First impression matters. Nearly 39% of people won't do business with someone if they have a "cheap-looking" business card.
That includes your potential clients, investors, and everyone at that networking event who's judging your card while pretending to read it.
This article covers the exact pixel dimensions you need for a perfect-looking Business Card, how dots per inch (DPI) actually works, and a step-by-step setup for Photoshop, Canva, and Figma to help you win over hearts effortlessly at every networking event.
Let's start with the basics.
Want to know where you stand in your digital friendships and relationships? This guide breaks down exactly what the sunglasses emoji means on Snapchat, why it shows up, and what you can do if you want it gone. Let’s dive it!
Table of Contents
What Is the Standard Business Card Size? (Quick Answer)
The standard business card size is 3.5 × 2 inches in the US and Canada.
However, physical size is fixed, but pixel size depends on your DPI (dots per inch).
And that's the part that confuses almost everyone. You can't just say "my card is 1050 pixels wide" without knowing the resolution you're printing at. A 1050px image at 72 DPI will look like a blurry mess. The same 1050px at 300 DPI? Print-ready perfection.
I'll explain the pixel conversions in the next section, but first let's cover the physical dimensions across different regions.
Standard US/Canada Size: 3.5 × 2 inches
This is the gold standard in North America and has been since the 1980s.
Why this size? It fits perfectly in a standard wallet slot and most business card holders. Printers love it because it's efficient to cut from standard paper stock (you can fit 10 cards on an 8.5 × 11 inch sheet with minimal waste).
Most online print services like Vistaprint, Moo, Staples - default to 3.5 × 2 inches. So if you're in the US or Canada and someone asks for a "standard business card," this is what they mean.
Standard UK/Europe Size: 3.35 × 2.17 inches
Europe uses the metric system, so their standard is 85 × 55 millimeters.
When converted to inches, that's 3.35 × 2.17 inches, which is slightly taller and narrower than the US version.
So if you're printing in the UK, Germany, France, or anywhere in Europe, use these dimensions. And your cards will fit local cardholders and look perfect next to everyone else's.
Standard Japan Size: 3.58 × 2.17 inches
Japan's standard business card size is 91 × 55 millimeters (3.58 × 2.17 inches).
It's wider than both US and European cards but keeps the same height as Europe.
This is because Japanese business culture takes cards very seriously (there's literally a formal ritual for exchanging them called meishi koukan). If you're doing business in Japan, get the dimensions right or risk looking like you didn't do your homework.
Key takeaway:
The physical dimensions are standardized by region, but when you're designing in Photoshop, Canva, or Figma, you need to convert these measurements to pixels based on your print resolution.
And that brings us to...
Standard Business Card Size in Pixels (300 DPI - Print Quality)
Here's the part that actually made you click on this article: what is the standard business card size in pixels?
Well, the answer depends on your DPI, but for professional printing, you should always use 300 DPI. That's the industry standard for high-quality print output.
At 300 DPI, here are your exact pixel dimensions:
| Region | Physical Size | Pixel Dimensions (300 DPI) |
| US/Canada | 3.2 x 2 inches | 1050 x 600 px |
| UK/Europe | 85 x 55 mm (3.35 x 2.17 inches) | 1005 x 651 px |
| Japan | 91 x 55 mm (3.58 x 2.17 inches) | 1074 x 651 px |
But Why 300 DPI?
Because anything lower looks pixelated when printed. Your screen displays at 72 DPI, so designs look fine on your laptop. But printers need 300 DPI to produce sharp, professional results.
So to convert inches to pixels, use this formula:
Pixels = Inches × DPI
For a US business card:
- Width: 3.5 inches × 300 DPI = 1050 pixels
- Height: 2 inches × 300 DPI = 600 pixels
Now you know the exact pixel dimensions.
Now let me show you how to do it right in Photoshop, Canva, and Figma.
Business Card Sizes in Different Software (Photoshop, Canva & Figma)
Each design tool handles business cards a little differently. Some make it easy. Some… don't.
Here's how to set up your canvas correctly in each one, including the dreaded bleed settings that cause so many failed print runs.
#1. Photoshop Business Card Size (300 DPI)
Photoshop is the professional standard for print design, but it's also the most technical. If you get it wrong here, you'll waste hours redoing your file.
Here's how to set it up correctly - and effortlessly.
Step 1: Create a new document
Go to File → New and enter these settings:
- Width: 3.5 inches (or 1050 px)
- Height: 2 inches (or 600 px)
- Resolution: 300 pixels/inch
- Color Mode: CMYK Color (this is critical for print)
Why CMYK and not RGB?
Because RGB is for screens. CMYK is for print. If you design in RGB and send it to a printer, your colors will shift - usually duller and less vibrant than what you see on screen.
Step 2: Add bleed
Bleed is the extra space around your design that gets trimmed off after printing. Without it, you risk white edges if the cutting isn't perfectly aligned.
Most printers require 0.125 inches (1/8 inch) of bleed on all sides.
To add bleed in Photoshop:
- Click File → New
- Expand the Advanced Options dropdown
- Set Bleed to 0.125 inches on all sides (Top, Bottom, Left, Right)
Your canvas will now be slightly larger: 3.75 × 2.25 inches (including bleed).
Pro tip:
Keep all important text and logos at least 0.125 inches inside the trim line. This is called the "safe area." Anything outside that zone might get cut off.
Step 3: Design and export
Design your card, then save it as a PDF (not JPEG or PNG) for the best of the best print quality.
To do that, just simply go to File → Save As → Photoshop PDF, and make sure Preserve Photoshop Editing Capabilities is checked if you want to make changes later.
Most print shops prefer PDF/X-1a format because it embeds fonts and flattens transparency. If your printer asks for this, go to File → Export → Save for Web (Legacy) or use the Export As option.
#2. Canva Business Card Size
Canva is the go-to tool for not only designers but for non-designers too. It's simple, it's fast, and it has templates for everything, which is great.
But here's the catch: Canva's default templates often ignore bleed, which causes problems at print shops.
Here's how to set it up right.
Step 1: Create a custom size
Don't rely on Canva's pre-made business card templates - they're sized in inches, not pixels, and don't always include bleed.
Instead:
- Click Create a design
- Select Custom size
- Enter 3.5 × 2 inches (Canva works in inches by default)
- Click Create new design
If you want to work in pixels instead, enter 1050 × 600 px and make sure the DPI is set to 300 (Canva defaults to 96 DPI for web, so you'll need to change this).
Step 2: Enable bleed
Canva Pro users can toggle bleed on:
- Click File → Show print bleed
- This adds a 0.125-inch bleed margin around your canvas
If you're on the free version, you'll need to manually add extra space by increasing your canvas size to 3.75 × 2.25 inches and keeping all important elements inside the inner 3.5 × 2 inch area.
Step 3: Check your resolution
Here's where Canva trips people up. By default, Canva exports at 96 DPI for web use, which is not print quality.
To export at 300 DPI:
- Click Download
- Select PDF Print (not PDF Standard)
- Check the Flatten PDF option to avoid transparency issues
- Download
If your printer accepts PNG files (some do for digital printing), choose PNG and check Use print quality (300 DPI) under advanced options.
Pro tip:
Upload your final file to your printer's website and check their preview tool. If it looks blurry or warns about low resolution, you probably exported at 96 DPI instead of 300 DPI.
#3. Figma Business Card Size
Figma is amazing for UI design, but it's not built for print. That means you can design business cards in Figma, but you'll need to be extra careful with export settings.
Here's how to do it right.
Step 1: Create a frame
Figma works in pixels, so you'll set up your canvas using the pixel dimensions from earlier.
- Press F to create a new frame
- In the right sidebar, set the frame size to 1050 × 600 px (for US cards)
- Name your frame something like "Business Card – US"
Step 2: Set up pixel grid (optional but helpful)
Figma's pixel grid helps you align elements precisely.
- Go to View → Pixel Grid (or press Ctrl + ' / Cmd + ')
- Zoom in to 100% or higher to see the grid
This ensures your text and logos sit on the exact pixel boundaries, which helps prevent fuzzy edges when you export.
Step 3: Design with bleed in mind
Figma doesn't have a built-in bleed setting, so you'll need to manually account for it.
To do that, just expand your frame to 1125 × 675 px (adds 0.125 inches of bleed on all sides at 300 DPI).
Then create a guide box inside at 1050 × 600 px to mark your safe area. And remember to keep all text and important elements inside this inner box.
Step 4: Export as PDF/X for print
Do not export as PNG or JPEG from Figma for print.
Instead:
- Select your frame
- Click Export in the right sidebar
- Choose PDF
- Download the file
Then, open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat or Photoshop and convert it to PDF/X-1a format (most printers require this).
Alternatively, use a plugin like PDF Export from the Figma community to export directly as PDF/X.
Color mode warning:
Figma designs in RGB by default. If your printer requires CMYK, you'll need to convert your colors before designing, or export the PDF and convert it in Photoshop or Acrobat.
Here’s how you can work around it.
Design in Figma, export as PDF, then open in Photoshop and convert to CMYK (Image → Mode → CMYK Color).
Bonus Tip: Change Business Card Background Color in ONE CLICK
Removing backgrounds from images doesn't have to be complicated.
And you don't need Photoshop to remove backgrounds from logos or product photos.
If you're adding a headshot, product image, or logo to your business card and need a clean background, there's a much, much faster way.
You can use PixPretty AI Background Remover for this. It's 100% free, works in your browser - no need to download or create an account, and it also handles tricky edges (like hair or shadows) way better than trying to manually trace them out.
How does it work? Simple.
Step 1: Go to Pixpretty.com
Step 2: Upload your business card
Step 3: Remove and Edit background - automatically
Step 4: Download (HD is completely FREE)
And that’s it.
In just seconds, you remove your background (and replace it with a better one if you want) automatically. No manual work needed. No design skills needed. No complications. Just perfect, professional looking Business Card Backgrounds.
Pro tip:
After removing the background, download the image as a PNG and import it into Photoshop, Canva, or Figma. Make sure the image resolution is at least 300 DPI if it's a large element on your card.
Wrap Up
Now you've got everything you need to design a business card that actually prints correctly the first time - no wasted runs, no panicked emails to the print shop, and no cheap-looking results. Just good first impressions.
Remember, 39% of people judge you by your business card quality.
So make sure yours doesn't end up in the recycling bin.
And if you need to clean up backgrounds on logos or photos, save yourself the manual editing headache, use PixPretty's AI background remover. It's completely free, fast, and honestly better than spending 20 minutes with the pen tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need to design my business card at 300 DPI?
Yes. 300 DPI is the industry standard for sharp, professional print quality. Anything lower may appear blurry.
2. Is bleed required for all business card designs?
Most print shops require a 0.125-inch bleed on all sides to prevent white edges after trimming.
3. Can I design a business card in Canva and still get high-quality prints?
Yes - just make sure you export as PDF Print, which outputs at 300 DPI instead of Canva’s default 96 DPI.
4. Does Figma support CMYK for printing?
No. Figma is RGB only. Export your design as a PDF and convert it to CMYK in Photoshop or Acrobat if your printer requires it.