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Project Overview

Business cards are one of the most common print projects - and they require precise specifications. This guide covers everything you need to create professional, print-ready business cards.
Time to Complete: 30-45 minutes (including design) Difficulty: Beginner-friendly

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Standard Specifications

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US Standard Business Card

MeasurementValue
Final Size (Trim)3.5” × 2” (89mm × 51mm)
With Bleed3.75” × 2.25” (95mm × 57mm)
Safe Area3.25” × 1.75” (83mm × 45mm)
Bleed0.125” (3mm) all sides
Resolution300 DPI minimum
Color ModeCMYK

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European Standard Business Card

MeasurementValue
Final Size (Trim)85mm × 55mm (3.35” × 2.17”)
With Bleed91mm × 61mm
Safe Area79mm × 49mm
Bleed3mm all sides
Resolution300 DPI minimum
Color ModeCMYK
This guide uses US standard (3.5” × 2”), but the same principles apply to all sizes.

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Paper & Finish Options

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Paper Weight (Stock)

GSMlbDescriptionBest For
300-35080-100Standard thicknessMost business cards
400-450110-120Premium thickLuxury feel
500+130+Extra thickUltra-premium
Most common: 350gsm (100lb) - professional without being excessive

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Paper Types

  • Coated
  • Uncoated
  • Textured
Appearance: Smooth, glossy or matte finishPros:
  • Vibrant colors
  • Photo-quality printing
  • Professional look
Cons:
  • Can be slippery
  • Hard to write on
Best for: Designers, photographers, modern businesses

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Finish Options

FinishDescriptionCostEffect
NonePaper only$Natural
MatteFlat, non-glossy coating$$Sophisticated
GlossShiny coating$$Vibrant, modern
Spot UVGlossy areas on matte base$$$Premium, tactile
FoilMetallic stamping$$$$Luxury, eye-catching

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Design Best Practices

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Front Side

1

Essential Information

Must have:
  • Full name
  • Job title
  • Company name
Nice to have:
  • Logo
  • Tagline
2

Contact Details

Include:
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • Website URL
Optional:
  • Physical address
  • Social media handles
3

Visual Hierarchy

Prioritize:
  1. Name (largest)
  2. Title/company (medium)
  3. Contact info (smallest)
Keep most important info most prominent

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Back Side Options

  • Full Design
  • Minimalist
  • Blank
  • Background pattern or color
  • Logo lockup
  • Services list
  • QR code to website
Pros: More information, visually impressive Cons: More expensive (two-sided printing)

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Typography Guidelines

Recommended sizes:
  • Name: 18-24pt
  • Title: 10-14pt
  • Contact info: 8-10pt
  • Minimum: 6pt (but not recommended)
Rule: If you squint and can’t read it, it’s too small!
Professional fonts:
  • Sans-serif: Helvetica, Avenir, Futura
  • Serif: Garamond, Baskerville, Georgia
  • Modern: Montserrat, Raleway, Lato
Avoid:
  • Comic Sans, Papyrus, Curlz
  • More than 2 font families
  • Very thin weights (hard to print)
  • Use sufficient contrast (dark text on light background)
  • Avoid text on busy backgrounds
  • Keep line spacing comfortable
  • Don’t stretch or condense fonts artificially

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Step-by-Step: Creating Your Business Card

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1. Set Up Document in Figma

1

Create Frame

  • Press F for Frame tool
  • Width: 3.75” (with bleed)
  • Height: 2.25” (with bleed)
  • Name it: “Business Card - Front”
2

Add Guides

Enable rulers (Shift + R), then drag guides:
  • 0.125” from each edge (bleed line = trim)
  • 0.25” from each edge (safety zone)
These guide your design placement
3

Set Background

  • Add fill to frame
  • Extend to all edges (including bleed)
  • Choose your brand color or white

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2. Design Content

1

Add Logo

  • Import logo (SVG preferred)
  • Position in safe area
  • Keep at least 0.25” from edges
  • Ensure 300 DPI if raster
2

Add Name & Title

  • Use readable font (14pt+)
  • High contrast with background
  • Align consistently
3

Add Contact Info

  • Font size: 8-10pt
  • Consistent alignment
  • Adequate spacing between lines
  • Test readability by zooming out
4

Optional: Add Design Elements

  • Shapes, lines, patterns
  • Keep subtle - don’t overwhelm
  • Maintain professional appearance

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3. Create Back Side (Optional)

1

Duplicate Frame

  • Duplicate front design (Cmd/Ctrl + D)
  • Rename: “Business Card - Back”
  • Position next to front for easy comparison
2

Design Back

Options:
  • Simple pattern + logo
  • List of services
  • QR code
  • Tagline
  • Or leave blank

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4. Prepare for Print

1

Check Design

Use First Project Checklist:
  • All text readable
  • Logo clear and sharp
  • No important content in outer 0.125”
  • Design extends to all edges
2

Open Print for Figma

Select frame → Launch plugin
3

Configure Settings

Document Tab:
  • Bleed: 0.125” (3mm) ✓
  • Crop marks: Enabled ✓
Color Tab:
  • Convert to CMYK ✓
  • ICC Profile: ISO Coated v2 300% ✓
Export Tab:
  • DPI: 300 ✓
  • Compression: 85% ✓
4

DPI Check

  • Switch to DPI Check tab
  • Verify all images ≥300 DPI
  • Replace any low-res images
5

Export

  • Click “Export PDF”
  • Save as: BusinessCard_Front.pdf
  • Repeat for back if needed

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5. Verify PDF

1

Open & Inspect

  • Open PDF in viewer
  • Zoom to 200-400%
  • Text should be crisp
  • Images shouldn’t be pixelated
2

Check Crop Marks

  • Visible at all four corners
  • Outside the design area
  • Clear and readable
3

Verify Bleed

  • Design extends to page edges
  • No white borders visible
  • Background extends beyond trim

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Ordering Your Cards

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What to Tell Your Printer

Specifications to provide: 
Quantity: [500, 1000, 2500, etc.]
Size: 3.5" × 2" (US Standard)
Sides: Single or Double-sided
Paper: 350gsm Coated Card Stock
Finish: Matte [or Gloss]
Special: [Any spot UV, foil, etc.]
Files: PDF with 3mm bleed and crop marks
Timeline: [When you need them]

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Choosing Quantity

QuantityUnit CostTotalWhen to Order
250$0.20-0.40$50-100Testing design
500$0.10-0.20$50-100Most common
1000$0.06-0.12$60-120Active networking
2500+$0.04-0.08$100-200Large events
Sweet spot: 500 cards. Enough to last a while, affordable price per unit.

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Proof Before Printing

Always get a proof for:
  • First time with new printer
  • New design or brand
  • Orders over 500 cards
  • When color accuracy is critical
Types of proofs:
  • Digital: Free PDF review (color not accurate)
  • Physical: $10-50 printed sample (accurate)

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

Top 10 Business Card Mistakes:
  1. Text too close to edge (gets cut off)
  2. Font too small to read
  3. Low resolution logo
  4. Too much information (cluttered)
  5. Poor color contrast
  6. No bleed (white edges)
  7. Wrong dimensions
  8. RGB instead of CMYK
  9. Spelling errors
  10. Forgetting phone number or email

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Special Considerations

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QR Codes

If adding QR codes:
  • Minimum size: 0.75” × 0.75”
  • Keep in safe area (0.25” from edge)
  • Test scannability on phone before printing
  • Use high-res QR code (not screen capture)
  • Ensure good contrast

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Multiple Languages

For bilingual cards:
  • Front: Primary language
  • Back: Secondary language
  • Maintain visual consistency
  • Translate accurately (get native speaker to review)

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Photo Business Cards

If including your photo:
  • Use professional headshot
  • Minimum 300 DPI at printed size
  • Good lighting and contrast
  • Consider black & white for timelessness

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Templates & Resources

Download Templates

Pre-made business card templates

Video Tutorial

Watch step-by-step card creation

Typography Guide

Best fonts for print

Color Guide

Master print colors
  • Premium Quality
  • Budget-Friendly
  • Local
Moo (moo.com)
  • Excellent quality
  • Unique finishes
  • Higher price
  • Fast shipping
Best for: Design professionals, premium brands

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Business Card Checklist

Before sending to print:
  • Dimensions correct: 3.75” × 2.25” (with bleed)
  • Bleed set: 0.125” all sides
  • Safety zone respected: Content 0.25” from edge
  • All text readable: Minimum 8pt
  • Logo high-res: 300 DPI or vector
  • Colors CMYK: Converted for print
  • Spelling checked: No typos!
  • Contact info complete: Phone, email, website
  • PDF exported: With crop marks
  • PDF verified: Opened and inspected
All checked? Your business cards are ready to print!
Need help? Ask in our Discord community - designers love sharing business card tips!