Five Ways to Save on Printing to Get Cheap Business Cards Online

The economy is down and business is slow.  You are probably implementing stricter and stiffer budget cuts to prepare for 2009.  Counting the littlest expenses can be difficult.  An example of this is business cards.  You know they are branding essentials so you can’t exactly ignore this need but you also would not want it to eat up money.  And at the same time, you don’t want the quality of your business cards to suffer because of your cost cutting measures.  Just how do you get cheap business cards online that doesn’t look like you got them on clearance sale or something like that?

Save on cost, keep the quality

1.    Order offset printed business cards

Offset printing is perfect for wholesale orders on business cards, as opposed to digital printing which is highly suitable for short run prints.  For a more concrete testament, you can actually order 500 copies for a small price, and even double this quantity for under 10 dollars more.  

If you are the type who actively distributes business cards in every occasion you get, this is the perfect cost-effective printing technology for you.  

2.    Purchase business cards online

Ordering online does not only save you money but time, as well.  Imagine not having to leave your desk to process everything --- from ordering to payment.  There’s no need to take several trips to your local printer just to order, see the proof and claim your cards.  Another plus with online printing are the additional services they have which they offer for free like design assistance and pre-press evaluation.       

3.    Use pre-made templates

Some online printing companies offer hundreds of pre-made templates that you can use without additional cost.  They usually have categories or themes so it would be easy to browse through several designs.  

You no longer need to hire a graphic designer to create a business card design for you.  The online design tool is like a software that you can use to replace the services of design professionals.  Once you have the design, it’s all a matter of adding your name, position, logo, address and contact details.  

4.    Stay away from custom jobs

Custom jobs usually cost more than regular ones because they require additional processes or materials.  Die-cutting is an example of this.

As for custom sizes, some online printing companies offer custom sizes at no extra cost.  So if you feel like getting a different look for your cards, like 2” x 2” instead of 2” x 3.5, not only do you make it different but you also save on ink and paper so your cost  decreases.

5.    Order days ahead

Rush orders, as you know, cost more.  If you have the option to order much ahead of time so you can opt for the longest turnaround time offered (like 6 business days for some printing companies), that would be best since they will charge you much less than they would for next day turnaround times.  

Getting cheap business cards online are really easy, and you don’t have to worry about the look or condition of your business cards.  The word ‘cheap’ only applies to the price and not to the quality.