “How much does it cost to have business cards printed?” The answer to this question depends on what kind of business card you want. Business cards can cost anywhere from approximately forty dollars to hundreds of dollars. The cost depends on the answers to a few questions; how many, what process they will be printed in, how many colors of ink, are they two-sided, what kind of paper will be used, what kind of art work, how complicated is the art work, are the cards to be embellished with embossing or foil stamping. Working with your printer will help you achieve the best answer to your questions and help you cut costs. For initial orders it may be best to come in person to the shop and discuss your business card needs with us.

How many? Business cards are usually printed 500 and 1000 cards per order. Smaller orders of 250 can be requested.

What Process? The process used to create your cards will depend on the art work you have or need and the results you want.

Thermography or raised print is the most popular process. Cards produced in thermography are usually simple design consisting of text information and a simple logo created in one to two colors. Multiple spot colors and four color cards are available in this process but must be ordered in qualities of 500 or 1000.

Requests that will require additional charges are:
corrections or changes in art work
scanning art work
curved type
logo (one time charge)
proofs and changes
nonstandard inks, metallic inks
close registration (Colors less than 1/8th  inch apart but greater than 1/16th inch apart)
zero registration
Two sided printing (back will be flat)
Flood-fill flat printing or themography
Bleeds
Rush orders
Extra boxes

Offset Printing is a good choice for more complex designs with elements like screens and gradations. For businesses with multiple employees and cards with multiple spot colors, the production of card shells saves money and time on reorders. Offset allows for greater access to ink colors, although nonstandard colors that we do not have in stock will incur additional charges.

Color Copying is a good choice for orders smaller than 250 and quicker turn around time. When printed on upgraded stock our new copier produces business card that rival offset printing. Our Canon color copier is a good choice when reproduction of photos and more complex artwork is desired.

Ink Colors can enhance even the simplest card design. A second color can add Wow to a simple design.

Colored Papers also can enhance a design giving a one color ink business card a two color ink look.

Designing the card

Business cards are 3.5 inches wide and 2 inches high and usually printed with multiple copies on one page and then cut to size.

A typical business card will consist of the business information of an employee or owner. Other elements that are incorporated into the card are logos, graphics, photos or design elements.

Font choice allows you to give your business card a personal touch. Keep in mind a few guidelines when choosing fonts. Decorative fonts should be limited to name or company name. Select easily readable fonts for the body of the text.

Start with a one card layout until you have the finished product. The cards are then set up with multiple cards per page after you have your card design just right.

The process used to produce the cards along with whether or not a card bleeds will determine how many cards can be printed per page.

Do not forget to keep the design within a 3/8” margin. Taking the design to the edge of the card calls for a bleed or close registration charge with fewer cards set up on each page, thus a higher printing charge.

Bleeds are considered the portion of the design that runs off the edge of the card. This requires the art work for the card be larger that the finished card by at least 1/4th of an inch where the card runs off the edge. Fewer cards can be laid out per sheet and will require twice the amount of cutting.