Your Guide to Choosing the Right Business Card Paper Type
admin5 Things to consider when choosing the business card paper type for your company
- How Can the Right Business Card Be Your Ally?
- What To Consider When Choosing the Right Type of Business Card Paper
- Paper Weight
- Paper Finish
- How to create the best card?
Whether you own a business or you are a freelancer, the business world is more than just the services you are offering to your clients or potential clients.
Your business and services are also part of your personality and identity. Through them, you are able to show everyone not only how you do business but also a part of who you are, and how you like your clients and network to remember and regard you.
There are many marketing tools and strategies at your disposal, and some are just one click away. Some tricks you can actually use for any type of business, and adapt them to promote your business and services.
But, maybe one of the most important marketing tools has to do with how your prospects perceive you. After all, it's said that the first impression counts, and it stays true in the business world too.
It is not just about the first impression you make during a conversation, a business meeting, or a networking event. Even though it might not seem like it's a very relevant aspect, your business card plays a subtle, but important part in the way you market yourself and your services.
Let’s explore how your business card can help you add to that good first impression you want to make.
How Can the Right Business Card Be Your Ally?
Think of a business card as a traveler - they can go from one person to another and people get the chance to learn more about your business through them.
The design and print you choose for your business cards are important. They are relevant to the type of business you own or the services you are offering. Choosing the right design for your business will give people a glimpse into your services.
A lot of the time, business owners give their business cards to a prospect just for that card to be immediately forgotten. That's a massive opportunity wasted because not enough thought was put into the design or the quality of the print paper.
That's right!
Even though it might not seem important, by choosing the right paper, you can tap into a small but very important marketing tool.
Aside from the purely visual aspect of your card, which, of course, plays an important role in making it memorable, the feel of your business card can add to the experience. The texture and material of the card can draw people's attention and make them remember it. These small but extra details will increase the chances that your business card will make an impact.
With a business card that is not forgotten or thrown away, you have a better chance to provide your services to more people and even be recommended. In turn, you can expand your business, grow your revenue, and help more people learn about your products or services.
What To Consider When Choosing the Right Type of Business Card Paper
As we said, choosing the right paper for your business card can go a long way. There are a few subtle aspects that will make a difference, and we want to share this with you. Our experience in helping businesses and professionals allows us to give you the best tips that will make a difference in how you present yourself.
We are excited to share with you valuable insights that will benefit you and your business.
The material you use for your business card says a lot about your brand. With the right type of paper, you will be able to better communicate your messages to your audience.
Here are some of the details that you should take into account when it comes to choosing the type of paper for your business card:
- Weight
The weight refers to how thick a card is. It's also about the thickness and stiffness a card has. When a business card is created, it's measured and expressed by points. The technical way this measurement is done is to consider one point being equal to one-thousandth inches. A paper that has a 10 points measurement is 0.01 inches thick. When the paper has a higher number of points, it is also thicker and stiffer.
The most common thickness used for printing business cards is 14 or 16pt stock. For printing extra thick cards, the stock used is 18pt or 32pt.
If you want a business card just for display, the weight usually used goes from 11 to 14 points. These cards are not meant to have a long-lasting impression. They are more affordable, but they also wear out quickly.
Cards that are thicker, such as 30 points and above, last longer. They are resistant and can better withstand the wear of regular use. These cards are printed to make a striking first impression as they look different and feel different.
Keep in mind that the thicker the card, the higher the costs of printing them.
- Finish
This is another important aspect to consider when choosing the type of paper for your business card. The finish of your card adds to the way it looks and feels.
What do you want to do with your business card and what is the impression you want to leave with it? The answers to these questions will help you determine what type of finish you want to choose for your card. Most business cards have a dull finish to them.
There are two different options for a finish:
Uncoated: This finish is similar to printed paper as it's non-reflective. This type of finish does not have a protective coating, which means the cards can be damaged easily. It provides more texture to the card, and it gives it a more natural and classic aspect. This finish is great if you want to write on your card or if you have a more limited budget for printing.
Coated: This finish will give your card a shiny and sleek look. It's usually sealed with clay, which impacts the weight of the card. This finish also creates a sharper and cleaner printing and it works better if you have small details included in the card.
This type of finish has several options you can choose from:
- Matte - Coated, matted stocks are smoother and more elegant compared to uncoated stocks, yet it lacks the shine and glossy look.
- Satin - Paper that is statin coated has a slight shine aspect, but not as much as the regular paper gloss, and more than a matte finish.
- Gloss - This finish gives the card a nice and shiny aspect while offering protection against moisture. A glossy finish goes well with colorful cards, adding a more vibrant look to it, as well as a higher contrast. It will make your cards look modern.
- Specialty p+Paper
After choosing the weight and finish of your card, you can now focus on the specialty paper you would like your card to be printed on. You can also choose to add a special lamination to the card after the printing is done.
This step is also linked to the impression you want to make and the design of your card.
These are the two options available for the specialty paper:
- Soft-touch - This finish changes the way your card feels, adding a velvety lamination with extra protection. Your card will also look and feel very luxurious. With the soft-touch finish, your card will look soft and colorful, with a silky appearance to the details on the card. This will create a long-lasting impression on anyone you give the card to.
- Plastic - These cards are made out of high-quality PVC plastic. Plastic business cards are very resistant and almost indestructible. Wear and tear are not a worry with these cards, and water has no damaging effect on them. This finish works very well if your business card includes bright colors, and gives it a semi-gloss appearance.
How to Create the Best Business Card
When creating the ideal card for your business and services, it's not about a general guideline you have to follow. Your card is about you and your business, and it will reflect what you want and need it to reflect. When you want to print your business cards, think of these aspects and consider them. They will help you create your personal, ideal card.
- What Is the Impression You Want to Create?
Each business is different, and it has its own services. Not all business cards need to look the same. Some are elegant, others colorful, or with a classic touch. Depending on how you want to position your brand on the market, you will choose the type of card to represent you. You can always ask for assistance in the process of creating your business card.
- What Is Your Budget?
How much money you can put into the creation of your business cards is another important aspect to consider. Thicker business cards with a coated finish are pricier compared to thinner and simpler ones, but the impression they make can increase your ROI. It can be a difficult decision to make and it's OK to ask for help from a team of professionals if you are not sure which way to go.
- Print Your Cards
Once all details have been figured out, you will need to print your cards. You can do this at home, which would be the most cost-effective option and maybe even a little easier, but the quality of the print will not be the same as the one a professional print can give you.
Another option would be for you to work with professional printers. By doing this, your card will also have a more professional finish, and higher quality and you will be able to keep the goal of the process until the end. You start with design and paper options, and you finish with a professional printing process.
Final Thoughts
Creating the right business card for you can be a complex process and choosing the right paper might not be that easy. But all the details add to the quality of the cards and how you want people to remember you and your business.
We have explored how important it is for your business to have the proper card and how one choice or the other can impact the results.
Do you want your card to be showcased in your office? Do you want it to travel and be in as many hands as possible? Do you want to hand them out at social and networking events or mail them to your prospects?
All these factors can influence the design and type of paper.
Luckily, we are here to assist you. Print Peppermint can help you with the entire process of creating and printing your business cards. You do not have to do it on your own, our experience and knowledge will make a difference for you in this process.
Get in touch with us and let us know what you need, and we can help you create the ideal business card for you.
