Cardstock is a type of paper which is a little bit harder and thicker than normal paper we used for writing and printing. Cardstock is hard to mold, bend and tear so it is used to print those out which need durability so they can last long such as ; business cards book cover invitation and greeting cards, art and craft cards and even it is used for some packaging as well.
Cardstock paper: Definition & Core Features
Cardstock is also known as Cover stock, a thick and heavier than usual paper that is not easy to tear and bend. A normal paper has 80 to 100 GSM, while a premium paper used for high end documents and letter heads have 100 to 120 GSM. The 120 to 170 GSM is used for flyers and posters. A paper will be called cardstock when it has 170 to 400 GSM thickness/weight. Higher GSM gives printed material a premium and more professional look.
Major features for cardstock which makes it essential in printing is that it can hold laminations, foiling, embossments, while it will not do well in normal paper and on hard paper like cardstock these all add up to a really premium and refined look.
Here are major features of cardstock:
- Durable as not easy to bend.
- Thickness is 170 to 400 GSM.
- Finish options like coated or uncoated.
- Customizedable in texture.
- Print compatibility with digital, laser and offset printing
Types of cardstock used in printing
There are different types of card stock in the market. Here types means what cardstock will feel and look. We will see here there are many options in cardstock which you can choose from these types according to your budget and requiremnet.
Coated cardstock
There are two options in coated cardstock; matte and glossy. The glossy cardstock is polished while matte coating gives a more smooth look. Both coatings enhance the cardstock colors and printing. For example we see these coatings in brochures, business and greeting cards. But on coated cardstock it is difficult to write something.
Uncoated cardstock
This cardstock gives a more raw and porous and natural look. It is very easy to write about them. And if you want to give your item an eco friendly or sophisticated look you should go for an uncoated cardstock type. This type is used when printing invitation cards and invitations as it is easy to write on them.
Kraft cardstock
This cardstock is made from recycled paper. Their color is simple like beige and brown and mostly used by eco friendly businesses or the ones who want to show their eco consciousness in their branding.
Velvet or soft touch cardstock
This cardstock gives a soft and woven textured touch. This cardstock felt smooth and soft touch and often used in wedding invitation, event invitation and luxury packaging as well. It is scratch resistant and fingerprint leaves an impact.
Linen cardstock
Linen cardstock feels like lining linen or fabric textured. It is commonly used for wedding invitations, art projects, scrap books, decorative tags, letter head and business card certificate as well.
Metallic cardstock
Metallic cardstock looks shimmery and metallic as well as reflective. It has fine metallic ( gold, bronze, silver or pearlstone) embedded on the surface of the card. Unlike coated cardstock it gives more depth to printed material. Just like all of the above card stock it is the person that wants to make out of them either wedding card, high end membership card or whatever they like but it should be understood that not every kind of printing is compatible on this type of card stock.
Popular cardstock sizes and finishes
Business card:
- Size: UAE; 9 x 5.5 cm, EU; 8.5 x 5.5 cm.
- Finish options: matte, glossy, UV, metallic foiling, embossed printing.
Invitation card size:
- Wedding invitation card standard size is 5 x 4 (A7)
- VIP, Gala or formal events cards are DL/ 4 x 9 and are elegant long cards in look.
- Luxury invitations are normally square in shape 6 x 6 size.
- Shaheen Advertising offers premium options like custom-cut metallic and textured cardstock in invitation cardstock.
Standard printing sheet sizes used for different purpose
- Flyers, menus and brochures are A4 and 210 x 297 mm in size.
- Posters and folding cards are A3 and 297 x 420 mm in size.
- Small booklets and invitation inserts are A5 and 148 x 210 in size.
- Post cards and thank you cards are A6 and 105 x 148 in size.
- SRA3 is bigger than A3 and commonly used in printing press in UAE for bleed trimming.
Craft cardstock sizes
- Scrapbook sheet are 12 x 12
- DIY packaging and invitation are commonly printed in A4/A4 and in metallic textured.
- Handmade card bases are 8 x 8 in size.
Popular Finish options
- Matte and glossy cardstock
- Embossed or raised texture for company name or logo
- Textured
- Laminations to protect the surface of cards
- Foiling like Gold, gold, silver, bronze to give a premium look.
- Glossy highlight – spot UV in some parts of the card.
- Satin and Silk Finish.
Uses of cardstock in Printing
There are versatile use of cardstock mainly in business but personal use as well for example event invitation, greeting cards, art and craft for personal use. So even for personal use it is good to have information on different cardstock types so that when needed you can use them best for your needs.
While in Business, card stock is used for business cards, event invitations, packaging, branding, tags, greeting cards, menus, certificate, and presentation as well.
Where to buy or print cardstock in Dubai
As Dubai is a Hub of Business from start ups, brands to large corporates so there is a large variety of options available in Dubai to print or buy cardstock. However there are different types of categories:
- Local print shops in Deria and Al Quoz, perfect for small business owners to print in bulk as they are affordable and also provide 300 to 400 GSM standard size in cardstocks.
- High end and premium printing press in Business Bay and DFIC which provide services like foiling, embossing and lamination as well. Corporate and events go to these shops for their luxury meet.
- Online printing shops which provide personal to small orders to select options from online services and then delivered to their door steps.
- Printing company with both online and physical options
These businesses provide cardstock in every GSM up until 400 and even above if need customization, do every kind of finishing touches like embossed, foiling, textured, laminations, and so on. As Shaheen Advertising is a big size printing press so they take not only orders but bulk orders as well and on bulk order they provide huge discounts as well. The plus point is that Shaheen Advertising has online websites and shops as well so that whatever way suits the customer they can adapt to order.
Tips for Designing and Printing on Cardstock
Here are a few important notes one must keep in mind while printing for designing and anything on cardstock.
- While Designing choose CMYK color mode.
- Add 3mm bleed to avoid trimming error.
- After printing, always keep your printing item in flat form, don’t fold them until you are using it in the next moments.
- On a textured surface dont use heavy ink otherwise it will spread smudge all over the place.
- Lastly, always make samples and check them before approving for whole bulk printing to avoid disappointment later on.
Final thoughts
Cardstock printing and knowledge is necessary if you are a small or large business owner or even someone who is responsible to take care of branding, packaging or printing for a project. Cardstock is not just something printed on paper rather it is the presentation and quality of your brand.From business, brands, start ups, event planner, creative personals, Shaheen Advertising is a printing company which offers everything from expert guidance in printing on cardstock to luxury options to enhance your style so that our prints leave an impact in the market for your business.
