Business Card Printing Guide
Everything you need to know to get professional business cards printed in the UK, from choosing the right size and paper stock to preparing print-ready files and finding a printer.
Standard Card Sizes
Business card sizes vary by region. If you are ordering from a UK printer, use the UK/EU standard. CardMaker Pro supports all three common formats.
| Region | Size (mm) | Size (inches) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | 85 x 55 mm | 3.35 x 2.17 in | Most common in the UK. Same as the EU standard. Also fits standard credit card holders. |
| US / Canada | 89 x 51 mm | 3.5 x 2 in | North American standard. Slightly wider and shorter than UK cards. |
| EU | 85 x 55 mm | 3.35 x 2.17 in | Identical to the UK standard. Widely used across Europe. |
CardMaker Pro also supports custom sizes if you need a non-standard format such as square or mini cards.
Paper Stock Recommendations
The weight and finish of your card stock make a big difference to how professional your cards feel. Here are the most common options:
Standard
The minimum recommended weight for business cards. Feels sturdy and professional. Good for budget printing.
Premium
The most popular choice. Thick enough to feel substantial without being too rigid. Ideal for most professionals.
Luxury
Noticeably thick and premium. Makes a strong impression. Often used with special finishes like soft-touch lamination.
Finishes: Matte gives a smooth, understated look. Gloss makes colours pop. Silk (satin) is a popular middle ground. Soft-touch lamination adds a velvety texture.
Recommendation: For most professionals, 350 gsm silk or matte is the sweet spot — professional, durable and affordable.
Print-Ready File Tips
To ensure your cards print perfectly, keep these technical requirements in mind. CardMaker Pro handles most of these automatically.
Bleed Area (3mm)
The bleed is an extra 3mm of colour that extends beyond the trim line on all four sides. This ensures there are no white edges if the cutting is slightly off. CardMaker Pro automatically adds 3mm bleed to your PDF.
Safe Zone (3-5mm inside trim)
Keep all important text and logos at least 3mm (ideally 5mm) inside the trim line. This prevents crucial information from being cut off. In the CardMaker Pro editor, the preview already accounts for safe zones.
Resolution (300 DPI)
Print files should be at least 300 DPI (dots per inch) to look crisp. CardMaker Pro generates all PDFs at 300 DPI. If you upload a logo, use the highest resolution version you have — ideally a vector SVG or a PNG at least 600px wide.
Colour Mode
Professional printers use CMYK colour. Screen-based tools (including CardMaker Pro) work in RGB. Most UK online printers will convert RGB to CMYK automatically, but be aware that some vibrant on-screen colours — particularly bright greens and electric blues — may appear slightly duller in print. Request a proof if colour accuracy is critical to your brand.
Crop Marks
Crop marks are small lines in the corners of the PDF that show the printer exactly where to cut. CardMaker Pro includes crop marks on every exported PDF.
Where to Print in the UK
There are many excellent online printers in the UK. Here are some of the most popular options, all of which accept PDF uploads:
Vistaprint
vistaprint.co.ukOne of the biggest names in business printing. Frequent discounts, wide range of finishes and fast turnaround. Good for first-timers.
MOO
moo.comPremium quality with excellent paper stocks and finishes. Known for their luxurious feel and attention to detail. Slightly higher price point.
Solopress
solopress.comCompetitive pricing with free next-day delivery on many products. Popular with designers and small businesses. Great value for bulk orders.
Instantprint
instantprint.co.ukUK-based printer with a simple ordering process. Good range of finishes including spot UV and foil. Free delivery on most orders.
Printed.com
printed.comWide range of premium papers and eco-friendly options. Carbon-balanced printing. Popular with creative professionals.
Prices typically range from around 5 to 30 GBP for 100-250 cards depending on the printer, paper stock and finish. Most offer free standard delivery.
Design Best Practices
Minimum font size: 7-8pt
Any smaller and text becomes hard to read, especially for phone numbers and email addresses. For body text on cards, 7pt is the absolute minimum — 8pt is safer.
Use white space generously
A cluttered card is hard to read and looks unprofessional. Leave breathing room around text and let the design speak for itself. Less is more on an 85x55mm card.
Ensure strong contrast
Dark text on a light background (or white text on a dark background) is essential. Avoid light grey text on white — it may look fine on screen but can be illegible in print.
Include only essential information
Your name, job title, company, one phone number, email and website is usually enough. Adding social media handles is optional — only include them if they are genuinely useful to your contacts.
Use your brand colours consistently
Your business card should match your other branding — website, letterhead, signage. Use your exact brand colour hex codes in the CardMaker Pro colour picker.
Ready to Design Your Card?
Use CardMaker Pro to create a print-ready business card in under 2 minutes. Free, no signup required.
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