Business Cards Cost: Startup & Ongoing Costs

Business cards look like a simple purchase, yet prices vary widely from printer to printer. A plain card on thin stock is cheap. A thick, foil-stamped or die-cut card can cost several times more for half the quantity. What you pay is set by paper, finish, quantity and how fast you need the order.

The numbers below are starting or "from" prices that printers publish for specific cards. They come from 4OVER4, MOO and JukeBox Print, and were checked on Oct 13, 2026. Printers change prices and run promotions often, and shipping and taxes are usually added at checkout, so confirm the price for your exact card on the printer's site.

For standard 14pt cards, the entry price is $17.57 for 100 cards, delivered in about three business days according to the printer. That works out to roughly 18 cents a card, the highest per-card rate you will pay because setup costs are spread over fewer cards.

Heavier stock raises the price quickly. The same printer lists ultra thick cards, from 32pt to 80pt, at $36.62 for only 50 cards with a longer five-business-day turnaround. Die-cut cards cut into any shape start at $95.56 for 50.

• Paper thickness: Paper stock is the biggest factor. A 14pt gloss card is the budget baseline, 16pt feels sturdier, and 32pt reads as premium and costs the most per card.
• Finish: Gloss or matte keeps costs down. Soft touch, spot gloss, foil and raised finishes add a higher line item.
• Quantity: The per-card price falls as you order more, so one larger run usually beats ordering a small batch twice.
• Sides: Printing on both sides adds a small amount.
• Shape and size: Special shapes such as die-cut cards cost more than the standard rectangle.
• Turnaround: Rush production adds a premium, while standard turnaround is the cheaper path.

MOO prices its cards by paper type. The prices below are "from" prices for 50 cards.

The entry Original card is $23 for 50, the Super card is $33 and the Luxe card on 32pt Mohawk paper is $43. Foil adds to the cost: gold foil is $51 for 50, and letterpress is $60. Check MOO's own product pages for what each card includes and for larger quantities.

JukeBox Print sells premium and specialty stocks, and also lists its prices as "from" figures for 50 cards.

Its 20pt Standard card starts at $36 for 50, an 18pt recycled Kraft card at $27, and a 20pt Cotton card at $40. A pearlescent 26pt card is the premium end at $115.

Compare like with like. The 4OVER4 figure is for 100 cards on standard 14pt stock. The MOO and JukeBox figures are for 50 cards on thicker or specialty papers. A higher price per order does not automatically mean a worse deal: a card that is twice as thick may suit a luxury or professional-services brand, while a thin card is fine for a trade show handout.

To compare, list the same specification at each printer: stock thickness, finish, size, quantity, sides and delivery date. Then add shipping and tax.

1. Order a larger quantity once rather than small reorders, if you know your details will not change soon.
2. Use standard size and a plain gloss or matte finish. Most of the price jump comes from special stocks and finishes.
3. Print on one side unless you need the back.
4. Accept standard turnaround instead of a rush order.
5. Watch for printer promotions, but check the full price and any shipping charges before you order.
6. Use your own design file if you have one, since design help may cost extra at some printers.

Designer fees if you do not have a logo or layout. Shipping, which varies by speed. Sales tax in many states. Reprints if you find a typo after you approve the proof, which is why a careful proof matters.

A thick or specialty card can do some work for a brand, especially in fields where people hand cards over one at a time. If you hand out hundreds at events, a lighter card keeps the cost per contact low. Many buyers split the difference: a standard card for general use and a smaller run of premium cards for key meetings.