We're the Perfect Print team. Whether it's a business card, an appointment card, a hobby contact card, or a little name card for an event, people want to print their own at proper card size — and run into the same two problems: the card comes out slightly too big or too small, and the layout drifts on the page so the cards don't line up for cutting. Both come down to one thing: the size was never pinned to a real measurement. Here's how we'd lock it in.
First, settle on the size you actually want
There's no single worldwide business card size. In the U.S. the standard is 3.5 x 2 inches (about 89 x 51mm); much of the rest of the world uses 85 x 55mm, and Japan commonly uses 91 x 55mm. None is more correct than another — what matters is matching the case, sleeve, or holder you intend to use, so check the standard you're working to before you set anything. Once you've picked it, that number is the spec everything else serves.
The reason a card prints the wrong size is almost always the same trap: a photo editor crops pixels on screen, not millimeters on paper, and printing with fit to page rescales it. It looked right on the phone, then printed a few millimeters off — and on a card, a few millimeters is the difference between fitting the holder and not.
Lay several on one sheet and print at actual size
In Perfect Print you pick a paper size (a letter sheet or A4), choose your card image, and enter the size in millimeters — for example 89 x 51mm for a U.S. card — so it's placed at actual size. Because you can specify down to the millimeter, the card matches the holder exactly. Then place several copies on one sheet; a letter page comfortably fits eight to ten cards. Save the image and print at actual size (100%), never fit to page, so every card comes out at the dimensions you set.
Cut clean with a little margin
Leave a small gap between cards on the sheet so a paper trimmer or craft knife has room to follow a straight line. If your design has color or a photo running to the edge, extend it a millimeter or two beyond the card line — a bleed — so a slightly off cut doesn't leave a white sliver. After printing, measure one card with a ruler to confirm it matches your target, then cut the rest with confidence. Use cardstock rather than thin paper and the finished cards feel like the real thing.
Perfect Print
A free app that sets cards to an exact millimeter size and prints at 100%, with several laid out on one sheet for clean cutting. No sign-up, iPhone / Android.
Learn more about Perfect PrintFrequently asked questions
What size is a business card?
It varies by region: the U.S. standard is 3.5 x 2 inches (about 89 x 51mm), much of the world uses 85 x 55mm, and Japan often uses 91 x 55mm. Check the standard or holder you're using before you set the size.
Why does my card print the wrong size?
A crop only changes pixels on screen, and fit to page rescales the print. Set the card to a real millimeter size in Perfect Print and print at actual size (100%) so it comes out exactly right.
How many cards fit on one sheet?
A letter or A4 sheet comfortably holds eight to ten cards at standard size. Place copies with a small gap between them so you have room to cut clean lines.
How do I avoid white edges after cutting?
If color or a photo runs to the edge, extend it a millimeter or two past the card line — a bleed — so a slightly off cut still looks clean. Measure one card first, then cut the rest.