Complete Guide to Greeting Card Dimensions

Greeting cards are not big but mighty. They are full of feelings, memories and sweet words. We say happy birthday, thank you or congratulations using them. They are of various shapes and sizes. There are little and cute ones, and there are big and bold ones. The card size will be significant. It has an impact on the appearance, touch and the fit of the card into an envelope. It also assists in printing and design. The appropriate size of your card will make it look well and professional.

In this blog, we are talking about the dimensions of greeting cards and the way to choose the most appropriate one. You will be assisted in making the right choice, whether you are printing or designing.

Why Greeting Card Dimensions Matter?

Greeting cards are more than just paper. They are messages from the heart. The size of a card changes how it feels when someone holds it. A small card feels personal and cozy. A large card feels grand and special. Picking the right size helps your card fit in the envelope perfectly. It also renders ease and cleanliness in printing.

When the size is not correct, your design will be cut, or it will appear to be sloppy. That’s why knowing the correct greeting card dimensions is important. It also affects mailing costs and how your card is received. Our company always checks the size before printing to make sure everything fits just right.

Understanding The Standard Sizing Systems

Greeting cards follow different sizing systems. Some use the “A-System,” which includes sizes like A2, A6, and A7. Others use informal names like 5"x7" or 4"x9". There are also square and slim cards that don’t follow these systems. Each system helps you pick the right card for your message.

Knowing these systems makes designing and printing easier. It also helps you choose the right envelope. Our team uses these systems to guide customers and ensure perfect results.

The "A-System" Explained (A2, A6, A7, etc.)

The A-System is a popular way to size greeting cards. It includes sizes like A2, A6, A7, and A9. Each size has a matching envelope. 

• A6

A6 is the most common and works well for everyday cards. The size most widely used on normal correspondence is the A6. They suitably accommodate 4.5x 6.25" cards, which is perfect in holiday messages, greeting card and casual invitations. Their colour palette and conventional size make them the option of choice both personally and professionally.

• A7

A7 is great for photo cards and announcements. A7 envelopes are a bit bigger and are made to accommodate 5 x 7 cards that are appropriate in photo cards, official announcements and invitations. The additional space enables more visual impression hence they are popular to display elegant designs or portraits of the family.

• A2

A2 is perfect for thank you notes. A2 are small and elegant and can accommodate cards of 4.25 x 5.5. They are particularly perfect to thank you notes, RSVP cards, and brief personal texts. Their lesser size brings in a sense of closeness and warmth, perfect in emotional communication.

• A9

A9  the largest of these options is A9 which fits 5.5 x 8.5 cards. They should be applied with large invitations, work letters or elegant stationery. Their large size provides an extensional display that is ideal when you would like to create a powerful impression or add more detailed information.

These sizes are easy to print and fold. They also help with mailing and storage. Our company uses these sizes for most custom orders to ensure a perfect fit.

Informal Standard Sizes (5"x7", 4"x9", etc.)

Some cards use simple names like 5"x7" or 4"x9". These sizes are easy to understand and very popular. A 5"x7" card is great for birthdays and holidays. A 4"x9" card is tall and slim, perfect for elegant designs. These sizes are not part of the A-System but are still widely used. They help your card stand out and look unique. These sizes are used in many stores and online shops. Our team offers these sizes for special designs and custom orders.

Non-A Series (Other Common Shapes)

Not all cards are rectangles. Some are square or slim. These shapes give your card a fun and modern look. They are great for creative designs and special occasions. These cards need special envelopes to match their shape. Blackline Packaging makes sure your card and envelope match perfectly for a clean and professional look.

• Square Cards

Square greeting card dimensions are 5"x5". They appear chic and contemporary. They work well for brief notes or photo cards. In a stack of mail, square cards are noticeable. Our group enjoys creating square cards with striking patterns.

• Slimline/Wreath Cards

Slimline cards are long and narrow. They are often 4"x9". These cards are perfect for wreath designs or tall messages. They fit in tall envelopes and look elegant. Slimline cards are great for business greetings and seasonal cards. They give your card a unique look. Our company offers slimline cards in many colors and styles.

Standard Greeting Card Size Chart (Folded)

The most popular standard card measurements in inches and millimeters are shown in the following chart: 

This chart helps you pick the right size for your card. It shows what each card is best for. We use this chart to guide customers and ensure perfect results.

Specialty and Non-Standard Greeting Card Sizes

Some cards don’t follow the usual sizes. These are special and fun. They are great for creative designs and unique messages. These sizes make your card feel different and exciting. Our team offers many non-standard options for custom orders.

• Mini/Small Cards

Mini cards are tiny and cute. They are often 3.5" x 5". These cards are excellent when it comes to short messages or gift tags. They can be put in small envelopes and transported. Small cards are ideal for taking quick notes and thank you messages. Our company prints mini cards for events and giveaways.

• Tall/Card & Envelope Sets

Tall cards are long and elegant. They are often 4" x 9". These cards come with matching envelopes and look fancy. Tall cards are great for business use and seasonal greetings. They give your card a formal and stylish look. Our team offers sets with custom designs and colors.

• Oversized Cards

Oversized cards are big and bold. They can be 6" x 8" or even 8" x 10". These cards are powerful and ideal for holidays or weddings. You have more room to write and create on oversized cards. They are perfect for photo collages and long messages. Our company prints oversized cards with thick paper for a premium feel.

How Card Dimensions Affect Printing and Design

The size of your card changes how it looks when printed. A small card needs less space and fewer design elements. A big card needs more planning and design. If your card has photos, you need space for them. If your card has text, you need room to write clearly.

The size also affects how much paper you use. Bigger cards cost more to print. Smaller cards are cheaper and faster. Our company helps you pick the best size for your design and printing needs. We also check how your design fits the card to avoid mistakes.

Matching Greeting Card Sizes with Envelopes

Every card needs an envelope that fits. The dimensions of the envelope and the card must be precisely the same. The card will not fit if it is too large. The card could move around if the envelope is too large.

That’s why greeting card envelope dimensions matter. Matching sizes makes your card look neat and professional. It also helps with mailing and delivery. Our team checks each card and envelope before packing to make sure everything fits perfectly.

Greeting Card Dimensions By Occasion

Different events need different card sizes. Each occasion has a size that fits best. Picking the right size makes your card feel special and thoughtful. We help you choose the perfect size for each event.

• Birthday Cards

Birthday cards are often 5"x7". This size gives space for fun designs and cheerful messages. It’s big enough for photos and stickers. Birthday cards should feel happy and bright. Our team makes birthday cards in bold colors and fun styles.

• Wedding & Anniversary Cards

These cards are often 5.5"x8.5". They look elegant and give room for long messages. Wedding cards need space for names and dates. Anniversary cards often have gold or silver designs. Our team prints these cards with fancy fonts and premium paper.

• Thank You Cards

Thank you cards are usually 4.25"x5.5". They are small and sweet. These cards are great for short notes and kind words. They fit easily in small envelopes. 

• Holiday & Seasonal Cards

Holiday cards come in many sizes. A6 and A7 are popular. They fit festive designs. The holiday cards are of various shapes and sizes. There are square ones, tall or wide ones. Such cards usually have festal colors such as red, green, gold, and silver. They can be snowflakes, trees, stars or any other winter designs. Selecting the appropriate size will make your card popular during the high seasonal holiday. We have a wide variety of holiday themes that would fit your brand or personal style.

• Business Greeting Cards

Business cards are often 4"x9". They look formal and fit in tall envelopes. As previously stated, business greeting cards are utilized by companies to communicate with their customers, prospective customers. Milestones and business cards are commonly utilized in case of appreciating the clients or to congratulate them.

They are normally tall and thin, such as the 4"x9" dimensions. These cards are formal, and they fit in business envelopes. They frequently feature logos, not too long messages and clean lighting. Making the card look professional involves using the correct size. Our team assists companies in designing cards in their brand and values.

Here’s a quick comparison:

Digital greeting card

Not every greeting card is printed. Others are electronic and delivered through e-mails. Nor are these cards devoid of size, which is referred to as email greeting card dimensions. They are quantified in pixels, such as 600x800 or 1200x1600. Digital cards should be phone and computer-readable. They are supposed to be fast-loading and presentable on screen. In our firm, digital cards are designed using clear and colorful cards that are simple to share.

Pro Tips for Sizing and Production

Making greeting cards is fun. But you need to know a few things.

The 1/4" Rule

The 1/4 inch Rule- You are then to allow a small portion of space around the edge of the greeting card design about a quarter inch. This area is known as a safe zone. It helps to make sure that large contents or pictures are not removed through printing and cutting the card. Placing words or images too close to the edge could make them look wrong when they have been cut. That is why it is nice to place everything in the 1/4" gap so as to present your card as professional.

Understanding "Bleed"

Bleed is a printing word meaning that your design goes outside the card border. It is used when you are not desiring the colors or pictures to have a white frame that stretches to the edge. To do this, you must make your design a bit larger than the size of your end product or the card. As an example, your card can be 5x 7 but you can make it 5.25x 7.25 with a bleed. This extra room is eliminated after printing. The use of the greeting card dimensions with bleed is also necessary to clean the card and make it neat and tidy.

Paper Weight & Thickness

Card feel is dependent on paper weight and thickness. Sturdy paper is mighty and fine. The paper is thin such that it is bendable or tearable. The paper weight is calculated in pounds (lb) or grams per square meter (gsm). The paper used should be heavy, like 80 lbs or 300 gsm, in the case of greeting cards. It is highly powerful and pleasant-looking. Your card feels good on the right paper. We allow you to select the correct paper depending on your card style and budget.

Conclusion

Greeting cards are special. Their size makes them look good and feel right. Whether you want a small thank-you card or a big wedding card, the size matters. We help you choose the best greeting card dimensions in inches or cm. We also match your card with the perfect envelope. Blackline Packaging to make your brand shine and your message stand out.

Adrian Carlisle

Adrian Carlisle is a professional content writer at Blackline Packaging, specializing in packaging, printing, and design topics. Passionate about creating clear, engaging, and SEO-friendly content, she helps businesses understand packaging trends and make informed choices through her writing.

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