How to Choose the Right Thickness of a Paper Card
Cardmaking is one of the most meaningful crafts that promotes gift giving and the fostering of special relationships. It has also adapted to reflect the social movements of our time, with cards for Galentine’s Day, same-sex weddings, and miscarriage empathy.
Many different supplies and techniques can be used to create a card. Some popular choices include stamping, die cutting, and heat embossing.
Thickness
The thickness of a paper card is one of the most important factors to consider. It determines how the card performs and how it looks. Thicker cards are sturdier and more durable. They can withstand repeated handling and prevent the card from becoming a shriveled unreadable mess. A thicker card will also help your business cards stand out from other types of printed material and create a good first impression with your potential clients.
The most common type of paper is 300 GSM, which is approximately 14 Pt (0.014 inches thick). This thickness makes the card feel heavy and sturdy but still gives it some flexibility. This is the ideal thickness for business cards.
Another way to measure the thickness of a card is in microns. However, this measurement can be misleading as it doesn’t correlate to the actual weight of the paper. This is because the thickness of a paper can vary depending on the type of pulp used and the ‘bulking’ process applied to it during production.
The orientation of the grain also influences how the card performs. A paper with a long grain is more rigid and may cause curl, which can impact the feed reliability of your printer. A short-grain paper is less rigid and may curl when it is being fed through your printer, which can affect the quality of your print.
Gloss
Coated gloss paper has a Paper Card shiny surface that reflects the light, making colors pop and images stand out. It is a popular choice for artistic prints, postcards, and flyers. However, it is not recommended for pages with text, as the glare may make the page difficult to read.
Satin and silk finishes have a lower shine level than gloss, but still provide some sheen to your printed pieces. The sheen helps your images and text to be readable, and also reduces ink absorption, making for prints with vivid color. Both satin and silk can be written on with ballpoint pens, though not as easily as glossy stock.
Aqueous and UV coatings are available for your print projects, and both are great choices for protecting your cards from the elements and enhancing their appearance. Aqueous is a clear water-based coating that deters dirt and smudges, while UV offers a high-gloss finish that enhances contrast and colors.
The finish you choose for your card will influence its performance and how it is used. Gloss stocks are great for images and full-color printing, while matte and dull stocks are good options for ensuring that your writing stands out and is readable. Additionally, textured papers such as linen and ribbed add an elegant touch to business cards and invitations. This can help set your brand apart from the rest.
Dull/Matte
Dull or matte cardstock has a non-glossy coating that’s not reflective. It’s a thick stock that holds ink well and looks good with any design. It’s also great for business cards.
It works well with designs that are heavy on text, allowing the text to be read without glare. The lack of glare can help your words stand out in the eyes of your customers and prospects. This stock is less likely to show smudges and can be written on with certain pens. It can be coated with a free gloss aqueous coating or an optional UV coating to provide extra protection and add an enhanced sheen that makes colors pop.
The matte finish of this stock works well with B&W and many types of color prints, but mifare desfire ev3 it doesn’t work as well for landscapes because it muddies dark greens. Many businesses that are focused on selling their products or services opt for a glossy brochure to showcase their stunning images, but if you’re working with text-heavy content, dull stocks might be more appropriate.
For a truly unique look, try a specialty paper like linen or ribbed. The texture adds a nice contrast to the smooth, flat surface of dull or matte cardstock, making it stand out in the hand. The extra thickness of these types of papers can also support the addition of embossing or foil stamping, which are popular ways to enhance your printed pieces.
Soft Touch
Soft Touch is a specialty coating that provides a velvety feel to printed materials. It’s a departure from the traditional aqueous or UV coating and it allows the printing process to retain color saturation while creating a barrier that is fingerprint resistant.
The coating is fast curing and can be applied in-line or post-press as a flood coat or spot coat on UV, heatset, hybrid or conventional litho printed material on paper, paperboard, selected foils, and plastic substrates. It can also be used to coat conventional and in-mold labels for bottle applications improving handgrip. The coating is glueable, foil stampable and embossable (subject to pretesting).
If you’re printing postcards for your business or clients, use the bright white smooth #1 grade cover stock for a substantial card that’s easy to write on. It’s the minimum thickness for a postcard going into the mail and is a great option for appointment reminders and event invitations. To add a soft, velvety texture to the card, request our free Soft Touch finish on the non-address side of the postcard. You can also add a matte film lamination for extra protection from scratches, scuffs and other damages. This process adds considerable weight and cost to the finished piece, however, and isn’t recommended if you plan to send the cards out in the mail.