Understanding Business Card Paper Weights and Finishes

When ordering business cards, you'll encounter terms like "350gsm gloss laminated" or "400gsm soft-touch matte." Understanding these specifications helps you make informed choices about how your cards will look and feel in hand. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about paper weights and finishes.

Understanding GSM: What the Numbers Mean

GSM stands for grams per square metre, a measurement that indicates paper weight or thickness. Higher GSM values mean thicker, more substantial paper. For business cards, this number significantly affects perceived quality.

Here's a practical reference guide:

• 250-280gsm - Very thin, feels like a postcard. Generally not recommended for business cards as it feels flimsy and cheap.
• 300gsm - Entry-level for business cards. Acceptable for budget-conscious orders but noticeably thinner than premium options.
• 350gsm - Industry standard. Provides a professional feel without significant extra cost. Suitable for most business applications.
• 400gsm - Premium weight. Feels substantial and luxurious. Popular choice for professionals who want to make a strong impression.
• 450gsm+ - Ultra-premium. Often used with specialty finishes like letterpress or edge painting. Creates a memorable tactile experience.

Coated vs Uncoated Paper

Beyond weight, paper stocks are classified as coated or uncoated. This fundamental distinction affects appearance, feel, and functionality.

Coated Paper

Coated paper has a surface treatment that creates a smoother finish. Inks sit on top of the coating rather than absorbing into the fibres, producing more vibrant colours and sharper images. Coated papers are ideal for designs with photographs, gradients, or bright colours.

Coated papers come in several finish options (more on these below), from high-gloss to matte. They're generally more resistant to fingerprints and minor scuffs than uncoated alternatives.

Uncoated Paper

Uncoated paper has no surface treatment, giving it a natural, organic feel. Inks absorb into the paper fibres, producing softer colours with a slightly vintage aesthetic. Many professionals prefer uncoated stock for its tactile warmth and premium feel.

Uncoated paper is easier to write on, making it ideal if you expect recipients to jot notes on your card. It also tends to feel thicker at the same GSM rating because the fibres aren't compressed by coating processes.

Common Finish Options

Finishes add protective coatings or special treatments to your printed cards. Each option creates a different visual and tactile effect.

Gloss Finish

Gloss finishes create a shiny, reflective surface that makes colours appear more vibrant and saturated. This finish works particularly well for colourful designs and photographs. However, gloss can show fingerprints more readily and creates glare under certain lighting conditions.

Gloss lamination (a thin plastic film) adds durability and a substantial feel to cards. It's popular for its professional appearance and longevity.

Matte Finish

Matte finishes provide a non-reflective surface with a subtle, sophisticated appearance. Colours appear slightly muted compared to gloss but the overall effect is modern and professional. Matte cards are easier to read under bright lights and show fewer fingerprints.

Matte lamination adds durability while maintaining the understated aesthetic. It's increasingly popular among creative professionals and contemporary businesses.

Soft-Touch (Velvet) Finish

Soft-touch lamination creates a velvety, almost rubbery texture that's exceptionally pleasant to handle. This finish makes cards feel luxurious and memorable - recipients often comment on the unusual tactile experience.

The soft-touch finish works best on darker colours and can make black cards look particularly striking. It does show fingerprints and scratches more than other finishes, so handle with care.

Satin Finish

Satin sits between gloss and matte, offering subtle sheen without high reflectivity. It's versatile enough for most designs while providing good colour reproduction. Some people call this a "silk" finish.

Spot UV

Spot UV applies a high-gloss coating to specific areas of a matte card, creating contrast between shiny and non-shiny surfaces. This technique is often used to highlight logos or create patterns. When done well, spot UV creates a luxurious effect; when overdone, it can look tacky.

Specialty Paper Options

Beyond standard stocks, specialty papers offer unique textures and characteristics:

Linen Texture

Linen paper has a woven texture impressed into the surface, giving cards a classic, prestigious feel. Popular among lawyers, accountants, and other traditional professionals. The texture adds visual interest while maintaining a conservative appearance.

Laid Paper

Laid paper features parallel lines running through it, creating a subtle striped texture when viewed at an angle. Like linen, it suggests tradition and establishment.

Cotton Paper

Made from cotton fibres rather than wood pulp, cotton paper has exceptional durability and a distinctive soft feel. Often used for premium letterhead and high-end business cards. Cotton rag paper (100% cotton) is particularly luxurious.

Kraft Paper

Kraft paper has a natural brown colour and rustic appearance, popular with eco-conscious brands and creative businesses. It creates a handmade, artisanal aesthetic but limits colour options due to the brown base.

Specialty Finishes

For those wanting truly distinctive cards, specialty finishes offer additional options:

• Foil stamping - Metallic foil (gold, silver, or coloured) applied via heat and pressure. Creates eye-catching highlights for logos or text.
• Embossing - Raises portions of the design above the paper surface. Adds dimensional interest and tactile appeal.
• Debossing - Presses portions of the design into the paper surface. Creates a subtle, sophisticated effect.
• Edge painting - Colours applied to the card edges. Particularly striking on thick stocks, adding a pop of colour visible when cards are stacked.
• Letterpress - Traditional printing technique creating debossed text. Popular for vintage and luxury aesthetics.

Choosing the Right Combination

Your choice should reflect your industry, brand personality, and budget. Here are some common successful combinations:

• Corporate/Finance - 400gsm uncoated with subtle embossing
• Creative Agency - 450gsm soft-touch with spot UV
• Small Business - 350gsm matte laminated
• Eco-conscious - 350gsm recycled uncoated
• Luxury Brand - 600gsm cotton with foil stamping and edge painting

When in doubt, request samples from your printer. Feeling different options in hand is the best way to make a confident decision. Most reputable printers offer sample packs showing their range of stocks and finishes.

Explore our product comparison tool to find cards in your preferred specifications, or check out our guide to design mistakes to avoid.