Memorial Card Printing: Sizes, Paper & File Setup
Memorial cards are most commonly printed as 2.5×4.25" prayer cards, 4×6" photo cards, or 5×7" keepsake cards on matte or uncoated stock, with 100# cover being a common paper weight. Most families need them within a few days of the service, so choosing the right size, paper, and file setup up front saves time when it matters most.
This guide covers the standard memorial card sizes, which paper to choose, how to set up your files, what to write, and how many to order.
Common Memorial Card Sizes
There's no single correct size. The right choice depends on how much you want to include and whether the card is meant to be carried, framed, or mailed.
| Size | Common name | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5×4.25" | Prayer card | The traditional choice. A photo or image on the front, a verse and dates on the back. Fits in a wallet, purse, or Bible. |
| 4×6" | Photo memorial card | Photo-forward designs with room for a short poem. Easy to hand out at the service. |
| 5×7" | Keepsake card | A large photo plus a poem or short obituary. Fits standard 5×7 frames and A7 envelopes, so it works as a keepsake or a mailed thank-you. |
| 5.5×8.5" folded | Memorial folder | A mini program with the order of service, obituary, and photos inside. |
If you can't decide, 4×6 and 5×7 are the most flexible. Both hold a good-sized photo, and 5×7 gives families something they can frame at home.
Best Paper for Memorial Cards
Matte or uncoated cardstock is generally preferred for memorial cards. It doesn't glare under chapel or funeral home lighting, it has a quiet, traditional look, and it takes a pen, so family members can add handwritten notes or signatures.
- 100# cover is a common weight for memorial cards. At roughly 270 gsm, it's sturdy enough to last as a keepsake and thin enough to tuck into a wallet or book.
- Heavier cardstock is a good upgrade for 5×7 keepsake cards that will be framed or displayed.
- Gloss makes photos look vivid, but it shows fingerprints and glare and is hard to write on. It's less common for memorial cards for those reasons.
File Setup: Bleed and Resolution
If your photo or background runs to the edge of the card, add 0.125" of bleed on every side and keep text at least 0.125" inside the trim line. Photos should be 300 DPI at the final printed size.
| Finished size | Size with bleed | Pixels at 300 DPI (trim size) |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5×4.25" | 2.75×4.5" | 750×1275 px |
| 4×6" | 4.25×6.25" | 1200×1800 px |
| 5×7" | 5.25×7.25" | 1500×2100 px |
| 5.5×8.5" folded (11×8.5" flat) | 11.25×8.75" | 3300×2550 px |
If your design uses a black background, set it up as a rich black rather than plain 100% K so it prints deep instead of washed out. Our guide to CMYK rich black explains the right mix.
Choosing and Preparing the Photo
The photo is usually the most important part of the card, and it's often an old print or a phone picture. A few things make a big difference:
- Scan old prints at 600 DPI or higher so you can crop and enlarge without losing detail.
- Phone photos work if they're the original file, not a screenshot or a copy saved from a text message or social media, which are compressed.
- Brighten slightly. Photos tend to print a little darker than they look on a backlit screen, especially on matte paper.
- Crop with the trim in mind. Keep faces well inside the safe zone so nothing important gets cut.
What to Include on a Memorial Card
Most memorial cards include the same core details. The front usually carries a photo or image, and the back holds the text.
- Full name, including a nickname if the person was known by one
- Dates of birth and passing
- A photo, religious image, or meaningful design
- A verse, prayer, poem, or favorite quote
- Service details: date, time, and location (optional, but useful if cards are handed out beforehand)
- A short line from the family, such as a thank-you or "Forever in our hearts"
For verses, scripture such as Psalm 23 and older public-domain poems like Tennyson's "Crossing the Bar" are common choices. Many families also use a favorite saying or a few words written by a loved one.
How Many Memorial Cards to Order
A good rule of thumb is to estimate how many people will attend, then add about 20%. The extra cards cover family members who want several, people who couldn't attend, and cards you'll mail with thank-you notes later.
If you're printing folded memorial folders as programs, order one per expected attendee. If you're printing keepsake cards, one per household is often enough.
Turnaround and Timing
Memorial cards are almost always on a deadline. To avoid last-minute stress:
- Check production time and shipping time separately. Both count toward your deadline.
- Have one person give final approval on the proof so changes don't stall the order.
- Proofread names and dates twice. Those are the errors families notice most.
- If the service is within a few days, choose faster shipping rather than waiting to decide.
Ordering Direct vs. Through a Funeral Home
Funeral homes often offer memorial cards as part of a package, which is convenient but usually limits you to their templates and pricing. Ordering direct from a printer typically costs less per card and gives you full control over the design, size, and paper. Many families design the card themselves or with help from a relative, then order online.
Either way works. If you want a specific size like 5×7 or a particular paper feel, ordering direct gives you more options.
