Introduction
Having a great business card is an essential aspect of any professional’s personal branding. A well-designed business card can make a lasting impression and set one apart from others. However, choosing the right place to order business cards can be overwhelming. With so many options available, where do you start? In this article, we’ll provide a comprehensive guide to help you find the best online printing companies, compare pricing, quality and customer service. We’ll also discuss important factors to consider when ordering and provide creative ideas that will make you stand out.
Top 5 Online Printing Companies for Business Cards: A Comprehensive Guide
When looking for an online printing company, there are many factors to consider, such as pricing, quality, turnaround time, and customer service. Here are the top 5 printing companies for business cards with a detailed analysis of each:
- Moo: Moo offers high-end business cards for professionals with a fast turnaround time, excellent customer service and a polished finished product. They have a user-friendly website that allows for easy customization and a variety of designs. The only downside is that they are slightly more expensive.
- Vistaprint: Vistaprint is a well-known printing company that offers high-quality, affordable business cards. Customers can choose from a range of sizes, paper stocks, and templates. They also provide excellent customer service and fast shipping. However, the customization options are limited and the designs can come off as generic.
- UPrinting: UPrinting provides cost-effective business cards with various features such as rounded edges, die-cut shapes and UV coating. They also offer a free sample kit to order before making a final decision. However, their customer service can be lacking, and their website is not as user-friendly as some of the others on this list.
- Jukebox: Jukebox is a company that specializes in unique finishes and customizable designs such as letterpress, gold foiling, painted edges, and embossing. They also offer recycled paper stock and free design services. However, due to the higher-end design choices, they are not as budget-friendly, and turnaround time can be slower.
- PrintPlace: PrintPlace offers high-quality business cards with excellent print quality and finishes. They offer a wide array of designs and sizes to choose from. Their customer service is also excellent, with live chat and phone support. The only downside is that they do not offer much customization.
How to Choose the Right Business Card Printer: A Step-by-Step Guide
Choosing the right printer to order business cards from can be daunting. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to choose the right one for your needs:
- Determine your budget: Decide how much you are willing to spend on your cards before any personal preferences. This will help you narrow down the options.
- Choose the type of card you want: Decide if you want a standard card, die-cut, embossed, or a different type. This will help you eliminate any printers who don’t specialize in that type of card.
- Look at previous work: Research their previous prints and samples to understand the quality of their work before making a decision.
- Read reviews: Read customer reviews to ensure customer satisfaction, fast delivery times, and an overall good experience.
- Customer service: Ensure the company offers support through an efficient customer service system that can help you with any issues from design to delivery.
Remember that the right printer is unique to your needs, so don’t forget to evaluate the print quality, paper stock, and pricing when making a decision.
The Benefits of Ordering Your Business Cards Online: A Complete Comparison
Ordering business cards online has many benefits over traditional methods such as in-store printing. Here is a comparison of the two:
- Pricing: Online printing companies offer competitive pricing with the ability to compare prices and push order costs down.
- Customization: Online companies offer customization capabilities and a wider variety of templates and designs that are easy to change.
- Turnaround time: Online companies have quick turnaround times which can range from next-day delivery to about a week depending on the level of customization required.
- Convenience: Ordering online can be done from anywhere and at any time. It saves the hassle of visiting in-store printers especially when meeting tight deadlines.
Overall, ordering business cards online is more convenient and budget-friendly than in-store printing.
Unique and Creative Business Card Printing Ideas That Will Make You Stand Out
Your business card is a representation of you and your brand. Here are some unique printing ideas to make you stand out:
- Letterpress: Use letterpress to add texture to your card and make it look more expensive.
- Custom shape: Cut your card in an unusual shape to make it stand out e.g. a tea bag, a diamond, a house, etc.
- QR Code: Incorporate a QR code that leads to your website or contact information.
- Photo: Add a professional headshot on your business card to give it a unique touch.
- Recycled: Make an eco-friendly statement by using recycled paper.
These unique printing ideas will make your business card stand out and be memorable to anyone who receives it.
The Dos and Don’ts of Designing and Ordering Business Cards
Here are some important tips on designing and ordering business cards:
- Do: Include only the necessary information and make sure the design is consistent with your branding.
- Don’t: Over-complicate the design or use too many colors. Less is more!
- Do: Use high-resolution images and font sizes to make your card readable and stand out
- Don’t: Forget to proofread for accuracy including spelling and phone numbers.
- Do: Use high-quality paper stock like cotton or linen paper to enhance the look and feel of your business card.
By following these dos and don’ts, you can ensure that your business card is attractive, readable, and error-free.
Fastest and Most Efficient Ways to Order Business Cards Online: A Quick Overview
Ordering business cards online can be time-consuming if not streamlined. Here are some simple and efficient ways to order online:
- Print Brokers: Use a print broker like PrintRunner or the Print Authority to source the best printer for your personalized cards that fits your budget and timeline.
- Business card apps: Many companies have simplified the online ordering process by using a mobile app. For example, the Vistaprint app allows users to browse templates, customize and order on the go.
- Ready-to-print templates: Most companies offer pre-designed templates that are ready to print. You only need to choose a template, review and order within minutes.
By using these methods, you can save time and money while simplifying the ordering process.
Custom or Template-based Business Cards: Which One is the Right Choice For You?
Custom or template-based business cards? Both options have their pros and cons. Here’s a breakdown to help you make the right choice:
Custom:
- Pros: setting a unique standard, custom brand messaging, higher-end aesthetics or finishes.
- Cons: expensive, hard to scale for growing businesses, time-consuming to create.
Template-based:
- Pros: quick, cost-effective, easy to update at scale.
- Cons: Limited personalization, it’s likely that business cards are similar if not identical to others.
This breakdown will help you choose which option is the right fit depending on your budget and scale of your business growth.
Conclusion
We hope this guide has provided you with valuable information on where to order business cards. From the top printing companies to creative design ideas and dos and don’ts, this guide will help you make an informed decision for your business. Always remember to factor in your budget, turnaround time, and customization needs when choosing a printer. Stand out from the crowd, and order your business cards today!
Thank you for choosing our guide to help you navigate the business card ordering process.
