One of the things I often do is use an online printer that allows uploading of your own artwork. I have had good results with
Vistaprint . For a one time fee of $4.99 you can upload your own image (I make a composite with photoshop that includes any text I want), which can then be used with any of the print items they offer for sale. You can order card in quantities as small as 10. They also print business cards. My business card has three small head studies on it. In my experience, this has been lower cost than printing cards myself.
To ensure proper color, etc, you can order a PDF proof for $1.99. Once, I had some cards delivered with improper color, and when I called, the quality department folks took the information over the phone and I had corrected cards within two days.
Vistaprint offers frequent (monthly) sales on many of their products. You can have custom business cards printed for as little as $3.99 for 250.