Started your business and wondering if you should invest in Business Cards in Dubai or Not?
Business cards remain an integral part of personal branding and marketing even in today’s digital age. For any business owner or marketing professional in Dubai, investing in professionally designed and printed business cards can make a strong first impression and effectively promote their brand identity. But with the wide variety of options, materials, finishes and pricing – how do you decide what business card is right for your needs and budget?
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the ins and outs of business card printing so you can make an informed decision. We’ll overview the different types of business cards available, compare standard vs premium business cards, outline the step-by-step printing process at Colour Waves and address frequently asked questions. By the end, you’ll understand the factors to consider when ordering business cards and how we can provide quality, affordable printing tailored exactly to your requirements.
The different types of business cards available at Colour Waves
Not all business cards are created equal. The Usual thickness and sizes tend to be the norm, but cards also vary drastically in terms of materials, finishes, thickness and shapes. We’ll break down the most popular options:
This refers to the typical 3.5 x 2 inch rectangular card printed on 14pt to 16pt cardstock. Standard sizes ensure compatibility with card holders, indexes and roller racks. These cards are affordable and suitable for most general professional purposes.
At Colour Waves, our Standard Business Cards are:
- Printed on 350gsm premium 16pt cardstock
- Have a smooth matte or gloss finish
- Are full colour CMYK printed on both sides
- Come in a standard 3.5 x 2 inch size
- Can be ordered in small or large quantities
- Represent an affordable option starting at AED 99 for 500 cards
Normal business cards are similar to standard business cards, but are printed on thinner 12pt to 14pt stock. This allows for maximum cost savings, though they may feel slightly flimsy. Better suited for one-off networking or budget conscious startups. Our Normal Business Cards are:
- 12pt thickness for cost efficiency
- Smooth matte or gloss finish options
- Full colour CMYK print on both sides
- A Usual size of 3.5 inch x 2 inch
- Start at just AED 49 for 500 units – our lowest quantity cost
Premium or luxury business card stock is thicker than standard options, usually 18pt to 24pt. These cards have an ultra smooth and opulent feel that oozes quality. Popular choices like linen, cotton, silk laminates and letterpress give business cards attractive tactile textures and finishes. The heavier weight makes them stand out.
Colour Wave’s selection of Premium Business Cards includes:
- Ultra thick 24pt cardstock and above
- Specialty materials like linen, silk, leather
- Letterpress printing for elegant embossed texture
- Spot UV gloss, foil stamping and embossing finishes
- Rounded corners, unique shapes and edge treatments
- Packaged in paper sleeves or presentation boxes
The upgraded materials do come at a higher cost, with prices starting at AED 299 for 500 units - but make a lasting impression.
Now let's get to your next painpoint and compare Standard vs Premium Business Cards
Standard vs Premium Business Cards Compared
Business owners and marketers looking to order new cards or upgrade existing ones often deliberate between standard and premium business card options. What are the major differences and is the extra cost of premium cards justified? Let’s compare some of the key factors.
Print Quality & Materials
Standard business cards use good quality 16pt cardstock paper or lightweight plastic materials that still feel nice and print well. Premium cards take it to the next level with ultra thick 24pt, 32pt and even heavier stocks. Specialty fabrics, leathers and woods further upgrade perceived value. Print quality is comparable, but premium materials make more dramatic first impressions.
Durability & Lifespan
Standard 16pt business cards have decent durability for daily use, but premium cards definitely withstand more wear and tear thanks to the thicker stock. They tend to stay crisp and professional looking for longer vs standard cards that show signs of aging faster. Upscale materials also better retain embossed textures and foil accents.
Look & Feel
Visually, most Business Cards look modern and appealing with full-colour printing, spot UV and simple designs. But premium cards grab attention through the combination of striking finishes, embellishments and the thicker shape that just feels remarkable in hand. Luxe textures impress people more before they even read the card content.
Cost Per Unit
Naturally, improving paper quality, finishes and thickness causes exponential price hikes per unit. Standard cards provide the most affordable practical option. Upgrading to premium boosts perceived value tremendously, but the 500 unit price can be 2 to 4 times higher. Occasional personal use won’t break budgets, but large team orders get very costly. Finding the right balance for your specific needs is key.
Brand Positioning
Handing someone an ultra premium textured linen or letterpress business card positions you as established successful player in the market vs a standard flat card that saves money but feels ordinary. However, premium cards may also seem overly ostentatious for smaller startups or budget brands wanting to appear more accessible. Match your cards to the image you want to project.
As you can see, standard and premium business cards each have their own advantages based on specific priorities and target impressions. Premium cards grab attention and directly display status, but standard options still represent a professional and practical choice for most. Either can suit different business phases and branding objectives
Key Business Card Printing Terminology
Let us help you understand about the technical side of Printing Business Cards to help you make the right decisions when ordering your own cards:
The Printing Process at Colour Waves
We want you to feel confident ordering your business cards knowing what to expect. Here is an overview of the full production process that occurs after you submit your order online, communicate specifications, provide card design files and approve initial proofs.
Ordering Tips & Recommendations
To ensure a smooth ordering experience and optimal finished product, keep these business card printing tips in mind:
- Have print ready card design files - proper image resolution, colour formats, outlined fonts, 3.5 x 2 inch size, 3mm bleed. We offer graphic design services to prepare artwork for print or tweak existing drafts.
- Confirm exact quantity needed upfront so you don't re-order too frequently. Factor in staff changes, office expansions and handout projections.
- Request free physical material swatches if unsure whether matte or glossy finishes best fit your industry image and style preferences.
- Be conscious of timelines if you have a fixed date when cards are required, have them expedited.
- Purchase a card holder displaying 400+ cards if ordering in bulk for front desk visibility.
- Spend time perfecting card designs - it's your key brand impression tool and small details make big differences.
By keeping these suggestions in mind and clearly communicating needs, we deliver business cards you’ll be thoroughly satisfied with.
Why Colour Waves to get Business Cards Printed in Dubai?
We believe professionally printed business cards remain a vital marketing asset because they:
- Make memorable first impressions - critical at networking events, client meetings
- Effectively showcase brand identity - logos, taglines, colours
- Provide convenient contact details - phone, emails, website
- Get your name directly in front of key prospects
- Have versatile applications - also use as loyalty cards, coupons, referrals
With a decade of experience printing millions of business cards for UAE startups, enterprises and individual professionals – you can trust Colour Waves to produce high-quality, affordable cards catered exactly to your requirements.
Compared directly against online and offline competitors, we stand out through:
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High Quality Printing We use the latest offset printers, specialty finishing equipment and premium materials to churn out striking business cards you can take pride in
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Quick Turnaround Lean production plus overnight courier delivery means you'll have new cards in hand within 72 hours!
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Exceptional Service Don't just take our word - see hundreds of 5-star client reviews affirming our quality results, responsive support and attention to detail.
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Complete Customization Get business cards matching your precise specifications - upload own design, select perfecting finishing touches and quantities as needed.
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Cost Effective Pricing Printing locally coupled with wholesale paper rates allows us to offer very reasonably priced business cards helping all brands maximise marketing budgets.
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Convenient Ordering Order via our intuitive online platform from anywhere or visit the production facility. Chat support addresses concerns in real time.
We strive to make the business card design and printing process as simple and worry-free as possible for our clients. Reach out to discuss any questions.
FAQ's
Turnaround times depend on order complexity and finishing requirements. Simple Normal Business Card orders print and deliver within just 2-3 working days nationwide. This accelerated production makes Colour Waves perfect for urgent orders. More customized premium card orders involve extra steps extending average timelines to 5-7 working days.
We prefer customers upload print-ready PDFs with 3mm bleed area and high resolution images. Other accepted formats include Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and Microsoft Word – remembering to outline specialty fonts. For easy online ordering, upload files under 20MB when submitting orders.
Our online price calculator provides real-time quotes for order quantities between 50 to 10,000 units. Costs vary based on materials, finishes, and quantities – but are very reasonable. Normal Business Cards start at AED 49 for 500 units. Standard cards are AED 99 for 500. And Premium cards range higher from AED 299 per 500 cards depending on customisation.
Business cards should never be an afterthought – they represent your brand on a personal level whenever handed out. At Colour Waves, we offer business owners, executives, and marketers in Dubai a convenient way to order affordable, premium cards online tailored exactly to their requirements and style preferences.
Compare our quality, prices and customisation against any local printer. The combination of striking business card designs, durable cardstock materials, on-demand printing and quick nationwide delivery lets you cost-effectively order cards as needed for continuous brand building.
Feel free to get in touch with any additional queries on how we can service your printing project.