Business Card Printing in Birmingham: Sizes, Stock and Turnaround
October 13, 2026
A standard US business card is 3.5 x 2 inches. At Classic Printing & Signs in Birmingham, we print them full color on both sides, on heavy cover stock, in-house on a Canon imagePress C850. Most repeat orders go out within a few business days of proof approval. You can order online or have us build the card from scratch.
That's the short answer. Here's the rest of what you need to know before you order.
What size is a standard business card?
In the United States it's 3.5 x 2 inches, the size every wallet slot, card holder and scanning app expects. Europe uses 85 x 55 mm, and Wikipedia keeps a good list of sizes by country. Unless your clients are overseas, stick with 3.5 x 2.
If you want to stand out without fighting the wallet, look at slim cards or square cards. Both get noticed. Both also end up in a pocket instead of a card holder, so pick one on purpose.
What paper should a business card be printed on?
Use a heavy cover stock. Thin cards feel cheap and bend in a wallet. Our standard business card is printed on a rigid cover stock that holds up to a dealership's daily handshakes, and the C850 lays down sharp 1200 dpi type on it, so a 7-point phone number still reads.
If you're curious how paper weight is measured (pounds vs. points vs. GSM), this explainer on paper density covers why "100 lb" and "14 pt" can describe similar sheets.
One side or two?
Two. The back of a card is free real estate. Our customers use it for a Google review QR code, a payment QR code, a services list or an appointment line.
How fast can Classic print business cards?
We print in-house, not through a gang-run printer three states away. Here's the timeline from a real order: Edwards Chevrolet sent in a new hire's card, we had the proof back the next morning, and they approved it 20 minutes later. For rush work, start with our 24-hour printing collection.
What do business cards cost?
Price comes down to quantity, sides and finish. One thousand cards costs much less per card than 250, so most businesses reorder at 1,000. Repeat cards on a template we already built carry no art charge, because you're only changing the name and number. You can see current pricing on the business cards collection.
Who we print for
We print cards for car dealerships, glass shops, contractors, real estate agents, banks and plant safety teams across Birmingham, Hoover, Vestavia and Bessemer. Edwards Chevrolet orders a card for nearly every new hire. Nelson Glass has reordered cards, graph pads and envelopes in the same month. Both get a local shop that answers the phone.
FAQ
What is the standard business card size in the US?
3.5 x 2 inches.
Can I print a different design on the back?
Yes. Two-sided full color is our standard.
Do you charge an art fee on reorders?
Not when we already have your art on file.
Can I pick up my cards in Birmingham?
Yes, from our Birmingham shop.
Can you design my business card?
Yes. Send us your logo and info and we'll send a proof.
Ready to order? Start with standard business cards, or call (205) 326-6540 or request a quote online and we'll take it from there.