Business card printing cost, finish by finish
Business cards are cheap enough that most people over-order the wrong version. The cost question is really a specification question: board weight and finish decide both the price and whether the card survives a wallet.
Where the money goes on a card order
Cards are printed several-up on a larger sheet, so the sheet count rather than the card count drives cost. That is why 500 and 1,000 cards are often much closer in price than you would expect, and why 100 cards is rarely good value.
Board weight and finish options
400gsm is the practical standard: substantial in the hand and stiff enough not to curl. Matt lamination gives a soft, modern feel and hides fingerprints. Gloss lifts photography and colour. Soft-touch and spot UV cost more and are worth it when the card is doing a premium job.
- 350-400gsm uncoated or silk - everyday standard
- Matt laminated - fingerprint resistant, easy to write on with the right pen
- Gloss laminated - strongest colour and photo reproduction
- Spot UV or soft-touch - premium, priced per side
Ordering quantity without waste
Order to your realistic 12-month usage rather than the biggest box available. Details change: numbers, roles, addresses and social handles. A box of 2,000 cards with an old mobile number on them is not a saving.
Common mistakes that force a reprint
Text too close to the trim, no bleed, a low-resolution logo pulled from a website, and RGB colour supplied for a CMYK press. Each of those is avoidable in five minutes at artwork stage, and each of them costs a whole reprint if it reaches press.
Frequently asked
Is 400gsm worth it over 300gsm?
For a card that gets handled and kept, yes. The difference in cost is small and the difference in perceived quality when someone picks it up is immediate.
Can you print different names on one order?
Yes. Versioned cards for a team are run together, which keeps the cost per person well below ordering each set separately.
Do laminated cards take pen?
Matt laminate takes most permanent pens; gloss resists ink. If people will write appointment details on the back, ask for an uncoated panel.
Get a card spec that suits the job
Tell us how the cards will be used and we will recommend board, finish and quantity before quoting.