Business card size is one of a number of factors to consider when designing a card including material, shape, cut, corner diameters, orientation and thickness.  Many people overlook the value of having a professional business card that accurately reflects their brand image, yet this small marketing tool can be an important part of your collateral package. It’s often the first interaction sales prospects receive from you, so it’s your first opportunity to make a strong, positive first impression on them.

What Is The Standard Business Card Size?

The short answer is there isn’t one standard.  Each country has its own standard dimensions.  In the USA and Canada the standard business card is 89.0mm x 51.0mm (3.5” x 2.0”).  In Europe 85.0mm x 55.0mm (3.35” x 2.17”) is the typical card dimensions.  The largest cards are found in Japan where the standard meishi size is 91mm x 55mm (3.58” x 2.17”).

Other sizes and formats are available.  For example, at half the size (or smaller) of a typical business card, a ‘mini card’ is a unique way to stand out and show off your brand or your business.  However, with these cards you are limited in how much information you can squeeze onto the card.

Information is the most important item on your business card. After all, this is the real purpose of creating one because you want others to know who you are, what you can do, and how you can help them.  But if you think your card size is not enough to contain all the information you will place in it, you can print on both sides of the card.

We recommend customers keep their key information on the front side and add address and a company mission or tag line on the rear of the card. While business cards should promote your brand identity, they shouldn’t be confused with advertising.  For international business people, having your card in two languages has become an essential part of marketing communications.

If you plan to create an off size remember someone won’t be able to put in his or her wallet or purse, Rolodex or card file system. It’s often quite irritating when someone gives you a business card that is too large to put in a business card holder.  If you decide to make a card that is bigger than standard dimensions, consider that big means bulkier.  The advantages of a larger card are that you can add more information, the card will stand out due to its size and it will be easier to find in a card holder.

With metal business cards you instantly make you mark and stand out from your competition.  Another idea is to have your cards printed vertically rather than horizontally so you have to turn it 90 degrees to read it.  If you want to share data and make an impression, a USB business card can hold 1-64GB of data.

Many people place business cards in a wallet or a rolodex in order to keep them and look into them easily whenever they find the need to.  That is why there is a standard size for business cards for they fit into these card holders.  You don’t have to follow conventions, but some times it makes sense to go with the flow!  One great advantage of metal business cards by Pure Metal Cards is that they are easy to find and always stand out!

For a country by country summary of standard business card dimensions, visit Wikipedia at http://bit.ly/wwcLXh

To see different metal card finishes visit: http://puremetalcards.com/showcase

For an innovate idea for invitation cards read our article at:  http://puremetalcards.com/blog/the-invitation-card-your-guests-will-never-forget/