Save Your Company Money When Buying Business Cards

Save your company money when buying business cards

It’s a rare company that doesn’t buy business cards. Typically, cards are purchased in boxes of 500 or 1000 and run anywhere from $35.00 to hundreds of dollars per box depending a wide variety of factors (ink colors, stock, two sided, etc.). Additionally, have you ever been asked to “get me a box of cards tomorrow, I just ran out”? Sometimes this is possible, but it can carry a significant rush charge. You will be pleased to know that there is a simple way to save your company money on these necessary communication tools, and possible achieve that “next day” crisis without up-charges.

Visit with your favorite printer regarding the concept of “business card shells”. This is especially effective if you have multiple color cards, where the variable contact information is a one color and corporate logo is a different color. By purchasing a large supply of shells, normally a six month supply, your printer can produce these and hold them in their inventory for your future use. Since cards are printed on 8.5 x 11 stock, a printer can normally get 12 cards per sheet. We then cut these down to strips of 4 cards each so we can produce rush orders for next day service without up-charges. In this manner, the common print elements that are typically in a color different than the contact information, can be mass produced which will save press wash up charges.

Then as you need cards for individuals, the shells can be used and turnaround time is reduced. The real savings occur if you order multiple names at a time. Since the shells are in strips of 4, the most cost effect order is 4 names at a time, followed by 2 names, then one name. The most cost prohibitive combination is 3 names, since it results in one wasted card.

So you may ask, how much can be saved. One of our clients has a two color card, and normally buys boxes of 500. Without shells, they were paying $48.00 per box. By switching to a six month supply of shells, the effective cost per box of 500 dropped to $32.50 or 32%. In their case this was over $1,200 per year. Depending on volume, it is feasible to reduce the cost even further.

In closing, as you discuss this with your printer, please note that I don’t recommend more than a 6 month supply due to the possibilities of zip code or area code changes, relocations, or new corporate identities.

Contributed by:
Larry Byers
Owner Alphagraphics Business Center
1585 Beverly Court Ste. 125
Aurora, IL 60502

At AlphaGraphics, we do more than just design, copy and print­we help our customers communicate. Today, the need for effective communication is stronger than ever before­you need to inform, involve, impress and inspire people. You need to connect. At AlphaGraphics, we help you do that better. That’s because we know that good communication is all about people, and the well trained, experienced people at AlphaGraphics are committed to making the most of every visual communication project. For more information please contact Larry Byers, Owner at 630-820-2200 or by email at owners@agaurora.com.