Context
Business cards are compact printed cards used to share professional contact information including name, job title, company, phone number, email, and website. The standard size is 85 x 55 mm (3.5 x 2 inches) in most markets, though variations such as square, mini, and folded formats are increasingly common. Printed on stock ranging from 300 to 450 gsm, business cards are available in uncoated, silk, and gloss finishes with premium options like spot UV, foil stamping, embossing, and letterpress. They remain one of the highest-volume products in the commercial and web to print printing industry.
Common Specifications
Business cards are typically produced using digital printing for short runs and offset lithography for quantities above 1,000. Standard paper weights sit between 350 and 400 gsm, providing a substantial feel without excessive cost. Finishing choices significantly affect perceived quality: matt lamination delivers a smooth tactile finish, while spot UV coating adds selective gloss highlights. Rounded corners, edge painting, and duplex (layered) card stocks are popular upgrades. Files should be supplied in CMYK at 300 dpi with 3 mm bleed on all edges to ensure clean trimming. Most printers accept PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4 as the preferred file format.
Web to Print Context
Business cards are the gateway product for most web to print platforms because they combine high order volume, strong margins, and straightforward templating. Online design editors allow customers to personalize templates or upload artwork, with real-time 3D previews showing the finished card before ordering. Corporate brand portals use locked templates so employees can order business cards that remain on-brand while updating individual details through variable data fields. Automated preflighting and imposition software gang multiple card orders onto a single press sheet, reducing waste and production cost. Reorder workflows further streamline the process, making business cards the ideal entry point for web to print adoption.