Creating a memorable brand experience doesn’t stop at your e-commerce site. Successful online store owners know that delivering a package that delights customers can turn one-time buyers into loyal fans. One cost-effective way to elevate your unboxing experience is by including beautifully designed, branded business cards or inserts with each order. These inserts can include thank-you notes, promo codes, or social media handles, adding a personal touch that builds brand loyalty.
TLDR: E-commerce businesses can elevate their customer experience by including branded inserts in packaging. Business card makers offer an easy way to design and print affordable, high-quality cards that match your brand. This article reviews six of the best tools, weighing features like customization, pricing, and integrations. Read on to find the perfect platform for enhancing your brand presentation.
1. Canva – Best for Customizable Design Templates
Canva is a highly versatile design tool perfect for e-commerce store owners looking to create stunning business cards without design experience.
- Ease of Use: Drag-and-drop interface with thousands of customizable templates.
- Branding Control: Upload logos, choose custom colors, and match your typography.
- Print Services: Offers professional printing and delivery, or downloadable files for DIY printing.
- Cost: Free basic plan; premium features starting at $12.99/month.
Canva’s ability to collaborate with team members and save brand kits makes it ideal for growing stores that want consistent branding.
2. Vistaprint – Best for High-Quality Print & Bulk Orders
Vistaprint has been a go-to platform for business owners for years. It specializes in high-quality cards and promotional materials, including everything from standard business cards to folded inserts and stickers.
- Variety: Offers a wide range of paper types, finishes, and shapes.
- Templates: Pre-designed themes tailored for industries including retail and e-commerce.
- Delivery: Ships internationally with fast turnaround times.
- Cost: Competitive pricing, especially for larger orders.
For store owners who want polish and professionalism in their inserts, Vistaprint is an excellent risk-free choice.
3. Zazzle – Best for Artistic and Unique Cards
Zazzle is known for its unique range of artistic and fully customizable business cards, making it perfect for boutique brands looking to stand out.
- Design Variety: Thousands of unique templates created by artists.
- Customization: Allows uploading of branding elements and fine-tuning of layout, color, and typography.
- Extra Products: Matching packaging materials, including labels and postcards.
- Price: Slightly more expensive, but suited for luxury and artistic branding.
If you’re curating a premium aesthetic or want to reflect artisanal values, Zazzle is the right fit.
4. Moo – Best for Premium Quality and Innovative Extras
Moo offers an upscale line of business cards that feature superior paper quality and modern design options. It’s ideal for brands that want a premium insert that grabs attention immediately.
Image not found in postmeta
- Quality: Thick cardstock, soft-touch finishes, and edge painting options.
- Printfinity: Allows up to 50 different designs within a single order.
- Customization: Upload your own designs or use Moo’s intuitive builder.
- Pricing: Higher price point, but justifiable for premium packaging strategies.
Moo is a top pick for store owners wanting to go beyond basic and truly impress customers at first touch.
5. GotPrint – Best for Budget-Conscious Store Owners
GotPrint excels in affordability while maintaining decent print quality. It’s ideal for small businesses watching their bottom line but refusing to sacrifice professionalism.
- Low Cost: Among the most affordable business card printing services.
- Variety: Standard and eco-friendly paper stock options available.
- Simple Tools: Basic but effective online design tool.
- High Volume: Economical for 500+ unit orders.
GotPrint is best suited for startups or stores sending out large volumes of orders daily.
6. Adobe Express – Best for Branded Cohesiveness and Creative Control
Adobe Express (formerly Adobe Spark) is another excellent tool for creating custom business cards and inserts. As part of the Adobe ecosystem, it offers deep creative control.
- Design Flexibility: Advanced design options with access to Adobe Fonts and Stock.
- Templates: Professional layouts with customizable branding components.
- Download Options: Export for print, web, or sharing on social media.
- Integrations: Syncs with other Adobe apps and Creative Cloud.
If your business already uses Adobe Suite, incorporating Express for packaging inserts ensures branding cohesion across every customer touchpoint.
Choosing the Right Card Maker for Your Store
When selecting a business card maker, store owners should consider the following:
- Design Needs: Does the tool provide the creative flexibility or templates you require?
- Print Quality: Are you aiming for a premium feel or cost efficiency?
- Turnaround Time: Will the printer deliver in time for your order fulfillment cycle?
- Budget: Determine your per-card cost threshold based on how many orders you fulfill weekly or monthly.
Using tailored inserts as part of your packaging strategy creates a lasting impression and helps reinforce your brand identity at the moment of receipt. Whether you’re running a handmade Etsy shop or a fully scaled Shopify store, a well-crafted business card can elevate your e-commerce game significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Why should I include a business card or insert in my packages?
- Inserts are a great opportunity to express gratitude, share discount codes, and encourage repeat purchases. They help build stronger relationships with customers and enhance your brand image.
- How many cards should I order?
- This depends on your order volume. Start with a small batch (around 100–250) to test quality and customer feedback before scaling up.
- Can I create inserts even if I don’t have design experience?
- Yes. Platforms like Canva and Adobe Express offer beginner-friendly templates that do not require any design background.
- Are digital business cards useful in packaging?
- While digital business cards are rising in popularity, printed versions remain more impactful in the packaging experience, providing a physical, memorable reminder of your brand.
- What should I include on my insert?
- Common elements include your logo, a thank-you note, social media links, a discount code for next purchase, and a call to action like “Share your unboxing and tag us!”
Branded packaging inserts don’t just say “thank you” — they say, “we care.” The right business card maker can help turn a simple box into a brand-building moment. Choose the tool that aligns with your vision, your budget, and your brand — and start making each order feel special.