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4 Greeting Card Sizes That Work Best for Your Promotions

Written by UPrinting - Updated on June 12, 2025

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Last updated on June 12th, 2025 at 12:18 am




Greeting cards help businesses connect with clients, show appreciation,
and build brand loyalty. And while the message and the design matter,
choosing the right size can also affect the impact, cost, and appeal of
your season’s greetings and glad tiding promotions.

Now greeting cards may come in all shapes and sizes but in UPrinting,
we’ve found four go-to options that come with their highlights, making
them the top four greeting card sizes in use.

Join us in this quick article and let’s tackle their dimensions, uses,
and other practical tips.

The Top 4 Greeting Card Sizes with Practical Tips

Greeting Card Size Envelope Size Common Uses Marketing Strategy

5.0″ x 7.0″
A7 (5.25″ x 7.25″) Business holiday cards, corporate appreciation, milestone
celebrations
Premium branding with foil stamping & embossing, includes
handwritten messages for a personal touch

4.0″ x 6.0″
A6 (4.75″ x 6.5″) Thank-you notes, birthday cards, event follow-ups Compact but professional, works well for loyalty rewards and
post-purchase engagement

3.5″ x 5.0″
A1 (3.625″ x 5.125″) RSVP cards, event invitations, gift enclosures Cost-effective for direct mail, great for VIP invites and
event marketing
4.25″ x 5.5″ A2 (4.375″ x 5.75″) Invitations, brand promotions, seasonal greeting cards Ideal for promotional use, direct mail, and product launch
announcements

A. 5.0″ x 7.0″

The card size is perfect for business holiday cards, corporate
appreciation, and milestone celebrations. Greeting cards can also
exude premium branding using foil stamping & embossing. You can also
include handwritten messages for a personal touch

Why it works:

  1. High-end branding opportunities (foil stamping, embossing, spot
    UV)
  2. More space for handwritten messages, making it feel personal and
    valuable
  3. Fits well with corporate gifting or outreach to high-value
    customers

Practical Tips:

  1. Choose high-quality paper stock (at least 14pt cardstock) to
    enhance its luxurious feel.
  2. You can also use a soft-touch or velvet finish for a more premium
    tactile experience.
  3. Add a surprise to the greeting card, whether it’s an exclusive
    holiday discount, a VIP event invitation, or a QR code linking to
    a custom video message sharing your greetings or gratitude.

B. 4.0″ x 6.0″

This compact but professional card size is perfect for thank-you
notes, birthday cards, and RSVP event follow-ups. You can also use
these greeting cards for loyalty rewards and post-purchase
engagement.

The best strategy is to mail these cards in bulk. The cards fit in
A6 envelopes, keeping mailing costs low, while also helping in
customer retention programs and post-purchase appreciation.

Why it works:

  1. Compact yet professional—easy for bulk distribution
  2. Fits in A6 envelopes, keeping mailing costs low
  3. Ideal for customer retention programs and post-purchase
    appreciation

Practical Tips:

  1. Use personalization when designing these smaller greeting cards.
    Variable printing such as customer names, personal messages, and
    custom discount codes could increase their engagement.
  2. Stick to simple, bold designs—too much text can make the smaller
    card size look cluttered.
  3. Go for matte finishes if you want recipients to write on them (for
    RSVP or sign-in purposes).
  4. If sending in bulk, consider digital printing over offset to keep
    costs lower while still getting high quality.

C. 3.5″ x 5.0″

This card size is even smaller but also cost-effective. Use greeting
cards for direct mail, RSVP, event invitations, and gift enclosures.
The small size also ensures quick and easy-to-read messages and can
be tucked into product packaging for added engagement.

Why it works:

  1. The size is smaller so make it stand out—use bold typography and a
    clean layout to maximize visibility.
  2. Consider a perforated design so it comes with a tear-off option
    for discount cards or coupons.
  3. Maximize its use as an invitation card—include a QR code that
    leads recipients to a simple RSVP form online.

Practical Tips:

  1. Make it stand out—use bold typography and a clean layout to
    maximize visibility.
  2. Use these as VIP or loyalty inserts—add a handwritten thank-you
    note for a personal touch.
  3. Consider a perforated design if it’s a tear-off discount card or
    coupon.
  4. Great for event RSVP cards—include a QR code leading to a simple
    RSVP form online.

D. 4.25″ x 5.5″

At first glance, this card size closely resembles a postcard. And
while postcards could be more impactful, the A2 greeting cards are
cost-efficient for mass mailing. And they can fit in an envelope.

Use this card size for invitations, brand promotions, seasonal
greetings, and product launch announcements.

The size works well with variable printing for customized
invitations and can integrate into direct mail marketing strategies
and promotions.

Why it works:

  1. More impactful than a postcard, yet cost-efficient for mass
    mailing
  2. Works well with variable printing for customized invitations
  3. Seamlessly integrates into direct mail marketing strategies

Practical Tips:

  1. Try customizing the greeting cards to look less than postcards.
    Rounded corners or die-cut shapes can make the invitation look
    unique.
  2. Pair with an eye-catching envelope to boost open rates (e.g.,
    metallic foil or colored envelopes).
  3. Use a high-gloss finish to showcase photos or vibrant graphics
    along with the message.
  4. Add a unique call-to-action—for example, “Bring this card for a
    free gift” at an event.

How to Choose the Best Greeting Card Size for Your Needs

Choosing the right greeting card size depends on your marketing goals,
budget, and message. Here’s a quick guide:

  1. Choosing the right greeting card size depends on your marketing
    goals, budget, and message. If you are looking for high-end
    corporate gifting and appreciation, choose 5.0″ x 7.0″ to
    allow more space for elegant designs and personalization.
  2. For thank-you notes and personalized messaging,
    4.0″ x 6.0″ is the perfect balance of size and cost.
  3. 3.5″ x 5.0″ is compact, cost-effective, and suitable for
    event invitations and small promotional inserts, as well as for
    direct mail.
  4. For bulk mailing of product launches or promotions,
    4.25″ x 5.5″ provides more impact than a postcard while
    staying economical.

Additional Factors to Consider:

  1. Mailing Costs: Larger sizes may require additional postage.
  2. Design Complexity: The smaller the card, the simpler the
    message.
  3. Printing Finishes: High-end finishes work best for premium
    branding but may add to costs.

There are also additional factors to consider, such as mailing costs,
design, and printing finishes. Still, if you have all the tools and
elements to make your marketing campaigns work, any of these greeting
card sizes can push your promotions forward and attract customers
toward your business. You can trust UPrinting.com to deliver with the
best greeting cards for mailing and promotions, whatever size you may
choose.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can greeting cards help with brand recognition?

A: Sending greeting cards with your logo, colors, and a thoughtful
message helps with brand visibility and awareness, while creating
a personalized experience that strengthens client relationships
and brand loyalty.

Q: Why should businesses use greeting cards for promotions?

A: Greeting cards feel more personal than standard ads. These also
encourage engagement with customers, while highlighting special
offers. Businesses can express gratitude and reconnect with their
customers, all while strengthening their promotions.

Q: What is the most common greeting card size?

A: The standard 5.0″ x 7.0″ card is widely used for business and
personal greetings.

Q: Do smaller cards feel less premium?

A: Not necessarily! You can create luxurious-feeling cards using
high-quality materials and finishes, regardless of size.

Q: What’s the best size for direct mail marketing?

A: 4.25″ x 5.5″ is ideal because it offers similar size and
attributes as a postcard, while keeping costs manageable.

Q: How can I make my greeting cards stand out?

A: Use high-quality paper with unique finishes like foil or
embossing and personalize them with handwritten messages.

Selecting the right size ensures your message is clear, memorable, and
cost-effective. Whether you’re sending appreciation notes, invitations,
or marketing promotions, choosing the right size and design will
maximize your return on investment. Start integrating
greeting cards
into your marketing strategy today and make each message count.

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