Custom Business Cards
A business card is the only marketing material somebody holds while looking you in the eye. That physical moment does more than the information printed on it, which is why a flimsy card undercuts an otherwise good introduction. Weight and texture register before anybody reads a word. We produce a lot of business card work at ZEE Packaging and the stock choice matters more than the design does.
The Feel Registers First
A business card is judged by hand within a second.
- Caliper is what people notice before they read anything
- A thin card bends in a pocket and arrives creased
- Texture communicates something the print never will
- Uncoated stock feels warmer, coated feels sharper
- Weight suggests care, which reflects on the business
- Edges matter too, since a rough cut looks amateur
Most disappointing business card work we get shown is printed well on stock that was far too light.
Stock Choices Worth Knowing
The options change the impression considerably.
- 16pt, the everyday standard for a solid feel
- 32pt duplex, two sheets bonded with a visible color seam
- Uncoated stock, which takes pen writing and feels natural
- Textured and laid papers for a heritage look
- Soft touch laminated, which is unusually tactile
- Recycled and kraft stocks for a sustainable position
- Standard rectangle the everyday business card
- Square format 2.5 inches, distinctive without being awkward
- Rounded corner softer and less prone to bending
- Folded card twice the printable surface
- Die cut shape a custom outline for standout
- Slim format narrower than standard
Sizes We Print Regular
Every business card is built to your preference, though these run often:
- 3.5" x 2" for the US standard
- 85mm x 55mm for the European standard
- 2.5" x 2.5" for a square format
- 3.5" x 1.75" for a slim card
- 3.5" x 4" for a folded card
- Custom shapes cut to your outline
Stock And Finish
- 16pt to 32pt card stock depending on the feel you want
- Matte, gloss or soft touch lamination
- Uncoated stock where writing on the card matters
- Foil stamping, which sits beautifully on a small panel
- Blind deboss and emboss for texture without ink
- Spot UV for contrast over a matte surface
Small format work rewards restraint. A single foil detail on a plain card reads considerably more expensive than heavy print across the whole face.
Materials Worth Considering
- Recycled card stock, widely available in most grades
- FSC certified paper, certificate available on request
- Soy based ink through the whole run
- Uncoated stock, which recycles cleanly without film
- Aqueous coating rather than plastic lamination
- Seed paper and other specialty options where relevant
The Way We Handle Your Order
- 100 unit minimum, so a single person can order sensibly
- Free proof before anything prints
- Free artwork setup by our own designer
- Stock swatches on request, since feel cannot be judged on screen
- Urgent turnaround at 5 to 8 business days
- Free shipping worldwide with nothing hidden
Frequently Asked Questions
Which caliper should we choose?
16pt for a solid everyday card. 32pt where you want people to notice the weight, which they genuinely do.
Can people write on them?
Only on uncoated stock. Laminated cards resist pen ink, which matters if yours get annotated at events.
Is soft touch worth it?
It is the finish people comment on most. It costs a little more and it changes the whole handling experience.
What is the price of business card?
Rough estimate is $0.04 to $0.14 per card on 16pt stock, $0.10 to $0.28 with foil or soft touch and $0.20 to $0.50 for 32pt duplex at moderate quantity. Volume moves it. Shipping is included in our price. This is estimate only, so ask our team for a exact quote.
Can you do rounded corners?
Yes, and they resist bending in a pocket better than square corners do.
What is duplex stock?
Two sheets bonded together, often with a contrasting color between them. The visible seam at the edge is the appeal.
Do you supply matching boxes?
We do. Plenty of clients order cards and a presentation box together so the whole set matches.
