How to Choose a Paper Card
A well made card, especially when paired with an emotional message, can tell a story that is more personal than a text or email. It demonstrates a person’s thoughtfulness and connects them to their loved one.
There are many types of cardstock to choose from. A basic white card base is essential along with colored cardstock to create a decorative front. Embossed and textured cardstock is also popular and can range from a woven texture through to little dots.
Size
Greeting cards are the most common way to express love, birthday wishes, and gratitude. Often, they are framed and displayed for years to come as Paper Card paper art. They also make a great gift for any occasion.
The size of a paper card is determined by the ISO standard and includes A4, A3, B4, C5 and more. These dimensions are used by printers to ensure that the card is properly printed without cutting off any important information. These dimensions are also used to create envelopes that fit the card perfectly.
In the United States, people often refer to paper by its pound weight, which is based on 500 sheets of a particular sheet size, usually 20 by 26 inches. For example, a piece of 65 lb paper is thicker and heavier than 80 lb newsprint.
In the UK, however, papers are typically referred to by their GSM or Grams per Square Meter value. This is a measurement of how much the paper weighs per square meter, and it is commonly used for both card and paper. The higher the GSM, the thicker and more sturdier the paper. Typical GSM values range from 70 to 90gsm. Thicker paper is ideal for stamping and die-cutting, but can be too thick to fit into most business card holders.
Weight
The weight of a paper card is important for a number of reasons. It can help to determine how thick the card will be, and it can also affect its durability. Different types of paper and cards are made with different materials, which can affect their thickness and weight. For example, a paper that is made of recycled materials may be lighter than a paper that is made from virgin material.
In the United States, people often describe paper by its pound weight, which is determined by the number of pounds per ream (500 sheets) of uncut paper that it weighs. However, this system is not widely used in other countries. Instead, many papermakers use the gsm system, which is measured in grams per square meter.
When deciding on the type of paper you want to use for your business cards, it is important to choose a heavyweight cardstock that will stand up to repeated handling and bending. Choosing the right cardstock will give your business cards a more substantial feel and will enhance your brand image.
The standard and most common weight of cardstock is 80lb. This weight is suitable for all sorts of card making projects, including stamping and die-cutting. It is also thick enough to withstand some layering and can be run through most home printers without any problems.
Gloss
When choosing the paper for your cards it is important to consider the finish, weight and opacity. The opacity of a paper determines how much light it reflects and shines. It also determines whether or not it is readable and can prevent smudges on the card. This is especially important if you have text or photos on the card.
Paper gloss is measured by a glossmeter, which compares the reflectance of a sheet to a standard reference surface, usually polished black glass. High-gloss papers register near 100 gloss units, whereas matte and dull-finish papers register less than 40.
Cover/Card paper is a heavier, stiffer stock that’s used for brochures, product sheets, catalogs and postcards, and is available in many finishes including wove, linen, laid and eggshell. It can have either a glossy or matte finish and often has a higher cotton content than Text or Bond paper.
Our most popular paper is 120# Gloss Cover; this heavy 14 pt stock has a bright shiny coating that makes photographs and other images look beautiful. It is an excellent choice for a premium business card. It can be printed with a free aqueous coat or an optional UV coating to add extra protection and shine. Postcards, especially those that get mailed, need to stand out. They only have a moment to capture and keep attention, and they are often handled, held and read. Choose a premium paper with a high-gloss finish to help your postcards pop and stay vibrant even through handling and the elements.
Matte
The matte finish of a paper card can make your business cards look more expensive and put-together. It also holds ink well, making it a good choice for business cards that you will need to write on. You can choose from a range of colors to match your branding. While a strictly professional business card may stick to whites and creams, more progressive ones can experiment with eye-catching shades.
The most common types of cardstock are glossy and matte, but there are other variations, too. For instance, you can find glitter or iridescent cards, which have special coatings that display different hues and contact smart card patterns as the observer’s perspective changes. You can also find textured cardstock, which has a surface that resembles linen, canvas, or wood.
Another type of craft paper is poster board, which can be cut into various shapes to create home décor items. It is thick and sturdy, making it ideal for crafts and other creative projects. It is also pliable, so it can easily be rolled or folded for storage.
The thickness and weight of a paper card are measured in GSM (g/m2). A higher GSM number means a thicker and heavier card, while a lower one is thinner and lighter. The GSM of a card stock is determined by how much the manufacturer adds to the fiber/filler blend, and how this is blended with water.