Tips for Making Business Card Printing Decisions

Your business card is one of the most important marketing tools you'll print. It is the leave-behind after your first impression, and the device potential customers will consult when they consider hiring you for the job. Many business owners and marketers place all emphasis on business card design, but while it is definitely important that your design is top-notch, your business card printing is equally critical.

With your business card design in-hand, it's time to make some executive business card printing decisions. The following will help you match your business card printing to your business image.

Paper stock

Your choice of business card paper stock is as important to your image as your business card design. Thick, glossy business cards are perfect for companies that want to brighten the room. You can even enhance glossy business cards by adding a durable UV coating for an extra glossy sheen.

Print glossy business cards on C2S or C2S business card stock, which means that they're coated on two sides or one side, respectively. One-side glossy business cards are best-suited when you think you'll be writing information on the back; two-side glossy business cards are best if you won't be writing on the back.

If glossy business cards aren't for you, consider uncoated business cards that have less of a sheen for deep, rich hues. Either way, look for thick, premium paper stocks such as PsPrint’s 14-point uncoated cover stock — your cards will feel clean, solid, slick, and professional in your customers' hands.

Size and shape

Business cards can be printed in almost infinite sizes and shapes. If you're running a traditional business, you will probably want a traditional business card size of 3.5 inches by 2 inches. You can, however, add a touch of class with a simple die cut such as rounded corners.

If you want to make a splash as a unique business, you can consider straying from typical business card sizes and shapes. You might, for example, choose a die-cut shape that matches your business; say, a wrench for a plumber or a dog bone for a dog groomer. Or, you can turn your business card into an angled parallelogram.

Popular new era business card shapes include slim business cards, which are 2 inches by 1 inch; mini square business cards, which are 2 inches by 2 inches; and jumbo square business cards, which are 3.5 inches by 3.5 inches. You can also print custom business cards in any size combination up to 13 inches by 17 inches. No matter what size and shape business card you choose, make sure it matches your business image before going to press.

Quantity

How many business cards should you print? The answer is totally dependent on the number of business cards you will pass out with your current design and/or title. That's because your price per business card decreases as your print quantity increases. You don't want to run out of business cards in a month and end up paying more than you have to.