As a small business owner, you know how important it is to watch your budget very closely. It’s important to save just about everywhere you can. Many small business owners, however, make the mistake of under spending on business papers. Your business cards, envelopes, letterhead, and other types of business papers play an important role in establishing the image for your company.

Business Cards
You don’t have to spend a fortune to get business papers that send the right message. If you scrimp too much, however, you’ll be sending a message that you’d rather avoid. One of the worst things you can do is print your own business cards, unless of course you are a professional printer. It’s very cheap to purchase perforated business card paper that you can run through your printer in very small quantities, so it can be really tempting to go this route when money is tight.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that your business cards are your calling cards. If they don’t look professional, they’ll send a message that you’re less than professional. No mater what you think, cards that you run through a laser or inkjet printer and separate or cut yourself do not look polished or professional. People aren’t likely to take you or your company seriously if you use this type of card.

Contact a local printer and ask for pricing on simple, professional cards printed on high quality card stock. You don’t have to go with four color artwork or raised printing for your cards to look professional.

Letterhead and Envelopes
When you send out business letters, particularly marketing correspondence, it’s important to use high quality business paper and envelopes. You don’t have to buy preprinted envelopes and letterhead assuming you have a good quality printer and you use good paper. However, is you use standard copy paper, those who receive correspondence from you aren’t likely to view your organization as one that is credible and professional.

Choose a heavier weight paper than you would use for copying when selecting both envelopes and paper to use for letters. Make sure the typeface that you use on the items you print is legible and sends the right message. After all, if you’re going to go to the expense of mailing out letters of introduction or other marketing materials you want to enhance your chances of attracting new customers to your company.