Order business cards without spelling mistakes

You'll need to fill out your company's purchase requisition form before anything else can happen. Include the quantity you're requesting, estimated cost per unit, and who the cards are for. If you don't know what quantity to request, 250 is a safe starting point for most roles. Make sure you've got the right cost center or budget code - finance won't process it without that.

Send the completed requisition to whoever has budget authority for this type of purchase - usually your direct manager or department head. Make sure they know it's a business cards order so they're not confused by the req. If your company requires two approvals for any print spend, get both signatures before moving on. Don't skip this step even if you think it's a small amount - you'll want the paper trail.

Once your requisition is approved, you'll get a purchase order number from the finance team. Write this number down - you'll need it when placing the order with the vendor. If it takes more than two business days to get your PO, follow up with accounts payable. Don't contact the vendor until you've got this number in hand.

Reach out to your approved print vendor with the design file, quantity, and PO number. If you're using a new vendor, confirm they're on your approved supplier list before placing anything. Ask for a turnaround time estimate and get it in writing. Make sure you're sending print-ready files in the right format - most vendors want PDF at 300 dpi minimum. Keep your confirmation email for the records.

Gather the details that'll go on the card - name, title, phone, email, and address. Check spelling carefully because errors on business cards are embarrassing and expensive to fix. Always verify directly with the person who'll be using them - don't guess. Use their official title from HR, not a nickname or informal variation they go by.

Apply your company's standard card design and follow the brand guidelines for logo placement, fonts, and colors. Don't let anyone customize the layout on their own - it matters for brand consistency. If someone insists the template needs updating, route that request through marketing first. They'll handle it, and you won't end up with cards that look like they came from a different company.

Create a digital proof before sending anything to print. Have the card recipient review it and sign off on it - don't approve it on their behalf. Double check everything yourself too, since one more set of eyes almost always catches something. Once it's printed, there's no going back. Don't skip the proof step just to save a day.

Submit your order to the approved print vendor with the quantity you need. Standard amounts are usually 250 or 500 - more than that and you're probably ordering for a group. If it's urgent, factor in rush fees and make sure they're in your budget before committing. Confirm the delivery date and the address where the cards should go. Keep your receipt - you'll need it for expense reporting.

When the cards arrive, check them for quality and accuracy before handing them over. Confirm the quantity matches what you ordered - short shipments happen. Deliver them to the employee and get a quick confirmation that everything looks right. If you spot any print quality issues, note them now so you're not starting from scratch next time. File the proof and order details somewhere you can find them - reorders are a lot easier when you've got the previous specs on hand.