Cue card template guide: sizes, fonts, margins and printing
Last updated: 3 October 2026 · Written by the Cue Card Converter team at EventProgrammer, event production professionals
The right cue card template makes the difference between a card you can read at a glance and one you squint at under stage lights. This guide covers the sizes event teams actually use, typography, margins, paper and how to print A5 cards on a normal office printer.
Common cue card sizes
| Size | Dimensions | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| A5 | 148 x 210 mm | Hosts, MCs, award ceremonies, conference moderators |
| Two A5 on A4 | A4 sheet (210 x 297 mm) cut in half | Printing A5 cards on any office printer |
| 4 x 6 in index card | approx. 102 x 152 mm | Short speeches, toasts, presentation note cards |
| 5 x 8 in index card | approx. 127 x 203 mm | A close alternative to A5 in the US |
| 3 x 5 in index card | approx. 76 x 127 mm | Bullet-point prompts only, not full sentences |
For live events, A5 is the standard. It holds enough text to be useful, is comfortable in one hand and is large enough to read at arm's length.
Printing two A5 cue cards on one A4 sheet
Most venues and production offices have an A4 printer, not an A5 one. The practical solution is to print two A5 cards stacked top and bottom on a single A4 sheet, with a thin cut guide line across the middle. A guillotine or a steel ruler and craft knife gives a clean edge in seconds.
- Check that both cards are oriented the same way so the stack reads in order after cutting.
- Print at 100% scale; "fit to page" can shrink the margins unevenly.
- Cut a whole batch at once and keep the cards in order with a clip.
Portrait or landscape?
Portrait A5 is the most common choice for hosts because it is easy to hold in one hand and keeps lines short, which helps reading. Landscape works well on a lectern or for speakers who prefer longer lines and fewer line breaks. Pick one orientation for the whole set: switching between portrait and landscape mid-event is disorienting.
Font, font size and line spacing
Use a sans-serif typeface designed for screen and print legibility, such as Inter, Roboto or Montserrat. Avoid condensed, script or all-caps body text.
- Body text: around 16 to 20 points on A5, larger if the speaker has asked for it or the stage is dimly lit.
- Highlights: names, titles, numbers, dates, times and stage cues a step larger again.
- Line spacing: 1.5 to 1.8 times the font size, so the eye can find the next line easily.
- Alignment: left-aligned, never justified; uneven word spacing slows reading.
Margins, colour and contrast
Leave wide margins, especially at the bottom and on the side where the thumb sits, so holding the card never covers a word. Around 15 to 20 mm is a comfortable starting point on A5.
For highlights, choose a deep, saturated red such as crimson or brick red. Light pinks, oranges and yellows wash out under warm stage lighting, which is often red or amber. Keep the body text black on white for maximum contrast, and avoid printing text over background images.
Paper weight and finish
Standard 80 gsm office paper is too thin: it bends, rustles near a microphone and shows the back through. A matt card of around 200 to 300 gsm feels solid and stays flat. If the printer cannot handle heavy card, 160 gsm is a reasonable compromise. Avoid gloss: it reflects stage lighting straight back at the speaker.
Test a single sheet before printing a full set. Some office printers jam or smudge on heavier card, and it is better to find that out the day before than ten minutes before doors. Keep a spare pack of the same card in the show bag so reprinted cards match the originals.
The back of the card: branding and event info
The back of a cue card is seen by the audience and on camera, so many agencies print a logo, brand colours and the event name there. It is a small detail that makes the stage look finished. Keep the design simple and dark enough that the text on the front does not show through. Some teams also print the event name and date on the back so cards from different events never get mixed up.
For what goes on the front, see the guides on how to make cue cards and writing an MC script.
Numbering and order
Number every card clearly in a corner, ideally as "4 / 18" so the speaker knows how far through they are. If the script includes timed segments, put the time at the top of the card that starts each one. For panel and award formats, consider separate sets: see moderator cue cards and the award ceremony script guide.
Get a ready-made cue card template
Rather than setting up a template in Word by hand, upload your script to the free cue card maker. Choose Inter, Roboto or Montserrat, set the font size, pick portrait or landscape, add a logo and event details to the back, then print A5 or two A5 cards on A4 with a cut guide. You can also export to PDF, PPTX or DOCX.
Frequently asked questions
What size are cue cards?
For events, A5 (148 x 210 mm) is the most common size. For short speeches, 4 x 6 inch index cards are popular, and two A5 cards can be printed on one A4 sheet and cut in half.
What font size should I use on cue cards?
Around 16 to 20 points for body text on A5 is a good starting point, with names, numbers and cues larger still. Use a clear sans-serif font and 1.5 to 1.8 line spacing.
What paper should I print cue cards on?
Matt card of roughly 200 to 300 gsm works best because it stays flat and does not rustle. Avoid glossy paper, which reflects stage lighting.
Can I print A5 cue cards on an A4 printer?
Yes. Print two A5 cards on one A4 sheet at 100% scale with a cut line in the middle, then trim with a guillotine or a ruler and knife.
More guides
- How to make cue cards for a speech or event
- How to write an MC script that keeps your event on time
- Run of show template: how to plan an event programme minute by minute
- What is a cue card and when should you use one?
- Moderator cue cards: how to run a panel discussion from your cards
- How to write an award ceremony script and winner reveal cards
- Event planning checklist: what to do and when, from one month out to show day
- How to edit cue cards when the script changes at the last minute
- Opening speech examples and a simple structure for welcome remarks
- MC script examples: ready-to-use host lines from doors to closing