A model comp card is a printed card that works as your business card as a model. It is also called a composite card, a zed card, or a sed card.
The card is 5.5 by 8.5 inches, with your best headshot and name on the front, and more photos, your stats, and your contact details on the back.
Agencies and clients keep it on file to see, in a few seconds, whether you fit a job. Here is what goes on a comp card, the standard size, and how to make one.
What Is a Model Comp Card?
A comp card, short for composite card, is a model's business card and mini portfolio in one. You may also hear it called a zed card, z card, or sed card.
It shows a casting director or client who you are: your look, your range, your measurements, and how to reach you.
Unlike a plain business card, a comp card leads with photos, because in modeling your look is the product. Agencies hand them out at castings, and models bring them to go-sees and auditions.
What Size Is a Comp Card?
A model comp card is 5.5 by 8.5 inches. That is half of a standard letter sheet, and it matches the A5 size used in Europe and most of the world.
It is printed on both sides of thick cardstock, and it can be set up vertical or horizontal, whichever shows your photos best.
A few agencies use other sizes, like 5 by 7 or 6 by 9 inches, but 5.5 by 8.5 is the safe, standard choice. Casting directors file a lot of cards, so a size that fits their folder looks more professional than an odd one. If an agency signs you, ask which size they prefer.
What Goes on a Comp Card
Think of the card as two sides with two jobs.
The Front
The front holds one strong headshot and your name. Pick a clear, natural close-up where your face, skin, hair, and eye color show well. Your name goes in a simple, easy-to-read font. That is it. The front is meant to grab attention, not to be busy.
The Back
The back holds three to five more photos, your stats, and your contact details, so most comp cards have four to six photos in total.
Choose shots that show your range: a full-body photo, a commercial look, and one that shows some personality. Keep it clean, and leave white space so it does not feel crowded.
For more on choosing strong images, our guide on what to include in a modeling portfolio goes deeper.
The Stats to List
Agencies check your stats to see if you fit a job, so list them plainly and keep them accurate.
| Stat | What to list |
|---|---|
| Height | In both units, e.g. 5'9" (175 cm) |
| Measurements | Women: bust, waist, hips. Men: chest, waist, inseam |
| Dress or suit size | Your standard size |
| Shoe size | US and EU |
| Hair and eye color | Your natural colors |
| Contact | Your agency, or your email and social handle if freelance |
How to Make a Comp Card, Step by Step
You can make a good comp card yourself in an afternoon. Here is how.
Step 1: Choose Your Photos
Pick one strong headshot for the front and three to five range shots for the back. Use high-quality images that look like you on a normal day, not heavily filtered.
If you do not have professional photos yet, clean digitals shot against a plain wall can work to start.
Step 2: Gather Your Stats and Contact
Write down the stats from the table above: your measurements, sizes, and hair and eye color. Keep them honest, since they get checked in person.
Add your contact details: your agency if you are signed, or your own email and social handle if you are freelance.
Step 3: Pick a Template and Design It
The easiest way to design a comp card is to start from a template. Free tools like Canva have templates already set to comp card size, and design software like Adobe InDesign does too.
Put your headshot and name on the front, and your photos, stats, and contact on the back. Use one clean, readable font, like Arial or Times New Roman at around size 12 to 14, and leave plenty of white space so the card does not feel crowded.
Step 4: Set the Size and Export
Set your card to 5.5 by 8.5 inches, printed on both sides. Keep your text and faces inside the safe lines, away from the edges, so nothing important gets cut off at the printer.
Export two versions: a print-ready PDF for the print shop, and a web JPG you can email or post for online castings. Name the file clearly, like Firstname-Lastname-Comp-Card.pdf, so it looks professional when you send it.
Step 5: Print
Print double-sided on thick cardstock, 300gsm or heavier, with a matte or semi-gloss finish. A local print shop or an online service can do this.
Start with about 100 cards, since you can always order more once you know they work. Printing a batch like this is usually inexpensive, so you do not need a big budget to look professional.
Digital vs Physical Comp Cards
These days you need both a printed card and a digital one. The digital comp card is the same layout, saved as a PDF and a web-ready JPG.
You use it for email submissions and online castings, and some models turn it into a QR code that people can scan at events.
A comp card is not the same as digitals, though people mix them up. Digitals are plain, unedited phone photos that agencies ask for when you first apply.
A comp card is the polished, designed card you use once you have good photos. You need digitals to get in the door, and a comp card to market yourself after.
Agency vs Freelance Comp Cards
If an agency signs you, they often design your comp card for you, using their logo and their contact details. You usually do not need to make your own.
If you are freelance, you make your own card and use your own email and social media handle. The layout and the photos are the same either way. Only the contact details, and who designs it, change.
Common Comp Card Mistakes to Avoid
A few mistakes show up again and again:
- Too much on the card. A crowded card is hard to read. Keep it clean, like a business card.
- An odd size. Stick to 5.5 by 8.5 inches so it fits the folders casting directors use.
- Old photos. Update your card at least once a year, or whenever your look changes.
- Cheap printing. Thin paper looks unprofessional. Use thick cardstock from a good print shop.
- Wrong stats. Your measurements get checked in person, so keep them honest and current.
- Same-looking photos. Five shots of the same pose waste the space. Show range.
Conclusion
A comp card is a simple tool that does one job well. It shows an agency or client your look, your range, and your stats at a glance.
Keep it to the standard 5.5 by 8.5 size, lead with your best headshot, show your range on the back, and keep your stats honest.
Your comp card works best next to a full modeling portfolio that clients can view online. Pixpa has templates made for models and actors so you can build one without any code.
FAQ
What is a comp card in modeling?
A comp card, short for composite card, is a printed 5.5 by 8.5 inch card that works as a model's business card and mini portfolio. The front shows your headshot and name. The back shows more photos, your stats, and your contact details.
What size is a model comp card?
The standard model comp card is 5.5 by 8.5 inches, which is half a letter sheet and the same as A5. It is printed on both sides of thick cardstock. A few agencies use other sizes, but 5.5 by 8.5 is the safe choice.
How many photos should a comp card have?
A comp card usually has four to six photos: one headshot on the front, and three to five range shots on the back. The back photos should show different looks, like a full-body shot and a commercial look. Range matters more than quantity.
Do you need a comp card to get signed?
No. Agencies usually sign you from your digitals and simple snapshots, then design your comp card after you sign. If you are freelance, you can make your own at any time.
How much do comp cards cost?
Printing a batch of about 100 comp cards costs a modest amount at most print shops, depending on the paper and finish. If you design it yourself in a free tool, you only pay for printing. Prices vary by region and print quality.
Where can I get a comp card template?
Free comp card templates are built into design tools like Canva, and into software like Adobe InDesign. Look for one set to the standard 5.5 by 8.5 inch size. A template gives you a clean layout to drop your own photos and stats into.
How do I make a comp card for free?
Use a free comp card template in a tool like Canva, add your headshot, range photos, stats, and contact details, then export it as a PDF. You only pay when you print. This lets you make a professional card without hiring a designer.
What is the difference between a comp card and digitals?
Digitals are plain, unedited phone photos that agencies ask for when you first apply. A comp card is a polished, designed card with your best photos and stats. You need digitals to apply, and a comp card once you have strong images.