We are often asked which card stock or paper type should be used for greeting cards. The weight range for greeting card printing is between 10pt to 18pt paper. Usually, 16pt card stock is considered the best paper weight for printing greeting cards to sell.
This guide to choosing the correct greeting card paper explains why there are different types and weights. For example, 18pt paper is a heavyweight card that is best for folded, foiled invitations or handmade greeting cards. This heavier card stock ensures that your 3D cardmaking or similar craft project doesn’t tip over. Ideal if you are going to be adding bows or die-cutting foiled stickers to stick to your cards.
Choosing the paper type is the most important decision you will make when creating greeting cards. Having some paper knowledge helps you to pick from our enormous selection of unique paper types. After all, the paper stock can influence the finished look of your product just as much as the design itself. Want to see (and feel) our paper stocks and finishes for yourself? Why not browse our amazing sample pack range for peace of mind!
There are three paper features to think about when selecting a type of card for your project. There is the weight value, the paper type and the finish. These three different paper features affect the look and feel of your greeting card. Before we look at the various paper types and laminate finishes, let’s get a better understanding of paper weight.
Paper weight is measured in PT which stands for Point and refers to the measurement of paper weight as a point, with one pt equalling .001 inch. Most of the time, the higher this value, the heavier and thicker the cardstock will be. There are some exceptions to the rule because some paper types have fibres that are more compact than others.
The weight of card and paper varies dramatically depending on its use. To give you an idea of what to choose, here is a quick summary of the different paper weight ranges and their best uses:
Copier paper, compliment slips and printer paper all fall within this weight range. Letterhead printing is usually within this weight range too. Sometimes compliment slips can be 7.3pt if they are being used as part of a direct mailing campaign.
This weight range is best used for printed flyer campaigns and double sided leaflets such as takeaway menus.
This range is the most common choice for cover stock in brochure printing.
Paper over 16pt is often referred to as a heavyweight card. Card inserts and business card printing should be at least 16pt. In fact, we usually recommend 18pt for metallic business cards, foiled flyers, and metallic swing tags. This is because high-quality paper makes a better impression. For more of an impact, opt for double thickness (32pt) or colour core paper which is 38pt.
10 and 14pt paper types allow printed greeting cards to stand on their edge. However, 16pt is heavier which feels much higher quality. The extra thickness means that the greeting card is more rigid. Ideal if you are going to be posting cards in the mail. This sturdy paper is less likely to be blown over from a draught from an open window.
If you want an impressive card which feels luxurious, we recommend 18pt heavier weight paper. If you are selling greeting cards, 18pt paper makes a high-quality impression. This allows you to position your card designing business as premium quality, which makes your brand more valuable.
To save you time, we can finish the cards with a fold and crease line. That way, your cards are professionally folded, ready for you to ship to customers.
We have over 40 different paper types for you to choose from. The most popular choices are silk, uncoated and recycled paper types.
Silk paper is between a gloss and a matt finish. It has a slight sheen and feels smoother and softer than uncoated paper stock. It is a popular choice for adding a little vibrancy to your artwork. In fact, most of our flyers, leaflets, business cards and brochures are printed using our high-quality silk paper.
Uncoated paper is often considered the best paper for greeting cards because it is the easiest to write on. It’s the same paper type that is used for writing pads, notepads and books. It has a modern matt finish and does not reflect the light unlike silk paper. To discover more differences paper types, see our blog article Gloss Silk or Uncoated Paper.
Our recycled paper looks and feels very similar to our uncoated paperstock. It’s a high-quality paper which makes your greeting cards sustainable without reducing the print quality. You can order a paper sample pack to see if you can tell the difference between these two types.
You can print on the back of your cards to tell customers that the card is printed in the UK using recycled paper from sustainable sources. This adds value to your brand and helps to position your greeting card business as an environmentally friendly alternative to your competitors.
Kraft card printing is the most eco-friendly choice because it is made from 100% recycled kraft paper. It has a warm earthy texture and a rustic look, which is perfect for nature inspired designs. It also works well with bold black artwork. Often simple card designs are the most striking ones when it comes to printing on kraft material.
Our customization options means that you can choose to have your greeting cards printed on special paper types. If you are looking for something different, our pearlescent paper gives a pearl shine to your greeting card. The shimmer adds a beautiful touch to your design, making it stand out when it catches the light.
Our selection of over 20 colours in our GF Smith Colorplan range, means you can make your cards more colourful. It is a great way to add colour to the back and inside of your greeting cards. Ideal if you are printing corporate greeting cards. It can be used to boldly add your brand colour to corporate Christmas cards or thank you notes.
Conqueror textured paper is available in contour, wove and laid patterns. The slight texture on the card can help to make your design stand out. The cream contour paper is popular for wedding invitation printing because it adds an elegant and natural texture. It has a slightly hammered look and feel to the paper texture.
Our selection of luxury laminates includes matt, gloss and a soft touch laminate. These paper finishes are used on the outer pages of greeting cards to add a protective coating. The protective laminate increases scratch resistance and protects your greeting card from dirt, damage and discolouration.
You do not need to select a laminate for your inner pages. It is recommended that you leave the inside of your card uncoated so that it is easy to write on.
Matt laminated greeting cards produce a lower contrast with dark-coloured designs. This gives your artwork a softer look. It is popular if you want a modern matt look that does not reflect the light.
Soft touch laminate is the best choice for your design if you want the outer pages to feel like velvet. It adds a luxurious velvety feel which often catches people by surprise. It feels like a short nap velvet or the skin of a soft peach. It has a matt finish that does not reflect the light.
Adding a gloss finish to your design makes the colours more vivid and enhances your artwork. It’s the best choice if you have a colourful image based greeting card. The reflection of the light captures attention and makes your artwork stand out. It is also the most protective laminate finish with better scratch resistance than matt. For more information about our laminate finishes, read our article Laminated Business Cards : The Different Types And Benefits.
There is a huge selection of customization options for printing greeting card designs. The most popular paper choice is 16pt uncoated paper with a soft touch laminate on the outer pages. However, there are many customizable options that you will see on our custom greeting card printing page.
On that page, the online calculator lets you pick from the many different sizes, folds, card stock and laminate finishes. We also offer a design service if you need help creating the artwork. Simply select ‘supply brief and we design’ when you place your order online.
If you've perfected the art of greeting card sales, why not add bookmarks, stickers, and tags to your Etsy store by learning how to design bookmarks, how to create your own custom stickers, and how to use swing tags to communicate your brand values.
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A well-designed business card is important for making a memorable first impression. It represents your brand and shows that you are professional. Having a unique card can help you stand out in a competitive market. You don't have to spend a lot of money to create them. There are many free templates and tools available online that can help you design a professional-looking card without breaking the bank. These resources offer: Ease of Use : Templates make it easy to create your own custom design. Variety : There are different templates available for different industries and styles. Personalization : Tools allow you to customize your business card with your own branding. No Cost : These platforms are free to use, so you don't have to worry about spending money on design. Whether you're a small business owner, freelancer, or employee at a large company, using these tools can help you create a high-quality custom business card that will impress your clients and colleagues. The Benefits of Using Business Cards Templates Customizable templates provide an efficient pathway to a polished and professionally crafted card. Leveraging these templates eliminates the complexity of starting the design process from a blank slate, saving significant time and effort. Time-Saving Convenience Selecting a pre-designed template allows for immediate focus on customization rather than conceptualization. This streamlines the creation process, enabling quick modifications and faster production timelines. Professional Quality With access to an array of high-res files and vector files, these templates ensure that the final product is not only visually appealing but also maintains its quality across various mediums. Customizability Despite starting with a foundation laid out by the template, the level of personalization available is vast. From inserting logos to adjusting color schemes, each template can be tailored to accurately represent your brand identity. Access to Expert Layouts Utilizing customizable templates means benefiting from expertly crafted layouts that adhere to industry standards. This provides a sense of assurance that your card will convey professionalism. For those in search of versatile options, 4OVER4.COM offers an extensive selection of blank templates designed to cater to various printing needs, facilitating the creation of stunning designs with ease. By integrating these benefits into your approach, the path to an impactful business card becomes clearer. Exploring Free Business Cards Maker Tools In the vast digital landscape, an array of free business card maker tools exists. These tools allow businesses to design their own professional and aesthetically pleasing cards without the need for a graphic designer. Free online tools like 4OVER4.COM offer a multitude of features: Customizable designs: Users can choose from a wide variety of templates, adjusting colors and layouts to align with their brand identity. Branded social media designs: Some platforms enable users to create cohesive designs across different marketing materials, ensuring consistency in branding. Unlimited edits: Users have the liberty to tweak their designs as much as they want until they achieve the desired look. 24/7 support: Most platforms provide round-the-clock assistance, offering help whenever users encounter challenges or have queries about the design process. One key advantage of these tools is their user-friendly interfaces. Even those with minimal design experience can navigate these platforms with ease, creating striking business. As you venture into creating your own business cards, remember that each tool offers unique features. It's essential to explore different platforms and select one that best meets your specific needs. Step-by-step Guide on Creating Business Cards with Free Templates and Makers Step 1: Choosing a Suitable Template Choosing the right template is crucial. With a multitude of options available on our website, it's essential to consider industry standards and personal style preferences. A real estate agent might opt for a clean, classic design, while a graphic designer could favor a more creative and unique layout. The goal is to accurately represent your professional identity. Evaluate your business card needs based on industry norms and personal taste. Explore various templates tailored to different professions for an appropriate starting point. Consider the impression you want to make—professional, innovative, approachable? Make sure to use our online designer for an easy and efficient design process. Remember, you can edit the design as much as needed until it perfectly aligns with your brand. Step 2: Customizing with Branding Elements Once the template is chosen, the next step involves infusing it with your brand's identity. This means adjusting the logo colors and incorporating branding elements that resonate with your company's image. Use high-resolution logos to ensure clarity in print. Apply your brand's color palette to maintain consistency across all marketing materials. Integrate other branded elements like icons or watermarks for added recognition. For assistance in designs, consider exploring editable design templates and allow for easy adaptation to fit your brand's aesthetic. Step 3: Adding Contact Information The business card 's primary function is to convey contact information effectively. It's about striking a balance between comprehensive details and a clutter-free design. Ensure your name, title, and company name are prominently displayed. Include essential contact details such as phone number, email address, and website. If space permits, add social media handles—particularly if you're active on platforms relevant to your audience or if you focus on creating branded social media designs. Remember that legibility is key; choose fonts and sizes that are easily readable without straining the eyes. Step 4: Reviewing Your Design Before finalizing the design, it’s vital to review every element carefully. This is the step where you fine-tune adjustments to perfect your card before printing. Preview the design at full scale to catch any typos or alignment issues. Assess color accuracy—do they match your branding guidelines? Verify that no critical information is too close to the edge or cut off. After thorough inspection and any necessary tweaks, you're ready to proceed with confident that your card will make the impactful first impression you desire. By following this methodical approach—choosing a template aligned with your professional image, branding it with distinctive elements, including essential contact details clearly, and thoroughly reviewing before committing to print—you leverage free tools effectively to create a polished representation of yourself and your business. Tips for Designing an Effective Business Card When you're designing, the most important thing to consider is how it looks and how well it communicates information. A clean and organized design will make your card more attractive and help people understand what you do. Here are some tips to help you. Prioritize Clarity Make sure that the most important information on your card stands out. This usually includes your name, job title, and contact details. You can do this by using a larger font size or a different color for these details. It's also a good idea to arrange them in a clear hierarchy, so that people can easily find what they're looking for. Consistent Branding Your print materials should reflect your brand identity. This means using the same colors, fonts, and logos that you use in your other marketing materials. By doing this, you'll create a cohesive look that helps people recognize your brand wherever they see it. Font Selection Choosing the right fonts is important for readability. You want to pick styles that are easy to read, even in small sizes. Avoid using fancy or decorative types that might look cool but are hard to understand. Stick to simple and professional-looking options instead. Edit with Precision Once you've created your design, take the time to fine-tune it. Use editing tools to make small adjustments to the layout, colors, and spacing until everything looks just right. These little changes can make a big difference in how your card looks overall. Expert Guidance If you're not confident in your design skills, don't be afraid to ask for help! There are plenty of professionals out there who specialize in graphic design and can assist you in creating an eye-catching card. They can provide valuable insights into current design trends and help you make choices that convey professionalism. Remember, the goal is to make a lasting impression. By paying attention to these details and putting effort into your design, you'll create a card that people will want to hold onto. The following section explores how creative card designs can serve various industries and professions, showcasing the diverse possibilities available when utilizing free templates and makers. Showcasing Examples of Creative Business Card Designs Business cards are an important part of brand identity, representing your business and leaving a lasting impression on potential clients. With the help of free business card templates and designer tools, you can create eye-catching designs that showcase your professionalism and attention to detail. Here are some examples of creative designs: Industry-Specific Cards For real estate professionals, featuring architectural blueprints or elegant property images sets the right tone. Healthcare providers often choose clean, trust-inspiring designs with medical imagery. Artistic Flair Designers have the freedom to use templates as a starting point and let their creativity shine through. Here's an example: An illustrator might choose a template with ample white space to highlight their vibrant portfolio pieces. Tech and Innovation Those in the tech industry usually prefer sleek, modern templates that reflect their cutting-edge mindset. Here's an example: A software developer could go for a design with sharp lines and dynamic color schemes, embodying innovation. Hospitality and Service Businesses in the hospitality industry thrive on creating warm and inviting experiences for their customers. Here's an example: A bed and breakfast owner might opt for a template with warm colors and inviting textures, conveying comfort and high-quality service. The availability of different templates allows you to customize your design according to your profession's unique story. Whether you're a corporate professional looking for a minimalist layout or a creative wanting something more ornate, you can use these tools to create visually appealing business cards that represent you well. Conclusion Crafting a compelling card has never been easier, thanks to the wealth of free resources available online. With a plethora of free templates and user-friendly design tools at your disposal, you can create personalized business cards that not only reflect your brand's identity but also leave a lasting impression on recipients. Initiating this free process allows you to explore a wide selection of high-quality designs, all tailored to suit different industries and professions. From minimalist and sleek designs to more creative and out-of-the-box templates like luxury business cards , there is something for everyone. Remember, the effectiveness of your card hinges largely on its design. Therefore, take the time to: Choose your favorite design Customize it according to your brand's color scheme and logo Incorporate all the necessary details before printing This journey of creating your own business card not only cultivates creativity but also reinforces your brand's identity. So why wait? Start exploring these tools and create impressive business cards that will make you stand out from the crowd. In the world of networking, a well-designed business card can open doors to new opportunities. Make every first impression count by leveraging these free resources today! FAQs(Frequently Asked Questions) What is the significance of professional quality in business card templates? Access to an array of high-res files and vector files ensures professional quality designs, enhancing the overall look and feel of the business card. How customizable are business card templates? Despite starting with a foundation laid out by the template, there is still ample room for customization to tailor the design to specific branding needs. What are the steps involved in creating business cards with free templates and makers? The steps involve choosing a suitable template, optimizing it with branding elements, adding contact information, and reviewing the design before finalizing it. What tips are important for designing an effective business card? Important tips include prioritizing clarity, ensuring consistent branding, choosing the right fonts, editing with precision, and seeking expert guidance if needed. What are the benefits of using business card templates? Using templates provides an efficient path to creating a well-designed business card. It allows for immediate focus on customization, access to expert layouts, and time-saving convenience. How can I customize a pre-designed business card template? Despite starting with a foundation laid out by the template, you can infuse branding elements and contact information to personalize the design according to your preferences. What are some examples of industry-specific business card designs? For real estate professionals, business cards featuring architectural elements may be suitable. Designers have the freedom to use templates as a starting point for creative flair, while those in the tech industry usually prefer sleek, modern templates. Why is it important to prioritize clarity in business card design? Prioritizing clarity ensures that the most important information on your card stands out and is easily readable. This is crucial for making a memorable first impression. What are the benefits of using a free business card maker tool? Using a free business card maker tool provides the convenience of creating professional-quality business cards without the need for advanced design skills or software. It also allows for customization to reflect your brand identity and saves time by offering pre-designed templates. How can customizable templates save time? Customizable templates save time by providing a foundation for the design, allowing for immediate focus on personalizing the template with branding elements and contact information. This eliminates the need to start from scratch and speeds up the overall design process. What is the significance of consistent branding in business card design? Consistent branding in business card design is important because it helps reinforce brand identity and recognition. Using consistent colors, fonts, and visual elements across all marketing materials, including business cards, creates a cohesive and professional image for your business. Why is it important to review your business card design before finalizing it? Reviewing your business card design before finalizing it is crucial to ensure that all information is accurate, the layout is visually appealing, and there are no errors. Taking the time to review the design helps avoid potential mistakes and ensures that your business card makes a positive first impression.