The Definitive Guide to Printing Business Cards in the United Kingdom 

"In a world that leans heavily toward digital communication, a well-designed business card still carries real weight. It is a small but powerful way to introduce yourself, share your details, and express your brand clearly and confidently. At Tradeprint, we believe that business cards remain one of the most effective tools for making a strong first impression." Santha Hope, Head of Marketing Communications

Why Business Cards Still Matter 

• Personal, tangible connection 
  A printed card creates a moment of genuine human contact. It feels more thoughtful than asking someone to type your details into their phone. 

• Brand expression 
  Your business card shows your brand colours, your style, and the personality of your company in a simple and immediate way. 

• Practical and convenient 
  A printed card can be placed in a wallet or purse and found again easily. It does not rely on a battery or a signal. 

• A small but mighty marketing asset 
  Business cards can also serve as appointment reminders, loyalty cards or mini promotions when designed with care. 

Getting the Size Right 

The most common question is simply this: What is the standard size of a business card in the United Kingdom? 

The standard size is 85 millimetres by 55 millimetres. This is the same size as a credit card and fits neatly into most wallets and card holders. 

When creating artwork for print, this is what our PrePress Team want you to know.  You should follow these important points, or see our Beginner’s Guide To Business Card Printing: 

• Add a 3 millimetre bleed around all edges. Your full artwork should therefore measure 91 millimetres by 61 millimetres. 

• Keep key text and logos inside a safe area of around 79 millimetres by 49 millimetres. 

• Use the CMYK colour mode for accurate printed colour. 

• Design your artwork at three hundred dots per inch for crisp and clear results. 

• Keep your font size to more than 12pt so that it is clearly legible 

Choosing the Right Paper and Finish 

We have a wide selection of stocks and finishes to help your business card stand out. 

Silk cards 
Available in strong and smooth weights that give a clean and professional finish. 

Uncoated recycled cards 
A natural look with a soft texture. This is ideal if you want to write on your cards. 

Laminated finishes 
Matt lamination gives a soft understated look. 
Gloss lamination provides a bright reflective shine. 
Soft touch creates a velvety surface that feels luxurious. 

Rounded corners 
This adds a modern and friendly feel while keeping the same overall card size. 

Design Tips for Maximum Impact 

Use these simple but important guidelines to create business cards that look polished and print perfectly. 

1. Choose readable font sizes 
   Avoid extremely small type. A minimum of 12 point is a safe choice. 

1. Keep text away from the edge 
   Anything too close to the edge may be cut away during trimming. 

1. Use high quality images 
   Images should be at least three hundred dots per inch to avoid a blurred or pixelated look. 

1. Prepare your file correctly 
   Embed your fonts or convert them to outlines when exporting to PDF. This prevents unwanted font changes during printing. 

1. Work in CMYK 
   This ensures that colours look the same on the printed card as they do in your design file. 

Ordering and Quantities 

We offer flexible quantities from small test runs to large-scale orders. You can choose from small packs for personal projects or large batches for established companies. 

You can also benefit from: 

• Free artwork checks before printing, pick the “File Check” option for free. 

• Fast delivery throughout the United Kingdom 

• Production that begins as soon as your artwork is approved 

• Same day printing on certain stocks 

Why Our Classic Business Cards Stand Out 

Our classic cards are a trusted favourite for good reason. 

• A wide range of paper weights and finishes 

• The traditional United Kingdom card size of 85 millimetres by 55 millimetres, with creative alternatives such as square or folded cards 

• Clear guidance on artwork preparation on the product page, artwork guide and technical specifications

• Consistent and reliable quality with every order 

Business Cards aren’t just Business Cards 

A business card is more than a way to share contact details. It is a small and powerful piece of brand communication. When you follow the correct size guidelines, choose the right paper, and design with intention, you create a card that people remember. 

They are great for meeting new contacts, attending events, or simply leaving a card with a customer. A well-printed business card helps you show confidence and professionalism every time. 

But don’t forget, these are simple, rectangular printed cards that pack a lot more power than their original purpose intended. 

We see these being printed as appointment cards, mini thank you notes, loyalty cards, save the date cards, jewellery backing cards and pin badge cards.  The only thing stopping anyone from using this type of printed card is imagination, so let your imagination run free and think up interesting uses for this little show-stopper.