Your Questions? Our Answers.
Design and printing is a craft – there are a million different things that go in to the printing and design of business cards and stationery. Rely on us to help you create the perfect print – we’ve been doing it for nearly 20 years.
If you can’t find an answer to your question here, you can always submit an inquiry or contact us for help.
Design
When you design a business card, it always helps to think about how your clients will use the card. These are some of the questions we ask in our design consultation:
- How do you want a client to contact you?
- Do you have a physical location?
- What is the process to book an appointment / purchase a product / schedule a call?
A well-designed custom business card should have the following key details:
- Name: Your full name or the name of your business.
- Job Title: Clearly state your role or position.
- Company Name: Include your company or brand name.
- Contact Information: Email, phone number, and business address.
- Website: Provide a link to your website or portfolio.
- Social Media: Include relevant social media handles if applicable.
- Logo/Branding: Incorporate your logo or brand colors for consistent visual identity.
These essential elements ensure that your card communicates your professionalism and makes it easy for others to connect with you.
Standard Business Card Sizes
The standard business card size varies by location:
- US Standard Size: 3.5″ x 2″ (88.9 mm x 50.8 mm) – a widely used size that fits easily in wallets and cardholders.
- European Standard Size: 85 mm x 55 mm (3.35″ x 2.17″) – slightly taller and slimmer than the US standard.
For a full list of business card sizes by country visit this great resource: PaperSizes.io – Business Card Size by Country
Unique Card Sizes
- Mini Cards: Compact and modern, sizes include 3.5″ x 1.5″ and 3″ x 1.25″.
- Square Cards: For a bold look, sizes like 2.5″ x 2.5″ and 3″ x 3″ are popular choices.
These alternative sizes can add creativity and make your card stand out. Additionally, fully custom sizes allow you to create a unique design that perfectly fits your brand.
Finishing
Absolutely!
We offer the ability to custom match the edge color to your business card design. You can choose an edge color that perfectly complements your card, ensuring a cohesive look. Edge colors can be specified as PMS Solid Uncoated colors and we will mix the edge paint to match the ink color.
Our team can help you find the right ink color to achieve your desired effect. Just share your design and preferences, and we’ll guide you through the process for the best results! For more details, feel free to check out our custom business cards page.
Finishing is a great way to make your custom business cards stand out. There are a bunch of different options for finishing, the list below includes most of the options we offer:
Edge Coloring
We first introduced edge coloring almost 20 years ago as a great way to add color to business cards and stationery. After printing and trimming, we can edge color your custom business cards.
Edge coloring can be done to match any PMS color and is also available in neon, metallic (silver + gold shimmer), and glitter finish. We can spray in a gradient and use multiple colors on each edge for a super specialty finish.
Duplexing / Triplexing
This technique bonds two or three layers of paper to create thicker, more durable cards with customizable color cores. Take a standard stock and make it extra thick or mount a white stock to a colored back for a beautiful duplexed finish.
When gluing paper, we can mount as many layers as you want. Imagine a 12ply card with individual colored layers creating a beautiful gradient effect on the edge of your card. We also can create triplexed or color-core business cards to make a paper sandwich.
Duplexing allows us to make black and white business cards, or to mount white stock to almost any specialty paper (Stardream, Mirri, Gmund, Velvet, Kraft, … anything).
Die-cutting
Die-cutting allows for custom shapes and cutouts, giving your cards a unique silhouette. Create a geometric shape, a circle business card, custom border, punch a hole or cut outs to the card. Get creative with the shape of your card to really bring your custom business card to life.
There are some special things to consider when designing a die-cut, reach out to us if you have questions.
Rounded Corners
Softens the corners of your card for a smoother, more polished look. Standard corner radii are 1/8″, 1/4″, and 1/2″ but you can make a custom radius to match your design perfectly. Rounded corners can be done on any number of sides from 1 to 4.
Edge Foiling
Adds metallic foil to the card edges, enhancing the overall elegance. Similar to edge coloring but exactly matches any foil color that is stamped on your card – even a holographic foil so a super custom finish.
Foil edges are more expensive than edge coloring so sometimes people with opt for a gold or silver edge color instead of foil. Edge foiling is best suited for square or rectangular business cards and really stand out when used on extra thick stock.
Embossing
Lifts certain elements of the design, creating a raised, textured feel. We talk more about what embossing is on a recent post: Emboss vs. Deboss
Raised UV / Raised Foil / Spot UV / UV Coating
Adds a glossy, raised layer to specific parts of the design for a tactile, 3D effect. This is available on any digitally printed cards when paired with a velvet laminate. Raised UV or raised foil can be done on both sides of the card. The one thing to consider with raised finishing is you want to avoid more than 30% coverage of the raised elements.
Spot UV applies a glossy finish to select areas, contrasting with the matte parts of the card to highlight important details. Spot printing can be done with and without silk lamination but in our opinion it stands out much more with lamination.
UV Coating adds a high gloss finish to any offset or digital printing and also protects the print from scratches or dirt when handled.
Silk Laminate / Velvet Laminate
Lamination can step up a digital business card by adding a unique feel to the stock. The laminate is added after printing but before finishing like Raised UV or Spot UV. Lamination adds a slight thickness to the business card and protects the printing on both sides from chipping or cracking.
Orders
Yes, you can absolutely order a sample of our custom business cards!
We offer a Business Card Sample Pack that includes different printing techniques, papers, and finishes to give you a hands-on feel of our products before placing your order. This is a great way to see and feel the quality and options available for your custom cards. You can order your sample pack directly from our shop!
What about my exact design?
While we can’t print a proof of your design due to setup time and costs, we have a vast library of print samples to choose from, showcasing different styles and techniques. For certain projects, we can create a proof or mock-up and offer press checks as well. We can discuss the cost for a mock-up, sample run, or press check during the design and planning stage.
Let’s discuss your options to find the best fit for your needs! If you have specific ideas in mind or want to explore our sample offerings, feel free to reach out.
Ordering custom business cards at Dolce Press is simple. Start by visiting our Custom Business Cards page to explore our options. For a quote, submit your details through our Quote Request form.
If you’re looking for a tailored design, you can schedule a design consultation to collaborate with one of our design experts. We’ll guide you through every step, from selecting paper and printing options to finalizing your unique design.
The Custom Business Card Order Process
1. Design
The process begins with the design. You can either provide your own design or work with our team for a custom creation. If you opt for a design consultation, you can schedule a consultation here. Timing for the design phase depends on complexity and revisions, typically taking about 2-5 business days.
2. Printing
Once the design is finalized and the PDF proof is approved, printing begins. Depending on the method—digital printing (7-10 days), letterpress, foil stamping, or thermography (10 business days)—printing times may vary. Additional printing methods such as embossing or offset printing may extend this time.
3. Finishing
Custom finishes like edge coloring, die-cutting, or rounded corners may add a few extra days to the timeline. These specialized touches ensure a unique look for your business cards but may require more precision and time.
4. Shipping
After the cards are printed and finished, they are carefully packed and shipped to your location. Shipping times depend on your location and selected method, but our team will ensure safe and prompt delivery.
All orders ship via UPS Ground from our NY studio so you can receive your order as quickly as 1 business day if you live in New York, New Jersey, and parts of Pennsylvania / Connecticut / Massachusetts.
We can ship UPS 2Day and Next Day Air if you need the order quickly. If you’re on Long Island pickup is also available, we’d love to have you visit the studio.
Feel free to submit a quote for specific inquiries and timelines!
Printing
We offer every type of printing for your business cards and stationery. Each printing method has a unique look and finish. The options include:
Letterpress
Letterpress printing creates a debossed design into thick paper, creating a tactile, indented effect. We love letterpress with cotton paper because it is so unique. It stands apart from other options because of the hand crafted style.
Foil Stamping
Foil stamping uses metallic or pigmented foils that are applied to the the paper with heat and pressure. It adds a shiny, elegant touch, commonly in gold, silver, or other metallic hues. We also offer holographic, scratch-off, pigment and special effect foils. Foil stamping is really great for printing light colors on dark paper – like white on black and dark colored paper.
Digital Printing
Digital printing is a cost-effective and fast method that works well with full color artwork. Digital printing is ideal for small runs and quick turnarounds. It prints directly from a digital file, offering vibrant colors and fine detail. We can digital print on any of the paper stocks we offer. For long runs, offset printing is better.
Embossing
Embossing is the opposite of letterpress; it is a technique that raises parts of the design above the surface of the card, adding texture and a 3D element. It creates a more sophisticated feel, especially when paired with foil or ink – this is referred to as a registered emboss.
For more information, read our article on the differences and benefits of Emboss vs Deboss.
Thermography
In thermography, a special powder is added to wet ink, then heated to create a raised, glossy effect. This method mimics the appearance of engraving at a lower cost.
Thermography works best on smooth and normal stock – if you want something really thick with thermography, we can always duplex or triplex the paper. Cotton paper is not ideal for Thermography.
Offset Printing
Offset printing involves transferring ink from a plate to a rubber blanket, then onto the paper. It’s perfect for large quantities and offers precise, high-quality color reproduction with rich detail. We can print offset in 1-color or 4-color options depending on the artwork you need to reproduce. For short runs, digital printing is better.
The turnaround time for printing at Dolce Press depends on the method and finishes involved. Here’s a breakdown:
- Digital Printing: 7-10 business days.
- Letterpress, Foil Stamping, and Thermography: 10 business days.
- Special Finishes: Additional time may be needed for features like embossing, edge coloring, and die-cutting
For clients needing faster delivery, rush services are available with turnaround times as quick as 1-2 business days, depending on project complexity. If you have specific deadlines or event dates in mind, you can submit a custom quote request.
Each project begins once we receive approval of your PDF proof. Specialty projects or orders with multiple finishing techniques may require more time, so it’s best to contact us to ensure we can meet your timeline.
Feel free to reach out for any custom timelines or expedited orders!