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| Stock | About | Feel | Common uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80lb cover | 216gsm | Light card that holds its shape | Inserts, tags, invitations on a budget |
| 100lb cover | 270gsm | Sturdy, still easy to handle | Postcards, rack cards, booklet covers |
| 110lb cover | 300gsm | Thick and rigid | Premium postcards, tags, textured cards |
| 14pt | 350gsm | Standard business card thickness | Business cards, heavier postcards |
| 16pt | 400gsm | Extra thick, feels expensive | Premium business cards |
gsm values are from our catalog. The stocks each product offers are listed on its product page.
Business card stock is usually sold by thickness in points: 14pt is 0.014" thick. Lighter cardstock is sold by cover weight in pounds. The two systems measure different things, so compare them by gsm — the table above puts them on one scale.
14pt is the everyday standard: sturdy, professional, and available in matte, gloss, or gloss front with a writable back. 16pt is noticeably thicker and stiffer, and people notice it when they take the card. Choose 16pt when the card is part of the impression.
100lb cover is a good middle ground for postcards and rack cards: stiff enough to stand in a rack and survive a handbag. Move up to 110lb cover or 14pt when the card needs to feel premium.
Most weights come in matte, and several come in gloss or silk. 110lb cover also comes in a textured matte with a feel you notice in hand. See the finish guide for how each surface looks and writes.
Live from our paper catalog. Each product shows the stocks it offers.
Thick and rigid — business cards, postcards, tags.
| Paper | Finish | Weight | GSM | What it's like |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80lb Cover Matte Cardstock | Matte | 80lb Cover | 216gsm | The lightest cardstock. Holds its shape without postcard pricing. |
| 100lb Cover Matte Cardstock | Matte | 100lb Cover | 270gsm | Sturdy matte card for postcards and rack cards. Takes pen well. |
| 100lb Cover Silk Cardstock | Silk | 100lb Cover | 270gsm | Sturdy card with a light sheen. Color pops without full gloss. |
| 110lb Matte Cardstock | Matte | 110lb Cover | 300gsm | Thick and rigid with a flat finish. Premium feel, still writable. |
| 110lb Textured Matte Cardstock | Textured | 110lb Cover | 300gsm | Thick with a subtle texture you can feel. Upscale, uncoated look. |
| 14pt Gloss Cardstock | Gloss | 14pt | 350gsm | Business card thickness, glossy on both sides. Vivid but not writable. |
| 14pt Gloss Front / Writable Back | Gloss | 14pt | 350gsm | Glossy front for color, uncoated back you can write on. |
| 14pt Matte Cardstock | Matte | 14pt | 350gsm | Business card thickness with no shine. Clean, modern, writable. |
| 16pt Gloss Cardstock | Gloss | 16pt | 400gsm | Extra thick and glossy. Our most premium gloss business card. |
| 16pt Matte Cardstock | Matte | 16pt | 400gsm | Extra thick with a soft matte surface. Feels expensive in hand. |
14pt (0.014") is the most common. We also print 16pt for a thicker, premium card.
Yes. Points measure thickness in thousandths of an inch, so 16pt is 0.016" versus 0.014". In our catalog 16pt is about 400gsm and 14pt about 350gsm.
100lb cover works for most postcards. Choose 110lb cover or 14pt for a sturdier card, and matte if you plan to write or stamp on the back.
Cardstock is stiff, so folded pieces are usually printed on text-weight paper. If you're planning a folded card on cover stock, contact us before ordering.
