I Need Business Cards... What Are My Options?
Printing Cards Yourself
Printing your own cards can be a great option, particularly if you need your cards fast, or you don't need many at one time. Also, if you need cards with different emphasis or information (related to a particular event or different types of product, for example). You will need to create your cards using the free business card maker here at Businesscardland, or you will need to download a template to start from our site or many others on the web. Special business card paper starts at around $12. If you think this is the option for you, check out How to Print Business Cards at Home for more information.
Pros: Cost effective for small quantities / information that will change; no waiting time.
Cons: Can be time consuming; If not done properly, can look cheap; ink can run if cards get wet.

Using an Online Printing Service
In the last few years dozens of sites offering easy business card solutions have popped up on the web. Many of them offer online software that lets you make design choices, see the results, and then order printed cards which will be delivered in the mail. We've taken a look at a number of the online printing services and have a breakdown of what they offer in the Online Printing Services section of the guide.
Pros: Inexpensive and quick way to get card designed, some offer fancy printing options for a good price.
Cons: Cards are not unique to your business, "free" offers often involve advertising by printing company on the back of your card.

Using a Local Copy Shop (Kinko's etc.)
Many local copy shops can print and cut business cards that you deliver to them designed (such as a PDF created at Businesscardland, or created using a template you've downloaded or designed). They often will use a regular Xerox type machine on card stock for black and white cards, and a Color Xerox or Laser Printer for color and photographic cards. Many copy shops also have a desktop publishing service and can layout simple cards for you quickly. See our Getting Cards Quickly from a Copy Shop section for more info.
Pros: Like printing yourself, this option is fast (within a day or less); Most copy shops can cut your cards for you for a small fee.
Cons: Sometimes color copies print small type a little fuzzy; Xeroxed cards use a plastic toner that can crack when you folded.

Using a Local Printing Shop
Working with a local printer allows you to discuss face to face your printing options, and see ink colors and paper choices. They will have actual printed samples for you to look at and make decisions based upon. If you are printing a one, two, or three color job with Pantone (PMS) colors you might find a competitve price at a local quick printer, and if you need matching envelopes and letterhead, the price should be even better. Many small printers send four color and thermography (raised ink) jobs out, so the prices might not be competitive here. Most print shops will have a typesetter or desktop publisher on the premises if you need your cards designed, and sometimes they include design costs for simple cards in a package price. See our Working with a Local Printer for more info.
Pros: Easier to communicate custom jobs and choose ink and paper options; For simple black or single color cards may offer inexpensive typesetting
Cons: Often more expensive for full color printing than online counterparts

Working with a Graphic Designer
If you have the money to spend on creating a corporate identity package for your small business (logo, letterhead, business cards, etc.) you should consider working with a professional designer. They can help develop a look and feel for your business, as well as creating the artwork needed for printing all of your advertising materials. They also can act as a liason between you and a printshop (online or local) to help you get the best printed results. See our Working with a Graphic Designer section for more info.
Pros: You can get a truly professional custom card tailored to your particular business; Designers can help you work with your printer for best results
Cons: More expensive; If you don't get the designer as a referral, you have to do a bit of work to find and screen them.