Sizes & file setup
Card sizes, bleed, safe area, templates, folds, rounded and die-cut cards, and preparing artwork.
Tools
Reference
Bleed, trim and safe area explained
Understand how bleed, trim, and safe area interact in print production to prevent white slivers and ensure text legibility.
Booklets vs cards: why bleed differs
Understand why booklets require larger bleeds than business cards due to binding creep and multi-page imposition.
Business card design rules
Essential typography, spacing, and color guidelines for creating legible and professional business card designs.
Business card print template setup
Configure your business card print template with correct trim, bleed, and safe zone dimensions for professional pre-press output.
Business card sizes by country
Standard business card dimensions for Malaysia, the UK/EU, the US, Japan and more — in mm, inches and 300-DPI pixels.
Business card templates explained
Understand the structural anatomy of a business card template, including bleed, safe zones, and file resolution requirements for professional printing.
Card caliper and thickness
Learn how to measure card thickness using calipers, understand GSM versus point, and ensure your print files match physical stock.
Folded business cards
Learn how to design folded business cards, including standard dimensions, bleed requirements, and fold mechanics.
How to prepare artwork for print
Learn how to prepare artwork for print by setting correct dimensions, bleed, color modes, and file formats for professional results.
Perforated and tear-off cards
Learn how perforation affects structural integrity, scanning readability, and print finishing for custom business cards.
Rounded-corner business cards
A practical guide to die-cutting rounded corners on business cards, covering file preparation, safe areas, and finishing options.
Square and mini business card formats
Explore square and mini business card dimensions, bleed requirements, and standard sizing conventions for modern print design.
Glossary
300 DPI
300 dots per inch is the standard image resolution required for sharp print reproduction.
Bleed
Extra artwork beyond the trim edge so no unprinted slivers appear when the sheet is cut.
Caliper
A precision instrument used to measure the physical thickness of paper sheets in microns or millimeters.
Die line
The physical outline of a cutting die that defines the final shape and dimensions of a printed item.
Die-cutting
A manufacturing process using a shaped metal die to cut paper into custom shapes beyond standard rectangular trims.
Trim size
The finished size of a printed piece after it is cut.
Answers
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.
What bleed should a booklet have?
Booklets typically require 3–5 mm bleed to accommodate binding creep.
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 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 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.