Printing presents its challenges, especially for those new to the field. A crucial part of printing materials is cardstock. Essentially, cardstock is a thick type of paper and plays a significant role in the printing industry. What makes cardstock stand out are its strength and versatility. Because of these qualities, businesses prefer to use them to create powerful and long-lasting impressions with their printed materials.
Cardstock is known for its toughness, making it perfect for making business cards, marketing materials, invitations, and signs. Its strength allows it to leave a lasting impact on the people who receive or see these materials.
Read More: Which Print Finishing Is Right for You: Dry-Erase Film or UV Liquid Lamination
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Exploring Cardstock Thickness
When selecting print materials, it’s important to consider the thickness of the cardstock. At Butterfly Graphics and Printing, we have a lot of experience as a wholesale trade printer and have worked with different thicknesses of cardstock. Our experience has shown that the thickness of the cardstock should match the intended use and purpose of the print. Cardstock comes in four main thicknesses:
- 18pt thick cardstock
- 24pt thick cardstock
- 40pt thick cardstock
- 50pt thick cardstock
Every thickness of cardstock has its distinct features and applications. Let’s explore these different thicknesses to determine which one would be the most suitable for your needs.
18pt Cardstock
The 18pt cardstock is the ideal choice for creating business cards, postcards, and greeting cards thanks to its combination of strength and aesthetic appeal. Its thickness isn’t extreme, yet it presents a satisfying level of rigidity that assures your cards won’t easily bend or tear. This material supports a sleek, professional appearance, a key factor for creating that crucial first impression with your business card or postcard. Its compact form allows you to effortlessly carry numerous cards without feeling bulky. Highly resistant to everyday handling, this type of cardstock ensures your business cards remain intact and sharp-looking. In a nutshell, 18pt cardstock delivers durability, style, and convenience for your business card needs.
24pt Cardstock
The 24pt cardstock is more suitable when you require extra strength and thickness in your materials. Ideal for projects like hanging signs, custom tags, or luxury business cards, this cardstock ensures your end product showcases quality and sturdiness. Because it’s thicker than the 18pt option, it has enhanced durability. In summary, when choosing a cardstock with resilience and a luxurious feel, the 24pt cardstock is an excellent option.
40pt Cardstock
The 40pt cardstock offers an excellent balance of solid durability and manageable weight. It’s perfect for hardier requirements, like High-end packaging, marketing materials, and heavy-duty ad signs expected to endure rougher situations. Unlike usual business cards that stay in wallets or cardholders, these materials face more rigorous circumstances. They might be exposed to heavy handling or transport. Despite all these, the 40pt cardstock maintains its form and quality. It’s tough and sturdy, yet not too heavy, making it easy to handle. So, for a durable, quality appearance that can withstand tougher conditions, the 40pt cardstock is a fitting choice.
50pt Cardstock
When you need your printed items not just to grab attention but also to hold up well over time, the 50pt cardstock is a great option. This great durability is perfect for items like large celebration signs, posters, and promotional signs that may need to stand for quite a while and still look good. Or perhaps high-quality marketing presentations, where you want the materials to look luxurious and leave a strong impression. The 50pt cardstock does this by providing a thicker, sturdier base for your prints, giving them enhanced quality, long-lasting durability, and a more premium feel. It’s a top choice when you aim for longevity and a touch of luxury.
Final Thoughts
As you start your printing journey, it’s important to consider the coatings, finishing options, and print sides that best suit your needs. At ButterflyGP, as wholessale trade printer, you have the power to customize your print job. You can select from various coatings, printed sides, and size options, among other choices.
Ultimately, the goal is to bring your message to life in a way that is clear, visible, and impossible to ignore. The quality of your print largely depends on the thickness of the cardstock you choose. It’s crucial to make a wise choice in selecting your cardstock to ensure that your message stands out, loud and clear, and perfectly aligns with your purpose.