The Cost of Business Cards

Business cards can shape your image and affect the way a customer perceives your company. If you print your cards on thin, inexpensive stock, a customer may think you don't value quality. They may also

While this doesn't mean you have to pay thousands of dollars for die-cut, state-of-the-art cards, it does mean you should carefully consider the type and quantity of the cards you order. You also need to understand how you can control business card expenses and how certain things — paper quality, number of inks used and quantity of cards ordered — can drive up printing costs. Remember to get at least two estimates from local printers.

Consider predesigned cards. Many printers offer predesigned business cards with fixed layouts. Your printer can customize these generic cards by adding your business's name and the employee's contact information.

Choose quality paper. Avoid low-end paper — it's likely to tear, wrinkle or smear. Instead, choose linen or fiber-stone stock: They're higher quality and tend to be more affordable. Remember to compare a variety of stocks, and don't settle.