Is there a standard size for business cards?

[Brian McIntosh]

I need to have another batch of business cards printed and I have a design in mind. I can do the design work myself but I don't know the standard business card size. My current ones are 49mm x 87mm. I've measured some of the other business cards I have collected over the years and they all vary quite considerably in size. Before I can start to design my own one it would be beneficial for me to know the standard size, if there is one, or is it down to personal preference of the printer I use?

[neildigital]

Our standard size is 85mm x 55mm with 3mm bleed on each edge.

Neil

[Brian McIntosh]

I take it then that there is not really a standard size? What do you mean by bleed?

[Philip Hoyle]

I'd advise you to measure the maximum size of card that would fit into the average card holder. I find it quite irritating when someone gives me a business card that is either too thick or too large to put in my card holder file - rather than trying to cut it to size, I am far more likely simply to bin it.

[Brian McIntosh]

Good point Philip. I'll need to investigate further.

Moving on from that point, what's the best file format to save my design in so that I can get it printed?

[reggiemental]

Hi Brian

As Neil pointed out, a standard size is 85mm x 55mm. However, cards can come in a multitude of sizes - 88 x 55, 90 x 50, 85 x 45 etc. If you're looking for a standard wallet size, then stick with 85 x 55.

File format. If you're having a full-colour card (CMYK) then a .tiff is ideal, providing it is 300dpi. As you're a photographer, I presume you're using Photoshop so just make sure 'mode' is set to CMYK, and the workspace is set to 300dpi, at actual size.

If the artwork extends over the card, (bleed), then you need to add 3mm to all sides of the card. e.g. If using an 85 x 55 size, set the workspace to 91 x 61. Then put guides in 3mm from each edge. The area inside the guides is your artwork. The area over the guides will be trimmed off at the cutting stage, leaving you with a final 85 x 55 card.

Hope this helps.

Paul

[30two Design]

Hi there. From design point of view - we always set business cards to 85mm x 55mm as someone mentioned above. This is the same as a standard credit card size. I do know of some people who design to 88 x 55mm though so it doesn't matter too much - as long as it fits in a card holder or wallet then it'll be fine!

Cheers
Duncan

EDIT...Seems Paul was typing at the same time as me...he's pretty much covered it all! With regards to file formats - if you have lots of small text on your card it is better to keep this as vector data so that it prints nice and clear - so if you can, save the file as a pdf.

[Brian McIntosh]

Thank you all for your replies.

[DanMartin]

According to Wikipedia, the standard size in the UK is 85x55 mm, 3.346x2.165 inches.