Business cards are a key part of networking, and one that should be carefully considered. The right card size can make all the difference in terms of how much information is conveyed and how it is presented. The traditional 2″ x 3.5″ card is well-established as the gold standard, but there are plenty of other options that can help you stand out from the crowd and make a better impression on potential customers and collaborators.
For example, if you’re going to go with a rounded edge or textured stock for your business card, these are great ways to add some extra visual appeal and make a statement that catches people’s attention. If you’re unsure of which shape or material is best for your brand, consider doing a few mockups to get an idea of how they will look before ordering a large batch of them. It’s not uncommon for the final printed product to vary slightly from what you see on your screen, and a few test runs will avoid any regrettable surprises.
Many business owners are aware that the standard business card dimensions are 3.5″ x 2″, but few realize that this is actually the pre-finished design area for the cards. There is also a small amount of negative space around the edge of the card that designers call the bleed area. The bleed area is designed to allow certain colors, prints or design elements to extend beyond the finished edges of the card so that they don’t leave ugly white borders if they are cut slightly off-center when the cards are printed.