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One constant in the professional world is business cards. A well-designed card is not just about sharing contact details; it also leaves a lasting impression. But lately, there’s been one not-so-small hiccup—the cost.
“I bought 1000 of them at the beginning of 2021 for $63. Now they’re $199,” says a Reddit user.
In just a few years, business card prices, especially for premium, thicker stocks, have shot up more than expected.
So, how much do business cards really cost today? The answer isn’t simple.
In this article, we’ll break down average prices and what affects them, and share tips to help you get the best deal without compromising quality. Let’s dive in!
How much do business cards cost?
It depends, but here’s the cheat sheet:
Expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $100 per 100 cards, depending on the paper quality, printing style, design, and brand. Budget-friendly picks like GotPrint start at $9.80, while luxe brands like Moo go up to $82. Bulk = better value, and fancy finishes = fatter bills.
Table of contents
- Factors influencing business card costs
- Price comparison of 9 popular business card platforms
- How to choose the right business card for your budget
- Are business cards breaking the bank? Network smarter with Uniqode
- Frequently asked questions
Factors influencing business card costs
1. Design complexity
Design complexity is how intricate or detailed your business card design is. You can add custom fonts or illustrations to customize it. The more detailed your cards are, the higher they will cost.
It’s essential to check the business card design options and customizations before zeroing in on a service. Some business card providers also offer free design template options. QR Code business cards are a great design addition, but you might have to pay extra to generate or print the QR Code.
The templates should also be easy to edit and work with. You can also choose to outsource your designs to professionals.
2. Material quality
Material quality is the type of paper stock or material your business card is printed on. The standard business cards are usually 14pt to 16pt thick. But thicker cards are more durable and feel premium. The material also affects how your business card feels.
Different finishes, like glossy, textured, or matte, can make your card feel more luxurious but also more expensive. Sometimes, going for eco-friendly or recycled paper options can cost more. This is because these materials cost more to produce and source.
3. Printing technique
The way you decide to print your business card also affects the price. There are multiple techniques to print business cards, such as offset, letterpress, embossing, foil printing, spot UV, and laser cutting. Offset printing is the cheapest method of printing. These options give different finishes to your business card.
However, they need specialized equipment, expensive materials, and longer to make. Therefore, these premium options take longer to produce and are more expensive. If you are looking for faster delivery and something easy on your pocket, it is best to go for standard business cards.
4. Quantity ordered
Most printing services offer discounts on bulk orders. So the more business cards you order, the less it will cost. This is because the initial set-up cost remains the same regardless of the quantity. So when the costs are spread over a larger number of cards, the cost per card decreases. In general, many services also have a minimum limit on the number of cards you can order. It’s best to estimate the number of cards you need to avoid reprints.
5. Card shape and size customization
A standard business card is 3.5 x 2 inches. However, to stand out, you can opt for unique shapes such as squares, rounded edges, circles, mini cards, and more.
Not all services offer shape and size customizations, since they require custom cutting tools. These tools waste material and involve extra steps, which are expensive.
Now you know the elements that impact business card costs. Let’s compare and analyze the nine most popular business card services in the market.
Price comparison of 9 popular business card platforms
This section compares top business card printing services, including pricing, features, and more, so you can quickly find the best fit.
| Business card service | Price ( For 100 standard cards) | Best features | Ratings (via G2 and Trustpilot) |
| VistaPrint | $14.99 | Upload your own designs
Eco-friendly options |
4.7/5 |
| Moo | $43 | Create designs from scratch
Superior print quality |
4.7/5 |
| GotPrint | $9.80 | Budget-friendly option
An in-house design team for assistance |
4.3/5 |
| Canva | $30.50 | 17,000+ template options
Easy to use and offers design flexibility |
4.7/5 |
| Zazzle | $19.56 | More than 500,000 design options
Upload your designs with up to 12 paper types |
4.5/5 |
| Staples | $ 21.99 (for 250 cards) | Has in-store pick up and same-day delivery options
User-friendly customization options |
2/5 |
| UPrinting | $14.49 | Create die-cut and magnet business cards
Customizable business card shapes |
4.2/5 |
| 123print | $17.22 | Cards made of recycled paper
Offers good discounts |
4.6/5 |
| PrintPlace | $22.28 | Same-day delivery
Minimum order quantity is 25 cards |
4.3/5 |
Now, let’s examine each business card provider closely to help you make the right choice!
1. VistaPrint
One of the most popular online printers, VistaPrint is known for offering affordable, high-volume printing services with a wide range of customization options.
Cost
- Standard cards: $14.99 for 100 cards ($0.14/card)
- Premium cards: $27.99 for 100 cards ($0.27/card)
Shipping:
Delivery time is 5-15 business days. Depending on the speed, the price ranges from $7.99 to $22.99. VistaPrint offers free delivery for orders above $100.
Best for
Creative professionals, business professionals, service providers, fitness centers, retail businesses, eateries, salons, and spas
Reviews:
The good
“I love the ease of use! VistaPrint offers a wide selection of products with a well-stocked library of templates and allows you to upload your own artwork for a truly customized finished product. Shipping is always prompt and discount codes are plentiful. It’s pretty much always a win-win when you use Vistaprint.”
Connie S, via G2
The not-so-good
“The view of how they are going to turn out isn’t always very accurate to the exact cuts that will happen in the end. I had a bit of trouble with the consistent coloration of my stickers from batch to batch of my orders. The business cards also had a few cuts that had extra paper left hanging.”
Bekkah A, via G2
2. Moo
Moo is known for its premium-quality card options. It also offers options like Prifinity, which allows you to print different designs on each business card at no extra cost.
Cost
Standard cards: $43 for 100 cards ($0.43/card)
Premium cards: $82 for 100 cards ($0.82/card)
Shipping
Shipping time ranges from next-day delivery to 10 days. Depending on the delivery time, the price is $27.50 to $63.75.
Best for
Photographers, large organizations, advertising agencies, start-ups, creatives, and artists.
Reviews
The good
“I absolutely love how easy it is to order anything from MOO – not to mention their awesome customer service if there’s anything about your order that you don’t like. Another great thing about MOO is the amount of customization you can do with your design from for example the shape and size of your business card to the embossing of the text and being able to use gold foil, etc to make your cards stand out even more.”
Giovanna G. via G2
The not-so-good
“Their products are a bit more expensive than other companies, but that’s to be expected since you’re getting exceptional quality products and service. The only other issue is they don’t have as many products to choose from as other similar companies, but the products they do offer are the best quality.”
Steph R via G2
3. GotPrint
GotPrint is a budget-friendly online printer that offers bulk orders and solid print quality. They also have in-house design time for further assistance with business cards.
Cost
Standard cards: $9.80 for 100 cards ($0.09/card)
Premium cards: $18.90 for 100 cards ($0.18/card)
Shipping
Delivery time varies from the next day at noon to 14 days. The price for delivery is from $6.79 to $29.61, depending on the speed.
Best for
Real estate, events, retail, restaurants and cafes, photographers, automotive, and beverage industry
Reviews
The good
“This is the only site that would fit my design on the business card template! And the price was way better than other sites! Super easy to upload and order!”
Candice via Trustpilot
The not-so-good
“Ordered square business cards. When I received them, they cut inconsistently with sloppy misaligned edges. I could not possibly use it for potential customers. After a few emails back and forth they agreed to refund my original amount and re-print my order at no charge. I appreciate that they did that.”
Scott Hull via Trustpilot
4. Canva
Canva is one of the easiest-to-use design platforms. It also provides business card printing services with great customizations and multiple templates.
Cost
Standard cards: $30.50 for 100 cards ($0.30/card)
Premium cards: Canva only offers standard business cards
Shipping:
Shipping time ranges from 2 to 14 business days. Canva offers free delivery for standard shipping. If you need them to be shipped faster, you can opt for express shipping. The cost of express shipping varies for different regions.
Best for
Tech companies, start-ups, freelancers, marketing, FMCGS, education, media, and publishing
Reviews
The good
“Canva is my go-to app for anything design. I have used it several times to create logos, business cards, and YouTube thumbnails, and even to merge videos. I love the fact that it’s for all users of all levels. It does not require technical skills to use.”
Fola O. via G2
The not-so-good
“Personally, I have experienced some glitches in CANVA and some difficulties with the platform’s interface and functionality. It takes a lot of time in customer support response time and also the availability of some features that depend on the user’s subscription level.”
Parikshit S. via G2
5. Zazzle
Zazzle is an online creative marketplace. It lets you shop from thousands of independent designers’ design templates and create your own business card design.
Cost
Standard cards: $19.56 for 100 cards ($0.19/card)
Premium cards: $27.12 for 100 cards ($0.27/card)
Shipping
Shipping time for Zazzle is 2-7 business days. The delivery cost ranges from $6.96 to $33.31 depending on the shipping time and region.
Best for
Events, freelancers, small businesses, Etsy sellers, and professional artists.
Reviews
The good
“Found exactly the artwork I was looking to use on my business card. Was easily able to transfer the template and personalize and the price was great. Received my order faster than I was expecting.”
Julia Snyder via Trustpilot
The not-so-good
“The only disappointment was the size of the font on the business card is a little smaller than expected. When I was filling out the fields on the site it looked to me that the font was larger and more legible and took up more space on the card.”
John via Trustpilot
6. Staples
One of the most recognizable office supply chains, Staples offers convenient online business card printing. They are an excellent choice for people who need quick, no-fuss cards with decent quality and competitive pricing.
Cost
Standard cards: $21.99 for 250 cards ($0.21/card)
Premium cards: $47.99 for 250 cards ($0.47/card)
Shipping
Staples offers three ways of shipping. The fastest is same-day pick-up from your nearest Staples store. For same-day delivery you have to opt for courier service from the nearest Staples store which costs $14.99.
If you do not have a Staples store near you, delivery can take 5-14 business days. Delivery costs range from $8.99 to $29.99, and they offer free delivery for orders over $59.99.
Best for
Health and wellness, construction and repair, food and beverages, real estate, professional services, and consulting.
Reviews
The good
“Had received my item damaged, called customer Services and in less than 24hrs I had already received my replacement. Fantastic service.”
Natalie Shadbold via Trustpilot
The not-so-good
“Shipping is incredibly inconsistent. I’ve had amazing experiences in the past where products arrived within 2-3 days of ordering and other times where I’ve waited over a week without a single indication that my order was even processed.”
Jay Chiu via Trustpilot
7. UPrinting
UPrinting is a commercial printer that offers a wide range of custom print products, including business cards. It caters to professionals and businesses looking for high-end options and a variety of card stocks and finishes.
Cost
Standard cards: $14.49 for 100 cards ($0.14/card)
Premium cards: $43.29 for 100 cards ($0.143card)
Shipping
The shipping time ranges from 3 to 10 business days. This also depends on the printing time, which can range from 1-3 days. The delivery charge is between $15.78 and $70.10, depending on the shipping speed.
Best for
Marketing agencies, creative professionals, retail, freelancers, small businesses
Reviews
The good
“I ordered business cards, but when they were delivered I noticed that the graphics were not centered. I contacted support and they offered me to reprint the business cards correctly. The corrected cards were delivered within a few days. Uprinting did an excellent job, and their customer service is quick, efficient, and courteous.”
Lizz via Trustpilot
The not-so-good
“I think the shipping is a little high, but the quality of the work and speed in which we get our items is good.”
Allinah via Trustpilot
8. 123printing
123Print is an online print shop focused on affordability and ease of use. They frequently provide discounts and promotions, making it a great option for budget-conscious buyers.
Cost
Standard cards: $ 17.22 for 100 cards ($0.17/card)
Premium cards: $ 49.77 for 100 cards ($0.49/card)
Shipping
The shipping time ranges from 4-7 days. The delivery charge starts from $9 to up to $28.60 based on delivery time.
Best for
Small businesses, advertising agencies, artists, entrepreneurs, freelancers.
Reviews
The good
“Business cards and magnetic decals both look great. Easy to reorder. Super convenient to save/open old artwork and update as needed.”
Caset via Trustpilot
The not-so-good
“I was building a business card from scratch. The process of adding, editing, and saving content is very clunky, not intuitive at all.”
A customer via Trustpilot
9. PrintPlace
PrintPlace offers full-service online printing, including business cards. It is known for its fast turnaround and solid customer support.
Cost
Standard cards: $22.28 for 100 cards ($0.22/card)
Premium cards: $41.50 for 100 cards ($0.41/card)
Shipping
Delivery time ranges from 1 to 14 days. The shipping price depends on the turnaround time and shipping time. The shipping rates range from $7.75 to $105.78.
Best for
Restaurants, event companies, e-commerce brands, and religious institutions
Reviews
The good
“We purchased business cards and were amazed by the quality and value. The online design process was very easy, and they arrived 4 days early. The finished product exceeded our expectations!”
AG via Trustpilot
The not-so-good
“While using your site previously and was very pleased, this recent time I was not so satisfied with the products. The business cards are a whole lot thinner than the first batch I purchased.”
Carron via Trustpilot
As you’ve seen, each business card service offers something different: price, design flexibility, or tech features. But before deciding, let’s look at some key tips to ensure you choose the option that best fits your needs and budget.
How to choose the right business card for your budget
It’s easy to overspend on business cards without realizing it. In this section, we’ll give you practical tips to make smart, cost-effective choices without compromising on quality.
1. Set a clear budget
Before choosing a service, it is essential that you have a set budget. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by multiple templates and paper stock options and go over budget.
How to do it right?
- Decide on a budget and stick to it. Generally, it can cost $12 to $30 for regular cards and $40 to $100 for premium ones. If you want to outsource the design, it can add $200 to $500 to your budget.
- Always check the shipping prices and add that to the cost while comparing options.
- Keep an eye out for discounts and offers before placing the order. Buying during holidays like Black Friday sales, Easter, and Christmas can be helpful.
2. Start with the essentials
Based on your brand identity and needs, prioritize the features you want to add to your business cards. A standard business card ( that includes the essentials) is as effective as a premium one.
How to do it right?
- Make a “must-have” list of things to put on your business card. This can be adding a QR Code, email, address, etc.
- Choose a template that accommodates all your content. Usually, printing services have multiple templates to choose from. Sites like Microsoft, Canva and Adobe also offer free templates.
- If you are creating your design, ensure it is of higher resolution and prints well. The ideal resolution should be at least 300 PPI (pixels per inch) without any crop marks.
3. Compare multiple printing services
To get the best deal possible, compare multiple services. Lots of them offer similar designs for different prices and unique finishes.
How to do it right?
- Get quotes from at least 3-4 providers to make an informed decision. This ensures you are getting the best service, quality and price.
- Check what each package includes, the kind of customizations offered, and the turnaround time.
- Check sites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews to gauge quality against the price points.
4. Order a sample pack (If available)
A sample pack can let you assess the card quality and finish physically. This can help you prevent costly mistakes or reprints later.
How to do it right?
- Customize your business cards and order a sample pack from all the shortlisted providers.
- Compare cardstock weight (e.g., 14pt vs. 16pt), texture (matte vs. gloss), and color vibrancy across providers.
- Take a third-person opinion to get an objective view.
5. Factor in shipping and reprints
Shipping charges and reprints can quickly add up and inflate your budget. Plan your budget in a way to accommodate these unexpected expenses.
How to do it right?
- Check if the provider allows you to edit designs in case you need reprints.
- Estimate the number of cards you’ll need to avoid reprints.
- Order well in advance to avoid rush order fees.
Are business cards breaking the bank? Network smarter with Uniqode
You’re not alone if you’re exploring alternatives to paper business cards. More professionals are switching to options like NFC cards, conductive ink cards, USB cards, and even eco-friendly picks like plantable or cork business cards.
But the one solution that’s gaining traction? Digital business cards, and for good reason.
They’re cost-effective, eco-friendly, and smart. You can share them instantly via QR code, Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, or email. They are also extremely secure and data encrypted.
Bonus: You get real-time engagement analytics, lead collection, and CRM integration baked in.
If you want a more efficient way to network, save money, and reduce waste, give Uniqode’s digital business cards a try!
Frequently asked questions
1. What is required for a business card?
A good business card should include contact details and your branding. It typically features your name, job title, company name, logo, phone number, email address, and website. Some modern business cards also include a QR Code or social media handles. Good design and quality are also important for branding.
2. What is a standard size for a business card?
In the United States and Canada, the standard business card size is 3.5 inches x 2 inches (88.9 mm x 50.8 mm).
3. Are there free digital business card options available?
Yes, there are several free digital business card platforms available. These digital cards support interactive elements like clickable phone numbers, email links, and social media profiles. You can create your free digital business card with Uniqode.
4. Can I print on the back of my card? Is there an extra fee?
Yes, you can print on the back of your business card to use the additional space. Almost all printing services offer double-sided printing but an extra fee depends on the provider. Some printing services also provide it for free.
5. What is the average cost of business cards?
The average cost of printing 100 business cards ranges from $12 to $30. The cost usually reduces if you bulk order. Digital business cards, on the other hand, can be free or start at around $5–$10 per month for premium features.
Kritika is a Senior Content Marketer at Uniqode, where she helps readers navigate networking in a phygital world. She has over 4 years of experience in breaking down complex technology trends into actionable insights for the SAAS domain.Her blogs talk about how business can opt for smarter and sustainable networking practices with digital business cards. When she’s not writing, you’ll probably find her baking something new or hanging out with her dog—who, by the way, has her own digital contact card too.
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