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How many business cards should I order?
Pick the standard quantity tier that matches your actual handout rate. Per-card cost drops sharply at 250, 500, 1,000 — order the right tier the first time and save the reorder cost.
12 months is most common. Reorder when you hit ~20% remaining.
10-20% is standard. Higher if your brand changes often.
Recommended quantity
500
cards · standard quantity tier
Cards per week
8
Cards in 12 months
8/wk × 52 weeks
416
+15% buffer
Damaged, sample, give to family
478
Round up to standard tier
Buys you 22 extra (volume discount kicks in)
500
Approximate cost (14PT Gloss C2S)
$0.065 per card
$32.50
Why the quantity tier matters
Commercial print pricing has fixed setup costs (plate prep, color calibration, machine setup) that amortize across the run. Order 100 cards and you pay essentially the full setup cost across 100 pieces. Order 500 and the same setup divides across 5x as many cards. Order 1,000 and per-card cost drops further.
The big tier breakpoints on 14PT Gloss C2S business cards: 100 (~$0.45/card), 250 (~$0.18/card), 500 (~$0.065/card), 1,000 (~$0.045/card), 2,500 (~$0.025/card). The biggest jump is between 100 and 250 — a 60% per-card cost drop. The next-biggest is 250 to 500.
Practical rule: if you're between two tiers, almost always order the higher one. The "extra" cards you get cost less than the per-card markup you\'d pay on the lower tier.
Business card quantity FAQ
How many business cards should I order at one time?
For most business owners, 500 is the sweet spot — enough to last 6-12 months at typical handout rates, and far cheaper per-card than 250 or 100. Active salespeople, real estate agents, and trade-show heavy professionals often order 1,000-2,500 to capture even better per-unit pricing.
Is it cheaper to order more business cards at once?
Yes, significantly. Per-card cost on 14PT Gloss C2S: ~$0.45 at 100 qty, ~$0.18 at 250, ~$0.065 at 500, ~$0.045 at 1,000. The setup cost amortizes across the run. If you're reordering twice a year at 500 each time, ordering 1,000 once usually costs the same or less.
How long should a stack of 500 business cards last?
For a typical small business owner handing out ~8 cards/week (40-50 cards/month), a 500-card stack lasts about 12-15 months. Active salespeople at 20+/week burn through 500 in 5-6 months. Trade-show booth staff giving out 50+/week may need 1,000-2,500 every quarter.
Should I order extra in case my contact info changes?
No — the opposite. If you know your phone, email, or title might change within 6 months, order fewer (250 instead of 500). Outdated cards are worse than no cards. The volume discount tempts you to over-order; resist when stability is uncertain.
Should I order different versions of my business card for different scenarios?
For most people, no — one consistent card is easier to manage and more memorable. Exceptions: networking-focused cards (with QR code linking to LinkedIn) vs. event giveaway cards (cheaper stock, larger quantity), or different cards per service line. If you do, our volume discount applies per-design — each design counts as its own run.