Business Card Sizes & Print Specifications
Complete guide to business card dimensions worldwide. Standard US, international formats, specialty sizes, with bleed zones, safe areas, and design best practices.
Quick Reference - Standard Sizes
| Region | Dimensions (inches) | Dimensions (mm) | Pixels @ 300 DPI | Aspect Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US & Canada | 3.5×2" | 88.9×50.8 mm | 1050×600 px | 1.75:1 |
| Europe & International | 3.346×2.165" | 85×55 mm | 1004×650 px | 1.545:1 |
| Japan | 3.582×2.165" | 91×55 mm | 1075×650 px | 1.655:1 |
| Square | 2.5×2.5" | 63.5×63.5 mm | 750×750 px | 1:1 |
Standard Business Card Sizes
US Standard (3.5×2")
European Standard (85×55 mm)
Japanese Standard (91×55 mm)
Specialty & Creative Sizes
Square (2.5×2.5")
Vertical (2×3.5")
Mini / Slim (3.5×1.25")
Rounded Corners
Understanding Bleed, Trim & Safe Zones
What is Bleed?
Bleed is the extra area around your design that extends beyond the final trim size. It ensures that when cards are cut, there are no white edges if the cutting is slightly off.
Standard Bleed Specifications:
- US Standard: 0.125" (1/8 inch) bleed on all sides
- International: 2-3mm bleed on all sides
- Total canvas: Trim size + bleed on all sides
Example: US Standard Card
- Trim size: 3.5×2 inches (final card size)
- Bleed size: 3.625×2.125 inches (with 0.125" bleed)
- Safe zone: 3.25×1.75 inches (0.125" from trim edges)
Safe Zone Guidelines:
The safe zone is the area where all important content (text, logos, QR codes) should be placed. Keep all critical elements at least 0.125" from the trim edge to prevent them from being cut off.
- Safe for text: 0.125" from trim edge
- Safe for logos: 0.125" minimum, 0.25" recommended
- Backgrounds & patterns: Extend to full bleed
File Setup in Design Software:
Adobe Illustrator / InDesign:
- Set document size to trim dimensions (3.5×2")
- Add 0.125" bleed in document setup
- Create guides for safe zone (0.125" from edges)
- Extend background artwork to bleed line
Photoshop:
- Create canvas at bleed size (3.625×2.125" @ 300 DPI = 1088×638px)
- Add guides at trim lines (0.125" from edges)
- Add guides for safe zone (0.25" from edges)
Design Best Practices
Use 300 DPI Minimum
Business cards are viewed up close. Always design at 300 DPI for crisp text and sharp logos. 600 DPI is even better for fine detail work.
CMYK Color Mode
Design in CMYK, not RGB. Printed colors differ from screen colors. Use Pantone spot colors for precise brand color matching if budget allows.
Font Size Minimums
Minimum readable font size: 8pt for body text, 6pt for URLs/fine print. Avoid fonts smaller than 6pt—they may become illegible when printed.
Legible Typography
Use professional fonts. Avoid overly decorative scripts for contact info. Sans-serif fonts (Helvetica, Futura) are more readable at small sizes than serif fonts.
High Contrast
Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background. Light gray text on white is hard to read. Dark text on light backgrounds or vice versa works best.
Paper Stock Matters
Standard: 14pt cardstock (350gsm). Premium: 16pt or 18pt. Matte finish for sophisticated look, glossy for vibrant colors, uncoated for eco-friendly/artistic feel.
White Space is Good
Don't cram too much information. Embrace white space for a clean, professional look. Prioritize name, title, and one or two contact methods.
Both Sides Strategy
Front: Logo, name, title. Back: Contact info, social media, tagline. Or keep back minimal for notes. Two-sided printing is standard pricing now.
Proof Before Printing
Always order a printed proof before bulk printing. Colors, alignment, and cut quality can only be verified with physical samples. Catch errors early.
Premium Finishing Options
Coating & Lamination
- Matte: Non-reflective, sophisticated, easy to write on
- Glossy: Shiny, vibrant colors, fingerprint-prone
- Soft Touch (Velvet): Premium feel, expensive, memorable
- Uncoated: Natural paper texture, eco-friendly, writable
Special Effects
- Spot UV: Shiny coating on specific areas (logo, text) over matte background
- Foil Stamping: Metallic foil (gold, silver, copper) for luxury feel
- Embossing: Raised areas create texture and depth
- Debossing: Pressed-in areas, subtle and elegant
- Edge Painting: Colored edges (sides of card stack) for premium look
Specialty Materials
- Plastic (PVC): Durable, waterproof, credit-card-like feel
- Metal: Stainless steel or aluminum, ultra-premium, expensive
- Wood Veneer: Eco-friendly, unique texture, conversation starter
- Recycled Paper: Sustainable, textured, appeals to eco-conscious clients
Cost Considerations
Budget-friendly: Standard 14pt cardstock, matte or glossy finish, no special effects = $20-50 per 500 cards
Premium: 16pt cardstock, soft-touch, spot UV = $75-150 per 500 cards
Luxury: Thick cardstock, foil stamping, embossing, edge painting = $200-500 per 500 cards
File Preparation Checklist
Before Sending to Print:
- ✓ Correct dimensions: 3.5×2" trim + 0.125" bleed = 3.625×2.125"
- ✓ Resolution: 300 DPI minimum (600 DPI better)
- ✓ Color mode: CMYK (not RGB)
- ✓ Bleed: Background extends 0.125" beyond trim on all sides
- ✓ Safe zone: Text/logos at least 0.125" from trim edges
- ✓ Fonts: Outlined/converted to curves (no live text)
- ✓ Images: Embedded or linked at full resolution
- ✓ Rich black: Use C:60 M:40 Y:40 K:100 for backgrounds (not pure K:100)
- ✓ File format: PDF (preferred), AI, or layered PSD
- ✓ Crop marks: Include if requested by printer
- ✓ Spell check: Triple-check all text (typos are permanent!)
- ✓ Proofread phone/email: Verify contact information is correct
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Text too close to edges (gets cut off)
- Designing in RGB (colors shift when printed)
- Low resolution images (appear pixelated)
- Pure black backgrounds (use rich black instead)
- Fonts not outlined (may substitute with different fonts)
- No bleed (white edges if cutting is off)