It is a small decision that trips people up: order too few cards and you are reprinting every few months, order too many and you are sitting on a box that goes out of date the moment your number changes. The right quantity depends less on a magic number and more on how you actually use cards. Here is how to decide.
Match quantity to usage
| You are | Order around |
|---|---|
| Solo, occasional networking | 250 to 500 |
| Active sales or service, daily handouts | 1,000+ |
| Attending trade shows / conferences | 1,000+ per event season |
| Brand-new and info may change soon | 250 to start |
The cost curve rewards volume
Printing has setup costs baked into every run, so the price per card drops sharply as quantity rises. Going from 250 to 500 cards often costs only a little more, which tempts people to over-order. The savings are real, but only if you will actually use them before the info changes.
Buy enough to last roughly 6 to 12 months at your real handout rate, not the maximum your budget allows. Larger runs are cheaper per card, but a box of cards with an old phone number saves you nothing.
When to order small
If anything on the card might change soon, a new phone number, title, address, or you are testing a fresh design, order a smaller run first. Once the details are settled and the design is proven, scale up to the cheaper per-card volume.
Reordering is easy
Once we have your design on file, reorders are quick and consistent, so you do not have to over-buy to avoid the hassle. See our business card options, and read why cheap cards cost more before chasing the lowest price. Request a free quote.
About the Author
Alaska Business Supply Team
Print Specialists
The Alaska Business Supply team has been printing checks, forms, and stationery for Anchorage businesses since 1979.
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