Standard Business Card Sizes

Written by UPrinting    ●    Updated on September 13, 2023

A business card is a powerful tool. It’s a vital part of networking and marketing for any industry. It represents you and your brand while communicating key messages, both explicit and implicit.

A key component to the success of a business card is the right size. This is crucial because it acts as the vehicle of how all the important details are packaged and conveyed. Choosing the appropriate business card dimensions will help you define how much room you have to work with the text and design.

Standard Business Card Dimensions

The standard business card size is 2" x 3.5”.

If you want to include bleeds, the dimensions should be 2.25” x 3.75”. A bleed is an extra 1/8-inch space added to the actual dimension of the card, which acts as a safety measure for designs that may extend beyond the final size of the card. These spaces are trimmed off after printing. To ensure all vital information is visible and properly placed, put all crucial details within the safe design zone.

Business Card Options at UPrinting

At UPrinting, we offer both custom and standard sizes to cater to your specific design and layout needs. Our range includes:

1. Standard Business Cards - Available in Slim (1.75” x 3.5”), Square (2” x 2”), and US Standard (2” x 3.5”) sizes. These are perfect for a variety of uses such as loyalty cards, appointment cards, or discount vouchers. The standard option is ideal for those looking to print cards with basic information and design, like real estate business cards.
2. Die-Cut Business Cards - With this option, you can customize your card's shape to better represent your personal or business brand. Die-cut cards add creativity and style to your custom cards, making them perfect for modern business cards. It’s a surefire way to stand out in a crowd.

Tips for Setting Up Your Business Card Size

When setting up your business card size, consider the following tips:

1. Consider different sizes. While the standard 2” x 3.5” business card size is tried and tested, opting for a slim or square version also works depending on your intended use. Slimmer, longer cards are perfect for loyalty cards while square cards are good for promotions.
2. Always remember the bleed. Incorporate bleeds into your design to allow for any elements that extend beyond the final card size. Including a 1/8-inch bleed area ensures that important design elements won't get cut off during printing. Place all essential information within the safe zone to prevent it from being trimmed.
3. Play with design alignment. Keep in mind the orientation of your design. A horizontal orientation is the most common, but a vertical orientation can provide a unique and eye-catching layout. Ensure your design is aligned properly to the appropriate orientation.
4. Take practicality and portability into account. While it's important to have enough space for your design, consider the practicality and portability of the card. A card that is too large may be inconvenient for recipients to carry, while a card that is too small will severely affect the business card font size. Strike a balance between visual appeal and practicality.

Designing Your Business Card

For your design needs, you have the option to hire a professional business card maker to create the artwork, or you can explore free business card templates available online.

For more information on business card printing, call us at 1-888-888-4211. You may also reach us through our “Live Chat” button on the upper right of this page. We’d be happy to assist you!