A business card is one of the smallest pieces of print you will ever produce, and one of the most scrutinised. It is handed directly to another person, held in their hand, and often kept for months or years. The quality of the card communicates something about the quality of the business it represents.
Standard sizes
The most common business card size in the United States is 3.5 inches by 2 inches (88.9 mm by 50.8 mm). Other sizes are available: square cards (typically 2.5 inches by 2.5 inches) stand out in a stack but do not fit standard cardholders. Slim cards (3.5 inches by 1.75 inches) have a sleek, modern feel. European standard (85 mm by 55 mm) is slightly larger than the US standard. Folded cards (3.5 inches by 4 inches, folding to 3.5 by 2) provide more space for content. Non-standard sizes add cost and may not fit standard cardholders.
Setting up your document: bleed and safe zones
Add 3 mm of bleed on all four sides. Your document should be set up at 94.9 mm by 56.8 mm (for a US standard card), not 88.9 mm by 50.8 mm. Any background colour or image that extends to the edge of the card must extend to the edge of this larger bleed canvas. Keep all text, logos, and important design elements at least 3 mm inside the trim line. On a small card, this is a significant proportion of the total area.
Typography: minimum font sizes
Name: 10–14 pt, depending on the font and the visual hierarchy you want to create. Job title: 8–10 pt. Contact details (phone, email, website): 7–9 pt. Minimum readable size for most fonts: 6 pt. Avoid very thin or light font weights at small sizes — they can disappear in print, particularly on uncoated stocks. Avoid very condensed fonts, which become illegible at small sizes.
Paper stock and finish options
350–400 gsm coated board with gloss laminate — the most common choice. Durable, vibrant, and professional. 350–400 gsm coated board with matte laminate — a more understated, sophisticated option. 350–400 gsm with soft-touch laminate — a premium finish with a distinctive suede-like texture. 350–400 gsm with spot UV — gloss UV coating applied to specific areas over a matte laminate background. Uncoated board — a natural, tactile option that accepts pen and pencil.
Common mistakes to avoid
No bleed on a full-bleed design: if your background colour extends to the edge of the card, it must extend into the bleed zone. Without bleed, a white border will appear on one or more edges. Text too close to the edge: on a small card, even 1–2 mm of encroachment looks uncomfortable. Too much information: a business card is not a brochure — include the essentials only. Low-resolution logo: a pixelated logo on a business card is immediately noticeable. Always use vector artwork. Inconsistent brand colours: if your brand has defined CMYK or Pantone values, use them.