In a recent post, I discussed business cards design, content, and sources. See the previous post here. Since I needed some cards, I decided to order from two different online companies I mentioned in the post.

First, I went to Vistaprint, found a new design that I liked and ordered 250 cards using the promotion code that I had received. Ordinarily, you get 250 cards free and just pay shipping. The free cards have Vistaprint’s ad on the back. The special promotion offered the premium cards (no ad on back) for free plus shipping. I managed to make it all the way to checkout without adding any features or buying anything else, although I was tempted by the alternate design that they recommended for the back of my card. I paid $5.79 for the cheapest shipping. I ordered on September 8th. The cards were shipped on September 15th, and I received them on the 17th.  I would have like them better if I had paid a little extra for the glossy finish, but they are fine for what I paid.

For the second set, I went to 123Print.com. After searching their designs, I found one that I really loved. On September 8th, I ordered 200 cards, the minimum number, and paid for shipping. The cards shipped on September 10th, and I received them on the 12th. Fast! They are beautiful cards with a glossy finish, great graphics, and a really quality feel. I paid about $15.00 for them, and that’s pretty high, when you consider it was only 200 cards. See my design here.

No matter what your budget, you can afford a professional-looking business card. Notice that I did not have my photo on either card, although I have always used a photo in the past. It would have cost me extra to upload a photo to Vistaprint, and I did not inquire about photos with 123Print.

I was happy with both transactions, because I felt that I got what I paid for.