Cheapest business cards?

BabyBore

Hi guys.

I'm wondering if you can recommend where I can buy decent quality business cards at a good price? Like a bulk order of 200 to start with.

Jai_M

http://www.vistaprint.co.uk/ you normally only pay the postage and they put a little 'designed by' on the back

Standard £5.20 14 Days Slow £3.08 21 Days

BabyBore

Jai_M wrote: »

you normally only pay the postage and they put a little 'designed by' on the back

Standard £5.20 14 Days Slow £3.08 21 Days

Thank you.

So there'll be 'designed by Vita Print' text on the back of each card? I'm not sure I'd like that as it looks a tad unprofessional.

What are the other options?

Jai_M

You can pay vistaprint for a 'premium' version which doesn't have their logo on the back. I think staples sell business card kits or yell.com a local printer. Alternatively google "uk business card". Although vistas the only one i've personally come into contact with. Hang around though, someone will post more sites....

BabyBore

Anyone else?

paddyrg

Vistaprint are as cheap as you'll get on a small run (and 200 is a VERY small run, not 'bulk' for business cards)

Vistaprint are expensive for large volumes, very cheap for small

They have different promotions and offers every day, so many it gets confusing. Sign up for them to spam you, and you will regularly find 'premium business cards 250 for 60% off' followed the next day by '250 premium business cards for free' or discounts on logo uploads etc. Pick which email you think looks the best deal, and buy via that. I have had some real bargains - eg... A printed mug, small vinyl banner, small rubber stamp, 500 business cards, and a set of stickers - all for £8 delivered. You need to keep your wits about you that you don't join any 'club' or anything, but there are real bargains to be had there.

As soon as you need larger quantities of anything, a real printer like stressfreeprint.co.uk is a better option (eg free proofs and samples, courtesy calls if there is an artwork problem, etc)

Savvy_Sue

Search this board, the subject comes up regularly and there have indeed been other suggestions!

Personally, I think it's worth visiting a few printers on the high street and getting quotes where you can 'feel the width'. Will anyone notice the difference between 150gsm and 180gsm? glossy or silk or matt? what colours to use - black ink on coloured card or coloured ink on white or cream? Until you've talked it through with a few samples in your hand it can be quite hard to be sure what you're getting.

Plus 200 is really very few: you want to ALWAYS have cards on you, and give them away very freely.

Horace

I would also echo what Savvy Sue has said about visiting printers on your high street. 200 business cards is a very short run and is more expensive than having 500 cards. I know that printing.com (can be on your local high street) have offers on cards every now and again buy 500 get 500 free but you need to go in and feel the quality and maybe get some advice. Must admit I prefer using independent printers these days as they give me a better service at a cheaper price.

Vistaprint are not great quality cards even if you pay extra to have a blank back instead of their ad.

BabyBore

Thanks everyone! Those are some great suggestions. :beer:

I wanted to start with 200 as I've never used business cards before and wanted to see if they were effective before purchasing a lot.

DACooper

:j

I've just had some cards from Moo. They have designs you can use or you can upload your own logo and add in your details & text. Really good quality cards (they have a laminated effect) and really give a good impression.
50 cards is about £13 incl standard delivery.
I've just re-ordered another 200 which is about £50

I've tried Vista Print and not impressed with the quality AND they are not full size cards either - a bit tidgy!

Good luck!

jexygirl

Never had a problem with vistaprint, good value, does what it says and always a plus point that they use recycled card etc. but I think even they do at least 250 in their free offer. To be fair, if you have never used them or cards, for the sake of a supplement of a couple of quid, upgrade to the premium ones, they are glossy, no text on the back, hundreds of designs and even with postage will cost you about a tenner for the lot.
I never pay for anything these days due to the spam mails. I get free mugs, magnets, banners, t shirts, postcards, brochures, hats etc etc. all with our logo, uploaded and designed by me and I am no wizz. People think I spend a fortune on promo stuff, the staff think I am likely to put vistaprint out of business as I only ever pay postage! I have an Inn on the edge of a loch in Scotland, and I also have our website through them.
I think if you haven't used cards before, then dont get sucked in to all the "extras" that some will sell - have a go at making your own online, you dont have to order them... just see what you think.
http://www.vistaprint.co.uk

ETA just went on and it is offering me 500 for free if I want, or 250, (might be an account thing lol) glossy upgrade (recommend) is 3.99 and 3 week post is 3.08, 7 day was 8.07 I think. They always send faster and love to send you a mail saying "your order was shipped early!!!!" I always go with 3 week and get it invariably in 2.