Choosing a Paper Card
Card making is a meaningful hobby that encourages gift giving and fostering special relationships. It also combines well with other paper crafting activities in fun, creative ways.
120# Gloss Cover is a heavy, coated Paper Card stock that makes photographs and graphics look beautiful. It is available with free aqueous coating or optional UV coating for added protection and durability.
Size
When choosing paper for your cards, thickness is important. Thicker paper is more stiff and durable, while thinner cardstock can be more fragile. Thicker paper is also better suited for printing and embossing. However, you don’t want a business card that is too thick. It won’t fit in most wallets or business card holders.
Paper and card come in many different weights, with a higher GSM value indicating a thicker, sturdier product. In the United States, this is often referred to as pound weight, with the number representing the average weight of 500 sheets of a specific size (based on historical production sizes before trimming). In the UK and Australia, paper weight is typically expressed in gsm.
70-100gsm is considered light card. This is similar to the type used in copier machines and is suitable for simple cards. It is light enough to easily go through a printer and die-cutting machine, but may buckle if layers are added. 100-170gsm is a good mid-weight option. It is sturdy enough for some die-cutting and can be stamped without buckling. It is also thin enough for some markers and pencils, although heavy ink or marker may bleed through. This is a popular choice for layered cards.
Thickness
When choosing a paper card, the thickness can be just as important as its size. You want a thickness that will hold up well and create a good impression when being handed out at events or mailed to friends. For this reason, most people opt for a card stock that’s between 14 and 16 pt. This thickness is commonly referred to as cardstock and cover weight in the US, but the more common method of measurement in other countries is GSM.
In the UK and Australia, the term grammage is used to describe paper card thickness rather than points or pounds. It’s based on the weight of 500 sheets cut to a standard sheet size, so a paper that weighs 100 lbs is actually much thinner and lighter than a paper that weighs 80 lbs.
When it comes to thickness, the most important factor is the type of paper used to make the card. Typical household printer paper is around 90-100 GSM, which is thin enough to be printed on without showing through the other side. It’s also what you’ll find in sketch pads or notebooks and is suitable for writing with pencils and light ink, though markers may bleed through. Thicker, sturdier papers with higher GSM ratings are more rigid and ideal for business cards, handmade invitations, and other printed materials.
Texture
The texture of a paper card is a significant factor for most uses of the material. It can affect the way pens or pencils glide over the surface and can also impact how easily it is to write on the paper without smearing. In addition, it can affect the overall look and feel of the product.
There are a variety of different textures available in the market, and each one has a unique appearance that can be used to convey a specific message. For example, linen business cards have a raised cross-hatch texture that mimics the look of linen fabric. This finish is great for business cards that require a more elegant look, and it’s often used to complement images or designs with an antique feel.
When choosing the right texture for your business cards, consider the type of event you’re planning and what kind of impression you want to make. For instance, if you’re printing invitations for a wedding, you might want to choose linen cards that match the theme of the event. Alternatively, you could opt for Kraft business cards for a more rustic look.
To create paper, fiber is combined with fillers and water in a process known as pulping. The mixture is then treated in a paper machine or mill to make it into sheets of the desired density. mifare desfire ev3 The fibers and fillers work together to form a strong material that can be used in a wide variety of ways.
Design
Card stock is a type of paper that is thicker and sturdier than traditional writing or printing paper. It is usually sold in craft and office supply stores. It is also commonly used in the manufacture of postcards, playing cards, and other similar printed products. The characteristics of cardstock differ between countries, but typically the weight is measured in grams per square meter or gsm and the thickness is described in points (or mils). The most common card stock is 14 point paper, which is ideal for business cards and offers an excellent price-to-quality ratio. Other options include 24 and 32 point paper, which are more durable.