Choosing the card stock that best fit your design and intent is important in achieving perfect prints. Thus, knowing the variety of options when printing invitations will be a big help. Here is a guide on choosing the right paper thickness & coating.
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Card stock point (pt.) is the unit of measurement that determines the card stock's thickness. To get the point, 500 card stocks with a size of 27 x 39 are piled up and weighed. The higher the point, the sturdier and more heavy-duty the stock is. The commonly available card stocks are:
• 10 pt. coated/uncoated
• 14 pt. uncoated
• 14 pt. gloss/matte/high gloss
• 15 pt. gloss/matte/high gloss
• 16 pt. gloss/matte/high gloss
If you prefer thicker invitation cards, there are specialized printing companies that offer 17 pt. card stocks. For folding options, you’ll need to have the card scored.
Card stock coatings add ambience and provide extra protection to your invitation design. The common coatings available are:
• Gloss – This coating adds shine and makes the colors of your design more vibrant.
• High Gloss – Commonly known as UV coating. This makes the design shinier than regular gloss.
• Matte – This coating tones down the color of your design and adds a smooth feel on the card.
Card stock types help in creating an attitude for your design. Here are some of the commonly offered card stock types:
• Textured – You can feel an embossed or extruded patterns on the card. Some common textures are weave, mat, tile, leaf, and clouds.
• Colored – Some card stock come in different colors and pre-designed patterns
• Scented – There are card stocks that have a pleasant smell for an added feel.
You can have your card stock colored, textured, scented or a combination of any or all of the three. Some printing companies offer more choices. Call your online printer and ask for more information.