HELP CENTRE
Business Cards
Velvet Business Cards: The Complete Guide
Aug
There is a moment that happens with velvet business cards that doesn’t happen with any other card we print. The person you hand it to pauses, runs a thumb across it, and looks at the card again. It feels like suede, sits flat and matte under light, and carries a weight that makes most standard cards feel flimsy by comparison.
This guide covers everything worth knowing before you order velvet cards: what velvet lamination actually is, how it changes the look of your artwork, how it compares to our other card ranges, and what it costs.
What Is Velvet Lamination?
Velvet lamination, also called soft touch or suede lamination, is a thin matte film applied over the printed sheet before the cards are cut. Unlike a standard matte laminate, which is simply non-shiny, velvet laminate has a micro-texture that feels soft and slightly warm to the touch, much like brushed suede or the coating on a premium hardcover book.
The laminate does three things at once:
- Feel: the suede-like surface is the defining feature. It invites people to hold the card longer, and that extra moment is the whole point of handing over a card.
- Look: it kills glare completely. Colours sit flat, deep and refined, with no shine even under direct light.
- Protection: the film wraps the printed surface, so the card resists scuffing, moisture and everyday wallet wear far better than unlaminated stock.
Our Velvet Business Cards are printed on thick 450GSM stock with velvet lamination on one or both sides, in full colour, single or double sided.
What Velvet Cards Feel and Look Like in the Hand
Two things surprise people when they first pick up a velvet card.
The first is the weight. At 450GSM, velvet cards are among the thickest laminated cards we produce. They don’t flex when handed over, and a stack of them has a satisfying solidity. Thickness reads as quality before anyone has even looked at the design.
The second is what the laminate does to colour. Velvet laminate softens and deepens everything underneath it. Dark colours are where it truly shines: navy, charcoal, deep green and black look rich and expensive under velvet, with none of the glare that gloss adds. Bright colours still print beautifully, but expect them to appear slightly more muted and sophisticated than they look on your screen. If your brand relies on loud, saturated colour at maximum vibrancy, gloss laminate is the better tool. If you want understated and premium, velvet is exactly right.
Velvet isn’t only for dark designs. A strong solid colour under velvet takes on a rich, fabric-like depth that flat matt laminate can’t match.
Velvet Business Card Specifications
Here is what you’re ordering when you order velvet cards from us:
- Stock: 450GSM
- Lamination: velvet on one side or both sides
- Printing: full colour offset, single or double sided
- Sizes: 90x55mm (standard) or 90x45mm (slimline)
- Corners: square, or rounded as an option
- Quantities: from 250 cards
- Delivery: free standard delivery Australia wide
- Dispatch: velvet runs print every business day. Finalise your order by 10am and it is dispatched the following business day.
How Velvet Compares to Our Other Business Cards
Velvet sits near the top of our range, but it isn’t the only option. Here is the full line-up side by side:
| Range | Stock | Finish | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | 350GSM | Uncoated, easy to write on | Budget runs, appointment cards, writeable backs |
| Matt Cello | 350GSM | Silky matt laminate | Clean professional cards at a sharp price |
| Premium | 400GSM | Silky matt cello | A heavier step up, our most popular card |
| Gloss | 450GSM | Gloss laminate both sides | Vivid colour, photography, bold designs |
| Velvet | 450GSM | Soft touch velvet laminate | Premium brands, tactile first impressions |
| Spot UV | 450GSM velvet stock | Glossy highlights on velvet, one side | Making a logo catch the light on a velvet base |
| Scodix | 450GSM velvet stock | Raised gloss elements on velvet | Luxury cards where the logo literally stands up |
| STAX | 700GSM, 3-layer | Uncoated with coloured edge options | Ultra-thick statement cards |
The simplest way to think about it: Premium is the safe, popular choice. Velvet is the one people comment on. If you meet clients face to face and the handover moment matters to your business, the difference in price between Premium and Velvet buys you a card that gets remembered.
Designing Artwork for Velvet Cards
A few practical tips will get the best result from velvet lamination:
- Dark, rich backgrounds are velvet’s home ground. Deep navy, charcoal, forest green and black all look outstanding under the laminate, and the soft-touch surface hides fingerprints that would show on gloss.
- Expect colours to soften slightly. The laminate mutes brightness a touch. Solid, confident colour fills come out rich and even. Neon-bright tones will lose some punch.
- Supply artwork in CMYK. We convert all files to CMYK for printing, and RGB colours (especially vivid blues and greens) can shift in conversion. Designing in CMYK from the start means no surprises.
- Keep fine details comfortable. Very small light-coloured text on dark backgrounds should stay at a readable size. Give logos and text breathing room from the edges.
- You approve a proof before anything prints. Our design team reviews your file and sends a digital proof for approval, so anything that needs adjusting gets caught before production.
One honest limitation: laminated cards are not made for writing on. Ballpoint pen struggles on the velvet surface. If you need a card people can write appointments on, choose our uncoated Economy Business Cards, or keep one side of your design in mind for a sticker or label.
Want the Velvet Feel With Extra Impact?
If you love the velvet base but want a design element that stands out, two of our ranges build directly on the same 450GSM velvet stock:
- Spot UV Business Cards: a glossy clear coating applied to chosen elements (usually the logo) on one side. The glossy areas catch the light against the flat velvet around them.
- Scodix Business Cards: the step beyond Spot UV. Scodix elements are raised as well as glossy, so the logo physically stands up off the velvet surface. You feel it as much as you see it.
The contrast between soft matte velvet and glossy highlights is striking in the hand, and Scodix in particular is about as premium as a business card gets.
Velvet Beyond Business Cards
If you want the same finish across your stationery, velvet isn’t limited to cards. We also print Velvet Postcards and Velvet A4 Presentation Folders, so a proposal, lookbook or mailer can carry the same soft-touch feel as the card you hand over.
How Much Do Velvet Business Cards Cost?
Current pricing on our website starts at:
| Quantity | From |
|---|---|
| 250 cards | $93 |
| 500 cards | $99 |
| 1,000 cards | $193 |
| 2,000 cards | $267 |
| 5,000 cards | $406 |
All prices exclude GST and include free standard delivery Australia wide. The step from 250 to 500 cards is small, so if you hand out cards regularly, the larger run is usually the better value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is velvet the same as soft touch or suede lamination?
Yes. Velvet, soft touch and suede all describe the same finish: a matte laminate with a soft, tactile micro-texture. Different printers use different names for it.
Will my text look faded under the velvet laminate?
No. Text stays crisp and sharp under velvet; what changes is colour intensity, which softens slightly across the whole card. Solid, well-sized text reads beautifully. The only thing to watch is very small, thin, light-coloured type on dark backgrounds, which is a legibility question on any card stock. We review your artwork and send a proof before printing, so anything borderline gets flagged.
Do velvet business cards show fingerprints?
No, and this is one of velvet’s practical advantages. The micro-textured surface hides fingerprints and smudges that would be visible on gloss laminate, so cards still look fresh after being handled.
How thick is 450GSM?
Noticeably thicker and stiffer than the 350GSM used for standard cards. A 450GSM card does not bend in normal handling and feels substantial the moment it is picked up. If you want to go even thicker, our STAX range is 700GSM.
Can I print velvet on one side only?
Yes. You can choose velvet lamination on one side or both sides, and printing on one side or both, in any combination.
How quickly will I get my velvet cards?
Velvet cards run every business day. Finalise your order by 10am and we dispatch the next business day. Delivery from there depends on the courier and your location, so while most orders arrive quickly, delivery times can’t be guaranteed.
Ready to Order?
You can order Velvet Business Cards online in a few minutes: choose your quantity and options, upload your artwork, and we’ll send you a digital proof to approve before printing.
Not sure whether velvet is right for your design, or want a hand setting up your artwork? Email us at [email protected] or get in touch through the contact page and we’ll give you a straight answer on the best stock for what you’re trying to achieve.