Tips for comparing business card printing companies

Ask yourself these questions before selecting the right business card printing company. Your answers will help determine with company meets your business card needs.

Do you want basic business cards or professionally designed business cards?

• Basic cards are great for people needing quality business cards at a low cost. The low cost and quick turnaround time of basic cards is convenient for any employee, particularly those who frequently attend conferences or networking events, where a large number of business cards can be distributed quickly. Printing companies that offer basic cards typically provide templates that you can customize on your own. Basic cards are printed on standard cardstock and offer upgrades at an additional cost. View our comparison chart for Basic Business Cards.
• Professionally-designed cards are great for people who want to make a unique statement. These business cards are high-end in terms of price and are typically printed on special cardstock. Business card companies that offer full-service design will work with you to customize your business card to your absolute satisfaction. Your cards will be printed in full color, and backside printing is included at no additional cost. View our comparison chart for Full-service Business Card Design.

How many business cards do you need?

Typically, the more business cards you order, the cheaper the price per card. That means that you’ll save more money on bulk orders. If you want to order cards for multiple people, you may want to take advantage of “batch” ordering, which allows you to split a bulk order among multiple people. The two companies we’ve found that allow batch orders are Andreoni and Moo. Andreoni allows you to split 2,000 cards among 4 people for a total of 500 cards per person. However, not many business card printing companies will allow you to split your order.

What do you want your business card to say about you?

• Matte finish is great for hand-writing notes on your card, which may be great for people who want to distribute their cards at conferences or trade-shows to a large number of people. This is usually the default finish offered by business card printing companies.
• Glossy finish is great for showcasing graphic-heavy, creatively designed business cards. Glossy cards also make for great font-of-house cards, displayed on reception tables, etc. They tend to make the cards feel thicker (even though they’re not) because of the texture. Some business card printing companies offer glossy finish as the default card finish.
• Premium Laminate is a high-end finish that creates a thicker, more durable business card. This finish also allows a person to write on his or her business cards, much in the same way matte finish would. Some business card printing companies offer Premium Laminate as an upgrade.
• Raised-print refers to a special method of printing a business card. Unlike digital printing, raised printing uses offset printers, which create textured (or “raised”) letters similar to an embossing. Raised print creates an elegant, professional look great for people in any industry. Raised print cards are typically 1-2 colors, making them slightly cheaper than full color cards. View business card companies that offer raised print.

Do you want to print on the back side of your business card?

Printing on the back of your card is typically not included in the pricing of basic business cards, although some companies (usually the ones that offer full-service design business cards) will include it for free. There are three types of backside printing offered at different price points: custom full color, custom black and white, and calendar/appointment lines. Be sure to check the price of backside printing before you buy.

Do you want to upload your logo?

Most business card companies will allow you to upload your logo for free, while a few may charge a fee. Typically, if you are ordering a raised print card, you will not be able to upload a custom logo. The reason is that raised print cards are printed with 1-2 colors. Some companies, such as uPrinting, will let your upload your logo to a raised print card, but your logo will be printed digitally.

How thick would you like your business cards to be?

There are two standard measurements used to refer to card thickness (or cardstock): point and pound. The measurements in order of least thick to thickest are as follows: 12/13 pt, 14 pt (or 80 lb.) and 16 pt (or 100 lb.) The standard cardstock is 14 pt (or 80 lb.). Some companies will let you upgrade your cardstock for an additional fee. It is common to see higher quality paper with a lower point-value (like 12 pt) because the quality or texture of the paper generally compensates for card thickness. Basic business card companies tend to offer standard cardstock, while full-service design companies tend to offer higher quality cardstock.

How soon do you need your business cards?

How soon you receive your business cards depends on two things: printing turnaround time and shipping time. Most orders sent in by a specific cutoff time during the business day will be printed by the following business day. Some orders (like custom designs) can take up to a week to process and print, so plan accordingly. Business card printing companies offer a range of shipping options from Ground to Overnight. Shipping charges and carriers may vary among business card companies, so be sure to get a shipping quote before you purchase.

Proofs and Money Back Guarantees:

All business card companies should allow you to view an electronic copy (or PDF) of your business card before you buy. Some companies will mail you a hardcopy proof for a fee. They will typically ask you to check a box to approve your electronic or hardcopy proof, making it near impossible to get a refund if you are unsatisfied with your order. (Most money-back guarantees exclude customer-created errors, as is the case with VistaPrint. However, most companies are flexible when it comes to customer-satisfaction. They will usually attempt to fix your order or offer you discounts on future orders.

Customer Service:

It is common for business card companies not to have a phone line. Most of them will communicate with you via email, which could be frustrating if you have technical issues with creating your business card online. Delayed email communication could lengthen the time it takes you to create your card. For instance, it takes approximately 2 business days to communicate with Andreoni and finalize your order. Another company Moo responds to emails within the same business day. To be safe, don’t order your cards at the last minute.