How Much Business Cards Cost to Design and Print in 2021
These days, most companies do business on the internet. With so many people banking, shopping, or conducting business online (particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic), some people might imagine that the old-school business tools have fallen out of favor.
But guess what? Business cards are still very much in style — in fact, they’re a necessity.
Business cards are a quick and easy way to introduce yourself and your company to anyone that you meet. The card is simple, to the point, and it stays with them long after you go, ensuring that you make a lasting impression on your clients and colleagues.
Best of all, business cards are extremely cheap; while costs vary due to a number of factors, you can typically print 500 business cards for £13.95 or less — including VAT! In 2021, anyone can get a set of quality business cards for a reasonable price.
What Factors into Business Card Costs?
The total cost for your business cards will vary based on a number of things, from the printing company you use to the number of cards you decide to buy. However, the largest contributor to the final bill is the look and feel of the card itself.
Let’s break down some of the primary elements that determine how much a business card costs.
Design Options
Your business card design is, without question, the most important part of any card. The design must be eye-catching and convey a strong message about yourself and your business, but it must also be simple and legible enough that anyone can read and understand it. Therefore, it should be no surprise that much of the cost to print your business card is connected with this design.
Most printing companies give you a variety of options for designing your business cards — and each of these options can affect your final bill. Do you want to upload your own design, or will you use one of the free templates the printer provides? Will your cards be black and white, or will they be full colour? These decisions can alter how much your business cards cost.
Paper Type
Business cards speak to the reader with two different senses: sight (where they physically read the words on the card) and touch (where the feel of the card offers additional context about the business). This is why it’s also very important to select a good paper type when printing your business cards. The weight, flexibility, and finish on your card will tell anyone who holds it how professional or sophisticated your company is — and adding a touch of luxury is sure to cost a little extra.
Most printers will make business cards on 300 GSM (grams per square meter) paper. This will result in a business card that’s sturdy and durable, but still has a little give and bendability. However, if you want something that exceeds this standard — for example, a card on 400 or 450 GSM paper — you may need to pay a bit more.
Higher paper weight or a different paper type (like recycled board instead of cardstock) can give your card a feeling of greater status or sophistication. However, it can also increase the cost to print your business cards. Keep this in mind when deciding on materials for your order.
Finishes and Flourishes
Many people want their business cards to help them stand out from the crowd. To achieve this goal, they opt to “dress up” their design with metallic foil, spot-UV treatments, and matte or glossy finishes. While these finishes can make your card look exceptional (and we absolutely recommend them), it is important to keep in mind that they can increase the cost of your card.
For example, adding a matte coating to your order of 500 business cards can raise the price from £13.95 to £22.95. Design details like foil stamping (adding metallic foil to certain elements on the card, like your name or company logo) or embossing can add up to £1 per card to your final order!
Of course, there’s a reason that these flourishes raise your cost per card: they add value to the finished product. If you want your card to really leave an impression on your potential clients and industry colleagues, these little details can make a big difference. Just make sure that you’re aware of how they affect your budget — and don’t break the bank trying to be as fancy as possible.
Printing and Shipping Costs
In the internet age, shipping costs are a common part of our everyday shopping. You can order anything from anywhere in the world and have it shipped to your doorstep — but when you get it and how far it’s going might affect your price. This is also true when you’re working with online printers. If you want your business cards quickly, you may have to pay a little extra.
At Banana Print, we are proud to offer our customers a 24-hour guarantee for printing and dispatching their order. However, shipping costs vary depending on your needs: while a standard order of 500 cards may cost £13.95, an “express” order that arrives at your door sooner will cost £21.95. It’s important to keep this in mind and plan accordingly — in other words, don’t order your business cards at the last minute if you want to keep costs low.
Print Your Business Cards With Banana Print
Online printers have made it easier (and cheaper) than ever to get high-quality business cards for yourself or your employees. However, there are still factors that can raise your total cost.
Are these elements worth the extra money? That depends on your industry, your budget, and your personal opinion. But whether you want to spend more or not, make sure you keep these factors in mind so you get the business cards that suit your needs.
Explore our selection to see how we can help you get business cards that make a big impression.