Taking Stock of Your Business Card Paper

Many variables play a role in how your print marketing materials are perceived by potential customers.  Your copy, your offer, and your design are three considerations upon which the utmost importance is placed.  But there’s more to customer influence than what goes on your postcards, posters, business cards, catalogs, and other print marketing materials.  In fact, some of the most subtle nuances of your presentation can help your brand leave a lasting impact and motivate direct sales.  Your choice of paper stock is one of those variables.

Paper stock matters because it directly impacts how your designs look when printed on paper as well as how your marketing materials feel in your customers’ hands.  The following details reasons why paper stock is indeed important to maximizing your return on investment.

Good Paper Stock Enhances Your Design

Glossy paper stocks make your designs more brilliant, so that they practically pop off the page.  Matte paper stocks enrich your colors and add depth to your designs.  Both lend impressions of your company that cannot be conveyed by words alone:  authority, confidence, trustworthiness, attitude, success, and other identity-related adjectives.

Good Paper Stock Comforts Customers

Premium paper stocks don’t just look pretty; they feel good, too.  When customers hold a smooth, thick, robust business card they feel as though your company can be trusted, because your company’s card is professional.  The best part is you can get professional printing on premium paper stocks at deep discounts when you know where to look.  Think about which company you would trust if two competitors handed you business cards:  one, flimsy and flat; the other thick and glossy.

Premium Paper Stock Maximizes ROI

Not only will customers be more impressed and comfortable doing business with you, but your marketing materials will last longer with wear, tear and weather.  That means you get to put your campaigns to work longer on a single investment, thus maximizing your return.

What are the Best Paper Stocks?

The best paper stock depends on the project in question and how it will be deployed.  You can go to any product on the Overnight Prints website to learn more about the benefits of each specific paper stock.  You might learn, for example, that you could print business cards on standard premium-quality 14-point paper stock with a glossy coating on one or both sides (for penning in appointments on the fly).  Or, print an even thicker 16-point gloss business card.

Not sure what paper stock to print on for your business cards?  It all depends on what impression you want to leave on customers and your overall brand image.

First, let’s assume you want to print professional-looking business cards.  You can instantly throw out the flimsy, cheap business card paper stocks many discount printers have.  You do want to yield a return on your investment, after all.  Next, consider the following questions:

Is your company new, fresh, exciting, or innovative?

A glossy 14-point or 16-point paper stock might be the best choice.

Is your company bold, cutting edge, or authoritative?

Go with a thick and robust 16-point gloss paper stock.  Add a UV coating for an extra-thick, extra-glossy sheen.

Is your company traditional, new age, or artsy?

Try a 13-point matte paper stock, which adds richness and depth to your colors and design.

Do you often set appointments or jot down additional information for customers on the fly?

A 14-point glossy paper stock, coated on one side only, will give you the fresh appeal of gloss on the front and the ability to write with a pen or pencil on the back.

Follow these tips, and you will be able to print a professional-looking business card that enhances your design, feels great in your customers’ hands, and promotes your brand image at the same time.