How to Choose Business Card Dimensions?

Business cards have become an indispensable tool when it comes to communicating and networking. Just like we use social media to communicate with friends, we use business cards to pass over important contact information in the realm of business. 

These little cards have earned the title as the most powerful marketing weapons that business owners have, especially when we talk about small business owners who need to make long-lasting connections to get further in the industry in which they operate. A business card has several benefits, including promoting your brand, networking, and lead generation. 

Now that we have established that business cards are a mainstay in business, let’s move on to the more pertinent question: how to create a business card? One that communicates everything you want people to know about you and your brand. 

Over time, the business card has evolved from a simple white card with contact information to more innovative foil business cards, all thanks to print and technological development. This is why there are several things to consider when designing a card. 

This guide focuses on choosing the right business card dimensions to further the message that you want to convey. 

Know Yourself

Before you even get down to the nitty-gritty of how to create a business card, you need to know yourself and your business. This question helps dictate crucial details of your card, including business card dimensions. You might start off with the following questions. What kind of brand are you? What do you want your business card to say, not just with words but with the design?

This business card will ultimately build the impression that you want to put across. Therefore, before you start designing your card, take a few minutes to decide the ultimate goal of your business card. 

Business Card Dimensions: What All You Need to Consider?

When we talk about choosing business card dimensions, there is a lot to consider. This includes:

• Orientation
• Size
• Shape

Let’s look at each of these in detail. But before that, let us talk a bit about why these details are important. The size, shape, and orientation of your business card are able to say a lot about you or your brand. This is why every specification is crucial to the message that you want to put forth.

These decisions aren’t made at random, so this guide will help you make more informed decisions so you’re satisfied with how the business card is construed by others. 

Orientation

The first step is choosing the business card orientation, i.e., whether your card is vertical or horizontal. While you may not have given this much thought, here’s why it is important. Business cards are more than just a way to communicate information; they also serve as a way to market your brand. 

Horizontal Business Cards 

Horizontal or landscape business cards are the more conventional choice, so if you want your business card to be the perfect medium for displaying information, this is the way to go. This is also useful as people tend to absorb information faster if they know what to expect and where to look. Therefore, horizontal business cards are easy to read and conform to most cardholder designs. 

The one downside to horizontal cards is that your business card might fail to stand out. If your business has a more creative outlook, you may want to consider other options. 

Vertical Business Cards

Vertical or portrait business cards are less common, which may be used as a brand strategy to immediately draw attention. This orientation is especially useful when you have launched a new business and want to garner attention more than just displaying information. 

However, vertical business cards deviate from the normal, so they are a risky option. Seeing something different may turn people away. 

Size

Size is perhaps the most important consideration in a business card. When we talk of size, the classic one comes to mind, which is practical mainly due to the affordability of printing. But there are other things you’d want to consider too, including how big is your logo? Will the logo and the text fit well in the given size? Or, if the card is too big, will it compromise the image resolution?

The size of your business card is often also dictated by your region. Even if you don’t want to follow these, it can help give you a better idea.

• Oceania Standard: 90 x 55 mm
• European Standard: 85 x 55 mm
• North American Standard: 88.9 x 50.8mm

While the 99 x 55 mm is the most popular one, as it fits all information while leaving room for design, you may explore other dimensions that suit your business best. Do bear in mind that standard business card dimensions work when you want consistency and familiarity. But if you want to make an impression, you have other paths to tread. 

This is why you should choose a print company that allows you to choose between different business card sizes ad dimensions to suit your purpose. 

Shape 

The shape of your business card also comes into play. Let’s look at the different types of shapes available to you and what would they be used for.

Standard Rectangular Business Cards

The standard business card, as mentioned above, is 90 x 55 mm. This is the most familiar shape, so it is ideal when you want to play it safe and simply convey important information. They would also be better secured, as they will easily fit into any standard card holder, mitigating chances of a customer losing them.  

Square Business Cards

Square business cards are usually 55x 55 mm, but your chosen print company may provide other dimensions as well. Square-shaped cards are less conventional, but they provide sufficient area for displaying information. If you have the right dimensions, square business cards can be used to attract and engage customers, owing to their unique and creative vibe. 

Custom Shapes 

If you think you have a unique brand strategy, you may even opt for custom shapes with dimensions varying from the standard. This way, you can stand out and make a mark on your customers. 

Choose the Best Business Card for Your Needs

Keeping all these factors in mind, you can easily pick and choose between different business card dimensions to market and portray yourself or your brand in the best light.