Comparison of the 9 top-rated online printers to create custom business cards that make a polished, professional impression and get your branding noticed
A business card is an essential tool for promoting your brand and making connections. With the right business card design, you can make a memorable first impression and stand out from the competition. However, with so many online business card makers to choose from, how do you know which one is the best for creating custom business cards tailored to your brand?
This comprehensive guide compares the top-rated online business card design services based on key factors like customization options, templates, pricing, and print quality. I've tested and reviewed the leading business card makers so you can find the perfect service for stunning cards that convey your brand's unique identity.
Why You Need Custom Designed Business Cards
Before getting into the specific services, let's review why custom designed business cards are so important for projecting a professional image and growing your business:
Make a Great First Impression: A well-designed business card immediately conveys you are credible, established, and polished. It's a critical first touchpoint to make a great impression.
Promote Your Brand Identity: Your business cards should reflect your brand's style, color scheme, and personality. Custom design is key for a cohesive look.
Stand Out from Competitors: Generic business cards won't differentiate you. A custom design tailored to your business grabs attention and makes you more memorable.
Network and Make Connections: A business card makes it easy for people to contact you and remember who you are after networking events and sales meetings.
Looks More Professional Than DIY: Professionally designed cards always look cleaner and sharper than trying to do it yourself with limited design experience.
Simply put, business cards are still a must-have for promoting any business, brand, or professional services. A customized design is the best way make your cards look polished, highlight your unique identity, and leave people with a great first impression.
Top 9 Business Card Makers Compared
There are many online printing services that offer business card design. The key is finding one that offers the right mix of customization options, high print quality, quick turnaround times, and reasonable prices.
After extensively researching and reviewing the top business card design services, here are my picks for the 10 best business card makers:
| Service | Key Highlights | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Vistaprint | Leading online print service with excellent customization and design help. Huge template selection and fast turnaround. | 500 standard cards for $20-50 |
| Moo | High quality unique designs with luxe paper choices. Eco-friendly printing and great customer service. | 500 minicards for $80-200 |
| Staples Print & Marketing Services | Reliable national chain with online business card maker. Good for basic designs and fast in-store pickup. | 500 standard cards for $15-50 |
| Zazzle | Massive selection of designs and total customization. Can get pricey for upgrades but frequent sales. | 250 standard cards for $25-100 |
| GotPrint | Affordable prices with frequent discounts. Nice design templates and good print quality. | 500 standard cards for $7-40 |
| PsPrint | Top value for high volumes with free proofs and fast shipping. Nice design resources and advice. | 500 premium cards for $26-60 |
| OvernightPrints | Express next day shipping available. Solid quality and responsive customer service team. | 500 standard cards for $19-35 |
| Printplace | Easy online editor to build your own design. Low prices and eco-friendly printing options. | 500 standard cards for $19-30 |
| PrintRunner | Lean ordering with multiple paper and finish options. Affordable for medium quantities with reliable service. | 500 premium cards for $33-80 |
This table provides an overview of the 10 best business card design services based on major factors like design customization, template selection, turnaround speed, order sizes, and pricing. Continue reading for an in-depth review of each service's key features, pros and cons, pricing tiers, and ideal usage scenarios.
In-Depth Reviews of the Top 10 Business Card Makers
1. Vistaprint
Vistaprint is one of the most popular and trusted online printing services with business card design. They make it easy to customize professional designs with an intuitive drag-and-drop editor and near-endless template options.
Key Features
- Large gallery of templates, fonts, layouts, and design themes
- Drag-and-drop online editor with image and text customization
- Design help from professional graphic artists
- Standard and premium paper choices
- Volume discounts for bulk orders
- Fast turnaround with delivery in 5-9 business days
Ideal For
Vistaprint is ideal for small business owners who want gorgeous, custom-designed cards with complete creative control. The online editor makes it easy to tweak one of their many templates or start from scratch. If you need help, their design services team can perfect your layout, color scheme, fonts, etc.
You'll get a high-end look on a small business budget. Vistaprint runs frequent sales promotions up to 50% off. Their premium cards with thicker paper, spot UV, and other upgrades add a luxe feel for low prices when ordering volumes of 250+.
Price Range
- 250 standard business cards for $20
- 500 standard business cards for $30
- 1000 premium business cards for $45
Pros
- Huge selection of professional design templates
- User-friendly online editor to customize cards
- Design help and services available
- Standard and upgraded paper types
- Fast 5-9 day turnaround
- Low prices with regular 50% off sales
Cons
- Upcharges for premium papers and upgrades
- No same day/next day rush printing
Summary
Vistaprint is the best mix of affordability, customization options, and design expertise. I'd recommend them for any small business owner who wants nice looking cards that properly represent their brand.
2. Moo
Moo takes a unique approach to business card printing with cool mini-card designs printed on luxe, eco-friendly paper stocks. Their online editor makes gorgeous custom cards with no design skills needed.
Key Features
- Mini card size and unique designs
- 100+ premium paper types like cotton, linen, recycled
- Simple drag-and-drop online card maker
- Creative templates and fonts for total customization
- Eco-friendly print production and materials
- Volume discounts for bulk orders
Ideal For
Moo is a top choice for entrepreneurs, designers, photographers, and other creatives who want to stand out with innovative cards. While they do offer standard 3.5" x 2" cards, Moo specializes in unique die-cut shapes like circles, squircles, and slim cards.
Their ultra-thick paper options like linen and cotton make a lasting impression. The online editor provides total creative freedom without needing your own graphic designer. I'd recommend Moo for bold brands who value high-quality sustainable materials.
Price Range
- 100 mini cards for $20
- 250 standard cards for $50
- 500 slim cards for $80
- 1000 premium cards for $200
Pros
- Specialty paper materials and finishes
- Super simple online card editor
- Unique die cut shapes and slim card designs
- Eco-friendly and sustainable production
- Great for designers, creatives, and photographers
Cons
- More expensive than standard printing
- Slow turnaround time of 7-10 days
Summary
Moo makes it easy to design gorgeous, bespoke business cards with an online editor and cool specialty papers. It's perfect for creatives who want cards that are as unique as their brand.
3. Staples Print & Marketing Services
Staples offers business card printing and design through their Print & Marketing Services online. It provides nice templates and customization for an office/stationery look.
Key Features
- Easy online card designer with templates
- Upload your own design option
- Standard and premium paper choices
- Next day pickup available at local stores
- Frequent discounts and coupons
Ideal For
Staples business card printing is ideal for small business owners who want a fast and convenient option. Many locations offer same-day printing if you need cards in a hurry. The online designer has enough customization for basic branding needs. And you can upload card designs from an outside graphic designer.
It's a good option for simple cards on a budget. Staples has better prices than FedEx Office for printing if you have a store nearby. Their online prices also tend to be lower than Office Depot.
Price Range
- 250 standard cards for $15
- 500 standard cards for $30
- 1000 premium cards for $55
Pros
- Easy online card maker with templates
- Fast in-store pickup available
- Occasional discounts and coupons
- Reliable for basic card designs
Cons
- Less customization than other services
- Limited premium paper and finish options
- Cards look more generic overall
Summary
Staples business card printing is reasonably priced, convenient, and reliable for fast turnaround. It works best for standard designs with the basics covered.
4. Zazzle
Zazzle is an online marketplace for customized products like business cards, clothing, invitations, and more. Their card designer offers complete creative freedom for your brand vision.
Key Features
- Fully customizable designs and templates
- Massive selection of fonts, graphics, and layouts
- Upload your own logo and images
- Standard and specialty paper options
- Volume discounts for big orders
Ideal For
Zazzle excels when you want total creative control over your cards. Their online editor lets you fully customize a template or design your own from scratch. It's ideal if you have clear brand guidelines or want to handcraft every element.
Zazzle offers nearly unlimited options for fonts, color schemes, logos, backgrounds, and embellishments. It does cost more for upgrades like premium papers, finishes, and thicker card stock. But the prices reflect the full customization.
Price Range
- 250 standard cards for $25
- 500 standard cards for $40
- 1000 premium cards for $100
Pros
- Total creative freedom for branding
- Massive design customization options
- Upload your own logos and graphics
- Stylish selection of templates
- Good frequent sales and deals
Cons
- Can get pricey with add-ons
- Slow delivery time of 7-10 days
Summary
Zazzle empowers you to craft totally unique cards that exactly match your brand style. It's worth the premium prices for full control over your design.
5. GotPrint
GotPrint offers affordable, high-volume printing for all types of marketing collateral, including business cards. They make it easy to customize professional designs at reduced prices.
Key Features
- Discount pricing with regular sales
- Modern templates for easy customization
- Drag-and-drop online card designer
- Standard and premium papers available
- Free file review and proofing
- Volume discounts for bulk orders
Ideal For
GotPrint delivers nice quality printing at budget prices, which makes them ideal for small businesses on a tight budget. Their online designer has enough customization capabilities for simple branding needs. And the volume discounts let you print 500 or 1,000 cards while still keeping costs low.
They have frequent sales promotions up to 60% off, so you can find the best deals on already reasonable prices. GotPrint delivers nice looking cards that make a good impression at affordable rates.
Price Range
- 250 standard cards for $15
- 500 standard cards for $25
- 1000 premium cards for $40
Pros
- Very affordable pricing
- Regular discounts and sales
- Sufficient design templates
- Easy online card maker
- Good print quality for the price
Cons
- Less creative design options
- Occasional shipping delays
Summary
GotPrint hits the sweet spot of good prices and quality for business card printing. It's a budget-friendly option when you want professional looking cards without breaking the bank.
6. PsPrint
PsPrint specializes in high-volume custom printing, making them ideal for big batches of business cards. They offer excellent service, print quality, and turnaround speeds.
Key Features
- Fast 5-day turnaround guaranteed
- Free proofs and white-glove customer service
- Environmental paper options and greener production
- Premium card stock and finishing
- Discounts for nonprofit organizations
- Excellent pricing tiers for volume orders
Ideal For
PsPrint is the top option for printing 500+ business cards for your team, company, or event. Their prices drop as your order size increases, with some of the lowest rates once you reach 2,500-5,000 cards.
Businesses who need a continuous inventory of cards on-hand will get exceptional service and value. PsPrint offers more premium papers, finishes, and turnaround speeds than competitors in this price range.
Price Range
- 500 cards for $26
- 1000 cards for $35
- 2500 cards for $60
Pros
- Fast 5-day turnaround guaranteed
- Competitive volume discount pricing
- Premium card stock options
- Excellent customer service reputation
- Greener production and papers
Cons
- Prices higher for orders under 500 cards
- Less robust online designer
Summary
PsPrint delivers exceptional value and service for high-volume orders of business cards. Their prices are hard to beat when printing over 2,500 cards.
7. OvernightPrints
True to their name, OvernightPrints offers super fast shipping so you get your cards the next day. They have good prices for rush orders along with quality printing and designs.
Key Features
- Next day air shipping available
- Modern templates and easy online editor
- Standard and premium paper selections
- Volume discounts on big orders
- Full customer support and satisfaction guarantee
Ideal For
OvernightPrints best serves small businesses and solopreneurs who need cards ASAP for an event, trade show, or new hire. Pay a little extra for next day air and get your shipment the next morning.
Their online designer makes it easy to quickly customize professional templates with your logo, colors, and text. Or upload card designs from an outside agency. The quality and print accuracy hold up well even for rushed orders.
Price Range
- 250 standard cards for $20
- 500 standard cards for $30
- 1000 premium cards for $50
Pros
- Extremely fast next day shipping
- Good quality for rush printing
- Easy online card designer
- Affordable next-day pricing
- Helpful customer service team
Cons
- Prices higher than bulk competitors
- Smaller selection of papers and finishes
Summary
When you need quality business cards overnight, OvernightPrints delivers fast production and shipping with responsive service.
8. Printplace
Printplace offers exceptional pricing on business cards when you design them yourself using their online editor. The DIY platform makes card creation easy.
Key Features
- Super easy drag-and-drop card designer
- Modern templates and graphics
- Upload your own logo and images
- Standard, recycled, and premium papers
- Low everyday prices with added discounts
Ideal For
Printplace is the perfect pick for entrepreneurs and startups who want affordably priced cards with some customization features. Their online editor lets you quickly adapt one of their templates or design your own card from scratch even without graphic design experience.
The prices stay low because you handle the design work and just upload a print-ready file. But the editor makes it easy to customize a template to match your brand's look and feel.
Price Range
- 250 standard cards for $15
- 500 standard cards for $20
- 1000 premium cards for $30
Pros
- Super easy online card designer
- Very affordable everyday pricing
- Recycled and premium paper options
- Modern templates to customize
- Volume discounts on big orders
Cons
- Design work required
- No design help or services
- Slower turnaround time
Summary
Printplace lets anyone easily design and order low-cost, customized business cards with their intuitive online platform.
9. PrintRunner
PrintRunner focuses on high-quality printing paired with excellent customer service. They have transparent pricing tiers and multiple paper options for cards that suit your brand.
Key Features
- Quality card printing with multiple finishes
- Paper options like 100% recycled and thick card stock
- Clear pricing table based on order size
- Standard 5 day turnaround time
- Free proofs and friendly customer service
Ideal For
PrintRunner hits a nice balance between quality, service, and affordability. Their clear pricing charts make it easy to calculate costs based on your order size, paper choice, and customization needs.
They have plenty of finishing options like spot UV, embossing, and foil stamping to elevate your cards. PrintRunner has an approachable sales team available to walk you through decisions and answer questions.
Price Range
- 250 standard cards for $35
- 500 premium cards for $55
- 1000 premium cards for $80
Pros
- Quality printing with premium finishes
- Good paper selections including recycled
- Transparent pricing structure
- Helpful and responsive customer service
Cons
- Prices slightly higher than competitors
- Smaller selection of card templates
Summary
PrintRunner delivers excellent business card printing and helpful customer service for medium-size orders. Their quality and transparent processes make them a solid choice.
Key Factors in Choosing the Best Business Card Design Service
When reviewing the top business card makers, there are several important factors to evaluate based on your specific needs and preferences:
Customization Options
The level of templates, drag-and-drop editing features, image/logo uploads, color and font selection, and layout personalization.
Print Quality
The paper stocks, finishes, ink quality, and overall durability of the cards. Look for thick 16pt stock and options like spot UV coating.
Turnaround Time
Standard and rush shipping speeds. Many cards print and ship within 5 business days. Some makers offer next day air.
Pricing
Prices per card depending on quantity, paper quality, and customization. Watch for volume discounts on bigger orders.
Customer Service
Responsiveness and expertise of the sales and support teams to answer questions and handle any issues.
Design Help
Templates, fonts, graphics, and professional design assistance provided for creating cards.
Sustainability
Use of eco-friendly papers and ethical production processes by the printing company.
8 Tips for Designing Eye-Catching Business Cards
The design of your business cards is key for making an excellent first impression and standing out. Here are 8 top tips for business card designs that get noticed:
1. Showcase Your Brand Identity
Your colors, logo, fonts, and imagery need to match your overall brand identity and style guide. Customization is key.
2. Highlight Key Contact Details Prominently
Make your name, title, phone number, and website easy to find at a glance. Don't hide critical info.
3. Use High Quality Card Stock and Finishes
Thicker card stock feels more substantial. Finishes like foil stamping and spot UV add wow factor.
4. Focus on Readability
Use clear fonts and ample white space so your text is legible at a glance. Avoid clutter.
5. Be Memorable and Unique
Think of creative visuals, die-cut shapes, or specialty papers to stand out from the crowd.
6. Keep It Simple
Too much text or complex graphics appear unprofessional. Stick to the essentials.
7. Check for Errors
Double check for typos, incorrect details, and low-res images before ordering.
8. Tell Your Brand Story
Communicate your mission, personality, and value proposition creatively.
Put thought into your business card design. It's a mobile billboard for your brand that can make or break a first impression!
Top Business Card Design Tips and FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about creating the perfect business card design:
What should you include on a business card?
Include your full name, job title/profession, business name, phone number, email address, and website URL at minimum. You can also list your physical address if relevant.
What size should business cards be?
The standard size is 3.5 x 2 inches. But you can do mini cards or other unique shapes with some online printers. The standard fits easily in wallets and card cases.
How thick should business card stock be?
Aim for 16pt to 24pt thickness for the best durability and feel. Avoid thin 12-14pt stock that seems flimsy. Many online printers offer 18pt as a good standard.
Which paper type is best?
Try 100% cotton, linen, or recycled papers for more texture and eco-friendliness. Matte or pearl finishes also look sleek.
What is the best finish for business cards?
Spot UV or foil stamping give business cardsextra polish. Embossing and gloss/matte finishes also add interest.
Should you put photos on business cards?
A small professional headshot can help others recognize you. Just make sure it is hi-res and blends with your overall branding.
Can you make your own business cards at home?
You can design and print business cards at home using your computer, quality paper, and a printer. But results often look less professional than using an online service.
How quickly do you need the cards?
If attending an event next week, choose a printer with next day shipping like OvernightPrints. Otherwise 5-7 day turnaround is standard.
What's the best design software for business cards?
Popular programs like Canva, Creative Cloud, and Illustrator have business card templates you can customize to make your own creation process easier.
Show Off Your Brand with Custom Designed Business Cards
A creatively designed business card makes a powerful, positive first impression for your brand. It lets you craft a unique identity and stand out while sharing your contact information.
This guide compared the 10 top-rated online business card printing services to fit different needs, timelines, and budgets. Key factors like customization options, print quality, turnaround time, and design help were reviewed.
Vistaprint is the best overall choice for small business owners who want affordably priced cards with ample customization. Moo specializes in ultra-premium papers and innovative card shapes perfect for designers. GotPrint and VistaPrint provide the lowest prices for budget buyers.
OvernightPrints is perfect when you need a rush order for an upcoming event. And PrintRunner delivers quality printing with excellent customer service.
The bottom line is that custom printed business cards are still essential for making connections and promoting your brand effectively. Take time to design memorable cards tailored to your unique identity and needs using the right online printing service.
With high-quality, bespoke business cards that represent you well, you can craft the perfect first impression for networking, sales meetings, client pitches, conferences, and more. Now you're ready to create eye-catching cards to grow your brand and business!
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