What is the standard UK business card size?

The standard finished size we use is 85 × 55mm. It is compact enough to fit comfortably in wallets and card holders while still giving enough room for a logo, name, role, contact details and web address.

How much bleed should a business card have?

Use 3mm bleed on all four sides. Bleed is extra artwork beyond the final trim edge. It prevents thin white lines appearing if the cut moves fractionally during finishing.

For an 85 × 55mm card, the full artwork area including bleed becomes 91 × 61mm.

What is the safe area?

Keep important text, phone numbers, logos and QR codes comfortably inside the finished edge. As a practical rule, keep critical content at least a few millimetres away from the trim line. Background colours and images should extend fully through the bleed.

Front and back setup

If your card is double-sided, supply a clear front and back. Keep orientation consistent so the reverse does not end up upside down. PDF is usually the safest format because it preserves layout, fonts and vector artwork more reliably than screenshots or compressed messaging-app images.

Colour and image quality

Prepare artwork in CMYK where possible. Logos are best supplied as vector artwork, while photographs should be high resolution at the final print size. Avoid enlarging small web graphics because they can become soft or pixelated.

QR codes and small text

QR codes should remain sharp and have enough clear space around them to scan reliably. Avoid placing them too close to the trim. Small text should also remain readable when viewed at actual printed size rather than only when zoomed in on screen.

What stock do we use?

Our standard business card product uses 400gsm silk laminated card with full-colour CMYK printing. You can view the product here: Standard Business Cards.

Business card artwork checklist

• Finished size: 85 × 55mm
• Artwork size with bleed: 91 × 61mm
• 3mm bleed on every edge
• Important content kept safely inside trim
• CMYK colour where possible
• High-resolution images and clear logos
• Front and back supplied in the correct orientation

For general file preparation, see our Print Artwork Guide. If you are unsure about a file before ordering, contact Printing Central UK.