Detailed Guide to Standard Greeting Card Dimensions | Boxit Packages

“Design may be an art but sizing is a science”. This statement sits perfectly in the world of professional stationery where precision is the hallmark. When dimensions are off even by an inch, they make a professional grade card look like a DIY project that failed. So picking the wrong size of a greeting card is a waste of money and materials and wrecks the final look, too. However, if you don’t know the standard greeting card dimensions, worry not. At Boxit Packages, we know that the most beautiful design in the world will fall flat if it doesn’t fit its envelope. Therefore, in this blog we will share the standard greeting card dimensions and help you choose the perfect dimensions of playing card.

Why greeting cards matter in today’s digital world

A greeting card is a piece of high-quality cardstock that features decorative design on the front and a message of sentiment inside. To be precise, it’s a tangible communication tool. We share them with our loved ones to show much we love and how we feel. In today’s digital world a greeting is a powerhouse of human connection. Because in an era of texting and reels, a card in the mail is a rare, pleasant surprise. It cuts through the digital noise and turns a simple message into a tangible, memorable event. Boxit Packages design holiday, birthday, wedding, and all types of cards in standard and custom size both.

Exploring standard greeting card dimensions

One of the most costly mistakes that designers make is failing to distinguish between flat size and folded size. In the stationery industry, greeting cards are always marketed and sold by their folded size. This means the measurement of your holiday, business, birthday, or wedding cards refer to the dimensions of the card after it has been folded and is ready to be slipped into an envelope. Getting the standard greeting card dimensions right make these cards look neat and feel good in hand.
The following table outlines the various types of greeting cards, their dimensions, and their primary uses.

Apart from these standard greeting cards there are a variety of other greeting formats, too. This include:

Square greeting cards

Square greeting cards are exactly what they sound like. They are equal in height and width and comes in three sizes:

• 5″ x 5″
• 5.5″ x 5.5″
• 6″ x 6″

Square greeting cards are used by designers looking to break away from tradition to offer something that feels modern and artistic. Moreover, these cards are perfect for centered illustrations, mandalas, or photography.

DL greeting cards

DL cards offer a distinct look and feel that sets them apart from the standard A7 card. They are the go-to choice for corporate holiday cards, “With Compliments” slips, and gift vouchers because they can fit in business-sized envelopes. Their standard greeting card dimensions are: 4″ x 9″. At Boxit Packages, you can print three DL cards onto a single sheet of A4 paper with zero waste. Thus making them incredibly ideal for low-cost, mass production.

Birthday greeting cards

While some cards are utilitarian, birthday cards are designed as ornamental tokens to brighten up living spaces for an extended period. Due to their festive nature, these cards frequently feature premium tactile elements, such as metallic stamping or raised lettering that impact how they are packaged. The most commonly used birthday card size and dimensions are:

• A7: 5″ x 7″
• A2: 4.25″ x 5.5″
• A10: 6″ x 9″

Business greeting cards

In the professional world, a business greeting card is a strategic touch point used to strengthen relationships, express gratitude, or stay “top-of-mind” with clients, partners, and employees. Unlike personal cards, these cards are designed with brand identity. Although businesses can use any size but the standard business card size dimensions are:

• DL size: 4″ x 9″
• A7 size: 5″ x7″
• A2 size: 4.25″ x 5.5″

How to choose the right card size

Choosing the right size isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s a balance between content, budget, and intent. A small card results in a congested message, whereas a large card results in a desolate one. Therefore, before finalizing your typical note card size dimensions consider the following factors.

• The content volume: If you want to add a minimalist 2-3 line note use A2 size card. If you are adding photos and graphics along with lettering then go A7.
• Evaluate the occasion: For formal invitations A7 is the gold standard whereas for corporate events DL is the professional choice.
• Match the envelope availability: Unless you are ordering custom-made greeting or wedding card packaging boxes. It is safer to stick to standard “A-series” sizes.

Tips for designing & printing stunning greeting cards

When you move from a digital screen to a physical product, small details can have a massive impact on the final result. To ensure your cards look similar to the digital file, follow these essential printing and design tips.

• Choose the right paper weight. The most commonly used is 270-300 GSM cardstock.
• Always set your design software to CMYK mode from the start for color accuracy and consistency.
• Use bright colors and clear fonts.
• If the card is meant to be signed, ensure the interior paper has a matte or uncoated finish. Glossy coatings look great but cause most pens to smudge.

Conclusion

Whether you choose standard greeting card dimensions or custom ones, it’s the precision that makes a card look nice and professional. Now that you have the dimensions down, you can focus on the artistry, and design a greeting card that will be a perfect fit for its envelope and its recipient. For amazing and premium-quality greeting cards you can contact Boxit Packages and make a lasting impression on your loved ones.

Frequently Asked Questions

What standard size are most greeting cards?

Most greeting cards today are A7 in size, 5” x 7” when folded. This is by far the most widely used size for making such items, not only at birthdays or weddings but also general purpose designs and holiday greetings as well. It offers a great deal of space to work with both design and message within its rectangle proportions.

What is the "1/4 inch rule" for envelopes?

To avoid folding or tearing of greeting cards, a 1/4 inch rule is followed for the envelope. According to the rule the envelope should be at least 1/4 inch larger than the card dimensions.

How do I calculate the flat size of my card?

The calculation of a flat size card depends on folding direction. If the card folds vertically the flat width is double the folded width. And if the card folds horizontally, the flat height is double the folded height.

What size is best for a photo card?

Photo cards are used as official merchandise and sent on holidays as a greeting message. Therefore, it is safer to use A7 5" x 7" card size. This size is large enough to accommodate high-resolution pictures without any pixel distortion.

Do you offer custom boxes for these card sizes?

Yes, at Boxit Packages we do customize greeting cards along with colorful envelopes. However, if you want customized boxes for card then we have a variety of amazing packaging solutions.