Starting a new business in Australia means a hundred things happening at once. Print collateral is easy to put off, until the week before launch when you realise you have no business cards, no branded stickers to seal your packaging, and no way to hand something tangible to a potential client or stockist.
This guide walks through the print essentials every new business or startup should have in hand on day one, why bundling them together saves money and removes complexity, and how to time your order so everything arrives before launch.
- A launch print bundle covers the two most-used day-one items: business cards and branded stickers, both from a single order.
- The Paperlust Print Shop Launch Package starts from $149 AUD (inc. GST) and includes 250 business cards and 100 circle stickers.
- Production is 24-hour turnaround after proof approval, with express delivery options Australia-wide.
- Ordering a bundle avoids the hidden cost of placing separate print jobs and chasing different production timelines.
- Allow at least 5-7 business days before launch day to cover production, delivery, and any proof revision.
- Brand consistency across every piece from day one is the single biggest print mistake new businesses avoid by ordering together.
Why print still matters on day one
Digital-first thinking is understandable for a startup watching every dollar. But a consistent first impression in a physical form converts in ways a social media link does not.
When you hand over a well-made business card in a meeting, the conversation does not end when someone closes their laptop. When your sticker is on a parcel a customer opens at home, your brand is physically in their space. These moments are not replaceable by a website URL.
More practically: the very first weeks of a new business are when you are shaking the most hands, attending the most events, and testing the most product or service pitches. That is exactly when being out of cards or having no branded packaging damages the impression you worked to build.
The cost of piecemeal ordering
Most new businesses order print reactively. Business cards come first, then two weeks later someone asks if you have stickers, then a flyer is rushed at the last minute. Each separate order costs you:
- A separate setup fee per job
- A separate proof review cycle of 1-2 business days per item
- A separate shipping charge per order
- Mismatched colours if each item goes to a different printer
Bundling your core day-one print items into one order eliminates every one of those costs. You review one set of brand files, approve one round of proofs, and receive one delivery.
What belongs in a new business launch print bundle
The two items that every new Australian business needs immediately are business cards and branded stickers or labels. Everything else, including flyers, signage, and brochures, can follow once you have validated your offer and know where you are spending your marketing effort.
Business cards: still the most important networking tool
Despite everything that has moved online, a business card remains the single fastest and most reliable way to exchange contact details in a face-to-face situation. A phone screen has a screen lock; a card does not.
For the launch bundle, the cards are 90mm x 50mm on 300gsm matte card stock, printed front and back in full colour. That is the size and stock most recipients are familiar with and comfortable filing or photographing to add to contacts. It also photographs cleanly for social media content.
Design considerations for a new business card:
- Front: name, title, phone, email, website. Resist the urge to add every social handle.
- Back: a clean brand graphic, a short tagline, or a QR code to your website or booking link.
- Colour mode: design in CMYK. RGB files look different when printed.
- Bleed: include 3mm bleed on all edges so there is no white flicker at the card’s border when cut.
Branded stickers: versatile, reusable, and under-rated
A sheet of circle stickers in 40mm gloss or matte finish does more work than most new businesses expect. At launch they are used for:
- Sealing packaging (boxes, mailers, tissue paper)
- Product tagging (stick on jars, bags, bottles, or boxes)
- Event handouts (stick on a name tag, a notebook, a cup)
- Thank-you inserts (include one in a delivery with a card)
- Surprise-and-delight moments (a sticker people keep on a laptop or water bottle is free ongoing brand exposure)
The most versatile format for an all-purpose launch sticker is a circle at 40mm. It is small enough to seal a mailer flap but large enough to carry a logo and brand name legibly. Gloss finish gives colour pop; matte is softer and more premium-feeling. Both work. Pick the one that matches the feeling of your brand.
The Paperlust Print Shop Launch Package
The Launch Package at Paperlust Print Shop is built for exactly this use case. It bundles the two core day-one print items into a single order.
The bundle includes:
- 250 standard business cards at 90mm x 50mm on 300gsm matte paper, printed full colour front and back
- 100 circle stickers at 40mm x 40mm in your choice of gloss or matte finish
The bundle starts from $149 AUD inc. GST. That price covers both items, a free digital proof for each piece before printing begins, a free pre-press file check, and a 100% print guarantee (reprint or refund if the output does not match the approved proof).
Production is 24-hour turnaround after proof approval. Shipping is flat-rate Australia-wide, with express (1-2 business days metro; 3-5 days regional) and standard options at checkout.
You will need two separate artwork files (one for the cards, one for the stickers), in PDF, SVG, or Adobe Illustrator .ai/.eps format, with CMYK colour mode, 3mm bleed, and outlined fonts. If you do not have print-ready files, the Print Shop offers artwork fixing, custom design, and logo services as add-ons at checkout.
How to keep brand consistency across every piece
New businesses often end up with print collateral that does not quite match. The business card colours are slightly cooler than the sticker. The sticker font is a different weight to the card font. The logo has been cropped differently.
This happens because each piece was designed or ordered separately, often with different files or at different times.
Ordering your core items together forces consistency by design. Use one master brand file with your final logo, approved hex and CMYK values, and confirmed font files. Prepare all artwork from that one master file before uploading anything.
Specific checks before you submit:
| Element | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Logo | Same version, same proportions on cards and stickers |
| Colours | Both files using the same CMYK values, not RGB approximations |
| Fonts | All fonts outlined in both files so they render identically |
| Bleed | 3mm bleed on all edges of both files |
| Finish | Decide whether matte or gloss suits both items, or deliberately contrast for effect |
Timing your order: working backwards from launch day
This is the most common mistake new businesses make with print. They leave it too late and either miss the launch with nothing to hand out, or they rush an order and approve a proof they should have revised.
Work backwards from your launch date using this timeline:
Step 1: Finalise your brand files (allow at least 3-5 days before ordering)
Do not place a print order until your logo, brand colours, and font choices are finalised. Changing a brand element after proofs are approved costs money and time. If you are designing your own artwork, finish it completely before uploading.
Step 2: Place your order and receive proofs (1-2 business days)
After you place the order, the Print Shop team runs a pre-press check and sends you a digital proof for each item within 1-2 business days. Review both proofs carefully before approving. Check spelling, check that colours look right on your screen, confirm the layout matches your expectations. Once you approve, the clock on production starts.
Step 3: Production (24 hours after proof approval)
Production on the Launch Package is 24-hour after proof approval. Both items are produced simultaneously.
Step 4: Delivery (1-2 business days metro; 3-5 days regional)
Express delivery is 1-2 business days metro and 3-5 days regional. Standard delivery is 2-5 business days metro and 4-6 days regional.
Recommended lead time: 5-7 business days minimum before launch
If you add 1 day for proofs, 1 day for production, and 2 days for metro express delivery, you are at 4 business days from order placement to cards in hand under ideal conditions. Allow at least 5-7 business days to include a buffer for a proof revision round, which is common and expected.
For businesses outside major metro areas, allow 7-10 business days to account for regional delivery times.
Beyond the bundle: what to order next
The Launch Package covers the two highest-priority day-one items. Once those are in hand and you have traded them at a few events or sent a few orders, you will have a clearer picture of where else print can help.
Common second-stage print orders for new Australian businesses:
- Flyers or DL cards for letterbox drops, event handouts, or point-of-sale use
- Pull-up banners if you attend markets, trade shows, or pop-up events
- Labels and packaging inserts if your product is retail or e-commerce focused
- Corflute signage for outdoor display at a physical premises
Each of these has different lead times and artwork requirements, so planning them separately and in order of priority makes sense.
For businesses in specific verticals like food and beverage, hospitality, or retail, the Print Shop also has category-specific kits. The cafe and restaurant kit, for example, includes table menus, takeaway bags, and branded label options alongside cards. See those vertical kits as a next-stage resource once your launch bundle is sorted.
Getting your artwork right before you order
Print-ready artwork is the single biggest delay point for first-time print buyers. Most design tools, including Canva Pro and Adobe Illustrator, can export print-ready PDFs with bleed and CMYK settings. Here is what to check before you upload to the Launch Package:
- Colour mode: switch your document from RGB to CMYK before exporting. Canva’s “Print” export option handles this automatically. In Illustrator, set document colour mode to CMYK before starting.
- Bleed: add a 3mm bleed margin outside your artwork boundary on all four edges. This means a business card document should be 96mm x 56mm (including bleed), not 90mm x 50mm.
- Fonts: outline all fonts before saving (in Illustrator: Type > Create Outlines). This prevents font-substitution errors at the printer.
- Image resolution: any photos or raster graphics should be at 300 DPI at final print size. Lower resolution images look blurry in print even if they look fine on screen.
- Separate files: upload two separate files, one for the cards and one for the stickers, even if both use the same brand assets.
If you run into trouble with any of these, the Print Shop’s artwork fixing service at checkout has you covered for most common file issues.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Paperlust Print Shop Launch Package include?
The Launch Package includes 250 standard business cards (90mm x 50mm, 300gsm matte, full colour front and back) and 100 circle stickers (40mm x 40mm, gloss or matte finish). It starts from $149 AUD inc. GST. See the Launch Package product page for current pricing and any bundle variations.
How long does the Launch Package take to arrive in Australia?
Production is 24-hour after proof approval. With express shipping, metro delivery is 1-2 business days after dispatch; regional delivery is 3-5 business days. Allow 5-7 business days from order placement to allow for a proof review round before production begins.
Can I use Canva files for a print order?
Yes. Export your Canva design as a “Print” PDF, which sets CMYK colour and includes crop marks. Make sure your artwork includes 3mm bleed. You will need to export two separate files, one for the business cards and one for the stickers. If your files need adjusting, the Print Shop offers an artwork fixing service at checkout.
Is a bundle cheaper than ordering business cards and stickers separately?
Yes. Bundling reduces setup fees, consolidates proofing into a single review cycle, and means one shipping charge instead of two. The Launch Package is priced specifically as a bundle to save new businesses money versus placing two separate print orders.
What finish should I choose for my stickers: gloss or matte?
Gloss stickers have a bright, vivid finish that makes colours pop, making them well-suited for bold, colourful logos and packaging. Matte stickers have a softer, more premium feel and are better suited to minimal, earthy, or luxury brand aesthetics. Either finish works for sealing packaging or product tagging. Choose the one that aligns most closely with your brand personality.
What if I need more than 250 business cards or 100 stickers?
The Launch Package is the entry-level bundle. The Print Shop also offers business cards and stickers as individual products with larger quantity options. If your launch requirements are higher volume, browse the individual product pages for pricing at your target quantity.
