Paper Info | Standard Business Cards

What Card Stock Do I Choose

If you are not familiar with the different types of paper and terminology used in the printing business, it can be very confusing and overwhelming. Although Walter Printing has hundreds of paper stocks available, we have limited the choices to the most popular paper used in each product group.

For our Standard Business Cards, we have listed three basic choices.

12 pt. C1S Cover | Gloss One Side

If you are looking for a basic business card, this stock will do the job. The gloss coating on the front side will deliver photo realistic results on pictures, and vibrant colors with sharp text and lines. The back side is uncoated resulting in a more “softer” natural look when printed. While the coated side is difficult to write on, the uncoated side can be written on like regular paper. It has a medium weight and is .012” thick, slightly thinner than the other 2 choices listed.

14 pt. C1S Cover | Gloss One Side

This has the same printing characteristics as the 12 pt. listed above. It is slightly thicker, measuring .014” in thickness but has a much thicker feel when holding it in your hand. It will hold up better if handled frequently and makes more of a statement in the hand of the customer. This thickness is the most popular choice of our Standard Business Card customers.

100 lb. Cover | Smooth | Matte Both Sides

Measuring the same thickness of the 14 pt. C1S Cover  at .014” in thickness, this card has a “heavy” feel in the customer’s hand. While the thickness properties are the same, the printing results are very different. This 100 lb. cover stock is a thick, very smooth, premium-quality stock that is excellent for business cards in which a clean, classic look is desired. All images will be sharp but with a softer look and colors will still be bright but slightly subdued. The finish is matte, like a regular sheet of paper, and there is no glare or gloss on the card. The matte finish gives you the ability to write on both sides with both pencil and ink making it a great choice for tags as well.