Business cards are one of the most powerful tools in your marketing toolbox. They are typically square (or slightly longer) pieces of card stock that contain information about you as an individual or business, along with contact info for yourself or others.
Business cards come in many shapes and sizes. Some people stick to standard size business cards that fit into their wallet easily, while other professionals have very thick business cards due to all the branding materials they need to include.
There is no wrong way to use business cards, but it is important to know what size business card is appropriate for you and your career. If you do not keep up with this information, then you may waste money by buying too many expensive business cards or getting “slapped” on the hand when someone else uses a larger business card than you.
Tips for making business cards
When people ask you to make business cards, what kind of card they should use, how many cards you need, or even whether or not you should include your phone number in the card’s information is something that comes up very frequently!
So, today we are going to take some time to talk about business cards and what things matter most when it comes to producing yours. We will also tell you some tips for keeping up with all of the different types of business cards and how to choose which one fits you best.
First off, let us discuss why having good quality business cards is so important.
Quality business cards speak well about you as an individual and a professional. They display who you are as a person and show other professionals and businesses that you know what you are talking about.
Business cards with luscious textures and materials add appeal to the setting. People can easily read everything on the card, including your career, contact info, and vision, which leaves a lasting impression.
By being able to easily access your card, people may want to do more than just admire it; they may want to look through your documents to see what you have been working on recently.
Sample business card templates
A few things about business cards that many people do not know is what size they are! Most people assume that their business card must be at least an index card (broke out in half) but this is wrong!
The length of your business card depends on two main factors: Your phone number and your contact information.
If you look at most major company business cards, you will see that they have very short and easy to remember numbers for their phones. These types of numbers can easily be typed or written down and put onto your card.
thusly ialso has a website and email address!
So while it may seem kind of cliché, I would suggest using shorter numbers when designing yours. It is better to have a little less memorable material than no material at all!
By having a short number, your callers will be able to tell more quickly whether there is one before or after the initial letter. This way, they won’t need to worry about misplacing the important part!
Your last name and any additional details such as addresses and websites should all fit on the remaining space of the card.
Size of a postcard
While business cards are typically measured by how many inches they are in height, there is one other important factor to consider when measuring your card’s size – what kind of surface it will be printed on!
If you send out standard glossy paper business cards, then you only need to make sure that the recipient can access to the printer while printing the card. If you send something flat like an index card or white cardboard, then you don’t have this limitation.
However, if you want to ensure great print quality, we recommend staying within around 2–3 square feet per card for best results. This allows enough room to take good quality photos of yourself and/or the product, as well as having space to write your call to action and contact information.
Size chart of common objects
The size of a business card is an important factor in how people perceive you. If people think that your business card is too small, they may question whether or not you really care about their well-being or if you can be trusted.
On the other hand, if your business card is way too big, it could look flimsy and unprofessional.
Business cards are usually three inches by two inches. However, some companies choose to go up one inch for a more professional look.
Fun fact about business card size
According to an interesting article published by The Balance, the average business card is 2.54 inches wide and 4.94 inches long. That’s not too big, but it is rather large!
The most popular size for cards that want to look professional is 3.5 x 2.25 inches which is really only 0.7 more square inches than the average business card.
That sounds like a lot, I know, but remember these cards will be seen many times throughout the year and even after you have given them out, they are still pretty important pieces of plastic.
Why all business cards are not the same size
While some people suggest using shorter length business cards, we do not believe this is the best way to promote your business and self.
We think it is important to use longer, thinner business cards with enough room for someone to read them fully and easily. This helps your potential client or customer know you more clearly and have sufficient opportunity to learn more about you.
Thin, short business cards may make you feel good, but they do not set off perception of you as an impressive professional who takes his/her work seriously. They could even be interpreted as being too focused on minimizing cost instead of investing in promoting yourself.
Business cards that are long, thin, and tight look very neat, but they do not leave much space for anyone else to add their information to yours.
Types of business cards
Having enough space for your business card is just as important as having too little space! There are several types of business cards that people tend to use, but you do not have to stick with those if you feel they are not appropriate for your marketing needs at this time.
The length of your business card depends on what kind of business you have and what type of audience you want to reach. For example, if you run a yoga studio, then you will need longer space than someone who runs a restaurant.
Your company’s website link, phone number, and email address can be included in the extra room on your business card so visitors can look up more information about yourself and your company.
General rules say it should be two inches from the top edge of the card to the bottom edge, making one inch for hanging space if needed. This gives you around three square inches per line item (including links). Some companies make theirs even bigger to show off their brand more clearly.
