How to order business cards online

Updated 2026-10-12

When you order business cards, the most critical step occurs before you submit the file. You must ensure your design matches the specific trim dimensions, bleed requirements, and paper standards of the print facility. A mismatch in these technical parameters is the primary cause of rejected files and reprints. This guide outlines the standard technical specifications you need to verify to ensure a professional result.

1. Verify Regional Trim Dimensions

Business card sizes are not uniform globally. You must select the dimension standard that matches your target audience’s region. Using the wrong size can result in cards that do not fit standard wallets or card holders.

2. Set Bleed and Safe Areas

Bleed is the area of your design that extends beyond the final trim line. This ensures that if the cutting blade is slightly off, no unprinted white slivers appear at the edge.

• Bleed: The standard bleed for business cards is 1.5 mm or 2 mm on all sides. Do not use 3–5 mm bleeds, which are intended for bound booklets with binding creep, not single-sheet cards.
• Safe Area: Keep all text, logos, and critical contact information at least 3 mm inside the trim line. This prevents the cutting blade from nicking your lettering.

3. Choose the Correct Paper Weight

Paper weight is measured in GSM (grams per square metre) according to ISO 536. For business cards, the standard range is 300–400 GSM.

• 300 GSM: Standard, sturdy card stock.
• 400 GSM: Premium, thicker feel.
• Conversion: If a printer uses “lb” (pounds), note that 100 lb cover stock is approximately 270 GSM, while US printers label their standard cards “14 pt” (≈ 0.36 mm) and premium “16 pt” (≈ 0.41 mm). Caliper (pt) and weight (gsm) measure different things — 1 pt = 0.001 in = 0.0254 mm, so pt converts exactly to mm, while any pt↔gsm figure is only a rough guide that depends on the stock’s density. Always confirm the exact GSM with the printer, as “lb” varies by paper category (text vs. cover).

4. Prepare Colour Files

Printers use CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) ink, not RGB (Red, Green, Blue) screen light.

• Conversion: Convert your design from RGB to CMYK before exporting.
• Profiles: Use the specific ICC profile provided by the printer. ISO 12647 defines standard process conditions, but individual printers may use different profiles.
• Spot Colours: If you use Pantone (PMS) colours, specify them explicitly. Spot inks are mixed separately and cannot be accurately reproduced by standard CMYK inks.

5. Select Finishes

Finishes are applied after printing. Common options include:

• Lamination: Gloss, matt, or soft-touch films that protect the card and add texture.
• Spot UV: A clear, glossy coating applied only to specific areas (like a logo) for contrast against a matt background.
• Foil Stamping: A metallic foil transferred via heat and pressure.

FAQ

Q: What is the minimum resolution for my artwork? A: For vector graphics (like logos), resolution is not an issue. For raster images (photos), use a minimum of 300 DPI at the final print size. For a standard US card, this is approximately 1050 × 600 pixels.

Q: Can I use a QR code on a business card? A: Yes. QR codes follow ISO/IEC 18004. To ensure scannability, the code should be at least 2 × 2 cm in size. Use error-correction level H to tolerate minor print imperfections.

Q: Do I need to include bleed in my PDF? A: Yes. Your file dimensions should be the trim size plus the bleed on all sides. For example, a US card with 1.5 mm bleed should be 91.9 × 53.8 mm in the file.