“500 business cards for $5” ads usually hide shipping, thin stock, one-sided ink, or upsells. Honest commercial anchors at 55printing on July 20, 2026: 500 both-sides cards from $17.45 (confirm on form). That is still inexpensive for real card stock with a free proof.
- Read: shipping and stock fine print
- Expect: thin freebies to feel disposable
- Better: priced cards you are proud to hand out
| Item | Anchor |
|---|---|
| 100 business cards | .16 |
| 500 business cards | .45 |
| 5,000 business cards | .82 |
What ultra-cheap card ads omit
- Shipping that dwarfs the $5 headline
- One-sided only until you upgrade
- Flimsy stock that feels like coupon paper
- Templates that lock your brand into their upsell editor
$5 headline
- Marketing hook
- Watch shipping
- Often thin stock
Commercial 500
- $17.45 anchor
- Both-sides builds
- Free proof
Configure stock and sides on the cards form.
500 cards for $5 FAQ
Can I really get 500 business cards for $5?
Sometimes as a loss-leader headline, but the cart total after shipping, sides, and stock upgrades is what matters. Treat $5 as advertising, not as an all-in quote. Compare final checkout totals, not banners.
How much are 500 quality cards at 55printing?
A common both-sides build is $17.45 print on July 20, 2026 before shipping. Confirm paper and coating on the economical business cards form for your exact total.
Why do cheap cards feel bad?
Ultra-low prices often use thinner stock and limited ink. Cards are a hand-to-hand brand moment. If the card feels disposable, the brand can feel disposable too.
Is $17.45 still cheap?
Yes for commercial card stock with proofing. It is roughly $0.035 per card on that anchor before shipping. That is a different product than a $5 marketing special.
Should startups buy the cheapest possible cards?
Buy the cheapest cards you are still proud to hand a customer. A bad first impression costs more than a few dollars of stock upgrade.
What about free business cards?
Free usually means free design template or free shipping threshold games. See our free business cards guide for what “free” actually includes.
Do you price-match $5 ads?
We price commercial printing with clear form options. Compare apples to apples: sides, stock, coating, proof, and shipping. Headline wars are not a specification.
Where do I order?
Open economical business cards, select 500, choose stock, upload a single-card PDF, and approve the free proof.