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The standard UK business card is 85 × 55 mm. Set up your artwork at 91 × 61 mm, which adds 3 mm of bleed on every side, and keep all text and logos at least 3 to 5 mm inside the finished edge. That one size fits every wallet, card holder and desk tray in the country. Below: the other common sizes, how to set up the file, and when a different shape is worth it.
Business card sizes compared #
| Card | Finished size | Artwork with 3 mm bleed |
|---|---|---|
| UK and European standard | 85 × 55 mm | 91 × 61 mm |
| Square | 55 × 55 mm | 61 × 61 mm |
| Credit card size (plastic cards) | 86 × 54 mm | 92 × 60 mm |
| US and Canada standard | 3.5 × 2 in (88.9 × 50.8 mm) | 94.9 × 56.8 mm |
If a designer abroad has made your card at the US size, it will not quite fit an 85 × 55 mm card: it is a few millimetres longer and shorter. Ask them to resize it rather than letting it be squashed or cropped.
Setting up the file #
- Page size: 91 × 61 mm for a standard card, so the background runs 3 mm past the cut on every side. Our guide to bleed and safe area explains why.
- Safe zone: keep names, phone numbers and logos at least 3 to 5 mm inside the finished 85 × 55 mm edge. A thin border right on the edge will look uneven after cutting, so avoid one or keep it well inside.
- Resolution: photos and logos at 300 dpi at the size they print; DPI for printing shows how to check.
- Colour: CMYK, with Pantone numbers noted for brand colours; see CMYK vs RGB.
- Text size: 7 pt is about the smallest that stays comfortable to read on a card; 8 to 9 pt is safer for phone numbers and email addresses.
- File: a PDF with fonts embedded or outlined; saving a print-ready PDF lists the settings.
Or skip the setup and use the free online designer on the product page, which already has the bleed and safe area marked.
Portrait or landscape? #
Both are the same size, 85 × 55 mm, turned. Landscape is the usual choice and reads well for name, title and contact details. Portrait stands out in a pile and suits a tall logo or a photo. Pick the one your layout needs, and set the page up the same way round./p>
When a different size earns its place #
- Square, 55 × 55 mm: memorable for creative businesses, makers and photographers, but it does not sit in standard card slots as neatly.
- Plastic, 86 × 54 mm: credit-card size, for membership and loyalty cards that live in a wallet for years.
- Thicker stocks and special finishes, such as triplex, foil and spot UV, keep the standard size but change how the card feels. Our guide to business card finishes helps you choose.
Business cards we print #
- Business cards in the 85 × 55 mm UK standard.
- Square business cards, 55 × 55 mm.
- Plastic business cards, 86 × 54 mm landscape or portrait.
- Triplex, metallic foil and spot UV cards.
Questions people ask #
What size is a standard UK business card?
85 × 55 mm. With 3 mm of bleed on each side, the artwork should be 91 × 61 mm.
Is a business card the same size as a credit card?
Almost. A credit card is 85.6 × 54 mm, so a standard 85 × 55 mm business card is very close. Plastic business cards are made at credit-card size, 86 × 54 mm.
What size is a business card in pixels?
At 300 dpi, a standard card is about 1004 × 650 pixels, or 1075 × 720 pixels with bleed. Print works in millimetres, so set the page in mm where your software allows.
How small can text be on a business card?
About 7 pt is the practical minimum in a clear typeface. Use 8 to 9 pt for phone numbers and email addresses so they are easy to read.