Business Card Size Matters!

Understanding that business card size matters is a crucial initial step for establishing your professional image. Paying attention to your business card size might sound unnecessary, however, it is more important than most people realize.

Now more than ever, work-related activities are accomplished on a worldwide stage, requiring many business travelers to adapt the way they conduct their professional practices. Professional cards, targeted towards an international audience, are likely to help their owner's abilities in performing business dealings overseas. By having a globally-appealing card size and style, you are increasing your odds of becoming appreciated and remembered. Using this method, you are likely to build stronger business relationships, since people will respect the extra efforts in your approach.

The first feature you should consider, when it comes to professionally-made cards, is their size. Keep in mind that most cards are printed and used horizontally, however, it's not uncommon for them to be used vertically as well. The following are essential tips on business card size options you are likely to benefit from:

Business card size as per the International Standards Office (ISO): When it comes to business card size, internationally accepted standards have been set in order to create conformity. This is necessary for establishing consistency in how printing presses are calibrated.

The most popular standardized setting is the ISO 216 or A8 card size. The dimensions of this card are 2.913" in length by 2.047" in height. The metric version would be 74mm by 52mm. There is also another common ISO standard, often called 'credit card', measuring 3.370" × 2.125" or 85.60mm × 53.98mm.

Either one of these sizes is well accepted in a majority of countries and for the purposes of most business interactions.

Business Card Size as per Country-Specific Standards: If you are conducting business transactions with a limited number of countries, then you may wish to avoid using the ISO standard size, and instead select a more personalized size that is specific to the locations where you are working. You can gain an advantage over your colleagues who did not customize their cards to the local business preference.

For example, the US and Canadian most common business card size is 3.5 × 2(88.9mm × 50.8mm), whereas the New Zealand and Australia version is slightly bigger, at 3.54 x 2.165"(89mm x 54mm). The European and British use 3.37" x 2.12"(85mm × 55mm), whereas the Japanese prefer 3.58" x 2.17"(91mm × 55mm), and for those doing business in China, consider accommodating to the local preference of 3.56" x 2.15"(90mm × 54mm).

Another option for having a more unique business card size is 3.75" x 4.25"(9.41mm x 10.67mm). This size is utilized in a folding card, often known as a tent card. A tent card offers significantly more area for including your information. This card is the ideal choice for people wishing to use it as a compact brochure.

Also, if you wish to keep your standard business card size, and have an additional space for content, consider having a double sided business card. Such a card will provide you with twice the amount of space but have the look and feel of a traditional business card. Notably, this alternative is gaining increased popularity in recent years.

It is also important to know that business card size can be extended due to a term known as "bleed". During the process of creating the card, a bleed refers to the expansion of extra design elements, such as borders, beyond the edges of the final cut. This guarantees that the card will be produced without the white edges. The bleed can either be a full bleed or partial bleed, referring to the the expansion of the design element on all 4 sides of the card or less than 4, respectively. Just as with the overall size of a card, bleed size preference also varies internationally. For instance, the common European and Japanese standard allows for a 1/13"-1/8"(3mm-5mm) bleed size, whereas the US bleed size is more strict at 1/8" (5mm).

Keep in mind that if you are uncertain of what card dimensions would best work for your purposes, you can print one of each size as a prototype before ultimately picking the one that best fits your needs. Overall, to convey a positive, long lasting impression among clients and colleagues, choose the right business card size that will give you a competitive position within your business environment.

Ben Silver, an expert graphic designer and the author of this article, invites you to visit his free business card resource site http://BestDigitalandPrintableCards.blogspot.com/ to gain additional useful insights into why business card size matters and obtain further practical knowledge and tips about creating effective business cards.

Standard business card size in the US with a 1/8th inch bleed. http://standardbusinesscardsize.net/
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