What to Look For in a Paper Card

What to Look For in a Paper Card

Paper Card is a great way to keep track of important information. It can also make a thoughtful gift for someone special!

The best cardstock for cards is usually 80 lb or higher. This allows for good printing and it’s sturdy enough to support embossing. A heavier weight of 120 lb is also available for a luxury look.

The Material

The most common type of paper card is made from recycled materials, but it can also be manufactured with virgin materials. Either way, it is more eco-friendly than plastic cards, which have a much more negative impact on the environment. Plastic cards are made from single-use plastics, which cause deforestation and global warming, while paper is made from natural fibres which can be reused.

The material used to make paper cards is usually wood pulp and recycled waste paper. These are then mixed with a variety of chemicals to create the final product. The result is a thin sheet of cardstock that can be printed on.

Cardstock is categorized by its thickness, which can be expressed in gsm or lb. The gsm value indicates how much the paper weighs per square meter. The higher the gsm, the thicker and more sturdy the paper is. The lb number is the weight of the entire ream (500 sheets) of paper when measured in pounds.

Some of the most popular types of paper cards are business cards, which can be produced on a wide range of stock sizes and finishes. For example, you can have your Paper Card business cards printed on high-gloss paper that reflects light and makes them shine, or on semi-gloss paper that has a smooth finish with less glare. Alternatively, you can choose to have your cards printed on uncoated paper that is more durable and has a subtle texture.

The Size

Cards come in a range of sizes. Some are tall and thin while others are square or oversized. The choice of size depends on how the card will be used. The most popular greeting card size is five inches across and seven inches tall. It’s also popular for business cards and postcards. The dimensions of this type of card closely follow the Golden Ratio and create a balanced, pleasing appearance.

When describing the thickness of paper, some people use a numbering system similar to weight per square inch (gsi) or point size. Generally, the higher the number the thicker the paper. In the United States, a standard letter size sheet of paper is 24 by 36 in (508 by 914 mm) and has a thickness of eight points or more. This is comparable to a high quality cardstock which has a thickness of about thirty six points or more.

Other people describe paper in terms of its pound weight, which is the amount of paper that weighs one pound when reams are stacked together and weighed. This is usually based on historical production sizes before trimming. For example, a sheet of 65# cardstock is heavier than a piece of 80# newsprint.

When shopping for cardstock paper, look for the GSM or grams per square meter rating on the packaging. This indicates how much the paper is weighted and is a good indication of how sturdy it will be. A higher GSM rating means the paper is thicker and stronger.

The Printing Process

The type of printing technique used on a card has a big impact on the final look. It can also have a significant effect on the cost of the card. Some cards use hologram images to provide extra security. This makes it almost impossible to replicate a card without access to the corresponding hologram material.

Many people describe paper in terms of its thickness, usually expressed as a number of points or mils. These indicate how thick the paper is, and are a function of how much fiber is dispersed into the sheet at the start of the manufacturing process. The lower the pt or ml, the thinner and lighter the paper.

Some papers have a glossy coating, which is ideal for color printing but can leave smudges if a person writes on it with a pencil or marker. Other papers have a dull or matte finish that mifare desfire ev3 is easy to write on and provides excellent print quality. A textured paper like linen or ribbed can add an element of luxury and is often used for invitation cards.

Other printing methods include the digitally printed card, which can contain a combination of artwork, graphics, text and machine-readable data like bar codes, logos or magnetic stripes, limited only by the issuer’s imagination. This method also allows for the addition of a magnetic stripe or smart card chip to add additional functionality.

The Design

The design of the card is important as it sets the tone for how you want your business to be portrayed. A simple and elegant design is ideal for a professional looking business card. Heavier paper options are also available if you would like to give the impression of prestige.

Another consideration when designing a paper card is its intended use. If it is to be hand over and exchanged during business meetings, a slim card is the best option. If the card will be mailed or kept in the company office, look for a sturdier alternative that can withstand handling.

A good design guide can help you to create a card that is well suited for its intended purpose. It is a useful tool to refer to when choosing a color palette, learning about design principles such as focal point and quiet space, or practicing your skills with various compositional elements such as assymetry and color temperature.