Flimsy cards that curl by evening versus 350 GSM matte-laminated cards people keep. Business card quality is judged in two seconds of touch – here are India’s standard sizes, the paper stocks and finishes worth paying for, what information earns its space, and the proof routine that prevents 1,000 misprinted cards.
Pillar: stationery checklist. Service: stationery printing. Digital alternative: digital vs paper cards.
What size are business cards in India?
The Indian standard is 3.5 x 2 inches (89 x 51 mm) – fitting every wallet, holder and scanner app. Slim and square cuts exist for designers and premium brands but complicate wallets and get trimmed by scanners. Bleed 3 mm on all sides, keep text 5 mm inside the trim line, and supply artwork at 300 DPI – the three specs that separate crisp cards from fuzzy-edged ones. One standard size across the team looks more professional than five creative experiments.
Which paper and finish should I choose?
- 300 GSM art board: the honest standard – sturdy, smooth, takes lamination well.
- 350 GSM matte-laminated: the premium handshake – thick, fingerprint-resistant, colours stay deep.
- Textured and linen stocks: tactile distinction for consultants, architects, premium clinics.
- Gloss UV and spot UV: logo or name that catches light – use sparingly or it shouts.
- Foiling and embossing: gold/silver accents for luxury retail, weddings, jewellery.
Match finish to handling: matte for cards that get written on, gloss for photographic designs, textured where touch must signal quality. Ask for physical samples – screen renders lie about feel.
What information goes on the card?
Name, designation, phone plus WhatsApp, email on your own domain, company name with logo, and one-line service plus area. Back side: QR to your Google review, catalogue or NFC-profile landing – never blank when the back can earn reviews. Drop fax (dead), drop three phone numbers (indecision), drop taglines longer than five words. Proof names, numbers and GSTIN-adjacent details character by character – reprints for a wrong digit are the industry’s most common heartbreak.
FAQs
How many should I print? 1,000 per active networker – unit cost collapses at volume and running out mid-season costs more in lost contacts than saved in printing.
Paper, digital or both? Both – paper for the handshake, digital NFC profiles for instant contact save plus review links. Compare in our cards guide.
How do I order? Contact us with logo, details and finish preference; physical samples on request.
Last updated: 20 September 2026.