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4 Greeting Card Sizes That Work Best for Your Promotions

Written by UPrinting - Updated on April 16, 2025

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Greeting cards help businesses connect with clients, show appreciation, and build brand loyalty. And while the message and the design matter, choosing the right size can also affect the impact, cost, and appeal of your season’s greetings and glad tiding promotions.

Now greeting cards may come in all shapes and sizes but in UPrinting, we’ve found four go-to options that come with their highlights, making them the top four greeting card sizes in use.

Join us in this quick article and let’s tackle their dimensions, uses, and other practical tips.

The Top 4 Greeting Card Sizes with Practical Tips

Greeting Card Size Envelope Size Common Uses Marketing Strategy
5.0″ x 7.0″ A7 (5.25″ x 7.25″) Business holiday cards, corporate appreciation, milestone celebrations Premium branding with foil stamping & embossing, includes handwritten messages for a personal touch
4.0″ x 6.0″ A6 (4.75″ x 6.5″) Thank-you notes, birthday cards, event follow-ups Compact but professional, works well for loyalty rewards and post-purchase engagement
3.5″ x 5.0″ A1 (3.625″ x 5.125″) RSVP cards, event invitations, gift enclosures Cost-effective for direct mail, great for VIP invites and event marketing
4.25″ x 5.5″ A2 (4.375″ x 5.75″) Invitations, brand promotions, seasonal greeting cards Ideal for promotional use, direct mail, and product launch announcements

A. 5.0″ x 7.0″

The card size is perfect for business holiday cards, corporate appreciation, and milestone celebrations. Greeting cards can also exude premium branding using foil stamping & embossing. You can also include handwritten messages for a personal touch

Why it works:

  1. High-end branding opportunities (foil stamping, embossing, spot UV)
  2. More space for handwritten messages, making it feel personal and valuable
  3. Fits well with corporate gifting or outreach to high-value customers

Practical Tips:

  1. Choose high-quality paper stock (at least 14pt cardstock) to enhance its luxurious feel.
  2. You can also use a soft-touch or velvet finish for a more premium tactile experience.
  3. Add a surprise to the greeting card, whether it’s an exclusive holiday discount, a VIP event invitation, or a QR code linking to a custom video message sharing your greetings or gratitude.

B. 4.0″ x 6.0″

This compact but professional card size is perfect for thank-you notes, birthday cards, and RSVP event follow-ups. You can also use these greeting cards for loyalty rewards and post-purchase engagement.

The best strategy is to mail these cards in bulk. The cards fit in A6 envelopes, keeping mailing costs low, while also helping in customer retention programs and post-purchase appreciation.

Why it works:

  1. Compact yet professional—easy for bulk distribution
  2. Fits in A6 envelopes, keeping mailing costs low
  3. Ideal for customer retention programs and post-purchase appreciation

Practical Tips:

  1. Use personalization when designing these smaller greeting cards. Variable printing such as customer names, personal messages, and custom discount codes could increase their engagement.
  2. Stick to simple, bold designs—too much text can make the smaller card size look cluttered.
  3. Go for matte finishes if you want recipients to write on them (for RSVP or sign-in purposes).
  4. If sending in bulk, consider digital printing over offset to keep costs lower while still getting high quality.

C. 3.5″ x 5.0″

This card size is even smaller but also cost-effective. Use greeting cards for direct mail, RSVP, event invitations, and gift enclosures. The small size also ensures quick and easy-to-read messages and can be tucked into product packaging for added engagement.

Why it works:

  1. The size is smaller so make it stand out—use bold typography and a clean layout to maximize visibility.
  2. Consider a perforated design so it comes with a tear-off option for discount cards or coupons.
  3. Maximize its use as an invitation card—include a QR code that leads recipients to a simple RSVP form online.

Practical Tips:

  1. Make it stand out—use bold typography and a clean layout to maximize visibility.
  2. Use these as VIP or loyalty inserts—add a handwritten thank-you note for a personal touch.
  3. Consider a perforated design if it’s a tear-off discount card or coupon.
  4. Great for event RSVP cards—include a QR code leading to a simple RSVP form online.

D. 4.25″ x 5.5″

At first glance, this card size closely resembles a postcard. And while postcards could be more impactful, the A2 greeting cards are cost-efficient for mass mailing. And they can fit in an envelope.

Use this card size for invitations, brand promotions, seasonal greetings, and product launch announcements.

The size works well with variable printing for customized invitations and can integrate into direct mail marketing strategies and promotions.

Why it works:

  1. More impactful than a postcard, yet cost-efficient for mass mailing
  2. Works well with variable printing for customized invitations
  3. Seamlessly integrates into direct mail marketing strategies

Practical Tips:

  1. Try customizing the greeting cards to look less than postcards. Rounded corners or die-cut shapes can make the invitation look unique.
  2. Pair with an eye-catching envelope to boost open rates (e.g., metallic foil or colored envelopes).
  3. Use a high-gloss finish to showcase photos or vibrant graphics along with the message.
  4. Add a unique call-to-action—for example, “Bring this card for a free gift” at an event.

How to Choose the Best Greeting Card Size for Your Needs

Choosing the right greeting card size depends on your marketing goals, budget, and message. Here’s a quick guide:

  1. Choosing the right greeting card size depends on your marketing goals, budget, and message. If you are looking for high-end corporate gifting and appreciation, choose 5.0″ x 7.0″ to allow more space for elegant designs and personalization.
  2. For thank-you notes and personalized messaging, 4.0″ x 6.0″ is the perfect balance of size and cost.
  3. 3.5″ x 5.0″ is compact, cost-effective, and suitable for event invitations and small promotional inserts, as well as for direct mail.
  4. For bulk mailing of product launches or promotions, 4.25″ x 5.5″ provides more impact than a postcard while staying economical.

Additional Factors to Consider:

  1. Mailing Costs: Larger sizes may require additional postage.
  2. Design Complexity: The smaller the card, the simpler the message.
  3. Printing Finishes: High-end finishes work best for premium branding but may add to costs.

There are also additional factors to consider, such as mailing costs, design, and printing finishes. Still, if you have all the tools and elements to make your marketing campaigns work, any of these greeting card sizes can push your promotions forward and attract customers toward your business. You can trust UPrinting.com to deliver with the best greeting cards for mailing and promotions, whatever size you may choose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can greeting cards help with brand recognition?
A: Sending greeting cards with your logo, colors, and a thoughtful message helps with brand visibility and awareness, while creating a personalized experience that strengthens client relationships and brand loyalty.
Q: Why should businesses use greeting cards for promotions?
A: Greeting cards feel more personal than standard ads. These also encourage engagement with customers, while highlighting special offers. Businesses can express gratitude and reconnect with their customers, all while strengthening their promotions.
Q: What is the most common greeting card size?
A: The standard 5.0″ x 7.0″ card is widely used for business and personal greetings.
Q: Do smaller cards feel less premium?
A: Not necessarily! You can create luxurious-feeling cards using high-quality materials and finishes, regardless of size.
Q: What’s the best size for direct mail marketing?
A: 4.25″ x 5.5″ is ideal because it offers similar size and attributes as a postcard, while keeping costs manageable.
Q: How can I make my greeting cards stand out?
A: Use high-quality paper with unique finishes like foil or embossing and personalize them with handwritten messages.

Selecting the right size ensures your message is clear, memorable, and cost-effective. Whether you’re sending appreciation notes, invitations, or marketing promotions, choosing the right size and design will maximize your return on investment. Start integrating greeting cards into your marketing strategy today and make each message count.


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