Business cards are still the quickest way to leave your number with a client, at a site meeting, a trade show or the till. A good card is printed on solid board, cut cleanly to 90 x 50 mm and easy to read at a glance. Whether you need 100 for a new electrician, 500 each for a sales team or premium embossed cards for a law firm, a print shop near you can quote it. Tell us once and local printers quote you directly, free and with no obligation.
Business cards size and types
The usual South African business card is 90 x 50 mm; 85 x 55 mm is also used and fits most card holders. Printers lay cards out many to an SRA3 sheet and cut them, so the standard size is the cheapest. Common types:
- Single or double sided full colour on 300 to 400 gsm board
- Matt, gloss or soft touch laminated cards that resist scuffing
- Premium finishes: spot UV, foiling, embossing, rounded corners
- Cards with a QR code linking to your website, map pin or contact details
Choosing board and finish
Thin board feels cheap, so most shops start around 350 gsm. Matt lamination looks calm and is easy to write on with a pen if left on the back; gloss makes photos pop. Embossed business cards raise part of the design and need a die, so they cost more and take longer. Short runs are printed digitally; very large runs or exact brand colours may go litho. If you also need flyers or stickers with the same look, ask for them in the same request.
Business cards design and print files
Send a print-ready PDF at the exact card size plus 3 mm bleed on each side, in CMYK, with fonts embedded. Keep names and numbers at least 4 mm inside the trim, because cutting moves slightly across a stack. Avoid thin borders right at the edge; they show uneven cutting. Test any QR code from the proof with your phone before you sign it off. Many printers offer simple design if you only have a logo, which you can ask about in your request.
What affects the cost and what to ask
The quantity, one or two sides, the board, the finish and the number of names all change the price. Several staff names usually cost more than one card design in the same quantity. Ask:
- Is design or a change to my file included?
- What gsm board, and is it laminated?
- Can I see a printed proof for a premium finish?
Need general printing services at the same time? Add them to the request.
What to include in your request
- How many cards and how many names
- Single or double sided
- Board weight and finish
- Any spot UV, foil or embossing
- Whether you have the artwork ready
Business Cards for different clients
- Families and individuals: cards for a home baker, tutor or crafter selling at weekend markets
- Small businesses and start-ups: the first print job for a new plumber, salon, tuck shop or consultant
- Companies and offices: matching cards for a whole team, reordered whenever someone joins
- Shops, restaurants and salons: loyalty and appointment cards for salons, restaurants and estate agents
- Events, conferences and clubs: cards to hand out at expos, networking breakfasts and trade shows
- Schools, churches and NGOs: contact cards for school principals, church pastors and NGO field staff
- Government and municipalities: official cards for department officials and municipal ward offices
- Designers, agencies and resellers: trade cards printed blank for designers who resell to their own clients
Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of business cards?
What is the standard business cards size in South Africa?
How many business cards should I order?
Can I print business cards myself?
Business Cards by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg