When talking about first impressions, there are very few things that speak louder than a business card. They are small, but highly effective. To ensure its effectiveness, the big question is whether a business should print its cards or have them done professionally.

If your business is located in Surrey and you are planning to get your business cards printed, you might have toggled with the idea of DIY or professional business card printing.  Let us list down some points to determine which of the 2 is a better option for your business.

Why Do Business Cards Still Matter Today?

Even in today’s digital world, business cards continue to hold an important place in the business’s branding strategy.

Business cards are like a firm handshake: personal, memorable, professional. They often create the first impression for a business. It is like a snapshot of your brand all rolled into one. Hence, the business card printing method you choose is very important.

What Is DIY Business Card Printing?

DIY Business card printing implies printing the cards at home or using an office printer using pre-perforated paper and templates from design software. It may sound simple, but is it? Is it as simple as downloading a template, adding your logo, and printing it out?

Pros of DIY Business card printing:

• It is cheap as you only need to pay for the materials used.
• Every single design decision is in your hands, so you have creative control.
• It is time-saving, as you do not have to wait for the printer to print it and hand it over.

Cons of DIY:

• The quality of business cards is low, as home/office printers are not able to deliver professional-quality prints.
• Since you are not a professional, there can be consistency issues like misalignments, colour mismatch, paper jams, etc.
• The card does not look professional and can negatively impact the impression you make on your customers and business partners.

What differentiates Professional Business Card Printing from DIY?

Working with a professional designing and printing company like QuickChilli in Surrey, you gain access to industry-grade machines, expert designers, top-quality materials, and much more.

Benefits of Professional printing:

• Superior finish: clean edges, vibrant colours, and durability.
• Design assistance: Skilled designers make sure your business card accurately represents your brand.
• Consistency: Each card has the same sharp, professional look.  

It is comparable to baking a birthday cake for your daughter, vis-à-vis ordering it from a professional bakery. Both are cakes, but one looks and feels a lot more polished.

DIY: Suitable for startups or new businesses

If you are just starting and are short on funds, DIY business card printing could be your short-term fix. Since it’s a new business, you will only need a few cards to start networking, which can be easily managed on a home/office printer. However, this should not be your long-term strategy. This short-term fix can help you test designs or prepare a rough draft.

Professional Printing: A Valuable Investment

Your business card is the reflection of your brand. Professional printers like QuickChill offer custom finishes like embossing, spot UV, rounded corners, etc., whereas at-home printing just cannot provide these features. If you are part of highly competitive fields like real estate, finance, law, or the creative industries, a professional touch helps improve the perception of your brand. A professionally printed card improves the credibility of your business.

Cost Comparison: Are Professional Printing Services Really That Expensive?

DIY may appear less expensive at a glance; however, when you add up the cost of Ink cartridges, specialized card paper, wasted prints and the time spent on troubleshooting, you will realise savings in DIY are minimal.

In the long run, professional printing in Surrey from businesses like QuickChill is a more economical and time-efficient option because they provide bulk discounts and quick delivery.

Design Freedom: Do You Lose It To The Experts?

No. Working with experts increases your freedom rather than decreases it. Though a professional designer ensures the design is print-optimised, you are still involved in the creative process as you can contribute your idea, logo, and brand colours.

Final Words

If you want to leave a lasting impression, then you need to act professionally. Nothing compares to a professionally printed business card when it comes to showcasing your brand in person, though DIY printing can be useful in an emergency or for personal use.

At QuickChill, we recognise the importance of every little detail. We provide high-quality, cost-effective business card printing services in Surrey, with options for luxury papers and recycled materials, single and double-sided cards, and matt, gloss, or velvet finishes. We offer business cards in personalised shapes and sizes. So, whether you’re networking at an event or sealing the deal at a coffee shop, your professionally printed business card will speak volumes.

FAQs

1. Is DIY business card printing cheaper than professional printing?

Although DIY printing might appear less expensive initially, professional printing frequently offers better value when you factor in quality of materials, errors and time taken into account.

2. Can I design my card and still use a professional printer?

Of course! You can upload your designs to the majority of professional printers, and many of them also provide design assistance to help you refine your concepts.

3. What paper types are best for professional business cards?

Some of the popular professional business card paper types include recycled cardstock, silk, matte, and gloss

4. Will professional printing make my small business look more credible?

Indeed. Even for startups, a well-designed, superior-looking business card can increase credibility and project a more sophisticated brand image.