Of all the boxes in this catalogue, this one has the most reliable arithmetic behind it, because business cards come in published standard sizes and the stack height is a simple multiplication. This guide shows the calculation and then covers the decisions the maths does not answer. To order, see business card boxes.
The footprint: published card standards
| Card standard | Size | Suggested internal footprint |
|---|---|---|
| US business card | 3.5 x 2 in | Card size plus about 1 to 2 mm on each axis |
| Common European card | 85 x 55 mm | Card size plus about 1 to 2 mm on each axis |
| Square card | Varies, commonly 55 x 55 mm or 2.5 x 2.5 in | Measure your own card, since square formats are not standardised |
These are published card standards, offered as starting points, not iBox stock sizes. Clearance matters more than it sounds: a box cut exactly to the card makes the top card impossible to lift out without bending it.
The depth: caliper times count
Card stock is quoted in points, where one point is one thousandth of an inch. So the stack height for a given count is simply the caliper multiplied by the number of cards.
| Stock | 100 cards | 250 cards | 500 cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 pt (0.014 in) | About 1.4 in | About 3.5 in | About 7.0 in |
| 16 pt (0.016 in) | About 1.6 in | About 4.0 in | About 8.0 in |
| 18 pt (0.018 in) | About 1.8 in | About 4.5 in | About 9.0 in |
This is arithmetic on the published caliper, not a measurement of any specific stock. Coatings, lamination and soft touch films add a little, and a laminated card can measure noticeably over its base caliper. Measure a real stack of your own cards before you fix the depth.
What the arithmetic does not decide
- Box style. A two piece lid and base gives the gift feel. A tuck end carton is lighter and cheaper. A slide out drawer box reads well for a small premium run and keeps the cards from falling out.
- Whether the box is reused. A box that lives on a desk and is opened daily needs a stronger construction than one opened once.
- Thumb notch. A small die cut notch in the wall lets the user get a finger under the stack. Cheap to add at the dieline stage, impossible to add later.
- Single count or multi count. If you sell packs of 100 inside a box of 500, you need a divider or separate inner bands.
Board and finish
These boxes are small and are handled constantly, so caliper is worth spending on. A rigid two piece box in wrapped chipboard, typically specified in the 1.5 to 3 mm range, gives the substantial feel that suits a premium card. A folding carton is the right answer for volume and for boxes that ship inside a larger order. Foil stamping and embossing both suit the small format because the entire lid is within a hand's view, and neither affects your internal dimensions.
Ordering, minimum and turnaround
Minimum order is 100 boxes. Pricing starts from about $0.48 per unit at bulk volumes and is confirmed on your written quote, with construction, board and finishing reflected there. The die, the plates, design support, US shipping and a digital proof before anything prints are included, so a box cut to your exact card and count costs no more to tool than a near standard one.
Turnaround is quoted per product in three lanes: rush (expedited production plus air freight, premium about 7 to 25% depending on the job), standard by air, and cost saver by sea. The floor is from about 7 business days, plus 2 to 5 days for delivery, and rigid or specialty imported items can run up to about 12 weeks. We produce in West Chicago, US, and Guangzhou, China.
Tell us your card size, your card stock and how many cards go in a box, and we will send back an internal size on a written quote at /quote/. Order at business card boxes, and if you want the two piece construction explained first, read how to size a telescoping box.
