Your business card cost can change dramatically with a few choices: DIY or professional design, standard or specialty paper, 50 cards or 500, classic rectangle or custom shape. Even finishes like embossing and foil can shift the final price.
The trick is knowing where the extra spend earns its place. This guide breaks down what different design routes, paper stocks, shapes and finishes cost, plus where you can save – so you can choose a card that fits your brand and your budget.
- Business cards can fit almost any budget, with standard VistaPrint cards starting at $10 USD for 50 and premium options costing more.
- The final price depends on quantity, paper stock, size, shape, materials, finishes and how you create the design.
- Business card design cost can range from $0 with a DIY template to $10 with VistaPrint Design Services, or hundreds to thousands of dollars for freelance and agency work.
- Thicker and specialty paper stocks cost more than standard cardstock, while custom shapes, embossing and foil can raise the price further.
- You can keep costs down by choosing upgrades selectively, ordering the right quantity and proofing your design carefully before it goes to print.
How much do business cards cost, and what determines the price?
The cost of a great business card design ranges from $0 to thousands of dollars. If you’re like most small businesses or startups, you’re aiming to balance your need for a high-quality design with your need to stay within a budget. In situations like these, a great design should cost between $199 and $999. Remember that getting your business card designed and getting it printed are two separate steps that will affect the overall cost of your business cards.
Here’s a chart to get you started thinking about price ranges and design options.
| $0 (plus cost to print) – $50 | $149 – $599 | $600 – $999 | $2,500+ | |
| Business card design options | Online template | Freelance designer or design contest | Freelance designer or design contest | Design agency |
| Quality | Basic and generic business cards that use stock fonts, icons and colors. Fast turnaround time. | Up-and-coming designers with smaller portfolios or limited experience. | Experienced, proven designers and professional advice. | High-quality designs created by a full-service team. |
| Who should use it? | Businesses with major time and budget constraints that can work with a generic design. | Businesses that understand the design process and can spend their time more readily than their money. | Businesses that want high quality and need to stick to a mid-range budget. | Businesses with lots of resources that need a complete branding package, including a business card |
Business card design cost: Ways to design your business card at different price points
There’s more than one way to get your business cards done. Here’s a look at each option and why you might choose it – or avoid it.
Source: Business card design by Ian Douglas via 99designs by Vista
DIY design
The lowest-cost option is to design your business card yourself using tools like Illustrator or a free online template. If you have design experience, you can create your card from scratch. Otherwise, customizable business card templates give you a ready-made starting point while still letting you personalize colors, fonts, images and other details.
The design itself can cost you nothing, but you’ll still need to budget for printing. The final price will depend on the printing options you choose, including paper stock, quantity and any premium finishes.
Want professional help without the price tag of a fully custom design? VistaPrint Design Services can create a custom business card design for you starting at $10 USD.
Design contests
Source: Business card design by Advero via 99designs by Vista
Design contests and freelance designers usually occupy the middle of the cost range when it comes to business cards – between $199 and $1,000. Since both options have different pros and cons, we’ll discuss them one by one.
If you’re not sure what design style you’re looking for and want to see lots of ideas from different designers, a contest is probably a good choice for you. Design contests allow you to get a batch of custom business card designs from a group of professional designers on the site and choose the one you like most.
For 99designs by Vista, prices can start at $299 for design concepts from less established designers and range up to $899 for design concepts from top-level designers only. Regardless of which contest you decide to run, you can expect flexible design turnaround and print-ready files so you can get the cards done ASAP.
Freelance designers
Source: Business card design by Moxie Mason via 99designs by Vista
If you already have a clear direction, working directly with a freelance graphic designer can be a good middle ground between DIY design and an agency. Costs can range from $199 to $999, depending on the designer’s experience and the scope of the project.
Review portfolios before requesting quotes and look for someone whose style fits your brand. The clearer your brief, the easier it will be to get the result you want without unnecessary rounds of revisions.
Design agencies
If you’ve got a big budget for this project and you need to pull out all the stops, you can bring the job to a design agency. Working with an agency is a great choice if you want to create an entire branding package, with your business card as part of the package. Expect an agency design to cost $2,500 or more – but they’ll take care of everything for you, and you’ll get a totally unique and high-quality design.
Source: Business card design by Elevaanto via 99designs by Vista
Source: Business card design by HYPdesign via 99designs by Vista
What to consider before designing your business card
Before you start designing, get three things straight: your logo, brand colors and the main message you want your card to communicate. Having these elements ready gives DIY designs a clearer direction and helps a professional designer work faster – particularly useful when you’re paying for their time.
Building your brand? Learn more about designing a logo in our article.
Source: Business card design by Moxie Mason via 99designs by Vista
Design details that will affect your card’s cost
Expect that printing a batch of 50 simple business cards on basic card stock will cost you approximately $20, although prices can vary by printer. Now that you’ve locked down your first design steps, you’re ready for the design details. Many of these details have the potential to add cost to the project, so be aware of each design decision you’re making.
Paper stock and materials
Source: Business card design by Silicium Studio via 99designs by Vista
Business cards come in a range of paper stocks, finishes and materials. Standard business card paper options include matte, glossy and uncoated paper, while specialty stocks like pearl, linen, soft touch and ultra-thick offer a more distinctive look and feel. You can also find cards made from plastic, wood or metal.
Source: Business card design by pecas™ via 99designs by Vista
Your choice will affect the final price. At VistaPrint, 50 cards on standard 14pt paper start at $10, with thicker and specialty stocks available at an additional cost:
| Paper stock | Thickness | Feel | Price |
| Matte | 14pt, 16pt or 18pt | Smooth and shine-free | From $10 / 50 cards |
| Glossy | 14pt, 16pt or 18pt | Slick and light-catching | From $10 / 50 cards |
| Uncoated | 14pt | Lightly textured and writable | From $10 / 50 cards |
| Hemp-blend | 17.5pt | Natural and lightly textured | +$9.99 |
| Natural Textured | 16pt | Lightly speckled and recycled | +$10.99 |
| Pearl | 16pt | Smooth with a subtle shimmer | +$13.99 |
| Linen | 16pt | Subtle woven texture | +$13.99 |
| Soft Touch | 16pt | Soft and suede-like | +$13.99 |
| Ultra Thick | 32pt | Extra thick and heavy | +$16.99 |
Source: Business card design by HYPdesign via 99designs by Vista
Business card size
Your next decision is what size your business card should be. Different countries have different standard sizes, so start with that. Even if you really want to do something unique, you should at least know what the standard is, so you know the tradition you’re bucking.
- North American Standard: 3.5 × 2 in. (88.9 × 50.8 mm)
- European Standard: 3.346 × 2.165 in. (85 × 55 mm)
- Oceania Standard: 3.54 × 2.165 in. (90 × 55 mm)
Non-standard sizes may affect the cost of printing your design; expect to pay more for larger, non-standard designs in particular.
Layout
This simply refers to the standard landscape orientation for designing business cards, or the vertical “portrait” orientation. Neither should impact the price of your design.
Source: Vertical layout business card design by Prozmajevski via 99designs by Vista
Source: Standard landscape layout business card design by conceptu via 99designs by Vista
Business card shape
Not all business cards are rectangular. In fact, die-cutting allows printers to cut nearly any shape and retain the cost advantages of printing in bulk.
A square card is a relatively affordable way to move beyond the standard rectangle. VistaPrint square business cards start at $26.99 for 100 cards, with rounded corners also available.
Source: Business card design by J U L I A M A R I E via 99designs by Vista
If you’d like something fairly conservative but still eye-catching and modern-looking, try rounding the corners of the rectangular card or cutting out your logo.
Source: Business card design by GemmyVN via 99designs by Vista
If you’d like to really go for it, choose any shape that really stands for your business. It might be the outline of your best-selling product or in the shape of your logo itself.
For instance, VistaPrint offers circle, oval and leaf-shaped cards, starting at $39.99 for 50 cards (0.80 each).
Think about things like creatively shaped business cards in the context of your industry and your target customer. If creativity typically wins the day (and the customer), a funky shape may be a home run.
Source: Business card design by Stanojevic via 99designs by Vista
If you’re a high-end investment banker, people may be looking for stability and reputation – qualities a special shape can tank.
Die-cutting custom shapes will add cost to the total price of your business cards. How much depends on how you get them printed.
Graphics
Your logo will usually be the main graphic on your business card, but you can also add photography, illustrations or other branded elements. Using existing brand assets generally won’t affect your design budget, while custom photography or illustration can increase the cost if you need to commission it.
Source: Business card design by ludibes via 99designs by Vista
Whatever you choose, keep the design focused: every graphic should help communicate who you are or what your business does.
Source: Business card design by pecas™ via 99designs by Vista
Some businesses like to add extra graphics to create a certain mood or feel on the card. For example, this brand turned its logo into a kind of pattern for the card:
Source: Business card design by HYPdesign via 99designs by Vista
Source: Business card design by Achiver (d design) via 99designs by Vista
Source: Business card design by Rose via 99designs by Vista
Source: Business card design by Luz Viera via 99designs by Vista
Source: Business card design by Moxie Mason via 99designs by Vista
Source: Business card design by _fra_ via 99designs by Vista
Typography
Fonts help set the tone of your card, but they don’t necessarily add to its cost. Using existing brand fonts keeps things simple; commissioning custom typography or hand lettering will increase your design budget. Whichever route you choose, prioritize readability at business-card size.
Source: Business card design by Awesome Designing via 99designs by Vista
Source: Business card design by nevergohungry via 99designs by Vista
How specialty finishes affect business card cost
As you hone in on your final design, think about special details in the print that can set your design apart. Certain special finishes can help your card make a lasting impression on potential customers. Each one of these special touches adds cost to your cards; how much depends on the exact way you’re using the finish and the printer.
Embossing. Embossed business cards are cards with three-dimensional reliefs that can emphasize words, graphics or design elements. You can emboss a logo, a name or even your product to make it stand out. At VistaPrint, embossed cards start at $28.99 for 100 cards.
Source: Business card design by Prozmajevski via 99designs by Vista
Source: Business card design by betiobca via 99designs by Vista
Source: Business card design by Jecakp via 99designs by Vista
Source: Business card design by Jecakp via 99designs by Vista
Foil stamping. Everyone likes shiny things, so use foil stamping to achieve reflective, shiny accents or text on your cards. At VistaPrint, foil-stamped cards start at $34.99 for 100 cards.
Source: Business card design by Mikoli via 99designs by Vista
Source: Business card design by HYPdesign via 99designs by Vista
Source: Business card design by ultrastjarna via 99designs by Vista
Letterpressing. Letterpress printing simultaneously inks and pushes the paper down for an engraving-like effect.
Spot UV coating. You’ve seen cards that have a glossy finish all over; spot UV coating gives you this glossy finish, but only in a specific place, like over your logo or photo.
How to save money on business cards
No one wants to pay more than they need to for business cards – but you’ll still want your card to look awesome. To save money without sacrificing quality, remember these tips.
Focus on design and the features you need
Find a few freelance designers whose work you love, and ask for quotes on your business card project. A professional designer can recommend where to trim and where to stay safe when it comes to your budget. Designers can also help you spend wisely and decide which special finishes will pay off for your design and brand.
Save money on colors
If something’s gotta give, make it be multiple colors. Don’t cut back on the number of cards or on the materials; instead, pare down to one or two colors. A talented designer can make one or two colors look amazing – and it costs far less to print a card that way.
Source: Business card design by Nell via 99designs by Vista
Source: Business card design by Cheeky Creative via 99designs by Vista
Know when special details pay off
Source: Business card design by avijitdutta via 99designs by Vista
Source: Business card by FishingArtz via 99designs by Vista
Source: Business card design by ivdsgn via 99designs by Vista
Premium materials and finishes are worth considering when they serve a clear purpose. An unusual shape might suit a highly creative brand, while thicker stock or a subtle finish can add polish without changing the overall design.
Source: Business card design by rikiraH via 99designs by Vista
Source: Business card design by green in blue 99designs by Vista
Choose one or two details with impact rather than upgrading everything. That keeps the card distinctive without letting extras take over your budget.
Source: Business card design by Terry Bogard via 99designs by Vista
Source: Business card design by alexa101 via 99designs by Vista
Source: Business card design by Hart Design via 99designs by Vista
Source: Business card design by kaylee CK via 99designs by Vista
Check everything twice
Yes, that’s advice for both Santa and you, the would-be business card owner, because you really don’t want to pay for 500 business cards with a typo in them. Beyond that, take a long, slow look at the card. Your eyes should see the logo first, then the name, and then the other details; is that happening? If not, can you tweak the design so the elements cascade more effectively?
Get rid of clutter. Include only what you need for maximum impact.
Can you read everything? Does the image look right? Are any elements going to be cut off? Don’t let your cards go to print before you’re 100 percent certain everything looks good.
Order the right quantity
Larger orders usually bring down the cost per card, so compare the per-card price rather than the order total alone. If you hand out cards regularly at events, meetings or your storefront, buying 500 at once may offer better value than repeatedly ordering batches of 50.
Just make sure you’ll use them. Ordering in bulk saves money only if your cards don’t end up sitting in a box after your phone number, job title or branding changes.
Ready to turn your budget into a great business card?
There’s no single right amount to spend on a business card. A simple design on standard cardstock may be exactly what you need, while premium paper, a custom shape or a specialty finish can be worth the extra spend when it supports your brand.
Choose the details that matter, skip the ones that don’t and put your budget where it will have the most impact. Once you’ve settled on the format, make sure you know what to put on a business card before sending it to print.
Business card cost FAQs
Is it cheaper to print business cards at home?
It can be for a very small batch, but factor in cardstock, ink and cutting as well as the printer itself. Professional printing often becomes better value when you need larger quantities or a consistent finish.
How many business cards should I order at once?
Order enough to cover your realistic needs before your contact details, branding or role are likely to change. Buying more can lower the cost per card, but unused cards make those savings disappear quickly.
Is it worth paying more for thicker business cards?
It can be if the added weight supports the impression you want to make. For everyday networking, standard cardstock may be perfectly suitable; thicker stock makes more sense when the physical feel of the card is part of the experience.
Should I spend more on business card design or printing?
Prioritize the weakest part of the card. A strong existing design may benefit more from better paper or finishing, while premium printing won’t compensate for a layout that needs professional attention.
When is a premium business card finish worth the extra cost?
Consider embossing, foil or another premium finish when it highlights something important, such as your logo or brand name. If the effect has no clear job in the design, that budget may be better spent elsewhere.
