A business card is the smallest piece of print you will hand over, and people judge it by touch. Paper and finish matter more than the layout.
Paper
- Uncoated feels natural and takes a pen. It suits quiet layouts and one or two colours.
- Silk has a smooth, slightly soft surface that shows photos and full colour cleanly.
- Cotton is thick and soft. It takes letterpress well, where the ink is pressed into the board.
Finish
- Matt laminate adds strength and a calm surface.
- Soft-touch laminate feels like suede and deepens dark colours.
- Spot gloss picks out one area, such as a logo, against a matt card.
- Foil is applied by heat and pressure. It needs solid shapes and lines that are not too fine.
A simple rule
Choose one thing to make special: a heavy board, a foil logo or a soft-touch finish. Two or three at once rarely look better than one done well.
If you are unsure, order a small quantity first. Maker options on the product page show how price per card falls as the quantity rises.
