When you are looking to create printed materials for an upcoming event, business, or even just for yourself, the number of options can often be overwhelming. Print size, shape, quantity, design, delivery, and more can get quite daunting when all you wanted were eye-catching business cards or simple and informative postcards. Thankfully this guide will walk you through the initial, and often most important, step in developing high-quality printed materials: choosing the right card stock.
When we say, “card stocks,” we are discussing a paper’s thickness and overall quality. Questions like how your business card or flyer feels in your hand, how durable the cardstock is to wear and tear, and whether your product looks “high-end” or “run-of-the-mill,” are dealt with when selecting your preferred paper stock. This may sound like a lot to consider, but we’re going to break it down further into your two most likely options, 14 pt. and 16 pt.
If you find you need more explanation or have questions about other kinds of paper stock, we also have another great guide that goes over a few of our other paper stock options.
What Are 14pt and 16pt?
While there are countless different kinds of paper stock options available from GotPrint, 14 pt. and 16 pt. are widely considered the most popular. It may be simple enough to assume that 14 pt. is thinner, and 16 pt. is thicker, and your decisions should simply be made based on that. While that is not an inaccurate statement, it is an oversimplification that could lead to you not getting the printed materials you wanted.
That’s why we wanted to take the time and break down just what can make each of these paper stocks the right one for the job. Our goal is when you are placing your next printing order, you’ll be an expert and know just what you want out of your paper stock.
14 pt. Affordable and Dependable
14 pt. paper stock has a strong thickness and professional appearance, making it the standard choice for many business card designs, as well as marketing or event postcards. When selecting this kind of paper stock From GotPrint, you can also pick between a glossy or uncoated finish for the cover of your printed materials.
14 pt. card stock is often the best option when quantity is your priority over quality, but you still need to produce well-made paper items. The fact that this option is the more cost-effective tends to be its best feature but don’t let it make you think your business cards or postcards won’t be up to the task you have for them.
If you are looking to spread your branding far and wide with durability and affordability, 14 pt. can you get there. Another benefit is that this card’s thickness easily fits into most wallets or cardholders, which makes them perfect for networking at events like business trips, trade shows, or large conferences.
Apart from the thickness and strength of the card stock, there is also the paper’s appearance to consider. Thankfully, you don’t have to worry about sacrificing the quality of your print materials while selecting 14 pt. card stock. This is because it has a high brightness level that guarantees your colors stand out from the paper. Our glossy finish will also provide your designs with an eye-catching shine, or you can opt for a professional and modern matte finish.
16 pt. Durable and Elegant
When looking for a higher-end paper stock, 16 pt. makes a great option to impress potential clients and set your business up for success. The thicker stock improves your printed design’s durability, making it the ideal choice for business cards, postcards, flyers, and bookmarks when presentation is your priority.
Products printed with 16 pt. paper stock also holds up well against usual wear and tear better than 14 pt. cards thanks to the extra firmness. The longer a business card or postcard can last, the longer a customer or client is going to be able to keep it around. Another advantage of printing on this cardstock is its high-quality color finish, especially when being used for double-sided prints. The paper’s thickness holds ink well, resulting in bright and clear colors that pop on both sides.
Our 16 pt. card stock also features the option of a high-gloss UV coating or a clean and premium matter cover. Depending on your needs and your brand both styles can be used to create stunning and professional marketing prints. Whether you are looking for the shiny and eye-catching pop of our gloss coating or the more subdued and uniform look of our matte finish, GotPrint will make sure your 16 pt. products look their best because you choose the best cardstock for the job.
The Right Paper for the Job
When you’re looking for the ideal card stock for your business cards or other prints, it’s important to make your choice based on your intended function. If you plan on handing out a lot of business cards, leaving them on convention tables, or passing them out at trade shows, you should most likely go with 14 pt. If you plan to only carry a handful of marketing materials with you at a time and give them out to specific people, 16pt is the best option.
Thankfully, we can guarantee that both options will make perfect and popular choices for promoting your business. On top of that, whenever you have questions or find yourself uncertain about what cardstock is right for you in the future, we’ve summarized the most important factors in an infographic below.
