Guide to Standard Invitation Sizes

Key Takeaways:

• Using standard invitation sizes offers many benefits, including compatibility with standard envelopes and postal service requirements.
• The right invitation size depends on various factors, such as the event’s significance, the amount of information, and the distribution method.
• Custom-sized invitations are best reserved for designs with more detailed artwork or long text, or for situations that require unique aesthetics.

Flat vs. Folded Invitation Cards

Before we discuss standard invitation card sizes, it’s important to know the difference between flat and folded invitations.

Flat invitation cards are single-sided, like a postcard, making them suitable for simple, shorter messages and more budget-friendly options. They are usually an excellent option for mass mailing.

Folded cards, meanwhile, have more space to include longer text, bigger artwork or photos, or a more complex design. They are also the ideal option if you want to create an element of surprise or a traditional feel.

Whether you should choose a flat or folded card depends on the amount of information, design, distribution, and budget.

Standard Invitation Card Dimensions	Best for	Matching Envelope Sizes
Flat Type
3.5″ x 5″	Separate RSVP cards or smaller detail cards	4″ x 5.25″
4″ x 6″ and 4.25″ x 6″	Suitable for a range of events like birthdays, graduations, and christenings	4.25″ x 6.25″ and 4.75″ x 6.5″
5″ x 7″	Milestone events like weddings, formal banquets, and achievement ceremonies	5.25″ x 7.25″
Folded Type
7″ x 5″ (folds to 3.5″ x 5″)	Formal events like weddings, anniversaries, and other special occasions	4″ x 5.25″
8.5″ x 6″ (folds to 4.25″ x 6″)	Baby showers, graduation parties, and other milestone events where you may need to include more details	4.75″ x 6.5″
10″ x 7″ (folds to 5″ x 7″)	Events where you need to include a lot of information, such as corporate anniversaries and lavish weddings	5.25″ x 7.25″

Common Flat Invitation Sizes

3″ x 5″: As the smallest standard invitation size, it is the ideal choice for casual party invites and separate RSVP cards that are part of a mix-and-match set.

4″ x 6″ and 4.25″ x 6″: These sizes strike the perfect balance between offering more space for the essentials and still maintaining a compact design. They are a popular choice for birthdays, graduation parties, christenings, and intimate events like celebration dinners.

5″ x 7″: It is the most versatile and popular standard size for flat cards, as it offers convenience in mailing and storing. It’s the ideal option for formal functions and milestone events like weddings, achievement awards, and promotions.

Design Tips for Flat Cards:

Be concise: Include only essential details to avoid clutter. Avoid or minimize the use of design embellishments to make the key information stand out.

Focus on readability: Use legible fonts like Lato, Helvetica, Garamond, and Playfair Display. If you want to incorporate decorative or calligraphic fonts into your design, use them sparingly and pair them with a more readable font.

Incorporate a theme: Use colors, typography, and graphics that reflect your event’s theme and style.

Use a focal point: Choose one or two design elements, such as a bold header or a unique illustration, and let the rest of the layout support them.

Common Folded Invitation Sizes

7″ x 5″ (folds to 3.5″ x 5″): As the smallest folded card size, it’s excellent for detailed invitations that fit into standard-size envelopes.

8.5″ x 6″ (folds to 4.25″ x 6″): The additional space is ideal for creative designs and more detailed invitations.

10″ x 7″ (folds to 5″ x 7″): As the largest standard invitation size, it is best reserved for elaborate invitations with multiple pages or inserts. Lavish weddings and luxury parties often use this size to demonstrate the event’s significance.

Design Tips for Folded Cards:

Use a strong visual hook: For the front cover, consider using a captivating photo or beautiful typography that reflects your event’s theme and style.

Include all essential details: Print key information on the inside panels, such as the venue, time and date, and RSVP details. You may also include optional but helpful info, like the dress code or a map for the venue, which you can put on the back panel.

Keep it simple: A clean layout helps key details stand out and makes the message easy to understand.

How to Choose the Ideal Invitation Size

Event’s significance and size: In general, bigger and more lavish events like weddings, awards ceremonies, and corporate anniversaries require larger standard sizes, whereas casual or intimate parties like birthdays and celebration dinners can do with smaller ones.

Amount of information: If your invitation design includes more details (such as a list of VIP guests or an event schedule), you need larger sizes. For elaborate events, you may use a set of invitations with a small RSVP card and a large main card for key details.

Distribution method: Whether you plan to hand out the cards in person or mail them, the right size makes distribution easier. For large-volume mailing, using standard sizes can lower the postage costs.

Check out the chart below for the size and weight requirements for First-Class Mail, the most affordable USPS service for sending letters (with envelopes) and postcards (without envelopes).

Weight and Size Standards for First-Class Mail	Retail Mail (Ideal for Individuals and Small Businesses)	Commercial Mail (Ideal for Businesses Sending Large Volumes of Invitations)
Letters	Minimum Size: 3.5″ x 5″ Maximum Size: 6.125″ to 11.5 ” Thickness: 0.009″ to 0.25″	Minimum Size: 3.5″ x by 5″ Maximum Size: 6.125″ x 11.5″ Thickness: 0.007″ to 0.25″
Postcards	Minimum Size: 3.5″ x 5″ Maximum Size: 4.25″ x 6″ Thickness: 0.007″ to 0.016″	Minimum Size: 3.5″ x 5″ Maximum Size: 6″ x 9″ Thickness: 0.007″ to 0.016″

Custom Invitation Sizes: When to Use Them

Using standard invitation card sizes offers benefits such as affordability, convenience, and a professional presentation. These benefits stem from compatibility with existing printing and mailing systems

But in some situations, custom-sized invitations might be a better option than standard sizes. With die-cut printing, some cards even have unique shapes (e.g., heart, champagne, flower, and snowman) to match the occasion, message, or brand.

Here are situations when custom-sized or uniquely shaped invitations are a better option than standard rectangular cards:

• You want to turn the invitations into a memorable and unique keepsake.
• You are looking for a unique aesthetic effect.
• You aim to capture attention and boost engagement.
• You need invitations that reflect your brand or match the occasion.

---

Choosing the ideal standard invitation size lets you convey your message in a way that aligns with the event’s significance and theme and ensures there is enough space for all the key details. Furthermore, it promotes convenient and cost-effective mailing.

If you already have a press-ready design, you can use our free layout templates that include borders, trim lines, safe area, and bleed. These guidelines prevent unwanted white edges (bleed), ensure accurate sizing and cutting (trim margin), and protect key design elements (safe area).