R5 or R10? Choosing the right corner radius for business cards
Two radii, two very different cards. Here is how print shops decide, and why most of them keep both cutters on the counter.
Every business card leaves your shop with four decisions already made: paper, finish, print and corners. The first three get all the attention. The corners get whatever cutter happens to be on the counter. That is a missed opportunity, because the radius changes how a card feels in the hand more than most customers expect.
What the numbers mean
The R value is the radius of the circle that the rounded corner follows. R5 means a 5 mm radius, R10 means 10 mm. On a standard 90 × 54 mm card, R5 takes off a small, crisp corner. R10 takes off nearly a fifth of the short edge and gives the card a soft, pebble-like outline.
| Radius | Look | Typical use | aidox model |
|---|---|---|---|
| R5 | Subtle, still reads as a rectangle | Corporate cards, ID badges, loyalty cards, most photo prints | 2-in-1 Corner Cutter 1051 (S) |
| R10 | Soft, friendly, clearly “rounded” | Boutique brands, kids’ products, gift tags, laminated menus | 2-in-1 Corner Cutter 1052 (L) |
Three questions to ask before you cut
- How close is the artwork to the edge? R10 removes about 2.9 mm of material at the tip of each corner. Logos or text placed tight in a corner will be clipped. R5 removes about 1.5 mm and is safe with almost any layout.
- Is the card laminated? Laminated edges are stiffer and show sharp corners more. Many shops go up one size, R10 instead of R5, on laminated cards so the corner stays comfortable after the film is applied.
- Will the card sit in a holder or wallet slot? A larger radius slides in and out more easily and stops the corners from dog-earing. For loyalty and membership cards that live in wallets, R10 lasts longer.
Shop tip. If a customer cannot decide, cut one corner of a spare card at R5 and the opposite corner at R10 and let them hold it. Nine times out of ten they choose in seconds.
Why we make the cutter in two sizes
The 2-in-1 Corner Cutter comes as a pair: the 1051 (S) for R5 and the 1052 (L) for R10. The body, blade mount and four-sheet capacity are identical. Only the blade profile changes, so the cutting feel is the same whichever you pick up, and each one still gives you a round corner on one side and an inverted corner on the other.
For desktop and electric machines the choice widens. The Desktop Corner Cutter 1200 takes interchangeable dies in R3.5, R6 and R10, which covers everything from tight photo-book corners to soft menu covers.
Quick reference
- Default for corporate work: R5
- Default for laminated, boutique or wallet cards: R10
- Not sure: keep one of each on the counter and let the customer feel the difference
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