Physical print does more for a new business than most founders expect. A well-produced business card earns credibility at a networking event in a way that a LinkedIn profile tap cannot replicate. A branded sticker on a takeaway bag or mailer turns a routine transaction into a brand impression. A footpath sign earns foot traffic you would not otherwise convert. The challenge is knowing what to order first when budget is limited and every task is competing for attention.
This checklist covers the five print items an Australian startup should prioritise in its first three months: what each item does, what to order, and what to watch for when preparing artwork. It also covers the Paperlust Brand Builder Package, which bundles three of these items into a single order and gets you operational faster.
Cheat sheet
- The Brand Builder Package covers three priority items: 250 business cards, 100 circle stickers, and one snap A-frame sign, from $249 AUD inc. GST
- Turnaround is 3-4 working days after artwork approval across all three items in the package
- Three separate artwork files are required (PDF, SVG, or Adobe Illustrator format)
- Standard business cards start from $0.69 per card; flyers start from $0.37 per sheet, ordered separately
- Lock in your logo, colour values, and typography before placing any print order
- Flat-rate shipping Australia-wide on every order
- All printing is made in Australia, with a 100% print guarantee included
The Five Items That Make Up a Working Brand Kit
Most print advice for new businesses is either too thin (“get some business cards!”) or too expensive (“invest in a full brand suite before you launch”). The list below sits in the middle: the minimum viable print kit that gives a business a professional, consistent presence across the situations that matter most in the first year.
1. Business Cards
A business card is still the fastest trust signal in a first meeting. Handed over after a quote conversation, at a trade expo, or at a community market, a physical card signals that this is a real operation with substance behind it.
For a new business, 250 cards is a practical starting quantity: enough for the first few months without locking you into a design you might refine. Standard Australian size is 90mm x 55mm. Opt for 350gsm or heavier cardstock and a matte or linen finish. Cards under 300gsm feel thin and undercut the impression you are trying to make.
Paperlust standard business cards are printed on 350-400gsm cardstock and come in matte, linen, cotton, metallic, and artboard materials. A 24-hour production option is available, with a minimum order of 100 cards.
2. Branded Circle Stickers
Circle stickers are the most versatile item in a startup print kit. A 50mm circle with your logo fits on a takeaway cup, a mailer envelope, a product bag, a laptop, or a gift tag. They function as package seals, as brand touchpoints at markets and pop-ups, and as low-cost additions to every order you send out.
Order in two sizes if budget allows: a smaller diameter (38-50mm) for seals and correspondence, and a larger size (76-100mm) for bags and display surfaces. Gloss holds up in humid environments and suits food packaging; matte reads as premium on kraft and paper bags.
3. Flyers or Promotional Cards
Flyers are routinely skipped in favour of digital advertising, which is a mistake for most local businesses. A flyer included with an order, left at a complementary business, or distributed in a nearby suburb works as a physical touchpoint that does not rely on algorithms.
A5 (148mm x 210mm) is the most practical first-run size. It is readable, portable, and fits a standard DL envelope. For businesses adding promotional material to parcels or bags, a DL card (99mm x 210mm) is more compact and costs less per unit.
Paperlust Print Shop flyers are available in DL, A6, A5, A4, and A3 on gloss and matte stocks from $0.37 inc. GST, with 2-5 working day production after proof approval.
4. A-Frame or Footpath Sign
For any business with a physical location or regular market presence, a footpath sign delivers the highest return on investment of anything in this list. A well-placed A-frame outside a cafe, boutique, salon, or market stall converts foot traffic that would otherwise walk past without noticing you.
The snap A-frame (600mm x 900mm) included in the Brand Builder Package is double-sided, suits both indoor and outdoor placement, and uses a snap-frame mechanism that lets you swap the insert when messaging changes. That means one sign frame serves across seasonal promotions, pricing updates, and event-specific content without ordering a new product each time.
5. Packaging Accents
Custom packaging does not have to mean custom boxes. For most startups, a small run of branded stickers applied to plain kraft mailers, tissue paper, or white boxes creates the look of a designed unboxing experience at a fraction of the cost.
A 50-75mm circle sticker is enough to seal tissue paper inside a shopping bag or brand a plain mailer. Order conservatively until your packaging format is settled; stickers reorder quickly and adapt to multiple surfaces without custom tooling.
The Brand Builder Package: Three Items, One Order
Rather than placing three separate orders and managing three separate turnaround schedules, the Paperlust Brand Builder Package combines the three highest-priority items into a single bundled order.
What is included:
- 250 standard business cards (300gsm matte, full-colour digital print, front and back)
- 100 circle stickers (40mm x 40mm, choice of gloss or matte finish)
- 1 snap A-frame sign (600mm x 900mm, double-sided)
From $249 AUD inc. GST, with 3-4 working day production after artwork approval across all three items. A digital proof is provided for each item before printing begins. Three separate artwork files are required, one per product, in PDF, SVG, or Adobe Illustrator format.
The package is built for retail stores, cafes, service businesses, market stall operators, and pop-up activations. Flyers and packaging stickers are not included and can be ordered separately once the core kit is in hand.
Getting Your Artwork Right Before You Order
The most common mistake new businesses make with a first print order is treating each item as a separate creative project. Business cards designed in one tool, stickers briefed to a freelancer, and a sign file assembled under time pressure will look like three different businesses.
Before placing any order, lock in four elements:
- Logo file: vector format (SVG or Adobe Illustrator), not a JPEG from a presentation
- Colour values: CMYK values, not just hex codes (hex does not translate directly to print)
- Typography: the exact font family and weight used consistently across all materials
- Clear space rules: a consistent margin around the logo so it reads clearly at every size
Once those are documented, applying them across business cards, stickers, and signage is quick. Inconsistency almost always happens when items are designed in isolation without a shared reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I order the business cards, stickers, and A-frame sign separately rather than as a package?
Yes. Each product in the Brand Builder Package is also available individually on the Paperlust Print Shop with its own pricing, size options, and minimum order quantities. The package is designed for convenience and to make the first print order straightforward, but it is not compulsory.
How many business cards should a new business order?
250 is a practical starting quantity for most startups. It provides enough cards for several months of networking without over-committing to a design before it has been tested in real situations. If you are attending a trade show or industry event, budget 50-100 cards per day of attendance.
What artwork format does the Brand Builder Package require?
The package requires three separate artwork files, one per item. PDF, SVG, and Adobe Illustrator (.ai) files are all accepted. Include 3mm bleed and crop marks on each file, and ensure all fonts are embedded or outlined. A digital proof is sent for each item before printing starts, so errors can be caught before they reach production.
Are the circle stickers in the package suitable for outdoor use?
The circle stickers in the package are available in gloss or matte finish. Gloss stickers offer good moisture resistance and suit outdoor packaging, takeaway cups, and market environments. Matte stickers suit premium indoor packaging and paper-based surfaces. For sustained outdoor exposure, a separate order of vinyl stickers from the Paperlust Print Shop will provide better durability over time.
How long does it take to receive the Brand Builder Package?
Production is 3-4 working days after your artwork is approved for all three items. Express options are available on request. Once dispatched, shipping is flat-rate Australia-wide.
What size flyers should a startup order for its first run?
A5 (148mm x 210mm) is the most practical first-run flyer size for most businesses. It is readable, portable, and fits a standard DL envelope. For adding promotional material to online orders or gift bags, a DL card (99mm x 210mm) is more compact and costs less per unit. Both are available in the Paperlust Print Shop flyers range.
