get an itemized quote from a printer or copy store on how much it would cost to print the card, and then see if it's possible to eliminate the most expensive items from the printing costs without ruining the effect of the card. Nine times out of ten, you'll finAt one hundred sheets (or one thousand cards), however, offset printing will cost about $7, while the copy store's rate goes up to $10. Add to that the fact that the offset plate only needs to be made once, which means that if you print a thousand cards for $7 in June, you can get a thousand more for $2 in September--a total cost of $9. The chain copy store will charge $20. (Again, less machine cutting.) That leaves much more room in your budget for the more expensive finishing options that can make a card great.

Of course, the simplest method of reducing costs is to reduce the number of features on your card. It's possible to do this without compromising your original intentions, especially if your design doesn't actually depend on advanced printing features in order to work. If you're using artwork, for example, you can try printing it in spot color rather than full color, or you can make sure that your design relies heavily on content rather than on, say, embossing. It's a good idea to come up with your initial design, get an itemized quote from a printer or copy store on how much it would cost to print the card, and then see if it's possible to eliminate the most expensive items from the printing costs without ruining the effect of the card. Nine times out of ten, you'll find

in June, you can get a thousand more for $2 in September--a total cost of $9. The chain copy store will charge $20. (Again, less machine cutting.) That leaves much more room in your budget for the more expensive finishing options that can make a card great.

Of course, the simplest method of reducing costs is to reduce the number of features on your card. It's possible to do this without compromising your original intentions, especially if your design doesn't actually depend on advanced printing features in order to work. If you're using artwork, for example, you can try printing it in spot color rather than full color, or you can make sure that your design relies heavily on content rather than on, say, embossing. It's a good idea to come up with your initial design, get an itemized quote from a printer or copy store on how much it would cost to print the card, and then see if it's possible to eliminate the most expensive items from the printing costs without ruining the effect of the card. Nine times out of ten, you'll fin

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Of course, the simplest method of reducing costs is to reduce the number of features on your card. It's possible to do this without compromising your original intentions, especially if your design doesn't actually depend on advanced printing features in order to work. If you're using artwork, for example, you can try printing it in spot color rather than full color, or you can make sure that your design relies heavily on content rather than on, say, embossing. It's a good idea to come up with your initial design, get an itemized quote from a printer or copy store on how much it would cost to print the card, and then see if it's possible to eliminate the most expensive items from the printing costs without ruining the effect of the card. Nine times out of ten, you'll fin

r to work. If you're using artwork, for example, you can try printing it in spot color rather than full color, or you can make sure that your design relies heavily on content rather than on, say, embossing. It's a good idea to come up with your initial design, get an itemized quote from a printer or copy store on how much it would cost to print the card, and then see if it's possible to eliminate the most expensive items from the printing costs without ruining the effect of the card. Nine times out of ten, you'll finget an itemized quote from a printer or copy store on how much it would cost to print the card, and then see if it's possible to eliminate the most expensive items from the printing costs without ruining the effect of the card. Nine times out of ten, you'll find that you can do so.

And of course it's always a good idea to do your own design work--far cheaper than paying a designer, if you know or can learn some basics of design.

Once you have your card at a cost that works for you, it's time to start thinking about distribution.

Make sure to reference this article each time that you go to the printer for a new batch of cards.