Business cards remain one of the most cost-effective marketing tools an Australian business can invest in, yet prices vary dramatically depending on the finish, quantity, and supplier you choose. Whether you need a clean run of 250 standard cards or a premium duplex set that makes a lasting impression, this guide breaks down the real numbers for 2026 so you can budget with confidence.
- Standard digital cards start from $0.28 per card (inc GST) at volume, making a 250-card run achievable for under $80.
- Specialty finishes range from $0.14/card (Spot UV) up to $2.27/card (Duplex) at high volume – with higher per-card rates at minimum quantities.
- The biggest lever on cost is quantity: ordering 1,000 cards can cost half as much per card as ordering 100.
- Free overnight Startrack delivery is included on all Australian Print Shop orders – no freight to add to your budget.
- Standard, Coloured Paper, and Flat Foil cards have 24-hour production. Spot UV, Scodix, Raised Foil, and Duplex take 7-10 business days.
What Business Cards Cost in Australia in 2026
The table below shows verified “from” pricing at Paperlust Print Shop for each business card type, including GST. These per-card rates reflect high-volume orders – the actual cost at minimum quantities will be higher, and the sections below break this down by quantity tier.
| Card Type | From (per card, inc GST) | Min Order | Production Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Digital | $0.28 | 100 cards | ~24 hours |
| Coloured Paper | $0.49 | 100 cards | ~24 hours |
| Spot UV | $0.14 | 250 cards | 7-10 business days |
| Scodix (raised clear coat) | $0.20 | 250 cards | 7-10 business days |
| Raised Foil | $0.24 | 250 cards | 7-10 business days |
| Flat Foil | $1.52 | 100 cards | ~24 hours |
| Duplex | $2.27 | 100 cards | 7-10 business days |
These “from” prices are the lowest per-card rate achievable at that print type, typically at orders of 500 cards or more. Use the live product pages to generate an accurate quote at your specific quantity. All prices include GST and free overnight Startrack delivery to anywhere in Australia.
Standard Business Cards: What You Pay at Each Quantity
Standard digital cards are the entry point for most Australian businesses looking at custom business card printing. Printed on quality 300-350gsm stock with sharp full-colour reproduction on both sides, they cover every professional need without requiring a specialty finish or a long lead time.
Per-card costs at common quantities
Based on current AU market pricing and Paperlust Print Shop’s verified rates for standard digital cards:
- 100 cards: approximately $35-55 total, or $0.35-0.55 per card
- 250 cards: approximately $50-80 total, or $0.20-0.32 per card
- 500 cards: approximately $70-110 total, or $0.14-0.22 per card
- 1,000 cards: approximately $90-150 total, or $0.09-0.15 per card
The jump from 100 cards to 1,000 cards can save you 60-70% per card. For anyone who attends regular networking events or client meetings, ordering a larger quantity upfront is almost always the better financial decision.
At Paperlust Print Shop, standard business cards start from $0.28 per card (inc GST) at volume, with 24-hour production after proof approval and free overnight Startrack delivery included.
Paper and finish options at the standard tier
Even at the base price tier, you can choose between matte, satin, and gloss finishes, as well as different paper weights. Moving up from 300gsm to a heavier 400gsm board adds a noticeable sense of quality to the card. Rounded corners, a soft-touch matte laminate, or a double-sided print can also be added at the standard production tier without affecting the 24-hour turnaround.
Specialty Finishes: What the Premium Upgrade Costs
Premium finishes are where business cards move from a functional tool to a brand statement. The “from” per-card prices in this category can look low at first glance, but minimum order quantities and longer production windows are the trade-offs to plan for.
Spot UV and Scodix: tactile contrast finishes
Spot UV applies a clear gloss coating to selected elements of your design – logos, names, geometric patterns – while leaving the rest of the card matte. The contrast between the two surfaces creates a striking visual and tactile effect. Spot UV business cards at Paperlust Print Shop start from $0.14 per card (inc GST) at volume, with a 250-card minimum and 7-10 business day production time.
Scodix goes further by building a raised, three-dimensional clear layer over selected elements – the coating has genuine height and texture you can feel. Scodix business cards start from $0.20 per card at volume, also with a 250-card minimum. Both finishes suit any professional who wants a memorable card without adding metallic colour.
Raised Foil: metallic with texture
Raised foil combines a mirror-bright metallic finish with genuine tactile height – the foil element sits above the card surface in a way you can feel when you run your thumb across it. Available in gold, silver, and rose gold, this finish suits premium-positioned businesses where the card needs to communicate quality at first touch: financial advisers, real estate principals, jewellers, high-end hospitality. Raised foil business cards start from $0.24 per card at volume, 250-card minimum, 7-10 business day production.
Flat Foil: mirror-bright metallic accents
Flat foil applies a mirror-bright metallic layer to selected design elements and sits flush with the card surface (no raised texture). It is faster to produce than raised foil and available from a 100-card minimum, but the per-card “from” price of $1.52 reflects the real foil media and dedicated press setup. At smaller quantities of 100-250 cards, expect total spend in the $200-400 range depending on how much of the design is covered by foil.
Duplex: the heavyweight option
Duplex cards are two sheets bonded together, often with a contrasting colour between them that shows at the card edge when the card is held. The result is an exceptionally thick, weighty card that is hard to throw away. At $2.27 per card from, with 7-10 business day production, duplex is the most premium category. A 100-card run starts around $250-350+. For high-value client relationships in law, finance, architecture, or luxury retail, this investment can be worthwhile.
The Quantity Effect: Why Ordering More Saves More
Across every finish type, the per-card price drops significantly as quantity increases. This happens because setup costs – artwork processing, machine calibration, foil tooling – are largely fixed regardless of how many cards you run. The more cards that run through that setup, the lower the cost per card.
For Spot UV cards: at the minimum 250-card order, the per-card cost is noticeably higher than the $0.14 “from” rate. By the time you reach 1,000 cards, that from rate becomes achievable. The same pattern applies across raised foil, Scodix, and duplex categories.
A useful planning rule: estimate how many cards you will actually hand out in the next 12 months, then order that quantity in one run rather than placing smaller repeat orders. A professional attending three or four networking events per month can easily distribute 500 cards in a year. A single order of 500 will almost always cost less per card than two orders of 250.
Hidden Costs to Check Before You Order
The per-card price on a product page does not always represent the total cost. Here are the additional factors to check before committing to a quote.
Design fees
If you do not have a print-ready file, you will need to pay for design work. Many online printers charge a file setup fee or limit you to their own template system. At Paperlust Print Shop, a professional designer handles your proof within 1-2 business days and two rounds of revisions are included at no extra cost – the design service is built into the price.
Rush turnaround charges
Standard, Coloured Paper, and Flat Foil cards have 24-hour production as the baseline – no urgency fee required. For specialty finishes, the 7-10 business day window is standard. Build this lead time into your planning if you have a specific event or deadline.
Delivery costs
Paperlust Print Shop includes free overnight Startrack shipping on all Australian orders. There is no freight charge to add to your budget calculation. International shipping is available via DHL Express for orders over $350 USD.
Proofs and revisions
Some printers limit free revisions to one round, or charge for design changes after the first proof. With Paperlust Print Shop, two rounds of designer edits are included and the proof arrives within 1-2 business days of placing your order.
Choosing the Right Finish for Your Budget
The best business card is not the most expensive one – it is the one that fits your context. Here is a practical way to frame the decision by budget tier.
Under $80: standard digital cards
For tradespeople, hospitality staff, retail teams, and anyone distributing high volumes, standard digital is the right category. Focus on a clean design, a quality 350gsm stock, and double-sided printing. A well-designed standard card communicates professionalism without over-investing for contexts where cards change hands freely.
$80-200: coloured paper, Spot UV, or Scodix at standard quantities
This range opens up the tactile and visual options. A coloured paper card on a bold European stock stands out in a wallet full of white cards. Spot UV at 250 cards adds contrast and a sense of craft for a modest premium. Scodix adds subtle raised texture that prompts comments from people who receive the card. These finishes suit consultants, creatives, coaches, and service professionals who want the card to be remembered without a substantial outlay.
$200 and above: raised foil, flat foil, or duplex
Premium finishes are a deliberate investment for situations where the card itself does part of the selling. Raised foil and flat foil communicate luxury and attention to detail. Duplex cards signal weight and permanence in the most literal sense – people keep them. These cards suit finance, legal, real estate, high-end hospitality, and luxury personal brands where first impressions carry significant commercial weight.
About Paperlust Print Shop
Paperlust Print Shop is a Melbourne-based printing studio, part of the Paperlust group founded in 2014. The Print Shop offers the full range of Australian business card options – from standard digital through to Spot UV, Scodix, Raised Foil, Flat Foil, and Duplex – alongside stickers, signage, banners, and marketing materials for businesses of all sizes. Every order comes with free overnight Startrack delivery across Australia, a professional designer proof within 1-2 business days, and a 100% happiness guarantee: if you are not satisfied with your order, Paperlust will reprint or refund.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do 500 business cards cost in Australia?
For standard digital business cards, 500 cards from a quality AU online printer typically costs $70-120 depending on stock weight, finish, and supplier. At Paperlust Print Shop, standard cards start from $0.28 per card (inc GST) at volume – use the product page for an exact quote at 500 cards. Free overnight delivery is included.
What is the cheapest way to get business cards printed in Australia?
Standard digital printing on 300gsm matte or satin stock at a quantity of 500 or more is the most affordable approach. Budget around $60-100 for a 500-card run from a quality AU printer. Paperlust Print Shop standard cards start from $0.28/card at volume with free overnight Startrack delivery included.
Are premium business card finishes worth the extra cost?
It depends on your industry and how you use cards. For high-value client relationships in finance, real estate, legal, or luxury hospitality, a raised foil or duplex card reinforces a premium brand position at a relatively low per-card cost. For high-volume networking or trade contexts where cards change hands freely, standard digital cards at a lower per-card rate make more sense.
How long does business card printing take in Australia?
At Paperlust Print Shop, standard, coloured paper, and flat foil cards have 24-hour production after proof approval. Specialty finishes including Spot UV, Scodix, Raised Foil, and Duplex take 7-10 business days. All orders ship with free overnight Startrack delivery across Australia.
Do business card prices in Australia include GST?
All per-card prices at Paperlust Print Shop are inclusive of GST. When comparing quotes from different suppliers, always confirm whether prices are shown inc or ex GST – a $0.25/card ex-GST price is actually $0.275/card once GST is added.
