Answers
Short, direct answers to the questions people actually ask about print and business cards.
Can I print white on a black business card?
Yes, you can print white ink on black stock, but it requires a specialized press capable of handling white as a fifth color.
How long does business card printing take?
Standard production typically requires three to seven business days, varying by complexity and finishing options.
How many business cards do I need?
Most individuals order 100 to 500 cards, while businesses typically start with 1,000 to 2,000 units.
How much bleed do I need for a business card?
Use 1.5 mm to 2 mm of bleed for standard business cards to prevent white edges after trimming.
How thick is a business card?
Standard business cards are typically 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm thick, depending on the paper weight you select.
Pantone Matching System (PMS)
Pantone Matching System (PMS)
Should I use CMYK or RGB for printing?
Use CMYK for print because it is the subtractive ink standard; RGB is for screens and will print dull if not converted.
Should my business card be matte or glossy?
Choose matte for a professional, tactile feel or gloss for vibrant, high-contrast visuals.
What bleed should a booklet have?
Booklets typically require 3–5 mm bleed to accommodate binding creep.
What file format should I send for printing?
Submit flattened PDF/X files with CMYK color profiles and embedded fonts.
What GSM is best for a business card?
300 to 400 GSM offers the ideal balance of stiffness, durability, and premium feel for standard business cards.
What is a duplex business card?
A duplex business card is a thick card created by laminating two separate sheets of paper back-to-back.
What is a safe area in printing?
The safe area is the inner margin where critical content stays clear of the trim line.
What is a vCard QR code?
A QR code that encodes vCard contact data for instant mobile import.
What is bleed in printing?
Bleed is the extra margin of artwork that extends beyond the final trim line to ensure full-coverage printing.
What is die cutting?
Die cutting is a finishing process that uses a shaped steel blade to cut paper into custom non-rectangular shapes.
What is foil stamping?
Foil stamping is a heat-based finishing process that transfers metallic or coloured foil onto a substrate using pressure.
What is GSM in paper?
GSM is the ISO 536 standard measuring paper mass in grams per square metre.
What is kraft paper?
Kraft paper is a durable, brown material made from unbleached wood pulp fibers.
What is matt lamination?
Matt lamination is a protective plastic film that gives a card a smooth, non-reflective surface finish.
What is soft-touch lamination?
Soft-touch lamination is a matte film with a velvety hand-feel that provides a premium, non-slip surface finish.
What is spot UV?
Spot UV is a clear, glossy coating applied to specific design areas to create tactile and visual contrast.
What is the difference between bleed and safe area?
Bleed extends artwork beyond the trim line to prevent white edges, while the safe area keeps critical content inside the cut zone.
What is the difference between emboss and deboss?
Embossing raises the design above the paper surface, while debossing recesses it below the surface.
What is the difference between uncoated and coated paper?
Uncoated paper has a rough, porous surface for writing, while coated paper has a smooth layer for sharp ink.
What resolution should a business card be?
Use 300 DPI for all print files to ensure sharp, high-quality output.
What size is a business card?
Standard business cards are 89 x 54 mm in Malaysia, 85 x 55 mm in Europe, and 3.5 x 2 inches in the US.