How to Choose Business Card Paper: Matte Coated, Linen, Kraft, Velvet

Materials at a glance

Material	Feel	Best for
Matte coated (350 gsm)	Smooth surface, protected by matte or gloss lamination	Every sector; photo and colourful designs
Linen	Linen texture, unlaminated, natural	Lawyers, architects, consultants; simple, classic designs
Kraft	Brown, visible paper texture	Cafés, handmade products, natural and organic brands
Velvet	Soft-touch laminated coated card, soft in the hand	Boutiques, hairdressers, beauty and premium services
700 gsm laminated board	Two layers of coated board, thick and rigid; soft-touch	Corporate and luxury brands where first impressions matter
Uncoated bristol (350 gsm, express only)	Uncoated, matte	Appointment cards, cards you write on

Linen is 280 gsm in express and 300 gsm in standard. The 700 gsm board is printed double-sided and ordered from 100 pcs; other materials start at 250 pcs.

Matte or gloss lamination?

Lamination is a thin protective film over the print. It protects the card from scratches and moisture and keeps colours vivid for longer.

Matte lamination

No glare, a clean corporate look. Text reads easily from any angle. A safe choice for most designs if you are unsure.

Gloss lamination

Colours look more vivid and saturated, and the card shines in the light. Stands out on photo-rich, colourful designs.

The lamination choice applies to matte coated cards. Linen is unlaminated; velvet and laminated board have a soft-touch finish. The finish affects not only the look but also how well the card holds up in a wallet or on a desk; for cards that change hands often, a laminated option stays clean longer.

Can you write on a business card?

Of our options, only uncoated bristol takes a pen easily. On laminated and soft-touch cards ink does not hold and smudges. If you write appointment times or notes on the back, choose uncoated bristol in express production.

Size and corners

Standard-production cards are printed at an 8.4 × 5.2 cm working size and trimmed to about 8.2 × 5 cm. A deviation of about 1 mm in cutting is normal, so keep text away from the edges. Express cards are 5 × 8 cm net. Both speeds offer square or rounded corners, single or double-sided. Rounded corners wear less in a wallet and look softer; double-sided printing lets you use the back for a map, QR code or service list.

What we do not offer

No raised spot UV or foil finishes.
For clear, PVC or black business cards, ask for a quote via white ink printing.
NFC cannot be added to paper cards; for a card that opens on a phone tap, see NFC business cards. A QR code can be printed on paper cards.

Three questions to decide

Will people write on it? If yes, uncoated bristol.
Does the design have photos and vivid colours? If yes, matte coated with gloss or matte lamination.
Is the feel in the hand what matters? Linen or kraft for natural, velvet or laminated board for premium.

Standard business cards start from TRY 360, express from TRY 768 (VAT incl.). Compare all materials and prices on the business card page. For file preparation, see our print file guide.

Frequently asked questions

Can you write on a business card with a pen?

Only the uncoated bristol card in express production takes a pen easily. Ink does not hold on laminated or soft-touch cards.

Do you offer raised spot UV or foil?

No, we do not offer raised spot UV or foil. For a premium feel we recommend velvet or 700 gsm laminated board.

Do you have velvet business cards?

Yes. Velvet is coated card with soft-touch lamination; it feels soft and matte in the hand.

What size is a business card?

Standard production uses an 8.4 × 5.2 cm working size (about 8.2 × 5 cm net); express is 5 × 8 cm net.

Business Cards → NFC Smart Business Card → White Ink Printing →

How to choose business card paper