What is the best paper weight for postcards?
Weight | Grammage | Recommended Use |
110 lb Index | 200 gsm | Tabs/Dividers, Posters, Menus, Tickets, ... |
80 lb Cover | 215 gsm | Posters, Folded Cards or Invites, Table ... |
100 lb Cover | 275 gsm | Business Cards, Flat Cards or Invites, P ... |
...
Paper Recommendations:
- 100# Uncoated Cover. ...
- 120# Dull/Matte Cover. ...
- 120# Gloss Cover. ...
- 200# Gloss Cover. ...
- Use a free aqueous coating or an optional UV coating to protect your postcard from scratches and scuffs while making the colors pop.
How much does a postcard weigh?
3 rows · 05/03/2020 · Use sturdy paper. To make sure your postcard won't get destroyed in the mail, choose a sturdy ...
What is the best paper for postcards?
67 lb. vellum / 147 gsm. Our standard cardstock can be considered a lightweight cardstock. It’s noticeably thicker than paper, but it’s not the heaviest of cardstocks. It runs smoothly through inkjet and laser printers, and can be used to create printed pieces such as invitations, posters, business cards, and more.
What is the best paper weight for business cards?
26/12/2014 · The “best” paper for postcards depends heavily upon your use for postcards. For cards that will have a limited use, it might be best to order 100 lb Cover Gloss because it is the most cost effective.
What is the thickest cardstock to use for postcards?
02/12/2019 · Best Cardstock Weight For Postcards. Rectangular. At least 3 1/2 inches high x 5 inches long x 0.0007 inches thick. No more than 4 1/4 inches high x 6 inches long x 0.016 inches thick.
What weight cardstock is used for postcards?
Cardstock weight for postcards depends on your preference. You can go with a 12pt cardstock or the thicker 24 pt cardstock if you want something a little thicker. The heavier the weight, the more durable your postcard will be.26-Oct-2020
What kind of paper is used for postcards?
Historically, postcards are generally printed on a standard 16 pt “ultra thick” semi-gloss paper stock because of the luxurious feel, quality, and durability. Printivity also offers a 14 pt “extra thick” cardstock for postcards when you want a thick card, but want to be keep the price down.26-Dec-2014
Can I use 65 lb paper for postcards?
65 lb Cover Weight/176 gsm card stock is used in cases where you would need a lighter weight card stock. It is heavy enough to be used for post cards. It is great for layering pieces as it will not add excessive weight to an invitation or card. Paper punching, die cutting and folding is easy to do on 65 lb card stock.
What is the minimum paper weight of a postcard?
80-poundA piece over 8 inches long (up to 9.75 inches long) must be made of paper with a minimum 80-pound paper basis weight or equivalent.28-Apr-2016
Is 80lb or 100lb paper thicker?
The rule of thumb difference between 80 lb and 100 lb paper is that 80 lb paper feels thinner and lighter than 100 lb paper.06-May-2014
How many GSM is a postcard?
What Paper Stock Should I Use? Decisions, Decisions…WeightGrammageRecommended Use110 lb Index200 gsmTabs/Dividers, Posters, Menus, Tickets, Postcards80 lb Cover215 gsmPosters, Folded Cards or Invites, Table Tents, Folders100 lb Cover275 gsmBusiness Cards, Flat Cards or Invites, Posters, Folders8 more rows•18-Feb-2014
Is 110 lb cardstock good for postcards?
Cover paper (60 lbs to 120 lbs), index paper (90 lbs, 110 lbs, and 140 lbs), or tag paper (100 lbs to 200 lbs) are usually the best choices in terms of postcard thickness and postcard weight. Keep in mind that the heavier the paper, the thicker the postcard.02-Dec-2019
What does 100lb paper mean?
If 500 sheets of a standard sheet in a category weights 100 lbs., then the paper weight / basis weight of that type of paper will be 100 lb. Each category of paper has a unique “basis weight”
Is 110 lb cardstock thick?
WHITE CARDSTOCK PAPER: Hammermill 8.5” x 11” Colored Cardstock 110lb Paper is a premium thick cardstock designed for print and copy use on copiers and printers. It's heavy cardstock that's ideal for heavy duty projects.
How thick should a postcard be?
USPS Postcard Size To qualify as a postcard, a mail piece must be rectangular and meet these dimensions: At least 3-1/2” high X 5” long X 0.007” thick. No more than 4-1/4” high X 6” long X 0.016” thick.14-Jun-2018
What type of paper is best for business cards?
Most professionals print their business cards on 300 GSM paper. This paper is 14 Pt, or 0.014 inches thick, which makes it feel “weighty” and durable, but still gives it a little give and flexibility. However, the best paper for business cards is 400 to 450 GSM.
What is 250gsm paper?
250 gsm paper is commonly used for greetings cards, invitations and booklet/brochure covers. 300 gsm/350 gsm. Thick board stock, ideal for book covers, business cards etc. This is our thickest available paper stock.
Why use 100 lb cover gloss?
However, it is also the thinnest postcard paper type offered, so it does run the risk of being bent easier than other options .
What kind of paper do postcards use?
Historically, postcards are generally printed on a standard 16 pt “ultra thick” semi-gloss paper stock because of the luxurious feel, quality, and durability. Printivity also offers a 14 pt “extra thick” cardstock for postcards when you want a thick card, but want to be keep the price down.
What to use to make postcards stand out?
You can also use color and stylized art to make your postcards stand out.
Why do you use weight in printing?
Because weight takes into account the actual thickness of the paper, you can use weight to determine whether a sheet of cardstock is too thick for your home printer to handle . On the other hand, paper weight may be standardized, but the methods of producing paper are not.
What is paper grade?
Paper grade refers to the type of paper, with each grade tailored to specific uses. Common paper grades include cover (a.k.a. cardstock), text, bond, etc.
How is paper weight measured?
Paper weight is measured using three measures of sturdiness: By pounds (lbs) By point. By density. You may wonder why the weight of a cardstock says 65 lb when the reams of paper don’t weigh 65 lb. That’s because weight in pounds isn’t calculated by the ream, but rather by the weight of the uncut paper. So, if 500 sheets of uncut cardstock weigh 65 ...
Is gloss cardstock the same as metallic cardstock?
Keep in mind that the thickness and weight of these cardstocks may be quite different. Our gloss cardstock is technically the same weight as our Curious Metallic cardstock, but the inclusion of a gloss finish means the paper will not fold as easily, since the paper is stiffer and it may actually be thicker.
What is the difference between a caliper and a point?
Caliper is a measurement of paper thickness expressed in thousandths of an inch, and points is a measurement of thickness using the same metric. The thicker the caliper/higher the points, the higher the basis weight tends to be.
How much weight is medium paper?
Medium weight paper is generally between 65 lbs to 80 lbs–picture the type of paper typically used in cards and you’re in the right ballpark. Heavyweight paper runs from 80 lbs to 200 lbs and can be used in anything from business cards to hang tags to booklets, as it is sturdy and substantial.
Is 65 lb cardstock the same as bright cardstock?
This means that our 65 lb bond parchment cardstock is technically the same weight as our bright color cardstock but may have a completely different feel and behave entirely differently when folded. Remember, printer paper is fairly standard, but outside of regular office staples, paper is actually quite diverse.
What type of paper is best for a brochure?
Here are some tips for choosing the best paper for a brochure: Plastic paper like SmartFlex ® can create water and tear-proof products like maps or menus. Heavier paper is more rigid, helping items stand up when folded.
How many pages are in a catalog?
Here are some tips for choosing the best paper for a catalog: Catalogs are printed in 4 page increments, as each sheet is folded in half into 4 pages (front and back). Catalogs are frequently printed with a thick cover stock and thinner text stock for the interior to minimize cost.
Can you print business cards on plastic?
There is a large range of paper stocks for business cards, and you can even get cards printed on plastic or other non-paper substrates. Here are some tips for choosing the best paper for a business card:
What is the maximum thickness of paper for a brochure?
Heavier paper is more rigid, helping items stand up when folded. If you are folding your brochure, the maximum recommended thickness for 2 or more folds is 100# cover . If the printed piece is going in the mail, it must be the correct thickness to meet postage regulations.
What coatings can be used on brochures?
Brochures can be protected with additional coatings, such as a free aqueous coating or an optional UV coating that provides additional protection and makes colors really shine. Learn even more about How to Choose the Best Paper for Your Printing Project.
What is catalog in print?
Catalogs / Calendars. In print terminology, a catalog is anything that is saddle-stitched like a magazine, but unlike a magazine a catalog can have a range of paper types for the cover and interior pages. Here are some tips for choosing the best paper for a catalog:
What is UV coating on a card?
UV coating, often called liquid lamination, is a great addition to the 120# Gloss Cover for added pop and shine on the outside of the card. Not recommended for cards that need to be written on. 120# Dull/Matte Cover. Our dull/matte cover is a substantial paper with a smooth, non-shiny coating.
What type of paper is used for commercial printing?
Today’s commercial printing industry offers many different paper types and weights to choose from. These can range from basic Bond and Book types to Index, Cover, Text, and more. Printivity offers Text and Cover paper types of varying weights. We use the following for the majority of our customers’ print projects: 1 50/60/70 lb. Text Uncoated 2 60 lb. Text Gloss 3 80/100 lb. Text Gloss/Matte 4 80/100 lb. Cover Gloss/Matte
Why is paper weight important?
Paper weight is an important consideration for every print project, as it has a big impact on the look and feel of the printed piece. Paper weight is an important consideration for every print project, as it has a significant impact on the look, feel, and quality of the printed piece.
What is non cardstock paper?
Non-cardstock papers are called “text” or ”bond.”. At Printivity, our “cover paper” is synonymous with “cardstock,” and non-cardstock is synonymous with “text weight.”. This keeps things simpler for our customers.
How to contact Printivity?
Contact us at 1-877-649-5463 or [email protected] and we can send you a free paper sample kit.
What does higher GSM mean?
In general, the higher the GSM rating the heavier and thicker the paper will be. You could spend hours, maybe days, designing your job to look great only to undo all your hard work by selecting the wrong paper weight.
How thick is a business card?
Business cards would be considered thick and very good quality at above 400gsm. If designing a book be sure to consider the weight of paper on the inside and also your cover requirements. If you want to provide a quality professional finish then opting for heavier paper is your best choice.
What to do when your customer lifts your design?
Make sure when your customer lifts your design that they aren’t let down by the type and weight of paper that you decided to go with. In addition to selecting the correct weight of paper, you may decide to go with a more luxurious paper to really enhance your design.
Why is a two sided printer good?
It’s also a superb choice for two-sided printing because of its opacity and ink absorption. This trait also makes it a go-to for communications with graphics or heavily saturated colors, enabling your image to display better than they would on thinner sheets of paper.
What is lightweight paper?
Lightweight Paper. Regular copy paper or pages of a book are examples of lightweight paper. These sheets can fold without scoring, are flexible and easy to manipulate and can be used in most home printers.
How much does printer paper weigh?
The most common weight of printer paper is 20 lbs., while most fine printer, business and stationery paper weighs anywhere from 20-32 lbs. Fine paper refers to a class of paper grades that range from 100 percent cotton to processed wood pulp grade. To give you an idea of what types of paper are considered lightweight, medium-weight and heavyweight, ...
What is non cardstock paper called?
Non-cardstock paper is called “bond” or “text,” while cardstock paper is referred to as “cover,” “bristol” or “index.”. From lightest to heaviest, here are the most common paper weights and their common uses:
What type of paper is best suited for a print job?
From there, think through what type of paper, such as cover or text, is best suited for your print job. You can then reference the most common paper weights and their general uses to determine which is the right weight for your print job. To make sure you’re stocked on ink, toner and other accessories, such as HP laser printer cartridges ...
What size is a jumbo postcard?
Quick Specs: You can use Inkjet or Laser Printers when printing on these. Bigger canvas to display your images. Each postcard is cut to 8.5×5.5″.
Why is it important to print postcards?
For those who are aspiring to become professional photographers, it’s important for them to be able to get their images out into the physical (as well as digital) world. Postcards are a great way to start getting your photographs out in the real world and they’re easy to print your own. In order to print your own postcards you need ...

Business Cards
- Pick an uncoated stock or a dull/matte stock if you want people to be able to write on your card. Uncoated stock is the best option when you want people to be able to write directly on the piece wi...
- Using metallic foils or metallic ink? Metallic inks should only be printed on gloss stocks, as the ink will not look metallic at all on uncoated or only slightly on dull/matte stocks.
- Pick an uncoated stock or a dull/matte stock if you want people to be able to write on your card. Uncoated stock is the best option when you want people to be able to write directly on the piece wi...
- Using metallic foils or metallic ink? Metallic inks should only be printed on gloss stocks, as the ink will not look metallic at all on uncoated or only slightly on dull/matte stocks.
- Want something that feels interesting to the touch? Use a Soft Touch® coating that makes the card feel like velvet. Request a sample; you have to touch it to get the effect.
- Don't waste time and effectiveness by trying to save a little money. Your business card is an important marketing tool - consider using custom features and get a great design that stands out.
Brochures
- Plastic paper like SmartFlex®can create water and tear-proof products like maps or menus.
- Heavier paper is more rigid, helping items stand up when folded. If you are folding your brochure, the maximum recommended thickness for 2 or more folds is 100# cover.
- If the printed piece is going in the mail, it must be the correct thickness to meet postage regulations. The number of folds affects the final thickness. Call us for advice as the 2,000 p…
- Plastic paper like SmartFlex®can create water and tear-proof products like maps or menus.
- Heavier paper is more rigid, helping items stand up when folded. If you are folding your brochure, the maximum recommended thickness for 2 or more folds is 100# cover.
- If the printed piece is going in the mail, it must be the correct thickness to meet postage regulations. The number of folds affects the final thickness. Call us for advice as the 2,000 page postal...
- Thicker paper can make metallic foils and embossing look better, but as you go above 80# cover the amount of detail that is able to be shown in your embossed element will decrease.
Postcards
- Postcards that will be mailed have to meet US Postal Service regulations for size and thickness. In general, your postcards need to be printed on 100# cover or higher to mail. Check out our postcar...
- Thicker and larger postcards stand out, but anything larger than 6" x 11" will be require a much higher "Flats Rate" postage.
- Postcards that will be mailed have to meet US Postal Service regulations for size and thickness. In general, your postcards need to be printed on 100# cover or higher to mail. Check out our postcar...
- Thicker and larger postcards stand out, but anything larger than 6" x 11" will be require a much higher "Flats Rate" postage.
- Use a UV coating on the non-address side to make your card pop with high-gloss elements while protecting the card from handling and the weather.
- People touch a postcard so use Soft Touch® coating on the non-address side to give it a soft, velvety feel (you have to request a sample - words don't do Soft Touch®justice).
Catalogs / Calendars
- Catalogs are printed in 4 page increments, as each sheet is folded in half into 4 pages (front and back).
- Catalogs are frequently printed with a thick cover stock and thinner text stock for the interior to minimize cost. It is important to match the cover stock and interior text stock so there's consis...
- Catalogs are printed in 4 page increments, as each sheet is folded in half into 4 pages (front and back).
- Catalogs are frequently printed with a thick cover stock and thinner text stock for the interior to minimize cost. It is important to match the cover stock and interior text stock so there's consis...
- Catalogs can be saddle-stitched like a magazine, coil bound, Wire-O bound, or glued (perfect bound) like a soft cover book.
- Consider a high-gloss, coated paper for catalogs where art and images are important, and use an uncoated paper you can write on for product lists where readers may want to circle something or take...
Greeting Cards / Note Cards / Event Notices
- Use uncoated stock where people will be writing on the card, such as an RSVP response card, or for certain artistic effects.
- Gloss coated paper will resist writing and leave smudges, but this issue can be minimized by choosing a dull/matte coated stock if your images require the superior print quality of a coated paper s...
- Use uncoated stock where people will be writing on the card, such as an RSVP response card, or for certain artistic effects.
- Gloss coated paper will resist writing and leave smudges, but this issue can be minimized by choosing a dull/matte coated stock if your images require the superior print quality of a coated paper s...
- Our standard card stocks, 120# (14 pt) are optimal for embossing, foil stamping, and die-cutting, all popular options for event cards such as wedding invitations.
- Use textured papers such as linen, ribbed, or parchment to give a sense of luxury or class. They can be custom ordered.