Guide
Rack Card Sizes: Standard Dimensions & Printing Specs
Rack cards live or die by how they sit in a display. Here are the standard sizes, the stocks that hold up, and the file specs to send us.
Quick answer
The standard rack card is 4" x 9". If you're not sure what to order, order that — it fits every standard brochure rack in hotels, visitor centers, gyms, and waiting rooms.
Standard rack card sizes
| Size | Also called | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 4" x 9" | Standard rack card, DL card | Brochure racks, counter displays, mailers, #10 envelope inserts |
| 3.5" x 8.5" | Slim rack card | Tight rack pockets, lower cost per piece, menu inserts |
| 4" x 7" | Short rack card | Counter cards, table tents, tear-off style handouts |
| 4.25" x 11" | Oversized rack card | Real-estate sheets, service menus, spec sheets |
Paper weight and finish
- 14 pt gloss or matte: the standard. Rigid enough to stand in a rack, economical at volume.
- 16 pt: noticeably stiffer and more premium in hand. Worth it for hotel and high-end retail racks.
- UV gloss coating: makes photos pop and shrugs off fingerprints — good for tourism and restaurant cards.
- Matte or uncoated: pick this if customers need to write on the card (appointment times, coupon codes).
Skip anything under 12 pt. Light stock curls in humid lobbies and slumps forward in a display rack, which hides your headline.
File setup: bleed, trim, and safe area
- Build the document at final trim size plus 0.125" bleed on all four sides (a 4" x 9" card = 4.25" x 9.25" document).
- Keep all text and logos 0.125" inside the trim line so nothing gets cut off.
- Supply artwork at 300 DPI in CMYK, not RGB.
- Send a press-ready PDF with fonts outlined or embedded.
Design tips that actually matter in a rack
In a brochure rack, only the top 3 inches of the card are visible. Put your business name, the single benefit you want people to remember, and a striking image in that top band. Everything else — hours, map, list of services, QR code — goes below the fold or on the back.
FAQ
What is the standard rack card size?
4" x 9" is the standard rack card size in the United States. It fits virtually every brochure and rack display, and it mails at the standard letter rate as a flat insert.
What other rack card sizes are common?
3.5" x 8.5" (slim rack card) and 4" x 7" (short rack card) are the two common alternatives. Slim cards fit tighter pockets and cost less per piece; 4" x 7" gives a chunkier look in a rack but can sit low in tall display slots.
What paper weight should a rack card be?
14 pt or 16 pt cardstock is the norm. 14 pt stands upright in a rack and is the value option; 16 pt feels more premium and resists curling in humid lobbies. Anything lighter than 12 pt will flop over in a display.
How much bleed does a rack card need?
Build the artwork with 0.125" (1/8") bleed on every edge and keep all text at least 0.125" inside the trim line. For a 4" x 9" card, that means a 4.25" x 9.25" document with a 3.75" x 8.75" safe area.
Can rack cards be mailed?
Yes. A 4" x 9" rack card qualifies as a standard postcard-size mail piece in most cases, which makes it a popular dual-purpose piece for counter racks and direct mail campaigns.
Ready to print?
Browse marketing materials → or request a quote for a custom size or run.
Related reading: door hanger printing, EDDM vs targeted direct mail, and business card paper types.