Business Cards
Standard Business Card Sizes & File Setup
The standard US business card is 3.5" wide × 2" tall. That's the size that fits in every wallet, card holder, and Rolodex — and it's what we print most often. Here's what else is worth knowing before you design yours.
Common Business Card Sizes
| Format | Dimensions | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (US) | 3.5" × 2" | Works everywhere. The default choice for most people. |
| Vertical | 2" × 3.5" | Same dimensions, portrait orientation. Good if your design flows top-to-bottom. |
| Square | 2.5" × 2.5" | Stands out in a stack. Slightly more expensive due to custom cutting. |
| Slim | 3.5" × 1.75" | Minimalist look. Works well for simple contact info without a logo. |
| European | 85mm × 55mm (~3.35" × 2.17") | Slightly taller than the US standard. Common in international contexts. |
If you're not sure which size to choose, go with the standard 3.5" × 2". It's universally recognized, fits every card holder, and gives you plenty of room to work with.
What to Put on a Business Card
Less is usually more. A cluttered card is hard to read and easy to forget. The essentials are:
- Your name and job title
- Phone number
- Email address
- Website (if you have one)
- Your company logo
- Physical address — only if people will actually visit you
If you find yourself trying to fit everything in, that's a sign to cut something. One strong design with breathing room will leave a better impression than a packed card.
Setting Up Your File for Print
A few technical things matter when you're preparing a file for print. Getting these right means your card comes out exactly as designed.
File requirements for a standard 3.5" × 2" business card:
- Resolution: 300 DPI minimum. Images that look fine on screen at 72 DPI will print blurry.
- Color mode: CMYK. RGB colors can shift slightly when converted to print inks. Design in CMYK from the start.
- Bleed: Add ⅛" (0.125") on all sides. Your document canvas should be 3.75" × 2.25" — the extra border gets trimmed off after printing.
- Safe zone: Keep all important content (text, logos) at least ⅛" inside the trim edge. Anything too close to the edge may get cut off.
- File format: PDF is preferred. High-resolution JPG or PNG also accepted.
Not sure if your file is set up correctly? You can email it to danny@abcprintinginc.com before ordering and we'll take a look for free.
Ready to order? We print business cards on 130 lb Gloss Cover and 120 lb Matte Cover stock, starting at 50 cards.
See Business Card Options & Pricing →