Free Business Cards: True Costs & Where to Find Them

In general, truly free business cards do not exist. Instead, free business cards are typically offered as a marketing ploy to get your contact information or upsell you on higher-quality products. However, there are several printing companies that provide high-quality and affordable business cards without the hassle of a misleading promo.

In most cases, going with the “free” option is not the best choice and choosing a paid offer ends up being less expensive. For example, Vistaprint offers over 10,000 templates, quick turnaround times, and prices starting at $9.99 for 500 quality cards. Check out Vistaprint to design your business cards today.

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Top 6 Free Business Cards for 2018

How We Evaluated the Best Free Business Cards

Free business card offers are typically a marketing ploy, not a promise to provide free cards. In general, you’ll still pay for “free” business cards through additional fees for shipping, expedited printing or add-ons like premium templates. Websites will use your email address to send marketing materials even if you never buy the “free” cards.

Because truly free business cards are hard to find, we reviewed business card printing companies to find the best value. To find the best business card providers, we evaluated each company based on printing and paper quality, shipping speed, branding and price. We then identified the companies that best fit your small business’s needs.

The criteria we evaluated to find the best business card providers include:

• Printing & paper quality: The quality of your business card is the first thing clients will notice when you hand it to them. At a minimum, choose a card that is sturdy enough to look professional. If you want to spend more on your business cards, consider a thicker paper or premium finish.
• Shipping speed: Shipping speed can be extremely important if you are ordering your business cards in advance of a big meeting or trade show. Some printing options offer same- or next-day shipping if you need a short turnaround time.
• Branding: In order to offer free or low-cost business cards, some companies will print their logo on the back of your business cards. This can make your business cards look unprofessional and detract from your brand.
• Price: Truly free business cards are hard to find, but there are many high-quality and affordably priced options available.

We use and recommend Vistaprint to small business owners because it offers affordable, high-quality business cards. You can get 500 business cards for just $9.99 with thousands of designs and options from which to choose. Once you start designing your own, you may find that it’s worth spending a bit more to get exactly what you want.

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Best Overall Business Cards: Vistaprint

Vistaprint is an online printing company offering business cards and other marketing materials including signs, apparel and gifts. Vistaprint is our best overall pick because of the large number of templates, high-quality cards and low prices starting at $9.99 per 500 cards. Vistaprint is great for professional looking business cards at an accessible price point.

Vistaprint Pricing

Vistaprint offers 500 Standard quality, one-sided business cards for $9.99 plus shipping. Premium features like metallic printing, rounded corners or a printed backside cost extra based on the type of paper. Vistaprint’s lowest cost option includes 100 Standard cards for $7.99, which makes their 500 for $9.99 promotion a great value.

Cost Comparison for Vistaprint Business Cards

Vistaprint offers customers user-friendly templates and high-quality products at reasonable prices. However, some users have reported a lack of transparency in Vistaprint’s pricing due to constant upselling efforts. If you choose to order business cards through Vistaprint, make sure you’re aware of additional costs as you design your cards.

Where to Find Vistaprint

Using promo code TVPROMO, Vistaprint offers 500 of its standard quality cards for $9.99. Check out Vistaprint’s templates online and start designing your business cards today. Just be sure to choose Vistaprint’s standard finishes to keep your costs at $9.99.

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Best for Highest Quality Business Cards: Moo

Moo is a design and printing website that provides business cards, stickers and other printed products. Starting at $119 per 400 cards, Moo offers sleek and modern card designs and the highest quality paper and printing options of companies we reviewed. Try Moo if you’re willing to pay a higher price for beautiful, high-quality business cards.

Moo Pricing

The cheapest package Moo offers is 50 Original cards for $19.99, making Moo the most expensive option on our list. Moo also offers 400 full-color business card packages that range from $119 to $199.94 as well as 1,000-card packages featuring several paper qualities including original, cotton, super and luxe.

Cost Comparison for Moo Business Cards

What Moo Is Missing

Although Moo advertises free business card samples, these samples are truly general samples and are not branded or otherwise designed for your business. In addition, Moo’s templates do not allow users to move text boxes for full customization as some other providers on our list. Although Moo’s templates are beautiful and plentiful, choose to upload your own design if you want full customization.

Where to Find Moo

Check out Moo’s design platform to choose the eye-catching template perfect for your small business. Moo doesn’t offer free business cards, but it will send you a free sample pack of its products. Just provide your contact information, and you’ll get 10 sample business cards including a variety of Moo’s shapes, paper stocks and finishes sent to you free of charge.

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Best Actually Free Business Cards: 4Over4.com

4Over4.com offers the only truly free option of companies we reviewed. It offers 200 full-color business cards for free and includes 4Over4’s logo on the back, and custom-branded cards start at $33 per 500 cards. Try 4Over4 if you’re on a tight budget but need cards to network while your brand gets off the ground.

4Over4 Pricing

4Over4’s free business card offer is the cheapest option if you don’t mind business cards that are co-branded with the printing company. It offers first-time customers 200 truly free business cards. Then 500 cards cost $33 using 14 pt paper or $137.92 for 32 pt paper, referred to as Standard or Prestige quality, respectively.

Cost Comparison for 4Over4.com Business Cards

What 4Over4.com Is Missing

4Over4.com’s free option is a terrific way to get free business cards if you’re not worried about high-quality paper or custom branding. Although 4Over4 offers the only truly free custom business card option on our list, the presence of a printing company’s logo on your card can appear unprofessional and send the wrong message about your business.

Where to Find 4Over4.com

Try 4Over4 for 200 free business cards to get your small business started. 4Over4’s free card option does include their logo on the back, but it’s a great way to familiarize yourself with their products and start networking with business cards for free.

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Best Customizable Business Card Templates: PsPrint

PsPrint is a printing company with a focus on custom products starting at $21.90 per 500 cards, making it one of most budget-friendly on our list. PsPrint’s business cards are high-quality, and its web platform shines because of its 250 fully customizable, user-friendly templates. Try PsPrint if you don’t need a card featuring a unique design but want the flexibility to customize a predesigned card template.

PsPrint Pricing

PsPrint’s business cards range from $21.90 for 500 Standard one-sided, full-color cards, to $147.55 per 500 heavyweight cards and $127.90 per 500 custom die-cut cards, ultraviolet coating, a full-color back or rounded corners are extra. You can also purchase 50 Standard, one-sided cards for $10.63, making it among the lowest cost services.

Cost Comparison for PsPrint Business Cards

What PsPrint Is Missing

Unlike some business card design websites, PsPrint’s templates allow you to move text boxes and images anywhere on the business card. This means you aren’t restricted to a default layout, and it’s easier to customize your cards fully. However, PsPrint’s online platform lacks snap alignment, which can make it difficult to line up the text.

Where to Find PsPrint

PsPrint is a great option if you want affordable and fully customizable business cards. If you’re concerned about the quality of the PsPrint’s cards or don’t know which paper quality to choose, request a free sample kit to familiarize yourself with its products.

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Best In-person Business Cards: FedEx Office

FedEx Office is the office supply arm of the FedEx shipping company that offers business printing services. In cooperation with Kinko’s, FedEx offers both online and in-store ordering for custom business cards starting at $29.99 per 500 cards. Visit a FedEx Office store if you prefer to design and pick up your business cards in-person.

FedEx Pricing

FedEx Office offers three business card qualities ranging in price for 500 cards from $29.99 to $199.99. Additional features like a full-color back or a metallic finish are extra. FedEx Office offers some of the more expensive business cards of the companies we reviewed. However, it does offer 250 cards for $19.99.

Cost Comparison for FedEx Business Cards

What FedEx Is Missing

FedEx offers both online and in-person business card printing. Because FedEx isn’t a dedicated business card provider, its online design platform and business card options are not as robust as some of the other companies on our list. However, if you prefer to design your business cards online and pick them up in person, FedEx is a great option.

Where to Find FedEx

Check out FedEx if you’re new to business cards and prefer to look at paper options, colors and finishes in person. Once you know what works best for your business, you can either order online or at your local FedEx store.

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Best Next-day Business Cards: Overnight Prints

Overnight Prints is a business card printing platform that prioritizes fast delivery and offers 500 cards for $24.81. Use their “Buy It Today. Get It Tomorrow.” (BITGIT) feature to get next-day delivery if you order before 8 p.m. Eastern time. Check out Overnight Prints if you need business cards fast without sacrificing quality.

Overnight Prints Pricing

Overnight Prints starts at $24.81 for 500 Premium cards, $131.17 for Fat cards and $155.33 for color-filled Sandwich cards. Prices increase if you want to print on the backs of cards, rounded corners or other features. In addition, the cost of Overnight Prints business cards dramatically increases if you need next-day delivery.

Cost Comparison for Overnight Prints Business Cards

What Overnight Prints is Missing

If you choose to use Overnight Prints for its next-day service, expect to pay a premium for processing and shipping. For example, we created an order of 500 business cards and the shipping exceeded $40. Overnight Prints’ BITGIT feature is a great value if you absolutely need next-day service, but the lack of a fast and affordable shipping option makes FedEx a better option for quick turnaround time.

Where to Find Overnight Prints

Try Overnight Prints if you need business cards in a hurry but don’t have access to an in-person printer like FedEx. In addition to offering their BITGIT feature, Overnight Prints boasts low promotional pricing for its business cards.

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Factors That Influence Cost

When buying business cards, options like paper stock, design, color and shipping time affect overall cost. Many business card providers that advertise extremely cheap cards use lightweight materials and increase prices with expensive shipping rates. We recommend skipping the “free” options and paying a bit more for higher quality cards that represent your business well.

Card features that affect the cost of business cards include:

• Paper stock: Most companies that offer business cards will have a few different paper options such as matte, glossy, metallic, raised letters and thick paper; usually, the mid-tier thickness option is best as it is still affordable without being flimsy
• Design/color on front and back: Having a design on the front and back will cost you more, so consider just having your design on the front; color will also sometimes cost more depending on the company; go for color on the front to make sure your logo stands out
• Shipping time: This all depends on how quickly you need your cards; business card providers realize that people procrastinate and forget to order their cards until right before a networking event, so they tend to charge a lot for quick delivery

How to Print Your Business Cards for Free

If you want professional cards but don’t want to pay or wait for shipping, print your own with a company like Avery. Use free online templates and heavy-stock, precut paper to create cards with a perfect edge. Printing business cards requires a computer and a printer but is a terrific option if you need business cards fast.

If you want to print your own business cards, you’ll need the following tools:

• Free business card printing software: You’ll need software to design your business card and create a layout that will align with business card paper; for example, Avery provides free business card templates that work with its paper products
• High-quality paper: Be sure to select a high-quality paper that will represent your business in a professional manner; choose paper made specifically for business cards or select any heavy paper that can be cut easily
• High-quality inkjet or laser printer: If you’re going to print professional business cards, you’ll need a color printer that works with heavy-stock paper and prints crisp images

What to Include on Your Business Card

Business cards should include enough information to identify you and your company and share important information with clients. If there’s room, your card should also help your clients find your brick-and-mortar store, website and social media accounts. Decide what you want to accomplish with your business card and include information that conveys that message.

When creating your business cards, always include the following information:

• Your name and business name: Make your name, title and business name prominent parts of your new business cards
• Phone number: You should have a business number that is separate from your personal number; we recommend using Nextiva for your business phone system
• Email address: Make sure to include a professional email address (name@yourcompany.com) instead of a personal email address (name@yahoo.com); having a personal email address on your business card will hurt your credibility; use our guide to learn how to set up a free business email address
• Website: If you want people to be able to learn more about your business after you give them your card, then make sure to include your website; if you don’t have a website, learn how to set one up for about $3 per month
• Color and paper: Also consider using a light color and matte finish on the back of the card as many people use the back of cards to record notes about a conversation

If it will fit, also consider including the following information:

• Logo: Including your company’s logo will help brand your business card; if you don’t already have one, check out our guide to creating a logo for your small business
• Physical address: If you have a local business with a physical address, then you definitely want to include your location; however, if you only operate online, you may consider using the space for other information
• Title: Include your job title, so people know your role at the business
• Slogan: If you have a catchy one-liner about your business, it might be a good idea to include it on your card, which will help people get a better sense of what you do
• Social media accounts: Include your Twitter handle or Facebook page to get more engagement on your social media
• Fax number: This may seem old school, but if you operate in a business that uses fax machines often, consider including the number on your card
• Your picture: If you operate in a line of business like real estate or insurance sales where you and your business are one and the same, then using your picture is not a bad idea

For more help designing business cards check out our guide to creating a brand identity.

The Bottom Line

Small business owners typically give out business cards when meeting someone for the first time. Your contacts may not remember a great-looking business card, but they’ll likely remember an unprofessional card that leaves a poor impression. Make an excellent first impression by choosing a business card provider that offers both value and quality.

To make a great first impression, we suggest paying a little bit more to get business cards that are professional yet still affordable. There are several options for affordable business cards online, but Vistaprint offers customizable cards for the best value. Check out Vistaprint to design your very own business cards at a price that won’t break the bank.

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