Business cards remain an important marketing asset for every company, including small businesses and startups operating on a shoestring budget. While paying for quality cards is ideal, there are ways to get free cards for your venture:

Use Free Templates

Many sites like Canva, Creately and Venngage offer free customizable business card templates. You can add your own text and images and download print-ready PDFs. The paper and print quality won’t be ideal, but usable for starters.

Take Advantage of Free Offers

Print shops like Vistaprint, VistaPrint and Overnight Prints periodically offer promotional deals for free cards with just shipping costs. Keep an eye out for coupons and special offers, especially around the holidays.

Ask Your Printer

If you have existing print vendors, ask about getting sample cards at no cost. They want to show off their quality and win your loyalty. It never hurts to inquire about complimentary test prints.

Use Card Rewards

Credit card points and rewards programs can sometimes be redeemed for gift cards to print shops. Put those points towards cards instead of flights. Just make sure the shop meets your quality standards.

Barter Services

Offer your own professional services in exchange for a graphic designer or printer creating business cards. Figure out a fair trade that suits both your needs.

Look Within Your Network

Ask colleagues, friends or family if their companies could add your cards to their next print order. Piggybacking on larger orders can save printing and shipping costs.

Print DIY Temporarily

For very short term needs, print basic text-only cards yourself using cardstock and a desktop printer. The quality is limited but provides a workable solution before ordering official branded cards.

Go Minimalist

Order a small batch of simple black ink on white or ivory cards without fancy finishing from budget printers like GotPrint or PSPrint. Pay for essentials only to get basic free cards.

Think Long Term

Ultimately, investing in quality branding pays off. Affordable vendors like Overnight Prints offer 500 cards for around $50-75. Splurging on heavier paper, spot colors and finishes projects professionalism. Unique metal cards from Metal Kards take branding up a notch.

Free business cards may save money initially. But low quality printing and materials sacrifice branding equity longer term. Weigh options carefully to balance cost savings with showcasing your company impressively. Promotional deals on quality cards provide the best long-term value.