What pixel size is a 5x7 greeting card at 300 DPI?

A 5x7 greeting card set to 300 DPI translates to a pixel size of 1,500 pixels wide by 2,100 pixels high for the print area. When you add the standard 0.125-inch bleed on each side—a common requirement for print-on-demand files—the total dimensions become 1,575 by 2,175 pixels. In total, this gives you an image around 3.2 megapixels, which is well within the capabilities of modern smartphone cameras or DSLRs. For example, when creating a print-ready file for Etsy, make sure your design software canvas is at least this size to preserve quality. Always export your file at 300 DPI to avoid pixilation in the final printed card.

What aspect ratio is 5x7?

The aspect ratio of a 5x7 card is exactly 5:7, which calculates to approximately 1:1.4. This is fairly close to the ISO A-series aspect ratio of 1 to the square root of 2 (around 1:1.414). Because of this, using an A-series paper template—such as A6 or A7—as a starting point often works well with minor resizing. Etsy sellers designing for print-on-demand should note this difference while avoiding confusion with other popular ratios like 4:5 for 8x10 or 3:4 for 12x16. For example, if you’re repurposing an A-series design, slightly adjust the canvas dimensions to perfectly fit 5x7 specifications.

Do I need bleed on a 5x7 greeting card file?

Yes for any card that goes to a professional print shop. The standard bleed is 0.125 inch on each side, making the file 5.25 x 7.25 inches (1,575 x 2,175 px at 300 DPI). For home printer use only, bleed is optional but still recommended since most home printers also have slight trim variation.

What's the safe zone for 5x7 card text?

The safe zone for important text on a 5x7 greeting card is between 0.125 and 0.25 inches inside the trim line, meaning it’s best to keep greetings, names, and dates within an inner 4.5 by 6.5-inch area. This precaution avoids any risk of cutting off valuable information during trimming. Decorative elements like backgrounds or borders, however, can safely extend all the way to the 5x7 trim line and even into the bleed area, which is typically 0.125 inches around the edge. When preparing your file for Etsy or other POD sites, always check that critical text stays well within the safe zone to ensure a professional final appearance.

What size envelope fits a 5x7 card?

A 5x7 greeting card is best paired with an A7 envelope measuring 5.25 by 7.25 inches, which allows a comfortable 0.125-inch clearance on all sides for easy insertion and removal. A7 envelopes are the standard size for greeting cards in North America, commonly found and expected by buyers. For those selling internationally or shipping abroad, C5 envelopes (162 by 229 mm) also accommodate 5x7 cards nicely. Always include envelope size recommendations in your Etsy listings to help customers find the right fit. If packaging your cards for shipping, ensure the envelope size matches the card dimensions to prevent bending or damage.

Should 5x7 greeting card files be RGB or CMYK?

For 5x7 greeting cards sold as digital downloads on Etsy, saving the file in RGB color mode is ideal because it’s the universal format optimized for screens, home printers, and most print-on-demand services. RGB supports vibrant colors and displays correctly in web browsers and photo viewing apps. Conversely, CMYK is the color mode used by professional printers but tends to produce washed-out colors when viewed digitally, which could confuse buyers. To avoid such issues, design and upload your files in RGB at 300 DPI, and inform buyers that files are ready for home printing or online use, unless you offer a specialized CMYK print service.

Folded 5x7 vs flat 5x7 — what's the difference in file setup?

Flat 5x7 is a single-sided file at 5x7 inches (1,500 x 2,100 px). Folded 5x7 needs a 5x14 inch sheet (the unfolded layout) with the front cover, back, inside left, and inside right laid out across the spread. Most Etsy listings deliver folded cards as two files: outside spread (cover + back) and inside spread (left + right pages).

Can I sell a 5x7 file that prints at A7 (similar size)?

While A7 envelopes (5.25 by 7.25 inches) perfectly fit standard 5x7 cards, the A7 paper size itself is much smaller, measuring just 74 by 105 mm (2.9 by 4.1 inches), and is intended for tiny notes or postcards rather than greeting cards. Etsy sellers should avoid mixing up the envelope designation with the paper size when creating listings or preparing print files. Always use 5x7 inches as your card dimension for designing and advising customers because it matches the A7 envelope perfectly and meets common industry standards for greeting cards.

Size Guide

5x7 Greeting Card Print Specs

Pixel dimensions, bleed, safe zone, folded vs flat layouts — everything you need to design a 5x7 greeting card that prints clean at any consumer or professional print shop.

5 min read · April 26, 2026 · Updated April 26, 2026

A 5x7 inch greeting card at 300 DPI requires 1,500 x 2,100 pixels for the print area — just 3.2 megapixels. Adding the standard 0.125 inch bleed on each side brings the file up to 1,575 x 2,175 pixels (5.25 x 7.25 inches). The 5:7 aspect ratio (approximately 1:1.4) is close to ISO A-sizes (1:√2 ≈ 1:1.414), which means an A-series template often works for 5x7 with minimal adjustment.

5x7 is the dominant greeting card size on Etsy — birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, holidays, and "just because" cards almost universally default here. The size fits standard greeting card envelopes and racks at every stationery shop and craft store.

5x7 pixel dimensions at every DPI

DPI	Print area (5x7)	With 0.125" bleed	Quality verdict
300 DPI	1,500 × 2,100	1,575 × 2,175	Print-ready (standard)
200 DPI	1,000 × 1,400	1,050 × 1,450	Borderline — visible at close range
150 DPI	750 × 1,050	788 × 1,088	Soft — not recommended for cards
72 DPI	360 × 504	378 × 522	Web only — do not print

5x7 cards are forgiving on resolution — even older phone photos easily exceed the 3 MP minimum. The trap is forgetting bleed, not insufficient pixels.

Bleed and safe zone for 5x7

Greeting cards are physically trimmed after printing, and trim cuts are imprecise — typically within 0.0625" (1.6mm) of the intended line. Bleed and safe zones account for this:

Bleed (0.125" on each side): Image extends past the trim line. If the trim cuts slightly inside the intended line, you don't get a white edge. File dimensions become 5.25 x 7.25 inches (1,575 x 2,175 px at 300 DPI).
Safe zone (0.125-0.25" inside the trim line): Critical content (text, key visual elements) stays inside this margin. If the trim cuts slightly outside the intended line, your text doesn't get sliced.
Trim line: The actual 5x7 inch card boundary.

Working with bleed: design at 5.25 x 7.25 inches with all critical content centered in the inner 4.5 x 6.5 inch area. The outer 0.125" on each side is image you don't mind losing; the inner margin is image you cannot afford to lose.

Folded card vs flat 5x7 — different file setups

Most greeting cards are folded, not flat. This changes the file setup significantly:

Flat 5x7 (postcard, RSVP, save-the-date): Single side, 1,500 x 2,100 px (or 1,575 x 2,175 with bleed). Sometimes printed double-sided with separate front/back files.
Folded 5x7 (most greeting cards): The unfolded sheet is 5x14 inches (or 10x7 if folded vertically), scored at the center. Inside spread is 5x14 inches; outside spread is the same. Two design files needed: outside (front cover + back) and inside (left page + right page).
Bi-fold landscape 5x7: Unfolded sheet is 14x5 inches, fold creates 7x5 cards that open vertically. Less common but used for some birthday and holiday card formats.

For Etsy printable card listings, the standard is folded 5x7 with inside and outside spreads as two separate JPG files. Each file is 4,200 x 3,000 pixels (14 x 10 inches at 300 DPI) for portrait fold, or 3,000 x 4,200 for landscape fold.

When buyers specifically want 5x7

Birthday, anniversary, holiday cards. The dominant 5x7 use case. Buyers want a card to print at home or take to a print shop, then sign and mail. Listings titled "printable [occasion] card 5x7" attract this buyer directly.
Wedding suites (save-the-date, RSVP, invitation). The 5x7 is the standard wedding stationery size. Wedding-themed listings typically bundle save-the-date, RSVP, and invitation as a 3-file 5x7 set.
Baby announcement and shower invitations. Same 5x7 standard, applied to a baby or shower context. Often paired with a thank-you card variant.
Sympathy and condolence cards. Smaller market but consistent demand. Subtle, respectful designs at 5x7 with handwritten-style typography.

Common 5x7 mistakes

1. Forgetting bleed entirely

A 5x7 file with no bleed will get a thin white edge if the print shop trims slightly inside the line. Always design with 0.125" bleed (file = 5.25 x 7.25 inches) and let the print shop trim the bleed off. Print-on-demand services almost universally expect bleed.

2. Putting text too close to the edge

Text within 0.125" of the trim line gets cut. Always keep text inside the safe zone (the inner 4.5 x 6.5 inch area for a 5x7 card). Larger margins (0.25") are safer for handwritten or script fonts that have flourishes.

3. Selling a flat 5x7 file labeled as a "greeting card"

Buyers expecting a foldable card who get a flat single-sided file are confused. Specify folded vs flat in the listing title and provide the correct file: folded cards need a 5x14 inch sheet (front+back outside, blank inside) or two separate spreads.

4. Designing in CMYK instead of RGB

Most home and consumer print shops accept RGB. Pro print shops sometimes prefer CMYK but can convert. For Etsy digital downloads, deliver RGB JPG — it works universally. CMYK files often appear washed out in browsers and cause confusion before print.

5. Ignoring envelope size compatibility

Standard greeting card envelopes are 5.25 x 7.25 inches (A7 envelope). A 5x7 card fits with 0.125" wiggle room. If you're designing 5x7 cards, mention in the listing that they fit standard A7 envelopes — many buyers don't know envelope sizes by name.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

A4, A3, A2 Print Setup

ISO sizes for international card and stationery buyers.

Aspect Ratio Calculator

Verify any card design against the 5:7 target.

Generate 5x7 + envelope-ready files in seconds

Ratio Ready handles greeting card sizing alongside wall art and posters. 50 free Creative Credits on signup.

Try the Free Tools