Short answer: A good plastic business card is 30mil (0.76mm) PVC, the thickness of a credit card. It comes in clear, frosted or solid white, costs roughly $0.50 to $2.70 per card depending on material and quantity, and takes about 1 to 2 weeks from proof approval to your door. The rest of this guide explains how to choose.
What is a plastic business card?
A plastic business card is printed on rigid PVC (polyvinyl chloride) instead of paper stock. It’s the same material family as credit cards and hotel key cards. That makes it waterproof, tear-resistant and much harder to throw away, which is the point. People keep cards that feel valuable.
Thickness: 20mil vs 30mil
Thickness is measured in mil (thousandths of an inch). You will also see it written as “pt”, which means the same thing.
| Thickness | Feels like | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 10-14mil | Flexible, like a heavy plastic sheet | Budget promos, tags |
| 20mil | Semi-rigid | Loyalty cards, budget business cards |
| 30mil (0.76mm) | Rigid, like a credit card | Premium business cards, VIP and membership cards |
If you want the “wow” moment when someone takes your card, choose 30mil. Every Luxor card is 30mil.
Clear vs frosted vs solid white
| Clear | Frosted | Solid white | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Look | Fully transparent, glass-like | Translucent matte, “sea glass” | Opaque, credit-card style |
| Best for | Tech, design, architecture, bold logos | Luxury, beauty, real estate, minimal designs | Photos, full-color layouts, QR codes |
| Fingerprints | Visible on large clear areas | Hides them | Hides them |
| Color printing | Needs white-ink backing | Needs white-ink backing for vivid color | Vivid by default |
| Price | Mid | Highest | Lowest |
Still unsure? Read our side-by-side clear vs frosted vs white comparison or get the free sample kit and hold all three.
How much do plastic business cards cost?
Plastic cards cost more than paper because of the material and, for clear and frosted cards, the extra white-ink layer. Volume brings the per-card price down fast:
- 125 cards: about $1.80 to $2.70 per card
- 500 cards: about $0.65 to $1.10 per card
- 2,500 cards: about $0.50 to $0.60 per card
Luxor prices include the design proof and US shipping. See the live price table for exact numbers.
Designing for plastic: 6 rules
- Use vector files (AI, EPS or PDF) for logos and text so edges print crisp.
- Plan your white ink. On clear cards, anything that should be solid and readable needs white ink behind it. Areas without it stay see-through.
- Keep text at least 7pt and use medium or bold weights on clear cards.
- Stay in the safe zone. Keep important elements 1/8 inch inside the edge.
- Use negative space. On clear cards, the transparency is the design. Don’t fill it.
- Add a QR code linking to your website, vCard or listings. It turns a card into a lead.
Not a designer? Luxor’s design concierge builds the layout for you for free, even from a sketch, a Canva file or an AI-generated design.
Turnaround: what to expect
- Proof: 24 to 48 hours after you order
- Production: 7 business days after you approve the proof (4 with Priority Rush)
- Shipping: free ground shipping in 3 to 5 business days, or overnight
Plan about two weeks from order to delivery, or about one week with rush production and overnight shipping.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Ordering thin (10-20mil) cards that feel cheap. Check the thickness before you buy.
- Using light-gray or thin text on clear plastic, which disappears.
- Sending low-resolution logos (screenshots, social media avatars).
- Skipping the proof. Always check spelling, phone numbers and QR codes.
Who should use plastic business cards?
Realtors, mortgage brokers, insurance agents, financial advisors, designers, salons and med-spas, contractors, car sales and anyone whose income depends on being remembered. Browse designs by industry.
Ready to try?
- See prices
- Get a free sample kit
- Shop clear, frosted or solid white cards
Distribute Briefing