Greeting Card Size: A Guide to Greeting Card Sizes

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Cards come in a wide range of sizes.  The dimensions of the final product impact every stage of the design and graphics process, from sizing laying out the font to determining the complexity the graphics can have. Card size even has a major impact on the per-unit budget for greeting cards, since non-standard sizes can cost significantly more for paper and envelopes, and even standard size unit costs vary based on the dimensions and materials.

Standard greeting card sizes

Greeting cards are commonly available in two different styles (though they each can come in different dimensions). These style options include:

• Folded: The card is in half along its longest dimension to make the final product narrow.  This centerfold creates a concealed middle section like a book. For example, a 10" x 7" piece of cardstock would be folded into a standard 5" x 7" greeting card. Some designs can vary the fold position so the back half is slightly wider than the front.
• Flat: Flat greeting cards are double-sided like a playing card.

Cards can also be designed to be in virtually any orientation. Folded cards may open from side to side, like a standard novel. They can also be turned ninety degrees so the folded front flips up to reveal the inside. Flat cards can have images and text printed on the material in parallel alignment with the edges, or they can be offset to create a 'diamond' orientation.

While greeting cards can be printed in a lot of different shapes and sizes, they generally default to four standard dimension options:

1. 4.25" x 5.5" card: A-2
2. 4.5" x 6.25" card: A-6
3. 4.875" x 3.375" card: 4 bar
4. 5" x 7" card: A-7

Choosing from these standard sizes allows you to work with a greater range of printers who can coat, varnish, or emboss the paper to best suit your designs.  Let's take a deeper look at each of these options so you can select the best fit for your project:

The A-2 card

This compact card design is smaller than most other options. It's ideal for replies, postcards, and less ornate greeting cards.

The A-6 card

This card's dimensions are popular in high-quality stationery, so it can be the perfect choice for ornate greeting cards with rich paper textures and designs.

The A-7 card

At five inches across and seven inches tall, this is the most common choice for standard greeting cards. Part of the reason why it's so popular is that it's close to Golden Ratio. This results in a more pleasing, balanced appearance. Playing cards, postcards, and other rectangular items tend to follow this aspect ratio pattern.

The 4 Bar card

This card is the smallest type of card with a corresponding envelope that is considered "mailable" by the United States Postal Services.

Greeting card envelope sizes

As you select your greeting card size, also consider the size of the matching envelope. Most cards have a corresponding envelope identified by the same name; for example, a 4 bar card will use a 4 bar envelope.

This is another reason why it's often convenient to design greeting cards with standard dimensions: it's easy to order matching envelope sizes, and it's easy for buyers to replace the envelope if it gets damaged or lost.

Make sure your greeting card designs line up with CorelDRAW Graphics Suite

The dimensions of a greeting card, and the aspect ratio it provides, plays an important role in the final design possibilities and appearance of greeting card designs. Explore different dimensions and configurations in our CorelDRAW Graphics Suite.