Small Quantity Business Cards: Where to Print Short Runs

You don't always need hundreds or thousands of business cards. If you're starting a new business, trying a new design, attending an event or simply don't hand out many cards, ordering a small quantity of business cards can make much more sense.

At Short Run Print, you can order professional business cards in quantities starting from just 20 cards. In this guide, we explain why small batch business card printing can be useful, how many cards you might need and what to consider before placing your order.

Quick answer: Yes, you can order business cards in small quantities. Short Run Print offers short-run business card printing from just 20 cards, so you don't have to order hundreds simply to get professionally printed cards.

Can I Order a Small Quantity of Business Cards?

Yes. Business cards don't have to be ordered in large quantities.

Traditional printing methods often worked best for longer print runs, which is one reason people may still assume that business cards have to be purchased by the hundred or thousand.

Modern digital printing makes shorter runs much more practical. At Short Run Print, our business card quantities start from just 20 cards, giving you the option to order a small batch when that is all you actually need.

Why Would I Only Need 20 or 50 Business Cards?

Ordering a large box of business cards isn't always the most sensible option. There are plenty of situations where a smaller quantity is more practical.

For example, you may only need a short run if:

• You've recently started a business and want to try your first design.
• You are testing new branding or contact details.
• You only occasionally give out business cards.
• You need cards for a particular meeting, exhibition or networking event.
• Your job title, telephone number or other details may change.
• You need separate cards for individual members of a small team.
• You want to try a design before ordering a larger quantity.
• You run a seasonal or temporary business.

In these situations, ordering the quantity you need can help avoid being left with a large number of outdated cards that eventually have to be discarded.

What Are Small Batch Business Cards?

Small batch business cards are simply professionally printed business cards produced in a relatively low quantity.

You may also see them described as small quantity business cards, low quantity business cards or short run business cards. These terms generally describe the same requirement: you want professional printing, but you don't need a large number of copies.

The cards themselves don't need to look any different from a larger print run. Ordering fewer cards is about choosing a quantity that suits your needs rather than reducing the purpose or professionalism of the finished product.

Are Small Quantity Business Cards Professionally Printed?

Yes. Ordering a short run doesn't mean your cards need to look like they have been printed at home.

Small quantities can still be produced using professional digital printing equipment and cut to the finished business card size.

This is particularly useful for small businesses and sole traders who want professional-looking stationery without committing to a large quantity.

How Many Business Cards Should I Order?

There isn't a single quantity that is right for every business. Think about how often you actually hand out your cards and how likely the information on them is to change.

A quantity of 20 business cards may be enough if you only need cards for a meeting, short event, occasional customer enquiries or to test a new design.

A slightly larger quantity may make more sense if you regularly meet customers, attend networking events or want to leave cards in several locations.

If you know you will use considerably more, you can simply choose a higher quantity. The advantage of short-run printing is that you aren't forced to buy more cards than you reasonably expect to use.

Small Quantities Are Useful When Your Details May Change

One of the strongest reasons for ordering fewer business cards is that contact information can change.

You may change your telephone number, email address, website, job title, branding or even the services you offer. If you've ordered a very large quantity, all of the remaining cards may become outdated after one small change.

Ordering smaller batches allows you to update your artwork when necessary and place another short-run order using the new details.

Small Runs Are Useful for Testing a New Business Card Design

If you've recently redesigned your business card, you may prefer to order a smaller quantity first.

Seeing a design on a computer monitor isn't quite the same as holding the finished printed card. Once printed, you may decide that you want to make the logo larger, change the amount of information or adjust the layout before ordering more.

A small initial order gives you the opportunity to use the cards and decide whether you're completely happy with the design before committing to a larger quantity.

What Size Are Standard UK Business Cards?

A standard UK business card is 85 × 55 mm.

This familiar size provides enough space for essential contact information while remaining compact enough to fit comfortably into wallets, purses and card holders.

If you are creating your own artwork, make sure you start with the correct business card dimensions rather than resizing an unrelated document later.

What Should I Put on a Business Card?

A business card should make it easy for someone to remember who you are and contact you later.

Depending on your business, you might include:

• Your name
• Business or company name
• Job title or role
• Telephone number
• Email address
• Website address
• Business logo
• QR code
• Relevant social media details

You don't need to include everything. A clear, uncluttered card containing the details somebody actually needs is often easier to use than a design filled with too much information.

Preparing Business Card Artwork for Printing

If you're supplying your own artwork, the document should be created at the correct finished size and include bleed where the design reaches the edge of the card.

For Short Run Print business cards, allow 2 mm bleed beyond the finished edge. Background colours, photographs and graphics that are intended to reach the edge should continue through this bleed area.

We also recommend keeping important text, logos and contact details at least 3 mm inside the finished edge. This is the safe area and helps prevent important content appearing too close to the trim.

You can find the exact dimensions, bleed and safe area in the Artwork Guide on the relevant business card product page.

Should Business Cards Be Single or Double-Sided?

Both can work well. The best choice depends on how much information you need to include.

A single-sided card can be effective when your design is simple and you only need a few contact details.

Double-sided printing provides more room and can help keep the card uncluttered. For example, you could place your logo and business name on the front and your contact details on the reverse.

Can I Design My Own Business Cards?

Yes. You can create your own business card artwork using professional design software or an online design application such as Canva.

The most important things are to use the correct dimensions, include the required bleed and keep important information within the safe area.

Once your design is complete, a high-quality print-ready PDF is a convenient format for supplying the finished artwork.

How Do I Order a Small Batch of Business Cards?

Ordering a small quantity from Short Run Print follows the same straightforward process as our other printing products.

1. Choose your business card product.
2. Select the quantity and available print options you need.
3. Click Add to Basket and Upload.
4. Upload your business card artwork.
5. Check the low-resolution artwork preview.
6. Adjust the scale if required.
7. Continue to your basket and check the preview again.
8. Choose your delivery option and complete your order.

If you only require a very small quantity, simply select the short-run option that best suits your needs. Our business card quantities start from 20 cards.

You don't need hundreds of business cards: if you only need a small batch, you can order professionally printed business cards from just 20 copies and order more later when you need them.

Common Questions About Small Quantity Business Cards

What is the minimum quantity of business cards I can order?

At Short Run Print, our smallest business card quantity is 20 cards. This makes it possible to order a genuinely small batch without buying hundreds of cards you may not need.

Can I order just 20 business cards?

Yes. You can order just 20 business cards from Short Run Print. This can be useful for new businesses, occasional networking, events, temporary requirements or when you want to test a new design.

Can I order 50 business cards?

Yes. If 20 cards isn't quite enough, you can choose a larger short-run quantity. The best quantity is simply the number you expect to use before your details or design are likely to change.

Are low quantity business cards lower quality?

No. Low quantity describes how many cards are being produced, not the intended quality of the finished printing. Short runs can still be professionally printed and cut to the finished business card size.

What size is a UK business card?

The standard UK business card size is 85 × 55 mm. When preparing artwork, you should also include the required bleed outside this finished size.

Why order a small batch instead of a large quantity?

A small batch can reduce waste if your contact details, branding or job title change. It can also be useful when you only hand out cards occasionally or want to try a new design before ordering more.

Can I order more business cards later?

Yes. If your first batch runs low, you can place another order. If your details have changed in the meantime, you can update the artwork before uploading the new version.

Can I upload my own business card design?

Yes. You can upload your own print-ready artwork when ordering. After uploading, you'll be shown a low-resolution preview so you can check the content and positioning before completing your order.