Business Card Size: Complete Guide for Small Businesses
Choosing the right business card size is a very important decision for any small business owner. It’s an investment that will last you for years to come and can make or break your first impression with potential clients.
Picture this: you’re at a networking event, and you’re handed a business card but don’t have one to hand to give back and look professional! I’ve been there, and believe me, it’s awkward!!
So it’s pretty much an essential when starting a business and planning to grow. Leverage business networking to your advantage with a professional business card!
In this article, we’ll walk through the different options available to you as well as give some examples of what each might look like in order to help make it easier for you to choose the best option based on your needs and personal style!
Benefits of Using Business Cards as a Marketing Tool
Business cards are a traditional yet effective marketing tool that can help businesses promote their brand, establish connections, and generate leads.
Here are the key benefits of using business cards for marketing:
Personalized and Tangible
Business cards provide a tangible representation of your brand and contact information, allowing for personalized and direct communication with potential customers.1
Networking Opportunities
Business cards facilitate networking by providing a convenient way to exchange contact information during meetings, conferences, and networking events.2
Brand Recognition
Well-designed business cards with consistent branding elements, such as logos and color schemes, help create brand recognition and leave a lasting impression on recipients.3
Professionalism and Credibility
Handing out a well-designed business card demonstrates professionalism and credibility, enhancing the perception of your business and building trust with potential clients or customers.4
Increased Visibility
Business cards can be distributed in various locations, such as trade shows, local businesses, and community events, increasing your brand’s visibility and reach.5
Cost-Effective Marketing
Business cards are a cost-effective marketing tool compared to other forms of advertising, making them suitable for businesses with limited marketing budgets.6
Easy Contact Information Access
Business cards provide a quick and easy way for potential customers to access your contact information, making it convenient for them to reach out to you when needed.7
Referral Generation
Business cards can be easily shared with others, allowing recipients to refer your business to their contacts, potentially generating new leads and customers.8,9
Versatility
Business cards can include additional information, such as QR codes, social media handles, or special offers, to encourage recipients to engage further with your brand.10,
Long-Lasting Impact
A well-designed and memorable business card can leave a lasting impression on recipients, increasing the likelihood of them remembering your brand and reaching out in the future.11,12
It is important to ensure that your business cards are professionally designed, include essential contact information, and align with your brand identity to maximize their effectiveness as a marketing tool.
The Importance Of The Design Of Your Business Card
There are a number of business card designs that have been proven to work for small business owners, but it’s important to take into consideration which design is going to be the most effective in getting your business leads.
In general, standard business card sizes with simple and clean designs tend to work best as they help potential customers focus on the information you provide about yourself and your business.
With different business card templates to choose from, it can be difficult for small business owners to know which one is the best option based on their needs and personal style. Here are some of our favorite business card options available!
Most Popular Business Card Dimensions
Holder Card
Business card size is the most common type of business card. They measure an aspect ratio of 85mm by 55mm, which works well for any business owner, but especially those in sales or marketing roles. The business card has a narrow width, which makes it easy to slip into wallets and purses, as well as presenting nicely on tables when handed out.
Standard Business Card
A business card size of 90mm by 55mm is a standard business card option for many small business owners. It’s larger than the Holder Card and can have more information on it without being too cluttered or making it difficult to read at first glance. The business card also has a narrow width, which makes handing them out even easier.
Holder Card Mini
This mini-business card is a great option for small business owners who want to provide their clients with additional information on their business cards but don’t feel like the standard business card design is right for them. This business card measures 110mm by 50mm and can be used as an alternative way of handing out your business card.
Holder Business Card
Business card size is a great business card option for business owners who have a lot of information they need to get across on their business cards and don’t want the width to be too narrow or large. This business card measures 90mm by 110mm, which gives you more room to write down all your important contact details.
Holder Business Card Mini
Business card size is a great business card option for small business owners who have a lot of information they need to get across on their business cards and don’t want the width to be too narrow or large. This business card measures 110mm by 80mm, which gives you more room to write down all your important contact details.
Best Business Cards
Vista Print
Vista Print provides business cards with different dimensions and aspect ratios available, including the ever-popular 85mm x 55mm and a resolution of 300 dpi.
Using Vista Print business cards can be a very affordable option for small business owners, in particular, who have restricted budgets and do not want to spend too much on business card printing costs.
Printing for Less
Printing business cards for less is another business card option that provides business card size as their main product. Printing for Less provides business cards at cheap prices with business card printing that is of high quality.
These business card printers are two examples of business cards that provide business card size as their main product to small business owners on a budget.
Moo.com
Moo Business Cards is another business card option that provides business card size as their main product. Moo business cards are different from other business card suppliers in the sense that they provide business cards with a choice of many variations on the theme of business card size, for example, small or large.
This can be useful when designing your business card because business cards can be expensive to reprint, so it might make sense not to print business cards with the maximum amount of space on them.
99 Designs business
The business cards provided by 99 Designs are designed by illustrators and graphic artists who focus on designing business cards for small businesses in particular, so business owners can have complete confidence that they will get a business card design specifically tailored to them and their sector.
This is therefore another good business card option business owners can consider if they want business cards with business card size as their main product.
Design Wizard
Design Wizard business cards is a good option for small business owners who want to create their own unique and bespoke business card design, as they can easily do this on the website by uploading logos or images that represent them and then choosing from a whole business card template range that caters to business cards with business card size as their main product.
Brandly.com
Brandly Business Cards is another business card that provides business card size as their main product. Brandly offers over 100 different kinds of business card templates on which they can create their unique and bespoke brand name.
Print Place
They offer business owners a choice of over 100 different kinds of business card templates on which they can create their unique and bespoke brand name with ease by uploading images or logos that represent them to the printer’s website.
Print Flyer Now
Small business owners can create their own unique and bespoke brand name with ease by uploading images or logos that represent them to the printer’s website.
As you can see from the examples listed above, there are many different options out there for business card printing, and it can feel like there’s too much choice.
With special finishes such as Gloss, Soft Touch, High Gloss, Spot Gloss, Raised Spot Gloss.
Finishes such as; Matte, Gloss, Soft Touch, High Gloss
Special coatings; such as Coated on both sides, Uncoated finish.
Special finishes such as Gold Foil, Silver Foil, Spot Gloss, Raised Spot Gloss
Color Choices such as; PMS colors, Full color cards.
The reality is that there are lots of choices for small business owners with different budgets to choose from in order to get their hands on business cards at affordable prices that meet or exceed their expectations.
The choice is ultimately up to you and your budget.
Design Elements To Avoid
Despite the amount of choice on offer, there are some design elements to avoid.
Text that is impossible to read
Do not use a font size smaller than six points, as it will be difficult for people with bad eyesight to read.
Uneven text and image alignment
The best business cards have perfectly aligned images and typefaces. This means they are easy on the eyes when read.
Too much contrast
A business card must be legible, so avoid designs with too much contrast between the text and background.
Recycled paper
Using recycled paper is a nice idea that can work well in some cases, but it often makes for business cards that are of poorer quality than those on standard stock, and there can be a bleed area of ink in the typology.
Unprofessional business card design
People will judge you on your business card, so ensure that it is of the highest possible quality with top notch resolution of 300 dpi (dots per inch).
Design Elements To Consider
The following business card elements are easy to include in any business card, and they all contribute towards a successful business card:
A logo or emblem with distinctive type face
It is important to have a business card design with a logo or emblem that makes it stand out.
A business card template layout
Make sure your business cards are laid out in an aesthetically pleasing way, which will make them easy on the eye when read.
Text and image alignment
The best business cards have perfectly aligned images and typefaces. This means they are easy on the eyes when read.
An appropriate business card size
Ensure that you choose an appropriate business card size for your sector or business, as this will avoid any confusion about what each business does.
Use business card templates
There are many business card templates, both horizontal and vertical, available online that are free to download and easy to customize using a word processing program such as Microsoft Word or Apple Pages.
Typography Rules
There are a few typography rules business cards should follow. One is to avoid putting text in all caps because it can be difficult to read.
The other rule is to put the most important information first, so people know what to do with your business card as soon as they take it from you. If you have a lot of awards and business certifications, put that information at the bottom of your business card.
Tips On Card Stock
Business card stock is important because it needs to be strong enough for business cards to last. There are three main types of business card stocks:
Glossy
Glossy business cards have a stronger feel than matte business cards, but they also tend to smudge more easily and can show fingerprints. If you’re going with gloss on your business card, use a business card holder.
Matte
Matte business cards have the best readability of all business card stocks, and they don’t smudge easily or show fingerprints like gloss business cards do. They’re often used for printing text only on the front side because the back is too hard to write on without using an ink pen that will bleed through to the front of the business card.
Uncoated
Uncoated business cards are often used for printing photos or designs on both sides because they can handle ink very well and blend into each other when printed over photos (unlike matte business cards that don’t show up well). The downside is that it’s easy to write on them with a business card, but the ink can smear easily.
What pixel-size business card should I use?
Pixel-size business cards are at least 300 dpi (dots per inch), and they’re printed on standard business card stock in the United States. They give good resolution for photos, but you shouldn’t put more than one photo on your business card, and the photos should be business-related only.
Layout of Business Card
Your business card logo should be on the card itself, and it should be displayed prominently. If you have a business logo, put that at the top of your business card so people know what company they’re dealing with right away.
You can also add an email address or website to direct people to where they need to go for more information about your business. If you have business certifications or awards, they should be listed at the bottom of your business card.
Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign Business Card Templates
Adobe business cards are available online in many different sizes and styles. If you have Adobe Creative Cloud, it’s very easy to download business card templates for free right on your computer, so all you need is the text of your business information. Hire a graphic designer if you don’t know how to use Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop business card templates. INDesign business card templates are also available in business and portrait.
Tips on Size Standards
There isn’t a standard business card size that works best across all business sectors. The main thing to remember is that you want your business cards to be the right size and shape so they fit well in people’s wallets and handbags.
Business card size standards differ by country and business sector. In Germany, business card size standards are 90mm x 55mm. In the US, business cards that measure up to two inches by three and a half inches, that is, an aspect ratio of 85mm x 55mm, are considered standard business card sizes.
Business Card Size standards differ by country and business sector. In Germany, France and Belgium business card size dimensions are 90mm x 55mm.
Interestingly, in Japan, business card sizes for men and women differ because Japanese business culture is male-oriented and favors larger business cards for men and thinner business cards for women. This isn’t a rule that’s always followed but it does give you an idea of how important business card size can be In the US, business cards that measure up to two inches by three and a half inches are considered standard business card sizes.
In Mexico, business card size standards are 90mm x 50mm. Yet in the United Kingdom, business card size standards are 85mm x 55mm. Whereas, in Eastern European countries like Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary, business card size standards are 90mm x 45mm.
Beware Of Free Business Cards
It’s tempting to try business cards that are free, but you’ll soon regret it if they don’t meet your business card needs. Many business cards that are free usually don’t have business card stock or business card printing, so they may only be good for a few uses before you need to order more. The print resolution may not be up to the usual standard of 300 dpi (dots per inch), and there may be a bleed area visible in the print. Business card dimensions may not meet the typical size standards of 85mm vertical x 55mm horizontal.
In Conclusion
Despite the current emphasis on marketing your business online using digital methods of communication such as social media channels and your online presence, the traditional method of having a business card is still relevant.
This is a tangible marketing tool you can bring to in-person networking events and is useful for big businesses as well as small businesses, bringing that personal touch to doing business.
References
- Artyukhova, N., Krmela, J., Krmelová, V., Ospanov, D. (2022). Knowledge Marketing: N(p, C, S, V)’s Mix?. Marketing and Management of Innovations, 3(13), 182-189. https://doi.org/10.21272/mmi.2022.3-16
- Artyukhova, N., Krmela, J., Krmelová, V., Ospanov, D. (2022). Knowledge Marketing: N(p, C, S, V)’s Mix?. Marketing and Management of Innovations, 3(13), 182-189. https://doi.org/10.21272/mmi.2022.3-16
- Artyukhova, N., Krmela, J., Krmelová, V., Ospanov, D. (2022). Knowledge Marketing: N(p, C, S, V)’s Mix?. Marketing and Management of Innovations, 3(13), 182-189. https://doi.org/10.21272/mmi.2022.3-16
- Artyukhova, N., Krmela, J., Krmelová, V., Ospanov, D. (2022). Knowledge Marketing: N(p, C, S, V)’s Mix?. Marketing and Management of Innovations, 3(13), 182-189. https://doi.org/10.21272/mmi.2022.3-16
- Dubauskas, G. and Išoraitė, M. (2022). Guerrilla Marketing Tools In Financial Service Organizations. Independent Journal of Management &Amp; Production, 2(13), 627-647. https://doi.org/10.14807/ijmp.v13i2.1568
- Dubauskas, G. and Išoraitė, M. (2022). Guerrilla Marketing Tools In Financial Service Organizations. Independent Journal of Management &Amp; Production, 2(13), 627-647. https://doi.org/10.14807/ijmp.v13i2.1568
- Artyukhova, N., Krmela, J., Krmelová, V., Ospanov, D. (2022). Knowledge Marketing: N(p, C, S, V)’s Mix?. Marketing and Management of Innovations, 3(13), 182-189. https://doi.org/10.21272/mmi.2022.3-16
- Artyukhova, N., Krmela, J., Krmelová, V., Ospanov, D. (2022). Knowledge Marketing: N(p, C, S, V)’s Mix?. Marketing and Management of Innovations, 3(13), 182-189. https://doi.org/10.21272/mmi.2022.3-16
- Koritos, C., Koronios, K., Stathakopoulos, V. (2014). Functional Vs Relational Benefits: What Matters Most In Affinity Marketing?. Journal of Services Marketing, 4(28), 265-275. https://doi.org/10.1108/jsm-10-2012-0213
- Dubauskas, G. and Išoraitė, M. (2022). Guerrilla Marketing Tools In Financial Service Organizations. Independent Journal of Management &Amp; Production, 2(13), 627-647. https://doi.org/10.14807/ijmp.v13i2.1568
- Artyukhova, N., Krmela, J., Krmelová, V., Ospanov, D. (2022). Knowledge Marketing: N(p, C, S, V)’s Mix?. Marketing and Management of Innovations, 3(13), 182-189. https://doi.org/10.21272/mmi.2022.3-16
- Koritos, C., Koronios, K., Stathakopoulos, V. (2014). Functional Vs Relational Benefits: What Matters Most In Affinity Marketing?. Journal of Services Marketing, 4(28), 265-275. https://doi.org/10.1108/jsm-10-2012-0213.
