First: format and occasion
Before designing comes the format. It shapes the effect:
- A6 (105 × 148 mm) — the classic, fits standard envelopes.
- Square (e.g. 145 × 145 mm) — modern, premium, but needs square envelopes.
- DL (99 × 210 mm) — elegant and slim, good for weddings.
Folded card or single-sided, portrait or landscape — that's decided by the occasion and the amount of text. Once the format is set, you have the canvas everything else builds on.
The print part: bleed and safety margin
As soon as the card is made at an online print shop, the same rules apply as for any print product: pull the background into the bleed (usually 2–3 mm past the edge) so no white flash appears, and keep important content within the safety margin inward. The full explanation is in Bleed and trim explained. If you print at home on your own printer with a white border, you can take this point more loosely — there's no borderless cut there.
Type that works on paper
The most common self-designer mistake: text that looked good on the big monitor is too fine or too tight on the small printed card. Rules:
- Big enough — body text not below about 9–10 pt.
- Enough contrast — light text on a delicate background can vanish in print; that applies on paper as on screen (see our post on contrast and legibility).
- Not too many fonts — two harmonious ones are enough; more looks restless.
- Check the key info — date, time, place, RSVP by when. A typo in the date is the most expensive mistake.
Using photos correctly
A photo on the invitation (the birthday child, the couple) wants to be at 300 dpi at display size — a photo filling half the A6 card needs about 620 × 875 pixels. Small web images or WhatsApp versions aren't enough and turn mushy. To position and crop, use the crop tool — and for the print product use the originals, not compressed versions.
Screen is not paper
The last check before ordering: the glowing colors of the monitor look more muted printed, and fine details can vanish. If the print shop offers a preview or a proof, both are worth it — especially for cards in a print run. Why colors look different in print is explained in CMYK vs RGB.
Frequently asked questions
What format does an invitation card have?
Common are A6 (105 × 148 mm), square (e.g. 145 × 145 mm), or DL (99 × 210 mm). For print, bleed allowance is added all around. The format should suit the occasion — square feels modern, A6 classic.
Do I have to think about bleed when designing myself?
Yes, as soon as the card is printed at a print shop. Background colors and images must run past the edge (bleed, usually 2–3 mm), and important content needs a safety margin inward. On a home printer with a white border it's less critical.
Why does my card look different printed than on screen?
Because the screen glows and print is ink on paper. Vivid screen colors often look more muted printed (CMYK), and text that was legible on the monitor can be too fine at a small print size. Before ordering, check a preview or a proof.
What resolution do embedded photos need?
300 dpi at the size the photo appears on the card. A photo filling half the A6 card needs about 620 × 875 pixels — small web images aren't enough. Text and graphics are best as vectors so they stay razor-sharp.
Sources
PDF Association — Print PDF · Adobe — Printer's marks and bleed.