Order Business Cards Online in Canada: Complete Guide

What You Need to Order Business Cards Online in Canada

To order business cards online in Canada, you choose a size (standard is 3.5 x 2 inches), a paper stock and finish, then upload your design with a bleed and review a digital proof before it prints. At First Press we handle business card printing in-house in Montreal and ship across Canada and the USA, so you can order online from anywhere and get a consistent result.

This guide walks through every decision so you can pick specs with confidence, whether you need 100 custom business cards for a side project or 5,000 for a sales team.

Standard Business Card Size and Specs

The North American standard business card is 3.5 x 2 inches (about 89 x 51 mm). It fits wallets, cardholders, and Rolodex slots, and it is the safest default if you are not sure what you need.

There is a slightly different official standard worth knowing about. Canadian government business cards that carry the common flag symbol must follow the Federal Identity Program, which mandates a size of 90 x 50 mm (±2 mm) printed on white bristol paper. If you work in or with the federal government, that spec sheet is your reference. For everyone else, 3.5 x 2 inches is the practical standard.

Bleed, Trim, and Safe Zone

Set your document to 3.5 x 2 inches with a 0.125 inch (1/8") bleed on all sides. Bleed is the extra artwork that extends past the trim line so no white slivers appear after cutting. Keep important text and logos at least 0.125 inch inside the trim to stay in the safe zone. Cutting has a small tolerance, so anything too close to the edge risks getting clipped.

Rounded Corners and Shape Options

Standard cards have square corners, but rounded corners are a simple way to make a card feel distinct in the hand. If you want rounded corners, keep your artwork and safe zone well inside the trim, since the cut radius eats into the corners. Rounded corners pair nicely with heavier stocks that hold their shape.

Paper Weight and Stock Options

Business card paper stock is measured in points (pt, the caliper or thickness) and sometimes in GSM (grams per square meter, the weight). Thicker cards feel more substantial and hold up better in a wallet.

• 14 pt C2S: A solid everyday choice. C2S means coated two sides. It takes full colour well and feels professional without being bulky.
• 16 pt C2S: The most popular premium weight. Noticeably stiffer, hard to bend, and it signals quality the moment someone picks it up.
• Uncoated stocks: Have a natural, writable surface. Good if people will jot notes on your card.

For reference, the Canadian federal standard cards use 219 g/m² (58 lb) bristol, which is a lighter, more writable weight than the 16 pt cardstock most businesses choose for a premium feel.

Coatings and Finishes

The finish changes how your card looks, feels, and holds up over time.

• Gloss: Shiny, makes colors pop, wipes clean. Great for photography or vivid brand colors.
• Matte: Soft, low-glare, understated. Easy to read and photograph.
• Soft-touch laminate: A velvety film that feels expensive. Popular for high-end brands.
• Spot UV: A glossy coating applied to specific areas (a logo, a name) over a flat background for contrast you can see and feel.

If your design has heavy dark or solid-color coverage (a deep navy back, a black card, a bold brand color), add lamination. Dark uncoated ink scuffs easily and shows fingerprints. A laminate film protects the surface, and matte laminate hides fingerprints best. This is one of the most common regrets buyers have when they skip it.

Single-Sided vs Double-Sided

Print double-sided unless you have a specific reason not to. The back is free real estate for a tagline, a QR code, your services list, a map, or social handles.

Single-sided cards cost slightly less and can look clean and minimal. But most people expect a back these days, and a double-sided layout makes your card work harder without a big price jump.

Design Choices That Affect Print Quality

A few production details make the difference between a card that looks sharp and one that looks off. If you are starting from scratch, templates sized to 3.5 x 2 inches with the bleed already marked can save you from the most common setup mistakes.

Color Setup (CMYK vs Pantone)

Set your file to CMYK for full colour printing. Colors defined in RGB (the screen color space) can shift when converted for print, so convert before you submit. If you have a strict brand color that must match exactly, ask about spot (Pantone) printing. The federal identity spec, for example, requires the flag symbol in Pantone 032 red and all text in process black, which is a good example of how brand-critical color gets locked to a specific ink.

Resolution and Fonts

Use images and logos at 300 dpi at final size. Embed or outline your fonts so text prints as designed. Small type below 6 point can fill in or lose legibility, especially in reverse (light text on a dark background), so keep body text readable.

QR Codes

If you add a QR code, keep it at least 0.75 inch square with a quiet zone (clear margin) around it, and test the scan from your printed proof before ordering the full run.

Matching the Card to Your Use Case

Different jobs call for different specs.

• Networking and sales: 16 pt with a matte or soft-touch finish reads as premium. Double-sided with a QR code linking to your booking page or portfolio.
• Retail and hospitality: Gloss coating resists spills and grease. A loyalty punch design works well on an uncoated back you can stamp.
• Designers and creatives: Spot UV or soft-touch to show craft. Consider a heavier paper stock as a statement.
• Government or formal use: Follow the Federal Identity Program specs if the flag symbol applies, including size, typeface, and wordmark placement.
• Resellers and bulk orders: Standard 14 pt or 16 pt C2S gives the best cost per card at volume.

How Ordering Online Works at First Press

Ordering online is straightforward: pick your size, stock, finish, and quantity, upload your print-ready PDF, then review your digital proof. Every First Press order includes an online digital proof so you can confirm layout, spelling, and color before anything prints.

We handle business card printing in-house in Montreal, which keeps timelines and quality under one roof, and we ship across Canada and the USA. You get free shipping on orders over $200. Quantities scale from small runs for a new business to large runs for teams, and per-card cost drops as volume rises.

What to Have Ready

When you order online, upload your design as:

• A print-ready PDF at 3.5 x 2 inches with 0.125 inch bleed
• CMYK color (plus any Pantone specs)
• 300 dpi images and embedded or outlined fonts
• Your quantity and chosen finish, including rounded corners if you want them

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard business card size in Canada?

The North American standard is 3.5 x 2 inches (89 x 51 mm). Canadian federal government cards with the common flag symbol use a slightly different mandated size of 90 x 50 mm.

What file format should I upload?

A print-ready PDF is best. Set it to 3.5 x 2 inches with 0.125 inch bleed, CMYK color, 300 dpi images, and fonts embedded or outlined. Templates can help you get these settings right the first time.

Should I get a matte or gloss finish?

Gloss makes colors pop and wipes clean. Matte is soft and low-glare. If your card has heavy dark or solid-color areas, choose a laminate, and pick matte laminate to hide fingerprints best.

Do I need to print double-sided?

Not required, but recommended. A double-sided card gives you space for a QR code, tagline, or services list, and it usually costs only a little more than single-sided.

Can I get a proof before printing?

Yes. Every First Press order includes an online digital proof so you can check layout, spelling, and color before the run goes to print.

How thick should my business cards be?

14 pt C2S is a strong everyday weight. 16 pt C2S is the popular premium choice, noticeably stiffer and harder to bend. Choose based on the impression you want and your budget.