There are many more steps to ordering business cards, postcards, and other print materials than meets the eye. Some may be shocked to find out that printing on paper comes with many details. It can be intimidating and difficult to choose a paper thickness that best fits your needs or conveys the impression you’re trying to create.
There are a variety of different paper thicknesses you can choose from. 14 pt., 16 pt., and 100 lb. are the most popular across most print products. You might be asking yourself, how do you know which is best for you when it comes to 14 pt. vs 16 pt. vs 100 lb.? Finding the right card stock paper is crucial to your printing projects. This will determine the look and feel of your custom paper products.
In this post, we will lay out the three most popular paper stocks and their differences to help you determine which is best for you, and when each one is appropriate to use.
After this quick guide to GotPrint’s paper stocks, you’ll be an expert when placing your next printing order!
14 pt. Card Stock / 14 pt. Paper Stock
14 pt. Gloss Cover 
14 pt. Uncoated Cover
The most popular cardstock is 14pt. In general, this top seller is the most used paper thickness for business cards, and it is a good card stock for postcards too. Ordering a card with 14pt thickness guarantees sleekness and shows that you are corporate and professional, which makes it the standard, go-to choice. With GotPrint, you have the option of choosing a glossy surface or an uncoated paper surface.
Perhaps the best part about this option is that it is the most economical solution. 14 pt. Paper is the most affordable option for custom prints. Either finish looks great while saving you money. You’ll get more bang for your buck because you’re getting a combination of price and durability. 14 pt. Gloss is the most popular paper stock for business cards and postcards.
It’s ideal to choose a 14 pt. card stock when quantity is more of a necessity than quality. Still, these are high-quality business cards that you’ll be proud to pass out. Their durability and affordability are ideal when you need to hand out business cards, postcards, hang tags, flyers, or any applicable print product in mass quantities. This makes them ideal for anyone who works in high-volume industries that rely on consistent networking, like people who have to attend business trips, trade shows, and conferences. The 14 pt paper weight is light but still sturdy, making it an ideal business card stock paper. 14 pt cardstock in lbs is about 111 lb.
You also don’t have to worry about compromising the quality of your designs/print materials on this cardstock, because it has a high brightness level that makes colors pop from the paper. The shiny 14 pt. Gloss Cover has a protective layer that provides excellent color reproduction. Choose a coated paper when you don’t plan on writing on the material. The 14 pt. Uncoated Cover has a textured finish that you can write on. This matte cardstock is an excellent postcard paper to use when you want to handwrite an address or message. Both options for the 14 pt paper finish are well-crafted while still being affordable.
Another thing to consider is that they conveniently fit into wallets and cardholders, making them easy to carry around on business trips, trade shows, or conferences. This paper is thin enough to easily slip inside a wallet.
16 pt. Card Stock / 16 pt. Paper Stock
16 pt. Premium Matte 
Texture
As a thicker paper, 16 pt. Cardstock is luxurious and sturdy. It gives you double security when it comes to durability, making it great for business cards and postcards, bookmarks, greeting cards, and many other print products. The thick paper makes 16 pt. Cardstock is also a popular option for door hangers, which are exposed to the elements. 16 pt. Premium Matte Cover is also a popular paper stock for mail marketing, like postcards and flyers, as the added weight protects it during the mailing process.
Consider cards of the 16 pt. stature when you have high-level business meetings to attend or are traveling to meet for business overseas. The higher the quality you choose for your cards, the more respected the recipient will feel. As the name implies. GotPrint’s 16 pt. Premium Matte Cover is a premium card stock that will surely impress people.
Although you are investing a bit more in the thicker 16 pt. stock, you’re more likely to have a higher ROI (return-on-investment) because you’ll make lasting connections when you let the quality of your cards speak for itself. They also perform well against the expected wear and tear of 14 pt cards, thanks to the added firmness of 16 pt paper. Remember: a card that lasts long is a card that will be kept long. 16 pt cardstock also provides the best material for Raised UV and Raised Foil. These specialty finishes provide raised design elements for a truly luxurious business card.
Another plus side to printing on these cards is the quality of the color finishes, especially when you want double-sided prints. The thickness of the paper will hold the ink well, making the colors vivid and clear on each side. If you use them for postcards, the added thickness will make them less likely to bend and more likely to stay fresh. This is especially convenient if you plan on using them as mailers.
Another plus side to printing on these cards is the quality of the color finishes, especially when you want double-sided prints. The thickness of the paper will hold the ink well, making the colors vivid and clear on each side. If you use them for postcards, you can be ensured that the added thickness will make them less likely to bend and more likely to stay fresh, this is especially convenient if you plan on using them as mailers.
Top the thick feel of these cards with a matte finish to truly impress your client base. Not only will it leave an unforgettable look, but it will leave an unforgettable feel as well. The standard Matte Aqueous Coating means you can still write on the surface. This premium matte paper has a smooth finish that looks sleek. Alternatively, you can include a High Gloss UV Coating for added protection and vibrant colors.
100 lb. Card Stock / 100 lb. Paper Stock
100 lb. Gloss Cover 
100 lb. Gloss Book 
100 lb. Matte Cover
Sometimes, thicker paper isn’t practical for certain printing projects, such as catalogs or calendars. That leads us to our thinner, yet just as durable, paper options – 100 lb. Gloss Cover, 100 lb. Gloss Book, and 100 lb. Matte Cover paper stock. These different paper types are often thin, yet they still feature premium color printing and a flexible feel.
100 lb paper is durable yet lightweight, while still showcasing color well. It’s the most economical option and is commonly ordered with a gloss cover. However, if you want this same thickness in a matte option, your go-to would be our lightweight matte cover 100 lb paper. The added bonus of this stock is that, because of its finish, you can easily handwrite anything on its surface. The gloss text paper adds a shiny appearance that makes colors appear vibrant and eye-catching.
It’s wise to choose this paper option when you need to give out business cards in mass quantities or have them available as handouts in stores and offices.
However, 100 lb paper stock is best used for materials such as booklets, catalogs, and brochures. These are all materials that require flexibility when it comes to folding, stacking, and/or transporting. That’s why 100 lb. thin paper stock is ideal for these printing projects and makes excellent booklet paper. The thinness of this paper makes the printing turnaround time fast, easy, and affordable.
The thinness of this paper makes the printing turnaround time fast, easy, and affordable.
Whether you need business card printing tips, are looking for the right brochure paper, or are just curious about a premium card stock, this guide will help you understand all the best types of paper.
Want to know what the difference between paper stock and card stock is? The phrases are typically used interchangeably, but we dove into the slight differences for you. Now that you have a better idea about our paper stocks, here is an infographic you can reference whenever you are choosing between papers!
| Thickness | GSM | Application (Use) | Cost | Popular Coating | Card Stock Highlights |
| 100 lbs Paper | 271 gsm | Brochures, Catalogs, Booklets | Lowest Cost | Matte/Glossy | Budget Friendly, Great for Book paper, Great for when you Need Paper in Bulk |
| 14 pt Paper | 310 gsm | Business Cards, Postcards, Flyers | Low Cost | Matte/Glossy | Budget Friendly, Lightweight, Practical, Popular, Professional |
| 16 pt Paper | 350 gsm | Business Cards, Postcards | 10% More than 14 pt | Matte | Vivid Colors, Durable, Luxurious, Professional, Great Quality |
There’s no need to negotiate the quality of your projects because of paper. As we have laid out for you, each type of paper has a specialty that is right for you, and for any occasion you have. At GotPrint, you can choose from all different paper types and thicknesses to order in mass quantities, in high quality, and at reasonable prices.
