Introduction
The Avery 5881 Microperf Business Cards are designed for creating professional, custom business cards with ease. These 2 x 3-1/2 inch cards feature a matte white finish and are optimized for color laser printers, allowing for print-to-the-edge designs. With 160 cards per pack, they are ideal for contact cards, appointment reminders, coupons, loyalty cards, and more.
Image: Packaging for Avery 5881 Microperf Business Cards, showing the product features and a sample business card design.
These cards offer maximum flexibility, allowing you to print only the quantity you need, when you need them, and to change designs as often as desired, eliminating minimum order quantities, wait times, and shipping fees associated with professional printing services.
Setup and Design
Before printing, you will need to design your business cards. Avery provides free online tools and templates to simplify this process.
Using Avery Design & Print
- Access the Design Tool: Visit avery.com/templates to access the free Avery Design & Print software. No download is required.
- Select Your Product: Enter "5881" as the product number to find the correct template for your business cards.
- Choose a Design: Select from a variety of pre-designed templates or start with a blank canvas.
- Customize Your Cards: Personalize your cards with text, images, logos, and QR codes. The software allows for easy customization, including print-to-the-edge designs for a professional finish.
- Preview and Save: Review your design carefully before saving and proceeding to print.
Image: Screenshot of the Avery Design & Print software interface, demonstrating its use on desktop and mobile devices for designing business cards.
The software supports creating designs that print all the way to the edge of the cards, ensuring a professional, borderless appearance.
Image: Examples of Avery business cards demonstrating full-bleed, edge-to-edge printing with various colorful designs.
Operating (Printing)
These business cards are designed for use with color laser printers. Follow these guidelines for optimal printing results:
Printer Settings
- Paper Type: Select "Cardstock" or "Heavy Paper" in your printer settings. This ensures proper ink adhesion and paper feeding.
- Print Quality: Choose the highest print quality setting for crisp text and vibrant colors.
- Orientation: Ensure your printer settings match the orientation of your design (portrait or landscape).
Loading the Cards
Load the Avery 5881 sheets into your printer's paper tray according to your printer's instructions. Pay attention to the correct side for printing and paper orientation.
Image: Two sample business cards with a "Ridel Travel Agency" design, placed next to a small plant and a vintage camera, showcasing the finished product.
Double-Sided Printing
The Avery 5881 cards support double-sided printing, allowing for more detailed and impactful designs. Consult your printer's manual for specific instructions on how to perform double-sided printing. Typically, you will print one side, then flip the sheets and feed them back into the printer to print the second side.
Image: Sheets of Avery business cards demonstrating the capability for double-sided printing, with designs visible on both front and back.
Maintenance and Storage
While the business cards themselves require no maintenance, proper storage is crucial to maintain their quality and ensure optimal printing results.
- Storage: Store unused card sheets in their original packaging or in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and excessive humidity. This prevents warping, discoloration, and damage to the paper.
- Handling: Handle sheets by the edges to avoid leaving fingerprints or smudges on the printable surface.
Troubleshooting
Print Alignment and Jams
The Avery 5881 cards incorporate Sure Feed™ Technology, which provides extra grip to help guide sheets smoothly through the printer, reducing misalignments and jams.
Image: An illustration highlighting Avery's Sure Feed Technology, showing how the sheets are guided through a printer to prevent jams and improve alignment.
- If Misalignment Occurs:
- Ensure your printer drivers are up to date.
- Verify that the paper guides in your printer tray are snug against the card sheets.
- Double-check your print settings in the Avery Design & Print software and your printer's dialogue box to ensure they match the template.
- If Jams Occur:
- Remove any jammed paper carefully according to your printer's manual.
- Ensure the paper tray is not overloaded.
- Check for any foreign objects in the paper path.
Card Separation
The cards feature Microperf technology, which uses a series of precise cuts to create a smooth border for easy separation after printing.
Image: A close-up comparison showing the smooth, clean edge of Avery's micro-perforations versus the rougher edge of standard perforations.
- For Best Results:
- Fold the sheet along the perforations in both directions before separating to weaken the micro-perforations.
- Gently tear the cards apart along the perforated lines.
Specifications
Detailed specifications for the Avery 5881 Microperf Business Cards:
Image: A stack of Avery business cards with overlaid measurements indicating 2 inches by 3-1/2 inches, and text detailing the 80 lb cover, 216 gsm cardstock.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model Number | 5881 |
| Card Dimensions | 2 x 3-1/2 inches (5.08 x 8.89 cm) |
| Sheet Dimensions | Approximately 8.5 x 11 inches (standard letter size) |
| Cards Per Sheet | 8 |
| Total Cards | 160 (20 sheets x 8 cards/sheet) |
| Material Type | Heavyweight Cardstock |
| Paper Weight | 80 lb Cover (216 gsm) |
| Finish | Matte |
| Color | White |
| Printer Compatibility | Color Laser Printers |
| Special Features | Microperf Technology, Sure Feed Technology, Print-to-the-Edge |
Support and Returns
For additional support, templates, and design resources, please visit the official Avery website at avery.com.
If purchased through Amazon, this product typically qualifies for a 30-day free return policy. Please refer to your Amazon order details for specific return instructions and eligibility.
