Assume a design done at one region's standard size and send it to a printer using a different local standard, and you can end up with a card that looks slightly wrong, or gets trimmed unexpectedly. Worth checking before ordering a print run.
| Region | Standard size |
|---|---|
| US / Canada | 3.5 × 2 inches (88.9 × 50.8mm) |
| UK / Europe | 85 × 55mm |
| Middle East (commonly follows either) | 85 × 55mm or 88.9 × 50.8mm depending on printer |
| Japan | 91 × 55mm |
Bleed matters as much as the final size
Most professional printers ask for a small "bleed" margin (typically 2-3mm) beyond the final trim size, so any background color or image extends slightly past the edge — without it, a tiny white sliver can appear at the trimmed edge.
Keep important content away from the edge
A safe margin (usually 3-5mm inward from the trim line) for text and logos prevents anything important from being cut off if the trim shifts even slightly during production — a common, avoidable print mistake.
Check resolution before sending to print
Print generally needs higher resolution than screen display — 300 DPI at the final print size is the standard expectation, well above what looks fine on a monitor.
Confirm with your specific printer
Different print shops sometimes have slightly different requirements or preferred file formats — a quick check with whoever's actually printing the cards avoids a wasted first run.