Quick Tip: Business Cards the Affordable Way

One of your most valuable tools as a freelancer is your business card … particularly when you’re first starting out. There are three ways to get them done …

1. YOU DESIGN THEM & THEN HAVE THEM PRINTED PROFESSIONALLY – a good option if you know for certain you won’t be changing your information in the near future. Here are two printers to consider:

   • 48 Hour Print (www.48hourprint.com)

   You email files in one of 14 formats, including Photoshop, Word, or PDF. They ship your cards back in 48 hours. 2-sided, 4-color glossy, heavy stock, $55 plus shipping/500; $75 plus shipping/1,000.

   • Kinkos (FedEx – www.fedex.com/us/officeprint/main)

   You bring in your pre-designed cards on a CD or disk. They help you set up the files. A 1- to 24-hour turnaround for $20 to $100/500, depending on complexity, paper, and other factors.

2. YOU DESIGN & PRINT YOUR OWN – a good option if you’re not sure your information will stay the same. Use your word processor template to design the card. (See your word processor "help" file.) Print on the heaviest business card stock you can find. Here are two possibilities:

   • Avery photo paper Clean Edge Business Cards are available in matte and glossy for $17/200 at www.avery.com or your local stationer.
   • Paper Direct (www.paperdirect.com) has a wide variety of professional-looking preprinted stock. You can match your business cards and stationery.
3. YOU HAVE YOUR CARDS PROFESSIONALLY DESIGNED & PRINTED – not a recommended option for you at this point in your career. Too expensive … and not necessary.