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Selecting the Best Paper Stock and Finish for Business Cards





Your business card is the first impression you give to clients and prospects. It tells your brand’s story as it’s passed from one person to another. This means that the design is equally as important as the feel. The thickness, as well as the finish of your business card, can leave a lasting impression.

Here’s everything you need to know before choosing your business card paper type and finish.

Thick or Thin Business Cards

Tampa Printing currently offers twelve different standard stocks in three standard weights for business cards: 14 pt., 16 pt., and 18 pt. These stocks come in different finishes.

Thicker stocks tend to feel heavier, studier, helps give business cards a tactile advantage. The thickness is especially important when printing on both sides since you want the card to keep its stability when completely covered in ink. Thinner stocks are more affordable, but if not produced with the right company, can be rather flimsy.

Our 14-pt. stock is cost-effective, yet high-quality, which makes it a practical option for all networking events. Tampa Printing’s standard 14 pt. card stocks are quite substantial and thicker than other printing services, and we guarantee they will handle printing on both sides with no issues.

Glossy, Matte, or Uncoated Finish for Business Cards?

Each finish comes with its own set of recommended applications, and no finish is necessarily better than another. Here are some things you should know about each standard finish, along with a few recommended applications.

Choosing the right business card stock and finish takes research and experience. If you aren’t sure about which stock or finish to use, check out Tampa Printing’s easy to use ordering system. We layout everything you need to know – including the price! Request a quote for your business cards today!