Membership card size: dimensions, print settings and the digital alternative
Most membership cards use the same size as a bank card, so they fit in any wallet and card holder. Here are the exact dimensions and the settings to give your printer.
- Standard size: 85.6 × 54 mm, or 3.370 × 2.125 inches (ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1, also called CR80).
- Add 3 mm of bleed on each side: your file should be 91.6 × 60 mm.
- Keep text 3 mm inside the edge and export at 300 dpi.
- A digital card in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet has no size to worry about: the layout adapts to every phone.
The standard size: ID-1 or CR80
The size of bank cards, ID cards and most membership cards is defined by the ISO/IEC 7810 standard, format ID-1. Printers often call it CR80.
| Measure | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 85.60 mm | 3.370 in |
| Height | 53.98 mm | 2.125 in |
| Corner radius | about 3.2 mm | about 1/8 in |
| PVC thickness | 0.76 mm | 30 mil |
In practice, designers round it to 85.6 × 54 mm. Use this size unless you have a good reason not to: card holders, lanyards and wallet slots are all made for it.
Print settings for your file
- Bleed: extend the background 3 mm beyond each edge. Document size: 91.6 × 60 mm.
- Safe zone: keep text and logos at least 3 mm inside the trim line.
- Resolution: 300 dpi at final size, which means about 1011 × 638 pixels for the card itself.
- Colours: CMYK for a professional printer, RGB is fine for a home printer.
- File: PDF with crop marks for a print shop.
Paper, PVC or laminated?
Card stock (300 to 350 g/m²) is cheap and fine for one season. Laminated paper lasts longer and resists rain at outdoor events; laminated cards come out slightly thicker. PVC cards look like bank cards and last for years, but you need a card printer or a print shop, and every change means printing a new card.
Choose your activity, type your club’s name, and add the card to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. Free, no sign-up.
Other sizes you may see
- Business card size (85 × 55 mm in Europe, 3.5 × 2 in in the US): close to the standard and easy to print on business card paper, but it does not fit card holders as well.
- Key tag cards: small cards on a key ring, often with a barcode, used by gyms and shops.
- A6 or A7 cards: larger cards for children’s clubs or ceremonial memberships; not practical for everyday use.
The digital alternative: no size at all
A membership card in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet has no print size. Apple and Google set the layout, and the card adapts to every phone screen, from a small Android to a large iPhone. You choose the colours, logo and fields; the rest is handled for you.
Because nothing is printed, nothing has to be reprinted. When a member renews, you change the expiry date once and the card updates on their phone. If you are weighing both options, read digital vs plastic membership cards, or create a test card and see it on your own phone in about a minute.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a membership card in mm?
85.6 × 54 mm (exactly 85.60 × 53.98 mm), the ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1 format used for bank cards.
What size is a membership card in inches?
3.370 × 2.125 inches, often written 3.375 × 2.125 in. This size is also called CR80.
What resolution do I need to print a membership card?
300 dpi at final size, which is about 1011 × 638 pixels without bleed, or 1082 × 709 pixels with 3 mm of bleed.
Is a business card the same size as a membership card?
Close, but not quite: a European business card is 85 × 55 mm and a US one 3.5 × 2 in. A membership card is 85.6 × 54 mm.
Choose your activity, type your club’s name, and add the card to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. Free, no sign-up.
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