If you plan on getting some cards printed then you need to consider the different types of card, the different thickness and the finishes available in order to personalize the card as much as possible. The paper you choose affects the design you use. Ensure when making your decision the card type matches, or at least compliments the design and colors you use to get the maximum effect.
Business card paper contains ready-made card shapes either perforated or glued together. These can be printed then separated into individual cards. An A4 sheet will hold eight to ten business card shapes, depending on the amount of separation between them. If the design uses color to the edges of the card then the wider split card should be used in order to prevent the running together of the ink.
Plain card is exactly that. Uncoated, no frills, probably white card. It does come in other colors, but the traditional white is by far the most popular. A cheap card will feel a bit rough to touch and shouldn’t really be used for business cards. They may print okay, but the ink has a tendency to run, and it doesn’t create a very good impression when giving them out.
Calendered card is the next step up. This has been compressed so it looks and feels smoother to the touch. The normal weight of this is 200gsm and is normally offered by budget business card printers. Gsm is the weight of one square meter of card measured in grams. The higher the gsm, the better the card.
A decent business card paper should be at least 350gsm. Materials such as art board, ivory and other higher quality cards will be at least this weight. A good ivory card will be around 400gsm and offers a smooth white finish that will create exactly the right impression when given out. A double the weight of a “budget” card, this really is the minimum standard you should aim for when choosing your stock.
Coated card has been treated on one side so it has either a gloss or satin finish to it. With the right quality card, this can be a good material to use. Coated art board is the best choice for a gloss or satin finish. The quality is good, the finish is smooth and the edges stay crisp. Ink takes to this card very well and only suffers minimal fade.
There are also textured cards to consider. There are various finishes that add a textured look to any business card such as ridges, spots, Braille and Conqueror. These kinds of finishes are down to personal taste, the printing often looks softer with these textures so they never look as clean and crisp as art board.
Laminated card is standard card that has been printed and then sandwiched between two thin sheets of plastic. The plastic protects the card and looks very professional. These kinds of cards take a little while to print though as the ink has to completely dry before laminating them. The laminate itself comes in glossy or matt finishes for either a shiny or plain effect.