Key takeaways
- 16pt is the safe default; 14pt works for big runs and handouts.
- Uncoated stock is the one you can write on, which matters for estimates and appointments.
- Soft touch and painted edge cards are for when the card itself needs to impress.
- Put who you are on the front and what to do next on the back.
- Point the QR code at a tracked page, not your home page, so you can see if cards bring calls.
- Proofs come back in 1 to 2 business days and every card order is quoted on the ticket.
Where cards still earn their keep
Phones did not kill the business card. They changed its job. Today a card is the thing you leave behind when a conversation ends and nobody typed your number in.
Contractors leave them on the kitchen counter after a bid. Agents hand them out at open houses and closings. Restaurant owners tuck them in to go bags. In every case, the card has two jobs: remind the person who you are, and make the next step easy.
That second job is where most cards fall short. Lots of cards look nice and give no reason to call.
Card stocks
Card thickness is measured in points. One point is a thousandth of an inch, so 14pt is 0.014 inches thick. Here are the general options:
- 14pt: the standard weight. Fine for big runs, handouts and staff who go through a box a month.
- 16pt: noticeably thicker in the hand. The default most people should pick.
- Uncoated: a natural paper feel with no shine. You can write on it with any pen.
- Soft touch: a laminate with a velvet feel. It reads as premium the second someone holds it.
- Painted edge: a thick stock with color painted on the edges. It is a statement card, best for a small run you hand out with intent.
Not every stock and finish fits every run. Tell us what you want on the ticket and we will confirm what works for your quantity.
| Stock | Feel | Write on it | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14pt coated | Standard, light | Hard | Big runs, handouts |
| 16pt coated | Thick, solid | Hard | Most businesses |
| Uncoated | Natural paper | Yes | Contractors, appointment cards |
| Soft touch | Velvet, premium | Hard | Agents, consultants |
| Painted edge | Extra thick, color edges | Depends on stock | Small premium runs |
Finishes
The finish is the surface. It changes how the card looks and what you can do with it.
- Matte: low glare, easy to read, the most popular choice.
- Gloss: makes photos and bright colors pop. Hard to write on.
- Uncoated: no finish at all. Best for cards people write on.
- Spot gloss: a shiny layer on one element, like the logo, over a matte card.
- Foil: metallic gold, silver or copper on the logo or name.
Rule of thumb: if you or your customer ever writes on the card, go uncoated or matte. If the card is mostly a photo, like an agent headshot, gloss or soft touch shows it best.
Soft touch pairs well with foil or spot gloss. The contrast between the velvet surface and the shiny logo is why that combo shows up on so many premium cards. Save it for the cards you hand to your best prospects.
How many cards to order
Order by how fast you hand cards out, not by the biggest price break. A box you finish in a few months beats a box that goes stale when your number or title changes.
A rough starting point:
- Owner or solo agent: 250 to 500 per run
- Sales staff, crew leads and team members: 250 each, so everyone has their own name on a card
- Trade shows and events: count the people you expect to talk to, then add a cushion
Reorder when you change phone numbers, logos, brokerages or service areas. Handing out a card with the wrong number costs more than a reprint ever will. For team orders, we set up one template and swap the names, so every card matches.
What goes on the front
The front answers one question: who is this?
- Your name, big enough to read at arm's length
- Your title or trade
- Company name and logo
That's it for most cards. Leave room around the logo. Keep every word at least 1/8 inch inside the trim so nothing gets cut, and skip type smaller than about 7 points. A crowded front looks cheap no matter what stock it is on.
If you need a logo first, we design them for $250 flat. Already have one? Make sure it's a clean vector file. The print ready files guide covers what we need.
What goes on the back
The back answers the next question: what do I do now?
- Phone number, and say "call or text" if you take texts
- Email and website
- Service area, like "Hutto, Round Rock, Georgetown and Taylor"
- License or registration number if your trade requires one
- A QR code to a tracked page
Some of the best backs skip the list and make one offer. "Free roof inspection, scan to book." "Scan for my current listings." One clear action beats six ways to reach you.
Use both sides. A blank back is wasted space, and it is the side people look at when they finally decide to call.
QR codes that go to a tracked page
A QR code that opens your home page tells you nothing. A QR code that opens a page built for card holders tells you exactly how many people scanned.
Set up a short page just for the card, like yoursite.com/card. Add tracking so every visit, call and form fill gets counted. Then you can answer a real question: are these cards bringing in work? We build that kind of tracking on the websites and systems side of the shop.
A few print rules:
- Print the code at least about 3/4 inch square so phones read it easily.
- Keep dark code on a light background.
- Test it with two phones before you approve the proof.
More on pairing print with tracking in print plus digital with QR codes.
Real estate and contractor card habits
Real estate agents usually want a headshot, the brokerage logo and a phone number that is easy to spot. Check your brokerage's branding rules before you design. Many agents print a second card for each listing season, with a QR code to their current listings. If you join a new brokerage, plan the new cards, signs and riders as one order so they match on day one. The rest of the agent kit is in the real estate print checklist.
Contractors live on uncoated stock. You can write the estimate, the date or the crew lead's cell on the back and it stays put. Put your license number and service area on the card. Homeowners check. Match the card to your truck magnets and yard signs so every piece looks like the same company.
Proofs and ordering through the ticket
Ordering is simple:
- Open a job ticket and pick business cards.
- Tell us the quantity, stock and finish you want, or ask us to recommend one.
- Upload your files. The ticket takes 20 files at 100MB each.
- Get your proof in 1 to 2 business days and approve it.
Prices and print turnaround are quoted on the ticket, since they change with stock, finish and quantity. No file? Our layout rate is $45 per hour, and most cards are a short job. Pick up in Hutto, get local delivery, or have them shipped. We take cash, check or card.