Coated: Coated papers are finished with a surface sealant, typically clay, to impart certain qualities to the paper such as shine, weight, and ink absorbency. Coated papers come in several options; the most popular include matte, satin, or glossy. Matt - This protective coating removes natural shine from the print and gives a smooth, subtle finish. Great for artificially lit environments or where reflective light could make it difficult to see the design.

Lightweight 11 to 14 point business cards are often used mainly for display—these are cards you showcase on a desk, hand out at events or staple to marketing collateral. The purpose of these lightweight cards is not to leave a long-lasting impression—these are affordable cards that will wear and tear quite easily. Whether you’re a florist looking for something bright and colourful, a corporate company looking for a sleek and sophisticated design or a furniture showroom searching for something chic and minimalistic, you’re sure to find the ideal template you’re looking for in our library. The most common finishes are dull, matte and glossy. Which one you choose will depend on what you plan on doing with your cards and the impression you want to give.Kraft - An earthy-brown business card paper that’s tear-resistant and gives print a hand-crafted feel. This is a writable, uncoated option. Uncoated: Uncoated paper is non-reflective, similar to printer paper. Uncoated finishes provide more texture than glossy and matte prints, but they don’t have a protective coating which means they can get damaged more easily. Colors on an uncoated business card are more subdued but still come out clear, while the overall aesthetic sends out a more classic and natural vibe than the other finishes. This paper type is ideal if you want to write on your cards, or if you choose to keep your costs down. With such a large number of materials and styles to choose from, creating your business cards can take a bit of thought. From classic and folded business cards, right through to luxury foil business cards, it’s worth doing your homework before you decide on what impression you want to make. Coated papers often produce sharper and cleaner printing—especially in photos and fine details—than uncoated papers.

Gloss - This gives your print an ultra-high-shine glossy coating, like what you’d find on the cover of a premium magazine, brochure or catalogue. Whether you prefer a matt, gloss or even a velvet finish to your business card, we have them all here. You can also add a gold or silver foil printing layer to your card to give it a classy and elegant finish. Silk - Silk-coated paper that’s sleek to the touch. A classic option for all advertising and business stationery. It has a slight sheen to it which gives your print a vibrant and crisp appearance but softer than full high-shine gloss. Fully writable with a ball point pen. At Brandly, our records indicate that the most popular business card choice is the 16pt premium coated matte option. It conveys a great impression, and it has a great value (quality/cost).

Consider what you’re going to be doing with the business cards and what impression you want to give. And of course—consider your budget.

The foiling finishing technique allows you to add gold, silver, copper, green or red metallic foil to specific areas of your business card, like your logo. Here’s an easy guide for setting up foiling business card artwork.

What Business Card Stocks Are Available?

To step up to the next level of growth & achieve an unlimited recurring revenue stream for every business card design you make, join Brandly’s Partner Program > If you need blank paper on which to print your own business cards you're in the right place. Business card paper is paper which is micro-perforated, designed specifically for printing your own business cards. 'Micro-perforated' means that your printed business cards can be separated from one another without evidence of the tearing. Business Card Paper at Paperstone Spot UV business cards have an ultraviolet gloss coating on selected areas to give your design a stunning glossy finish. It’s best suited to large patterned or solid areas as this has a greater impact on the overall design. At instantprint, we leave no stone unturned in the business card printing process, before the end product arrives on your desk looking fresh and shiny, ready for you to begin networking.