7 Ways You Can Get Free Business Cards

Carrying business cards around may sound like a 90s thing to do, but you’d be surprised how well business cards can translate to leads. And being able to get free business cards saves you money in the long run.

Most salespeople, CEOs, and other professionals continue to carry business cards everywhere and give them to would-be partners, clients, and even just acquaintances.

Giving out business cards is still quicker than exchanging numbers, so if you’ve tossed them out decades ago, maybe it’s about time to bring them back to your life.

Of course, they’d contain different information now. You’d include your email address and social media usernames.

If you’re up for the revival of business cards, the problem now is: can you still get free business cards these days?

And if yes, where?

7 Companies Giving Away Free Business Cards

Like what I said in my posts about free address labels and free stickers, printing companies usually give away free samples as a way to promote the quality of their work.

Below are some of the companies that give away free business cards.

1. VistaPrint

One of the biggest companies giving away sample business cards is VistaPrint.

During the company’s earlier days, they offered the “250 free business cards” with customers shouldering the cost of shipping.

At first, the promo did very well with many people taking advantage of it, even if the shipping cost was inflated.

But once people began receiving the free business cards, they soon realize you can’t really get quality-made products for free.

After that experience, customers preferred to pay a bit more for better-quality business cards, so VistaPrint changed the “totally free” promo to paying $9.99 for 500 business cards.

Unfortunately, that promo ended, too.

Today, they’re offering the Free Business Card Sample Kit, which includes 11 pieces of business cards made with different paper types, textures, shapes, and other special features.

From the time they started offering it, this sample kit has been the golden standard of business card freebies.

2. 4Over4

4Over4 is an online printing service that offers custom printing using environmentally approved materials.

They just recently revived their free 200 business cards plus free shipping.

The only catch is that you’ll have to earn 500 4over4 coins, which you can earn by doing various actions.

For instance:

• creating an account with them will earn you 100 coins,
• completing your personal profile earns you 50 coins, and
• sharing a special link to them on your social media will earn you 25 coins per platform.

When you earn 500 coins, you can redeem your free 200 business cards in your choice of glossy or uncoated cover.

The only (arguably minor) catch is that a small “Free by 4OVER4.com” logo will be printed on the back of your business cards.

3. InoPrints

InoPrints is a Chicago-based printing company offering 100 free business cards on 16pt cardstock, coated on both sides, only to the 48 states on the mainland.

The only catch is they’ll print a small logo and a short sentence on the back of your business cards.

You’ll have to pay for shipping, and you have to upload your own design (it’s $50 if they design it for you).

4. Moo

For those looking for impressively printed business cards, but do not want to invest in a lot of experiments, Moo has the solution for you.

Their Business Card Sample Pack is completely free and includes 10 pieces of business cards featuring various finishes (uncoated, matte, soft touch, gloss), paper stocks (Cotton, Original, Super, Luxe), sizes (standard, MOO, square, mini), corners (square, rounded), and design accents.

The sample pack ships free anywhere in the United States, but if you’re requesting from another country, you have to shoulder the shipping costs.

5. GotPrint

Another place you can order free business card samples is GotPrint.com. Order their free sample kit and get a variety of products, including postcards, brochures, flyers, stickers, and other paper products.

You’ll get several types of business cards: standard, folded, and special shapes. They’re printed on papers of different finishes and textures. Plus, shipping is free!

6. PsPrint

PsPrint also sends out sample kits with free business cards, postcards, invitations, and various other paper products.

I love the paper sample guide with different textures and qualities that PsPrint sends out.

7. PrintPapa

This Business Card Swatch Box is designed to give you the ultimate look and feel of the different Business Card sizes and stocks the company offers (Metallic, Pearl, Kraft, Clear, Linen, etc).

This sample pack is awesome if you wish to create only the best credit card in the market, but don’t know what kind of paper is available for you.

PrintPapa sends you a dozen credit cards with different paper types and sizes. All sample kits are sent out via USPS First Class and can be expected in your hands within 3-5 business days.

Discounted Business Cards

Aside from free business cards and free sample kits, the companies above also offer discounted business cards.

While these aren’t exactly free, you still probably want high-quality business cards for cheap.

1. Hotcards (500 business cards for $9.99)

Hotcards is an online company that specializes in printed and personalized products, especially for marketing and promotion purposes.

For a limited time (according to their website, anyway), you can get 500 business cards with 3.5″ by 2″ dimensions, standard 14pt card stock, standard gloss, full-color print on one side, square corners, and standard turnaround speed (5 business days), all for $9.99 plus shipping fees.

You can upload your own design or hire one of their designers to create your business cards for you.

2. 55printing.com (500 business cards for $14.42)

55prints prides itself on printing cheap yet high-quality business cards for customers in the United States and all over the world.

The website seems a little cheesy, but they offer 500 business cards with 3.5″ by 2″ dimensions, standard 14pt card stock with standard gloss, full-color print on one side, square corners, and a turnaround speed of 4 to 6 business days, all for $14.42 plus shipping fees.

3. BIZAY (1,000 business cards for $7.99)

BIZAY is currently offering a promotion on its business cards.

You can get 1,000 business cards with 3.5″ by 2″ dimensions, coated 350 g paper, full-color print on one side, and square corners, all for $7.99 plus shipping fees.

Plus, if you find a lower price for the same specifications, they’ll match the price.

4. Staples (500 business cards for $14.99)

Staples is a classic when it comes to business cards.

Their business cards may not be as cheap as the others on this list, but their more expensive price may be offset by the convenience of same-day service (before 2 pm) plus curbside pickup if you’re near a physical store.

5. UPrinting (500 business cards for $20)

Uprinting make it easy to stand out, even with standard business card sizes.

Choose the paper type and finish (there’s gloss, matte, or uncoated). You have options for rounded or pointy corners.

Upload your business card design, or create yours using the in-house designer.

How to Print Business Cards from Home

If you want more flexibility about how your business cards look, or you don’t want the logos of printing companies on the back of your cards, you can always go the DIY route and print them yourself.

It’s easier than you think. Just follow these steps:

1. Gather your materials.

Buy card stock and precut paper. Make sure your printer has ink.

2. Visit websites with free ready-made templates or free business card makers.

Examples are Avery, Marq (previously known as LucidPress), and Template.net, but there are hundreds of these template sites around.

If you want more user-friendly tools, check out the following websites with free business card makers:

• DesignHill
• Brand Crowd’s Business Card maker
• BizCardCreator
• BizCardMaker
• Brother Creative Center
• Business Card Land
• Canva
• Creatopy
• Graphic Springs
• Shopify’s Business Card maker
• VistaCreate

They may look different at first, but these business card makers have one thing in common: they use drag-and-drop functions to make it easier for people to create and visualize custom cards.

3. Double-check your information.

When using templates, you have to replace the name, address, logo, and other information with your own information. You can open the template on programs like Microsoft Word, Apple Pages, or any of Adobe programs like Adobe PDF, Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign.

When using business card makers, you start from scratch, so include enough information that would identify you and your company.

Details may include any of the following:

• Name, title, and business name
• Contact numbers — office number and mobile number
• Professional e-mail address — Don’t use your free email address. Stick with your company-provided email address, such as “name[at]yourcompany[dot]com”
• Website — Because business cards don’t have enough space to include everything you want to include about yourself or your company, show it off on your professional site.
• Social media usernames — You want to include the most popular ones, namely, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for professional contacts.
• Logo — Having a company or personal logo makes your business cards look more professional.
• Physical address — For those with an actual office or store

4. Print the business cards.

Make sure the sheets of business card pre-cut paper you buy match the template you choose to use.

The templates will include the size and number of cards that can be printed.

Get Your Free Business Cards Printed Online Today!

In the past, people had to go to FedEx and have business cards printed out in person.

Today, the options are virtually endless. Go with printing companies and use their promotional business cards, or create them by yourself with the help of ready-made templates and business card makers.

While you’re creating a habit of sharing your business cards with people, make sure you also have a digital version readily available.

HiHello is an app that lets you create stylish digital business cards free of charge. The service also has paid accounts if you prefer to use multiple designs with your business.

Whichever route you decide to take, making sure you have business cards ready should be a part of your professional to-do list. Giving potential clients/customers an impressive-looking business card usually leaves a good first impression.

While you’re here, make sure you pick up a free calendar or some free pens!