What are the differences in raised letter and full color business cards? What are the price differences? What looks best for how I want to represent my business?

These are all questions I hear on a daily basis.

Color printing is in how the ink is applied to the card stock. Raised Letter printing is the type of printing that produces ink that stands up off the page slightly. When you run your fingers across the surface, you can feel the printing on the stock. Each color that is printed has a separate plate, and the cards have to be run through the press for each color chosen. These types of cards have a very elegant and refined look about them, especially if the colors and stocks chosen are complimentary. There are hundreds of varieties of stocks and inks to choose from.

However, Full Color printing is much like printing from your ink jet printer at home. All the inks are printed on the page at the same time, and combined to create hues, shades–photo images. So, one run through and the cards are printed. These designs most of the time seem jazzier, sharper, more upbeat.

The cost difference is an oddity. Spot printing (the process of laying the colors on one at a time, as in Raised Letter cards), can be much cheaper–if only one color or black is chosen. White plate (65 lb stocks) will be cheaper than a cordwain or linen. But, if you start adding more colors (equals more time through the press) then you’ll start racking up the cost. If your colors touch each other (called registration–the printer must make sure the cards run through correctly) then you’ll tack on some extra expense there.

Now, if you have a full color logo, the least expensive way to go would be with full color (process printing). But, you generally have to get a minimum of 1000 cards. You can get 250 cards from some places, but you’ll pay about the same price. It’s the setup fee from the printer that is the biggest expense. Printing them is the cheap part, which is why the more you get, the better the price.

To choose the look that’s right for you, I would think first about the image you are projecting for your company. The raised letter would add to the expensive feel. However a full color business card would present a flashier business image.

In reality, cost usually dictates the biggest part of your decision making process. However, I would caution you to consider your IMAGE first. You might find that if you choose the card that has the best representation of your image, the cost ends up being less than if you choose the wrong one.

We, at Accept Print, would love to help you in the decision process and can answer any questions you have. If you would like to get some great ideas for your business card and look at some of our examples you can check out our inspiration board at Pinterest. If you would like to get coupon codes or the latest news in printing you should join our Facebook and Twitter Campaign.