Business Card Sizes: Standard Dimensions, Paper Stock & Print Specifications

Select the correct dimensions, paper stock, bleed, safe area, resolution, and file format before ordering custom business cards. Use the specifications below to prepare artwork for Business Card Central production.

Standard Business Card Sizes

The standard U.S. business card size is 3.5 × 2 inches, also listed as 2 × 3.5 inches when width and height are displayed according to orientation.

Business card size	Inches	Millimeters	Recommended use
U.S. Standard	3.5 × 2 in	88.9 × 50.8 mm	General business, networking, sales, and professional use
European Standard	3.35 × 2.17 in	85.1 × 55.1 mm	European-format cards and international business
Slim	3.5 × 1.75 in	88.9 × 44.5 mm	Minimal layouts, appointment cards, and specialty branding
Small Horizontal	3 × 1.75 in	76.2 × 44.5 mm	Compact contact cards and promotional inserts
Small Landscape	3 × 2 in	76.2 × 50.8 mm	Short-form contact information and compact branding

Business Card Central provides the following size selections:

2 × 3.5 in U.S. Standard
2.17 × 3.35 in European Standard
1.75 × 3.5 in Slim
1.75 × 3 in
2 × 3 in

Select Horizontal or Vertical orientation during ordering. Confirm the finished size before creating the artwork.

Bleed and Safe Area Specifications

Use bleed for any color, photograph, pattern, or background element that reaches the edge of the card.

Standard U.S. card setup

Specification	Inches	Millimeters
Finished trim size	3.5 × 2 in	88.9 × 50.8 mm
Bleed on each side	0.125 in	3.175 mm
Full artwork size with bleed	3.75 × 2.25 in	95.25 × 57.15 mm
Recommended safe margin inside trim	0.125 in	3.175 mm
Approximate safe area	3.25 × 1.75 in	82.55 × 44.45 mm

Apply these rules

Extend background artwork 0.125 inches beyond each trim edge.
Keep names, phone numbers, email addresses, logos, QR codes, and other essential elements at least 0.125 inches inside the trim line.
Do not place borders close to the edge. Minor trimming variation can make borders appear uneven.
Use the Business Card Central template for the selected size. The templates include the required dimensions and bleed.
Contact Business Card Central if a custom size requires a different production template.

A standard 3.5 × 2-inch card with bleed requires a document that measures 3.75 × 2.25 inches. At 300 DPI, this equals approximately 1,125 × 675 pixels.

Business Card Paper Stock Options

Business Card Central offers three primary paper selections. Choose the stock according to the card’s purpose, surface appearance, and expected handling.

Paper stock	Surface and weight	Recommended uses	Select when
14 pt. Gloss	Smooth, reflective coated surface	Food service, retail, photography, promotional campaigns, colorful graphics	You need strong color contrast and a glossy finish
14 pt. Uncoated	Smooth, non-reflective surface with a natural writing feel	Service businesses, appointment cards, handwritten notes, traditional professional cards	Recipients may need to write on the card
100 lb. Matte Cover	Smooth, low-reflection cover stock with a professional finish	Consultants, contractors, real estate professionals, financial services, executive branding	You need a premium matte appearance with readable text

Gloss stock

Select 14 pt. Gloss for designs that use photographs, saturated colors, or large graphic areas. The coated surface supports a sharper, more reflective appearance. Confirm that small text remains legible against glossy backgrounds.

Uncoated stock

Select 14 pt. Uncoated for a softer, non-reflective surface. This option supports handwriting and provides a natural paper feel. Use strong contrast for light-colored text and fine lines.

Matte cover stock

Select 100 lb. Matte Cover for a clean, professional finish with limited glare. Matte paper is suitable for text-heavy layouts, contact information, and minimalist designs.

Order a paper sample or request production guidance when the finish affects brand requirements. Paper weight, thickness, coating, and color reproduction are separate specifications. Do not assume that two stocks with similar numerical weights will feel identical.

Print Specifications for Artwork

Apply the following settings before uploading:

Resolution: 300 DPI for raster artwork.
Color mode: CMYK for print production.
Text: Use vector text when possible. Convert fonts to outlines when exporting from professional design software.
Images: Use high-resolution images. Do not enlarge low-resolution screenshots.
File format: Upload a JPG when possible to reduce file size. Flatten other file formats as instructed on the Business Card Central product page.
Sides: Select full-color front only, full-color front with grayscale back, or full-color both sides.
Corners: Select standard square corners or rounded corners.
Orientation: Select horizontal or vertical.
QR codes: Use a high-contrast QR code and keep it within the safe area. Test the printed-size version before submission.

Business Card Central supports both single-sided and double-sided custom business cards. A front-only design can display the primary brand and contact information. A double-sided design can use the reverse side for services, social media details, a QR code, or a short call to action.

Step-by-Step Artwork Preparation Guide

Step 1: Select the finished size

Open the Business Card Central product page.
Select 2 × 3.5 in U.S. Standard for the standard U.S. format.
Select another available size if the layout requires a slim, small, or European format.
Select Horizontal or Vertical orientation.
Download the matching template.

Step 2: Create the document

Open the template in your design software.
Confirm the finished trim dimensions.
Confirm that the template includes 0.125-inch bleed.
Set the document to 300 DPI.
Use CMYK color settings for print artwork.
Create separate front and back artboards when ordering double-sided cards.

Step 3: Add the required information

Include only the information required for the intended use:

Business name or logo
Contact name and job title
Phone number
Email address
Website
Physical address, if applicable
Social media handle, if relevant
QR code, if required

Use a minimum readable type size. Inspect contact information at 100% scale. Verify every phone number, email address, URL, and social media handle.

Step 4: Position the design

Extend full-background colors and images through the bleed area.
Keep all essential content inside the safe area.
Maintain consistent alignment between front and back.
Avoid placing thin borders near the trim line.
Use sufficient contrast between text and background.
Leave adequate clear space around the logo and contact information.

Step 5: Check QR codes

Generate the QR code at high resolution.
Link it to the correct website, contact page, booking page, or digital profile.
Use a dark code on a light, uncluttered background.
Keep the code inside the safe area.
Test the code from a screen proof and from a printed-size proof.
Confirm that the destination URL works on a mobile device.

Step 6: Export the artwork

Proofread all text.
Check the trim, bleed, and safe-area placement.
Confirm that images are sharp at 300 DPI.
Flatten the file if required.
Export the front and back files according to the product instructions.
Use JPG format when appropriate to reduce upload size.
Do not include crop marks unless the template specifically requires them.

Step 7: Upload and submit

Select the paper stock.
Select the quantity.
Select the printed sides.
Select rounded corners or standard corners.
Upload the front artwork.
Upload the back artwork, if applicable.
Select I already have a design or request professional design assistance.
Review the order details.
Submit the order.

When to Use Business Card Central Design Services

Request Business Card Central design services when you do not have print-ready artwork or when an existing design requires correction.

The service includes:

Professional layout development
Spacing and alignment
Business card branding
High-resolution, print-ready files
Front-only or double-sided design options
Revisions during the review process
Fast turnaround

Provide your logo, business information, preferred colors, design references, and required completion date. Select Business Cards in the design request form and upload any existing brand files.

Choosing Quantity and Pricing

Select the quantity based on distribution frequency:

50–100 cards: Initial launch, testing, or limited networking
250–500 cards: Regular customer-facing use
1,000 or more: Staff distribution, events, sales teams, or ongoing marketing
Bulk business cards: Use for multiple employees, locations, or recurring campaigns

Business Card Central offers competitive pricing for small orders and bulk business cards. Cheap business cards should still meet minimum requirements for legibility, correct trimming, and durable paper. Compare the complete specification rather than selecting based on price alone.

For customers searching for business card printing near me, Business Card Central provides an online ordering process with size, paper, quantity, orientation, printed-side, corner, and design selections in one order form. Review the available business card printing options and submit artwork after confirming every specification.

Final Preflight Checklist

Select the correct finished size.
Add 0.125-inch bleed on all sides.
Keep important content inside the safe area.
Set artwork to 300 DPI.
Use CMYK color settings.
Check spelling and contact information.
Test every QR code.
Confirm front and back orientation.
Select the correct paper stock.
Flatten files when required.
Upload the correct template-based artwork.
Review the final order before submission.