Business Card Artwork Preparation Checklist (Print-Ready Guide)

Business Card Artwork Preparation Checklist

Everything you need to prepare a print-ready business card artwork.

A business card may be one of the smallest printed marketing materials, but it often creates the first impression of your business. A well-designed business card looks professional, is easy to read, and leaves a lasting impression on potential customers.

Because of its compact size, business cards require greater attention to detail than many larger print products. Small mistakes such as tiny text, poor spacing, or low-resolution logos can significantly affect the final printing result.

Whether you’re designing your own business card or working with a graphic designer, following this checklist will help ensure your artwork is ready for professional printing.

1. Choose the Right Business Card Size

Before starting your design, choose the business card size that best suits your branding and the amount of information you wish to include.

Finished Size	Best For
Standard Business Card (89 × 54mm)	The most popular size in Singapore, suitable for most businesses.
Credit Card Size (85 × 54mm)	Similar in size to ATM and credit cards, making it easy to fit into wallets and card holders.
Square Card (54 × 54mm)	A modern and distinctive option for creative brands.
Folded Business Card	Ideal when you need extra space for services, appointment cards or loyalty programmes.
Custom Size	Suitable for businesses looking for a unique and memorable design.

Need a custom business card size?

We offer custom business card printing in a wide range of sizes. Contact us via WhatsApp or request a free quotation.

2. Leave Enough Bleed & Safety Zone

Business cards also require bleed and a safety zone to ensure a professional finish after trimming.

If you’re unfamiliar with these terms, we recommend reading our Flyer & Brochure Artwork Preparation Checklist, where we explain them in detail.

For business cards:

Add 1.5mm bleed on each side (3mm larger in both width and height than the finished size).
Keep all important information at least 2mm inside the finished trim line.

This helps prevent unwanted white edges and reduces the risk of text or logos being cut off during trimming.

Example Card Size (89 X 54mm)
Bleed Size – 92mm X 57mm
Actual Size – 89 X 54mm
Safety Zone – 85 X 50mm

3. Keep Your Text Easy to Read

A business card should communicate your contact details clearly. Avoid overcrowding the design or using fonts that are difficult to read.

For the best readability:

Use a font size of at least 7–8 pt for body text.(Note: If your business card includes certificate numbers (e.g. BizSafe, ISO or SAC certification numbers), we recommend using a minimum font size of 4 pt for better readability. Although 3 pt may still be printable, very small text may appear less sharp after printing. Any reduction in clarity due to the small font size will not be considered a printing defect.)
Choose clean and professional fonts.
Maintain good colour contrast between the text and background.
Leave adequate spacing between lines.
Avoid squeezing too much information onto one side.

Remember, white space is just as important as the content itself. A clean layout often looks more professional than one filled with excessive text.

4. Include Only Essential Information

Many people try to include every possible detail on a business card. However, too much information can make it cluttered and difficult to read.

A typical business card should include:

Company logo
Name
Job title
Company name
Contact Number (Office, Direct or Mobile)
Email address
Website
QR Code (optional)
Social media (only if relevant)

Ask yourself whether each piece of information is necessary. Removing unnecessary details often results in a cleaner and more effective business card.

5. Consider the Card Orientation

Business cards don’t have to follow a single layout. Choosing the right orientation depends on your branding and the amount of content.

Landscape (Most Common)

Suitable for businesses with longer company names, multiple contact details or businesses that wish to include additional information.

Portrait

Suitable for businesses with shorter contact information and modern branding.

Square

Ideal for minimalist or creative businesses that want a distinctive appearance.
Choose the orientation before starting your design to ensure the layout works naturally with your content.

6. Design with Your Finishing in Mind

Different finishing options require different design considerations. Planning ahead ensures the finishing enhances your business card instead of reducing its effectiveness.

Spot UV

Spot UV highlights selected areas with a glossy coating. Avoid applying Spot UV to very small text or fine lines, as the effect may not be clearly visible.

Hot Stamping

Foil stamping creates an elegant metallic finish. Available in popular foil colours including Gold, Silver, Red, Green and Blue. Use bold text and thicker graphic elements for the best result.

Embossing

Embossing creates a raised surface. Avoid extremely fine details, as they may not reproduce well.

Rounded Corners

Rounded corners give your business card a softer and more modern appearance. Keep important text and logos away from the corners to prevent them from looking too close to the edge. If you’re unsure which finishing option best suits your artwork, feel free to contact our team for recommendations before placing your order.

7. Use High-Resolution Logos & Images

Your company logo represents your brand, so it should always appear sharp and professional.

Whenever possible, use vector artwork such as:

Adobe Illustrator (.AI)
PDF
EPS

If only raster images are available, ensure they are at least 300 DPI at the final print size.

Avoid copying logos from websites or social media, as these are usually too low in resolution for commercial printing. Whenever possible, request the original vector logo file from your designer instead of downloading it from your website or social media. Vector files remain sharp at any size and produce the best printing results.

8. Submit the Right File Format

The file format you submit plays an important role in achieving the best print quality.

Preferred File Formats

PDF (Print Ready)
Adobe Illustrator (.AI)

These vector-based formats preserve sharp text, graphics and layout, making them the preferred choice for commercial printing. They also reduce the risk of font substitution and layout changes during printing.

Also Accepted

Adobe Photoshop (.PSD)
JPG or PNG (300 DPI)

If you submit JPG or PNG files, ensure they are exported at 300 DPI and at the final print size.

If your artwork was created in Microsoft Word or Microsoft PowerPoint, please export it as a PDF before submitting.

For a more detailed explanation of file formats, colour mode and image resolution, please refer to our Flyer & Brochure Artwork Preparation Checklist.

Common Business Card Mistakes

Avoid these common mistakes before sending your artwork for printing:

❌ Text placed too close to the edge
❌ Font size too small to read comfortably
❌ Including too many contact methods
❌ Spelling mistakes or incorrect contact details
❌ Using a low-resolution company logo
❌ Mixing too many font styles
❌ Background colour not extending into the bleed area
❌ QR code printed too small to scan easily

Taking a few extra minutes to review your artwork can help prevent unnecessary reprints and production delays.

Final Business Card Checklist

Before submitting your artwork, confirm the following:

✅ Correct business card size selected
✅ Bleed added (1.5mm on every side)
✅ Important information kept within the safety zone
✅ Fonts are clear and readable
✅ Logo is in vector format (.AI, PDF or EPS) or high-resolution (300 DPI)
✅ QR code has been tested (if applicable)
✅ Contact details have been proofread
✅ Artwork saved as PDF or Adobe Illustrator

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard business card size in Singapore?

The most common size is 89 × 54mm, although 85 × 54mm (credit card size) is also popular because it fits easily into wallets.

What font size should I use?

For the best readability, we recommend using a minimum font size of 7–8 pt for body text.

Should I print single-sided or double-sided business cards?

Single-sided cards are suitable for simple contact information. Double-sided cards provide additional space for services, QR codes, maps or company information while keeping the front clean and uncluttered.

Can I design my business card using Canva?

Yes. Canva is a popular design tool for creating business cards. Before exporting your artwork, ensure you use the correct business card dimensions, include bleed where available, and download your design as a Print PDF for the best printing results.

Can I include a QR code?

Yes. QR codes are an excellent way to direct customers to your website, digital business card, portfolio or social media pages. Make sure the QR code is large enough to scan easily after printing.

Should I laminate my business cards?

Lamination improves durability and gives your business cards a more premium appearance. Matt lamination offers an elegant, professional finish, while gloss lamination creates brighter colours and a shinier surface.

What paper thickness is recommended for business cards?

For most businesses, 260gsm to 310gsm art card offers an excellent balance between durability and professional appearance. If you’re looking for a more premium feel, thicker papers and speciality finishes such as matt lamination, Spot UV or Hot Stamping are also popular options.

Should I choose Spot UV or Hot Stamping?

Spot UV creates glossy highlights on selected areas, making logos or key design elements stand out. Hot Stamping adds a metallic foil finish, giving your business cards a premium and elegant appearance. The best choice depends on your branding and design style.

Need a Free Business Card Artwork Check?

Not sure whether your business card artwork is ready for printing?

Our team provides a free artwork check before production. We’ll review your file for size, bleed, safety zone and other basic print requirements to help you avoid unnecessary delays or reprints.