Business Card Printing Guide for Professionals and Small Businesses

Why business cards still matter

A business card is a small piece of marketing that people keep, pass on and look up later. It gives a contact your name, role and details at the exact moment they are interested in you. Unlike a link or a social profile, a card is physical, so the paper, finish and design say something about your business before anyone reads a word.

Cards work for trades, consultants, shops, salons, agents and online sellers who add a card to every parcel. If you also hand out printed material, our brochures and flyers work well alongside a card.

What is the standard business card size?

In the US the standard size is 3.5 x 2 inches (about 89 x 51 mm). It fits wallets, card holders and display stands, which is why it is the safest choice. European cards are slightly different at 85 x 55 mm. Square, slim and folded cards are memorable, but check that they fit the holders your customers use.

If you need more space for information, a folded business card gives you four panels while still fitting in a pocket.

Which paper thickness should you choose?

Thickness is the first thing people feel when they hold your card.

Thin stock under about 12 pt bends easily and tends to look cheap, so avoid it for anything customers will keep. If you want a hard-wearing option, look at our plastic business cards.

Matte, gloss, soft-touch and spot UV finishes

• Matte has a soft, modern look and is easy to write on.
• Gloss makes colour and photography stand out, but shows fingerprints more.
• Soft-touch lamination adds a velvety feel that people notice when they pick the card up.
• Spot UV adds a raised glossy layer to a logo or pattern for contrast against a matte card.

Choose one finish with a purpose rather than stacking several. A simple matte card with a clean logo often looks better than a busy one with every option switched on.

Business card design tips

1. Keep it simple. Name, role, phone, email, website and one social handle are usually enough.
2. Use readable type. Keep body text at 8 pt or larger and avoid thin, light fonts on dark backgrounds.
3. Respect the safe area. Leave at least 0.125 inch between text and the trim edge.
4. Add bleed. If colour or images run to the edge, extend them 0.125 inch beyond the trim so no white edge appears.
5. Use the back. Add a logo, a tagline, an appointment note or a QR code that links to your website or booking page.
6. Be consistent. Match your card colours and logo to your website, labels and packaging so your brand is recognisable.

How to order custom business cards

1. Open our business card printing page and choose a style, such as standard business cards.
2. Select quantity, paper and finish.
3. Upload a print-ready PDF at 300 dpi with fonts outlined, or ask our team for design support.
4. Check the free digital proof carefully for spelling, phone numbers and web addresses.
5. Approve the proof and we print and ship your cards.

Proofread twice. A typo on hundreds of cards is an expensive mistake, and the free proof is the best place to catch it. If you need something unusual, use our custom quote form.

Frequently asked questions