A7 greeting cards are the compact option in our greeting card range. The finished folded card measures approximately 74 × 105mm, making it small enough for a thoughtful note, product insert or retail display while still providing space for a carefully considered design.
The card starts as an A6 sheet measuring 105 × 148mm. It is scored down the middle and folded to create the finished A7 format. That distinction matters when preparing artwork because the design is produced on the larger flat sheet before the card is folded.
Our A7 greeting card printing service is suitable for individuals, retailers, makers, event organisers and businesses looking for a neat, professional card format. Cards are supplied with envelopes, with UK-wide delivery and local collection available from our in-house printing facility at 69 West Street, Tavistock, Devon.
What size is an A7 greeting card
A7 describes the finished folded size, not the size of the flat sheet used during production.
The measurements are:
- Finished folded card , approximately 74 × 105mm
- Flat A6 sheet before folding , 105 × 148mm
- Centre score , positioned down the middle of the A6 sheet
- Artwork supplied to the current product specification , 154 × 216mm, including 3mm bleed on every edge
The finished card is small, but it is still a folded card with four panels:
- Front cover
- Back cover
- Inside left page
- Inside right page
This means the design needs to be planned as a complete folded piece rather than as a single small front panel. The centre fold also needs to be considered so that text, illustrations and logos sit in the intended position after production.
How A7 greeting card printing is produced
The production process begins with a flat sheet of card. Your artwork is printed onto the sheet, with the layout allowing for the outside and inside pages. The sheet is then scored at the centre before being folded to its finished A7 size.
Scoring creates a controlled fold line in the card. This is particularly helpful when printing on heavier media, where folding without a score could affect the edge or cause the material to crack.
The result is a compact folded card that can be used on its own, placed inside a gift or included with a product order. The production method is straightforward, but accurate artwork preparation is essential because the flat layout is larger than the finished card.
Choosing the right card media
GSM means grams per square metre. It is a simple way of describing the weight of paper or card. In general, a higher gsm indicates a heavier and more substantial material, although the feel also depends on the type and finish of the media.
The current A7 product page lists the following options:
- 300gsm Uncoated , a natural, easy-to-write-on surface
- 350gsm Silk , a smooth finish with a subtle sheen
- 400gsm Artboard , a heavier and more rigid option
- 280gsm Kraft , a warm brown stock with a natural, handmade character
- 300gsm Gesso , a distinctive white card option with its own surface feel
Each choice gives the finished card a slightly different character. Uncoated card can suit personal messages or designs with a softer, tactile feel. Silk can provide a clean, polished appearance, while Kraft may work particularly well for artisan, sustainable or rustic ranges.
If you are unsure which media best suits your design, consider:
- Whether the card will be written on by hand
- Whether the design uses large areas of colour
- Whether the card forms part of a premium retail range
- Whether a natural or handmade appearance is important
- How the card will be packaged, posted or displayed
Finishing and envelope options
The product page includes a choice of white or Kraft envelopes. White envelopes provide a clean, neutral presentation, while Kraft envelopes create a more natural and informal look.
Depending on the live product options, you can also choose between:
- No Laminate
- Matt Laminate
- Gloss Laminate
- Soft Touch Laminate
Lamination can affect both the appearance and handling of the finished card. Matt laminate reduces shine and can give a restrained, contemporary appearance. Gloss laminate increases sheen and can make colours appear especially vivid. Soft Touch laminate provides a smooth, velvety feel.
Not every combination will be suitable for every artwork, media choice or quantity, so it is important to check the live options on the A7 greeting cards product page before ordering.
Single-sided and double-sided printing options are also listed. For a folded greeting card, double-sided printing usually gives you the greatest flexibility because it allows artwork on the front, back and inside pages.
When small greeting card printing is useful
The A7 format is useful when the message needs to feel personal without taking up much physical space.
Small greetings and thank-you notes
A7 cards work well for short messages, handwritten notes and small gestures of appreciation. They are easy to include with flowers, gifts, hampers or orders.
Gift-card messages
Retailers and makers can use compact cards as an alternative to a basic message slip. A well-designed folded card can make a purchase feel more considered, particularly when it includes space for a handwritten note.
Handmade-market and retail ranges
Small greeting card printing is practical for makers who want to offer a collection of designs without needing a large display area. A7 cards can be arranged by occasion, colour or illustration style on a compact tabletop stand.
Wedding favours and event stationery
The format can suit wedding favours, place settings, thank-you messages and small event keepsakes. A coordinated card design can carry the event colours without overwhelming the table setting.
Christmas cards
A7 Christmas card printing can work particularly well for short seasonal messages, charity ranges and small business stationery. The compact size is also useful where cards need to be stored, displayed or posted in larger quantities.
Business inserts and correspondence
Businesses can use A7 folded cards for:
- Thank-you messages included with orders
- Appointment or service follow-up notes
- Product-care information
- Seasonal correspondence
- Customer appreciation messages
- Short handwritten notes from a team
The format is small enough to be practical but more memorable than a plain piece of paper.
Artwork preparation for A7 folded cards
Good artwork preparation helps the finished card fold cleanly and keeps important content away from trim and score areas.
Include the required bleed
The current product instructions request artwork at 154 × 216mm, including 3mm bleed on every edge. Bleed is the part of the background design that extends beyond the final trim area. It allows for tiny movements during cutting and helps prevent unwanted white edges.
Background colours, photographs and illustrations that reach the edge should continue into the bleed area.
Keep important content inside the safe area
Keep text, logos, borders and small details comfortably inside the trim area. Avoid positioning important content close to the outside edge or directly across the centre fold.
A generous safe margin is especially useful for:
- Small text
- Fine rules and borders
- Logos
- Product information
- Contact details
- Handwritten message areas
Check fold alignment
Remember that the card folds from the larger A6 sheet. Your artwork must account for:
- The front cover
- The back cover
- The inside left page
- The inside right page
- The centre fold
- The direction in which the inside pages are viewed
A proof or printed dummy can be helpful when a design includes directional text, illustrations that cross panels or a carefully aligned pattern.
Allow for multiple designs
The ordering system cannot detect multi-page documents automatically. If your file contains two or more pages or designs, you must select the correct quantity when ordering.
For example, if you supply two designs and want 50 copies of each, the required quantity may need to reflect 100 cards in total. Please check the live product instructions and quantity options before submitting the order.
Where the live options allow it, several designs can be split across an order quantity. This can be useful for a small business greeting card range, seasonal collection or set of handmade designs.
Despatch and collection choices
The current product page lists despatch or collection choices of:
- 3–5 working days
- 2 working days
- 1 working day
The available choice may depend on the selected media, finish, quantity and other live product options. We recommend checking the product page at the point of ordering rather than assuming that every combination is available on every timescale.
Customers near Tavistock can choose local collection where offered. We also provide UK-wide delivery through our printing service, supporting businesses and organisations beyond Devon and Cornwall.
Our wider greeting card printing category includes other formats such as A6, A5, 5×7 and 148×148 cards. If you are comparing sizes for a larger range, it is useful to consider how each format will be displayed, posted and used before preparing the artwork.
When design support could help
If you have the message and visual direction but not a print-ready file, our graphic design service may be useful. We can help prepare artwork for print, including layout, typography, branding and the practical requirements of folded card production.
This can be particularly helpful when:
- The design needs to work across several card sizes
- Inside pages need careful alignment
- You are producing several related designs
- A logo or illustration needs adapting for a small format
- You want a consistent retail or seasonal range
We can also keep completed design work on record when it is produced for ongoing printing, making future reorders easier to manage.
Summary and Takeaway
A7 greeting cards are approximately 74 × 105mm when folded, produced from an A6 sheet measuring 105 × 148mm. Their compact size suits short greetings, gift messages, wedding details, Christmas cards, retail collections and business inserts.
The most important practical points are:
- Prepare artwork for the larger flat sheet, not only the folded front
- Supply artwork at 154 × 216mm with 3mm bleed on every edge, following the current product instructions
- Account for the front, back, inside pages and centre fold
- Choose media based on the desired weight, surface and writing experience
- Check lamination, envelope and turnaround options on the live product page
- Select the correct quantity when supplying multiple pages or designs
- Request a proof if alignment or folding direction is particularly important
A smaller card can be easier to display, package and post while still creating a thoughtful physical connection. What could your business, event or product range communicate more effectively in a carefully designed A7 folded card?