Why do square cards cost more than rectangles?

Square business cards usually cost a little more than standard rectangles because each card has to be die-cut to shape instead of trimmed on a straight cutter. As a rule of thumb, budget roughly 10 to 20 percent more per card than the same stock in a 3.5" x 2" rectangle, then adjust for quantity and finishes.

• Quantity: the per-card price drops steeply as you move from 100 to 500 to 1,000 or more cards.
• Paper stock: 14pt and 16pt are the baseline. 32Pt ultra-thick and specialty stocks add a premium.
• Die-cutting: the square die is the main reason these run above a standard rectangle.
• Finishes: matte, gloss, soft-touch, foil, or spot UV each add a small per-card charge.

A practical starting point is 250 to 500 cards on a mid-weight stock, which balances a low unit price against a professional feel.