Business branding
Business card size and what to put on it
Dimensions for every region with bleed and pixels at 300 dpi, a six-point content checklist, paper stocks, and how to keep brand colours true on paper.
Standard business card sizes
| Region | Size | With 0.125 in bleed | Pixels at 300 dpi |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States, Canada | 3.5 × 2 in (88.9 × 50.8 mm) | 3.75 × 2.25 in | 1125 × 675 |
| Europe (most), Turkey | 85 × 55 mm (3.35 × 2.17 in) | 91 × 61 mm | 1075 × 720 |
| United Kingdom, Ireland | 85 × 55 mm | 91 × 61 mm | 1075 × 720 |
| Australia, New Zealand | 90 × 55 mm | 96 × 61 mm | 1134 × 720 |
| Japan | 91 × 55 mm | 97 × 61 mm | 1146 × 720 |
| Square | 2.5 × 2.5 in | 2.75 × 2.75 in | 825 × 825 |
| Mini / slim | 3.5 × 1 in | 3.75 × 1.25 in | 1125 × 375 |
The standard card is the US size; the templates already include bleed and safe-zone guides, so you only swap text and logo. Check an uploaded design with the size and bleed checker.
What to put on the card
- Name and what you do. "Emma Lee · Dog grooming" is searchable; "Founder & CEO" is not.
- One phone number and one e-mail that you actually answer. Add WhatsApp or Instagram if clients book there.
- Website or booking link, ideally as a QR code (make one) so nobody types it.
- Service area. Local trades win on "near me": write the town or neighbourhood.
- Logo and brand colours: two colours, one typeface, the same on the card, the label and the flyer. The brand kit builder pulls them from your logo.
- The back: an appointment line, a loyalty stamp grid, your three services, or a plain colour. Never leave it white if you can use it.
What to leave off
- A fax number, a street address nobody visits, or three phone numbers.
- Every social network: pick the one where you post.
- Tiny text: 8 pt is the minimum on coated card, 9 pt on textured stock.
Paper and finish
| Stock | Feels like | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Standard matte (14–16 pt) | Smooth, writable | Appointment cards, loyalty cards, anything you write on. |
| Glossy | Shiny, photo-like | Photo cards, real estate, salons; not writable. |
| Linen / felt | Textured, premium | Weddings, consultants, boutiques. |
| Kraft | Brown, rustic | Bakeries, handmade, florists. |
| Thick (32 pt) / painted edge | Heavy, luxurious | Designers, photographers, high-ticket services. |
Colour on paper
Design in RGB, print in CMYK. Saturated blues, greens and oranges shift darker; black text should be 100% K, not rich black, to stay crisp. Every colour page in ColorsLovers lists CMYK values and a contrast check, so you can see whether white text on your brand colour will be readable before you order.
Bleed and safe zone, in one paragraph
Printers cut stacks of hundreds of sheets, and the blade drifts by up to 1/16 in. So backgrounds extend 0.125 in beyond the trim line (bleed), and text stays 0.125 in inside it (safe zone). Follow those two numbers and no card will ever have a white sliver or a clipped phone number.
Cards with the right size built in
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard business card size in inches?
3.5 × 2 inches in the US and Canada. With bleed, the print file is 3.75 × 2.25 inches, or 1125 × 675 pixels at 300 dpi.
What is the standard business card size in mm?
85 × 55 mm in most of Europe and the UK; 90 × 55 mm in Australia; 91 × 55 mm in Japan; 88.9 × 50.8 mm in the US.
What resolution should a business card file be?
300 dpi at the printed size. Below 200 dpi, logos and small text print soft.
Should I put my photo on a business card?
Yes for real estate, coaching, beauty and any trade where the client books a person. No for product businesses, where the logo matters more.
Matte or glossy?
Matte if anyone will write on the card or if you want a premium feel; glossy for photo-heavy cards. Textured stocks need slightly larger text.