How Much Do Business Cards Really Cost? A Pricing Breakdown
October 30, 2025
Wish to invest in networking cards for your new or established business but have a limited budget? Want to balance the quality and cost of business cards? You must be thinking about how much do business cards cost, right? The costs do vary. It totally depends upon various elements, from paper weight and finishes to design and printing.
It is understandable how to design a business card for a lasting impact when you are short of cash. Get this worry aside. This blog will explore how much to charge for business card design and print in bulk quantities. Let’s begin.
Cost to Make Business Cards: How Much Should It Be?
The average price for making business cards can be between $50 to $2,000. It depends on the needs. There is no flat rate set. To determine the cost, you can talk to a professional designer. Consulting with experienced designers will disclose higher prices.
Making 3D or holographic business cards would be more expensive than traditional business cards. Printing business cards in multiple colors and captivating graphics will raise the cost.
If you wish to add custom illustrations while designing business cards, the price will go up. Using attractive graphics templates available in the library are good option. They can lower the cost.
What are the Standard Business Cards Prices on Average?

The average business card price is unpredictable. It is based on quality, features, quantity, printing company, and shipping. Usually, its price falls between $0.04 to $0.50.
Normally, low-price business cards come between $20 to $50 for the quantity of 500 custom cards for business. Premium business cards are expensive. Their price can range from $100 to $250 or even more for the same quantity.
Basic Business Cards:
Printing single-sided business cards in a simple design is the most pocket-friendly option. The per-card price can be from $0.04 to $0.10. The price for 500 quantity ranges between $20 to $50.
Mid-Level Business Cards:
Printing double-sided business cards in full color with high-quality paper is a little expensive. This is a mid-level option. The price for this card per unit is between $0.10 to $0.20. The price for printing in 500 cards ranges between $50 to $100.
Premium Paper Business Cards:
Printing business cards in vibrant colors with exceptional effects, custom finishes, and premium quality materials are more expensive. This per premium card price is between $0.20 to $0.50. The price for printing premium business cards in 500 may start from $100 or more than $250.
Key Factors Influencing Business Card Costs

Business cards are visual ambassadors. There are several things involved in printing these tiny billboards that affect their cost.
Design:
Business cards made in simple design cost low prices, around $0.05 per card. The premium or specialty business card price starts from $0.20. It may be higher. Depends upon the requirement.
Size:
The standard size and shape of a business card is 3.5" x 2". This is the cheapest option you can choose. Going with custom size and shape will raise the cost.
Shape:
The standard shape of business cards is rectangular. If you want a custom shape, it is possible.
For instance, if you want car shaped business cards for automobile business or house shaped business cards for real estate, you can order. You have the choice but it may affect the cost.
Material:
Choosing the material can affect the cost of your business cards. You have the liberty to select the material you want. Specialty materials are more expensive than conventional materials. It depends upon the material and special features. The more exclusive features you add, the more costly it is.
Paper Thickness:
The standard cardstock thickness of business cards is 14pt. This is the most economical choice. Premium and thicker cardstock ranges between 16pt to 48pt.
Paper Weight:
The standard weight of paper for business cards is around 350 to 400 GSM. Some business card paper may weigh 650 GSM. This type of paper is thicker but more expensive.
Sustainability:
Choosing eco-friendly materials for printing business cards is a good approach towards sustainability. It adds more value to your cards.
Color Resolution:
It is essential to assess color depth or resolution when it comes to checking colors to make sure how bright they are. High-quality prints will cost more but it will make your business cards stand out.
Coating:
The coating is found in two types called matte and gloss.
- Matte coating offers a smooth touch for business cards that contain a logo and text.
- Gloss coating makes the color more vivid and is a decent choice for printing images on business cards.
Finish:
To give your business card a wow look, choose a finish. It will outweigh the price but your business card will shine.
Single-Sided:
Printing one-sided business cards costs less because they are simple in design.
Double-Sided:
Business cards are expensive when printed double-sided. They are designed and printed from the front and back. This causes them to raise their cost.
Turnaround time:
The standard turnaround time to ship business cards is around 5 to 7 working days. Speeding up this turnaround time for shipping business cards can also be a cost factor.
Also Read: What to Put on Business Cards
Business Card Price Varies
The price does vary when you order business cards in large numbers. The standard business card costs when ordering in numbers are here.
- 100
The total average price for ordering 100 business cards starts from $8 to $15 or more. The cost per card is $0.08 to $0.15+.
- 250
Ordering 250 business cards may cost $12.50 to $30 in total. The per card cost is $0.05 between $0.12.
- 500
Placing an order of 500 business cards together may charge $20 to $50. This price per card is going to be $0.04 to $0.10+.
- 1000
When you are ordering 1000 business cards, the price may be around $30 to $80. This cost is around $0.03 to $0.08 or more per card.
What to Put on Business Cards?

This is a very common question you think about what should be on the back and front of your business card. Adding unique elements to the creative back of business card ideas can also have an impact on cost. This includes.
- Name and title
- Company name and logo
- Catchy tagline
- Contact information (phone, email, website)
- Physical location address
- Social media handles
- QR code (if applicable)
In the End
To conclude, how much do business cards cost depends on various factors like design, material, and quantity. Choosing custom cards for businesses that do not cut your budget is essential.
Whether you are a newbie in business or an established business owner and are looking for the best deal on business cards within your pocket, you can save hundreds of bucks on business card design and print.
The team of printing specialists at Custom Product Packaging have decades of experience in designing and printing business cards. Get them today at rates you can easily afford. Don’t delay. Shoot us an email at orders@customproductpackaging.com.
