How to design a card: the complete UK guide

We design and print every card in our range ourselves, so this is the working method rather than a theory lesson. Whether you're designing a card to sell or a one-off for someone at home, the same four decisions come up every time: the size and set-up, the layout, the type and the image.

Start with the fundamentals below, then follow the four in-depth guides — layout, typography and photography — for the detail. If you'd rather skip the design work, everything we make is printed in the UK and posted first class, usually the same working day.

Step one: size, fold and stock

• A6 (105 × 148mm) is the standard UK card size and the safest place to start — it posts at letter rate. Shop this card
• A5 (148 × 210mm) suits milestone birthdays and anniversaries where the design needs room. Shop this card
• Square cards look modern but cost more to post in the UK, so check Royal Mail sizing first. Shop this card
• 300–350gsm is the weight people read as a proper card when they pick it up. Shop this card

Step two: set the artwork file up properly

• Work at 300dpi in CMYK — RGB artwork shifts on press and bright blues are the usual casualty. Shop this card
• Add 3mm bleed on every edge so background colour runs off the trim. Shop this card
• Keep text and logos at least 5mm inside the trim line; guillotines move a millimetre or two. Shop this card
• Design the inside at the same time as the front, and leave real room to write. Shop this card

Step three: layout, type and image

• Layout: one focal point, generous margins, and far less on the page than you think. Shop this card
• Typography: one or two typefaces, main line at least 24pt so it reads from a metre away. Shop this card
• Imagery: one clear subject, strong simple colour, and 300dpi at final printed size. Shop this card
• Check the design in greyscale — if it falls apart, it was leaning on colour to do the work. Shop this card

Type-led card designs

Big type, one idea, nothing else on the page.

Image-led card designs

Simple subject, strong colour, plenty of space for the words.

Where to shop next

• How to design a greetings card (full guide)
• Card layout guide
• Card typography guide
• Photo cards guide
• Shop all greetings cards
• Birthday cards
• Milestone birthday cards
• Anniversary cards
• Sympathy cards
• Thank you cards

Frequently asked questions

How do I design a card step by step?

Pick the size and fold, set the file up at 300dpi CMYK with 3mm bleed, lay out one clear focal point, set the type large enough to read at arm's length, then choose an image that survives being printed at card size.

What size should a card be?

A6 (105 × 148mm) for everyday cards and A5 (148 × 210mm) for milestone occasions. Both post at UK letter rate in a standard envelope.

What software do I need to design a card?

Anything that exports a 300dpi CMYK PDF with bleed — Affinity Publisher, InDesign, Illustrator or Photoshop all work. Free browser tools rarely handle bleed or CMYK properly.

Can I sell a card I designed myself?

Yes, provided the fonts are licensed for commercial print and any photograph has a licence covering physical products for resale.