How Much Do 250 Business Cards Cost? (And What Affects the Price)

At Minuteman Press Ipswich, 250 double-sided full-colour business cards on 350gsm stock cost £48 — about 19p per card. That's the standard professional spec. Heavier stock, lamination and same-day turnaround adjust the price from there; all prices are published on the site rather than hidden behind a quote form.

What moves the price

Quantity (500 costs far less than 2×250 per card), stock weight (350 vs 400gsm), finish (soft touch adds a little; matt/gloss usually don't), and speed (same-day carries a modest premium).

Why not just use a £10 online deal?

Ultra-cheap online cards are typically thinner stock (300gsm or less), gang-run with other jobs so colour accuracy varies, and arrive when the courier decides. If your card is your first impression — and for tradespeople it literally is — 19p a card for consistent 350gsm with a human file check is not the place to economise.

How many should I order?

250 suits most sole traders for 6–12 months. Order 500 if you network heavily or leave cards on counters; the unit price drops meaningfully. Avoid 1,000+ unless details are locked — a changed mobile number makes the whole box waste.

Design tips that affect nothing but matter

Keep text 3mm from the edge (safe zones), use K-only black for small text, and supply logos as vectors. QR codes: minimum 15×15mm and test-scan the printed proof.

FAQ

Can I collect the same day? Yes — artwork by 1pm, collect from Tacket Street. Do prices include design? Printing prices assume supplied artwork; design help is available at low cost. Single-sided cheaper? Slightly, but the back is cheap space — use it for services or a QR code.