Every business card paper, from everyday board to titanium

Read the label carefully. Many papers sold as sugarcane paper are blends. One mill line is only 30% cane pulp, with 60% recycled pulp making up most of the sheet. If the sugarcane story is the reason you want it, ask what share of the fibre is actually cane.

The natural colour is a warm off-white to beige. Because the sheet is unbleached, your design prints onto a tinted base rather than bright white, so expect softer, warmer colour than on a white card. The maker describes it as having high tensile strength and not being easy to crack.

It is rare as a business card. Most of it is made in large mill runs for packaging, so finding a printer with it as card sheets can take some asking. You will also see it called biodegradable, but no test standard is named behind that claim. If you like the idea but want something we print, look at Kraft board or Recycled board in our range.

Feel

Natural fibre, unbleached

Look

Warm natural off-white

Eco

Made from a sugarcane by-product, not wood

Best for

A tree-free story

In the hand it feels dry and a little rough, with a rustic look. Weight is a poor guide to thickness with kraft. Two kraft boards sold in Australia at about 300gsm measure 0.37mm and 0.51mm, because one of them is made in two layers. If thickness matters to you, ask for a sample.

Because it is uncoated and has no laminate, kraft takes ballpoint, gel pen and stamp ink. That makes it a popular choice for loyalty cards, especially with artisan cafes and independent shops. With no plastic film on it, it can also go in kerbside paper recycling.

The catch is colour. The brown base shows through every ink, so colours print darker and browner than they do on white card. Standard four-colour printing has no white ink, so white text or a white logo is not possible on our standard kraft, and spot colours are not accepted. Photos and fine detail look soft on uncoated board. Darker inks and simple designs work best. If you want an eco card with clean, bright colour, look at the recycled board further down.

Feel

Dry, slightly rough, visible fibres

Look

Natural brown, rustic

Eco

Unlaminated, so kerbside recyclable

Best for

Cafes, artisan shops, loyalty cards

That bulky middle makes it thick for its weight. A typical 350gsm board of this kind is about 0.53 to 0.6mm, against about 0.38mm for a typical 350gsm artboard. It is a good example of why gsm tells you weight, not thickness. Two cards with the same gsm can feel very different between your fingers.

The split surface is the point of this board. The coated front prints sharp, clean colour. The uncoated back takes pen and stamp ink, which suits loyalty and appointment cards where the front carries your brand and the back carries the stamps or the next booking. Boards of this kind also take embossing, foil and laminate.

Know which side is which before you design. The coated front will not take stamps, and many pens slide or smear on it, so keep any write-in area on the back. The uncoated back soaks up more ink than the front, so colour printed on the back looks softer. Ask us if this board sounds like the right fit for your job.

Feel

Smooth front, plain back, stiff

Look

White, slight sheen on the front

Eco

No eco claim

Best for

Loyalty and appointment cards

The colour comes from the denim itself. The maker describes a natural blue-grey tone, uncoated and with no added dye, so every card has a soft, muted look rather than bright white. Like other cotton papers it is a long-fibre sheet, and the maker says it has high tensile strength and tear resistance.

Printing is the main limit. The maker lists screen printing, letterpress and foil. Those suit simple designs: one or two ink colours, a pressed logo, or a name in metallic foil. Full-colour photos on a blue-grey base will look darker and duller than on white paper, so plan the design around the paper colour rather than fighting it.

Watch the name. Some papers called Denim are simply a blue colour on an ordinary paper, with no jeans fibre in them at all, so ask what the sheet is made from. You may also see it called compostable at end of life, but no standard is named behind that. If you like the idea but want something we print, look at Wild Cotton or Gmund Cotton in our range.

Feel

Uncoated cotton fibre

Look

Muted blue-grey

Eco

Maker says it is made from post-consumer denim

Best for

Fashion, textile and upcycling brands

As a guide, a typical bright white uncoated board is about 0.34mm at 300gsm and 0.39mm at 350gsm, while a bulkier uncoated 350gsm sheet can reach 0.47mm. The difference comes from how dense each sheet is. That is why gsm is a measure of weight, not thickness, and why two cards with similar numbers can feel quite different.

Uncoated means writable. Ballpoint, gel pen and stamp ink all take well, so this board suits cards people write on, such as appointment cards. Boards of this kind also take foil, embossing and laminate. One mix-up comes up often: matt laminate is not the same as uncoated. A matt laminated card looks just as soft, but it has a plastic film on top and will not take a stamp. If you need to write on the card, ask for uncoated.

The trade-off is colour. Uncoated paper soaks up more ink, so print standards allow less ink on it and colours come out softer and less vivid than on coated or laminated card. Large solid areas look slightly muted. Ask us if this board sounds right for your job.

Feel

Soft, natural, matt

Look

Bright white, no shine

Eco

No eco claim

Best for

Appointment cards, clean minimal designs

Thickness is the big appeal. A typical 1mm greyboard weighs about 600gsm, so you get a very thick card from one sheet. In the hand it feels rigid and rugged, with the rough texture of something that is definitely recycled. It cuts, scores, creases and die-cuts cleanly, so shaped cards are possible.

The grey base is the thing to design around. Screen printing works very well on it, especially with an opaque white ink, which lets a logo or name sit bright on the grey. One or two bold ink colours suit it. A design that relies on bright white paper or photos is better on a different card.

On eco, it is 100% recycled fibre, and some grades are FSC Recycled certified. If that certification matters to you, ask for it by name, as not every greyboard carries it. Grey greyboard business cards are rare. If you like the raw look but want something we print, look at Kraft board in our range. For extra thickness, look at STAX layered card.

Feel

Rigid, rough, rugged

Look

Matt grey, visibly recycled

Eco

100% recycled; some grades FSC Recycled

Best for

Raw, industrial or craft brands

Printing on black works differently from printing on white. Full-colour print does not suit it. On dark stock we can print only white, silver or gold ink, and white ink is about 80% opaque, so it looks slightly soft rather than bright white. There is no white letterpress ink. What works best on black is foil, a thin metallic film pressed onto the card. Gold, silver and coloured foils stand out strongly against black.

Black board also takes foil emboss, and edge paint or edge foil, which colour the cut edges. If you want a pressed-in blind deboss, choose the 450 or 600gsm, because deboss works better on paper over 400gsm. The 300gsm can be pasted to a second sheet to build thickness. Black stock is the look customers ask for most when they want foil or other embellishments.

The board is uncoated, so it absorbs ink rather than letting it sit on top. You can write on it, but a normal dark pen barely shows on black. If you are choosing between weights, the 300gsm is the lightest way into the black range, and the heavier weights open up deboss.

Feel

Smooth, dry, uncoated

Look

Solid black

Eco

No eco claim

Best for

Gold or silver foil designs

In the hand it is smooth and silky. It is waterproof and tear resistant, and cards have been reported surviving a wash in a trouser pocket. You can write on it with a ballpoint, pencil or permanent marker.

It can be printed by offset. It cannot go through laser printers, copiers or toner presses, because the heat melts it.

The green story needs care. It is often sold as eco-friendly, but there is no objective evidence that it is made from waste stone, and the plastic is more likely new resin made from fossil fuels. It cannot currently be recycled in practice by households, in either paper or plastic recycling. It is not biodegradable or compostable, and left in the environment it breaks down into microplastics. Complaints about its green claims have been upheld by advertising regulators in France, the Netherlands and the UK. If you want a waterproof card we print, look at Rigid PVC or Clear plastic in our range.

Feel

Smooth and silky

Look

Smooth, even surface

Eco

Tree-free, but not recyclable in practice and not biodegradable

Best for

Cards that may get wet

Economy feels slick and smooth. Matt Cello feels silky, with a soft, glare-free look, and the film helps protect the print from wear. Both print in full colour on one or both sides. Economy has no film, and you can write and stamp on it. Matt Cello 1 Side has film on the front only, so the back takes pen and stamps, which is why salons, dentists and physios use it for appointment cards. Matt Cello 2 Sides cannot be written on or stamped.

A common mix-up: matt is not the same as uncoated. Matt laminate is a plastic film that looks soft, but stamp ink will not take on it and many pens fail or smear. If your card needs a write-in area, choose Economy or Matt Cello 1 Side, or an uncoated stock.

Matt laminate softens solid black to a deep charcoal, and a screen proof cannot show this. If your design is mostly black or very dark colours, expect it to look slightly lighter. Matt film can also scuff, and scuffs show most on dark areas. A few inks, such as Reflex Blue, Rhodamine Red and Pantone Purple, can shift colour under laminate. Laminated cards cannot go in kerbside recycling.

Feel

Economy smooth and slick; Matt Cello silky

Look

Clean white; matt film is glare-free

Eco

Matt Cello is not kerbside recyclable (laminated)

Best for

Everyday cards, large runs, appointment cards

US papers are sold in pounds, not gsm. The card weight is 125lb cover, about 338gsm, and 100lb cover is about 270gsm. The pound figure is measured on a different basis, so do not compare it directly with gsm.

Pop-Tone runs on offset, toner digital and letterpress, and takes embossing, debossing, screen printing and foil. Speckletone's flecks are random by design, so no two cards look exactly alike, which is part of the charm. Like all uncoated paper, printed colours look softer than on coated card, and dark ink on a strong paper colour will shift.

On eco, Pop-Tone is FSC certified and the mill says it is made with hydroelectric power. Speckletone is 100% recycled. Both are made in the US and rarely offered as business cards in Australia. If you like coloured paper but want something we print, look at Colorplan in our range.

Feel

Smooth (Pop-Tone) or semi-smooth and flecked (Speckletone)

Look

Bold colours or flecked naturals

Eco

Pop-Tone FSC; Speckletone 100% recycled

Best for

Colourful, design-led brands

That density changes the thickness. A 350gsm SBS is about 0.42 to 0.47mm, while a typical 355gsm folding boxboard is about 0.6mm. So at the same gsm, SBS feels thinner and firmer rather than chunkier. If thickness is what you are after, gsm alone will not tell you.

The surface is smooth and silky, made for sharp print. It runs on offset and digital presses, including HP Indigo, and takes lamination, varnish, embossing, hot foil and die-cutting. It folds and creases cleanly, which suits folded cards. It is also food-contact and toy-safety compliant, with low odour, which is why it is common in premium packaging.

On eco, it carries FSC Mix certification, but it is 100% virgin fibre with no recycled content. It is rarely named as a business card stock, even though it prints sharply. For a smooth white card we print, look at Velvet laminated board in our range.

Feel

Smooth, silky, firm

Look

Bright smooth white

Eco

FSC Mix; 100% virgin fibre

Best for

Sharp full-colour designs

It has an uncoated vellum finish with visible flecks from the food fibre. It is also thick for its weight: 350gsm is about 0.47 to 0.53mm, around half a millimetre, which gives a solid card from a single sheet. Shades stocked in Australia include Cacao, Kiwi, Olive, Citrus, Corn and Grape.

It runs on offset, toner digital, HP Indigo and letterpress, and takes foil, embossing and debossing. Colour is the thing to watch. Only the lighter Corn and Citrus shades carry full four-colour print well. The darker shades, such as Cocoa and Coffee, suit fewer ink colours or foil. Pick the shade first, then design to it.

Eco is well documented. It is FSC Mix certified and made with certified renewable energy, with part of the carbon claim covered by carbon credits. At least one Australian card printer offers it. If you like the idea but want something we print, look at Recycled board in our range.

Feel

Uncoated vellum, flecked

Look

Natural shades with food flecks

Eco

FSC Mix; 15% food waste, 40% recycled

Best for

Food, drink and hospitality brands

Recycled paper does not have to look grey. This sheet is bright white, so colours stay clean for a recycled stock. The surface is dry and matt, with no shine. At 350gsm it is about 0.4 to 0.45mm thick, a touch thicker than a typical 350gsm coated artboard at about 0.38mm.

Because it is uncoated, it takes ballpoint, gel pen and stamp ink, which suits loyalty and appointment cards. The board is rated for offset, letterpress and laser printing, and it suits foil and blind embossing. With no plastic film, it can go back into kerbside paper recycling. A recycled 350gsm in Bright White or Cream is also made to order in our premium range.

Expect softer colour than on coated or laminated card. Uncoated paper takes less ink, so solid colours and photos look slightly muted. Recycled fibres are shorter, so the board cracks more easily if folded. That does not matter for a flat card, but it does for folded ones.

Feel

Dry, smooth, matt

Look

Bright white, no shine

Eco

100% post-consumer recycled, FSC Recycled, EU Ecolabel. Kerbside recyclable.

Best for

Eco-minded businesses, loyalty cards

It is matt and uncoated, with no optical brighteners. It also feels thicker than its weight: the 250gsm sheet is about 0.4mm. That said, 250gsm is the heaviest it comes in. For a firmer card, sheets can be laminated together up to 500gsm on request, which adds a step and a visible join on the edge.

It takes a wide range of printing: offset, letterpress, digital and screen printing, plus blind embossing and hot foil. A blind-embossed logo or a foil name suits the warm shades well. Like all uncoated paper, printed colours look softer than on coated card, and the paper shade tints whatever you print on it.

On eco, it is FSC certified and acid free. It is hard to get in Australia, so check it is still available before you plan a design around it. If you like the idea but want something we print, look at Gmund Cotton in our range.

Feel

Matt, uncoated

Look

Warm beer-coloured shades

Eco

FSC; acid free

Best for

Breweries, bars and drinks brands

There are 23 colours, from Sahara, Sun and Mandarin through Ruby, Magenta and Lavender to Azure, Emerald, Tobacco, Shale and Obsidian. It is made to order in our premium range and is one of the stocks on our Premium Foil and Raised Foil cards. The mill lists hot foil stamping, embossing, spot UV, lamination, die-cutting and pasting two sheets together as suitable, and recommends a print test first.

Its eco credentials are independently certified. It carries the Blue Angel label for board made from 100% waste paper, plus the EU Ecolabel and the Nordic Swan. It is also chlorine free and acid free. The surface is uncoated, so it takes pen, and printed colour looks softer than on coated card.

Two things to plan for. Because it is recycled, the mill notes that shade, surface and speck count can vary between batches, so a reorder may not match the last one exactly. On the dark colours we can print only white, silver or gold ink, so a design on Obsidian or Ecoblack suits foil or metallic ink rather than full-colour print.

Feel

Dry, uncoated, lightly textured

Look

Solid colour right through the board

Eco

100% recycled fibre. Blue Angel, EU Ecolabel, Nordic Swan

Best for

Bold colour brands, foil designs

It is bulky for its weight. The 352gsm Super Smooth is listed at about 0.59mm, which gives a thick card from a single sheet without any pasting. This is a good example of gsm being weight, not thickness: two papers at the same gsm can feel very different in the hand.

It runs on toner digital presses, and the Super Smooth is laser rated up to 270gsm. As an uncoated paper, printed colours look softer than on coated card, which suits classic, restrained designs: a name, a logo and plenty of white space.

On eco, it is FSC Mix, and the mill says it is made carbon neutral through wind energy. Most Wove and Cambric shades contain 30% post-consumer recycled fibre, but the Ultimate White shades do not. In Australia it is sold in small packs, and one merchant lists it as discontinued with limited stock, so it may be hard to get. If you like the feel but want something we print, look at Wild Cotton or Gmund Cotton in our range.

Feel

Uncoated; smooth, wove, linen or silk texture

Look

Premium uncoated whites

Eco

FSC Mix; 30% recycled in most Wove and Cambric

Best for

Classic stationery look

The extra 50gsm is noticeable in the hand, and the card feels clearly heavier than a 350gsm. As a guide, typical 400gsm artboards measure about 0.41 to 0.46mm before laminate, against about 0.38mm for a typical 350gsm. It prints in full colour on one or both sides.

It suits professional cards with full-colour designs where you want a smooth, muted look rather than shine. The matt film helps protect the print from wear and splashes, though water can still wick in at the raw cut edges. If you want the same silky look with a softer, grippier touch, see velvet further down.

Both sides are laminated, so you cannot write on it or stamp it. Choose Matt Cello 1 Side if you need a writable back. Matt laminate softens solid black to a deep charcoal, which a screen proof cannot show, and matt film can scuff, most visibly on dark areas. Some inks, such as Reflex Blue and Rhodamine Red, can shift colour under laminate. Laminated cards cannot go in kerbside recycling.

Feel

Silky matt, heavier than 350gsm

Look

Soft, glare-free

Eco

Not kerbside recyclable (laminated)

Best for

Professional full-colour cards

The card prints in full colour on both sides, with foil on one side. There are four foil colours: copper, electric blue, red and magenta. None of them is offered elsewhere in our standard range, which otherwise foils in gold, silver, rose gold and holographic on velvet laminate.

The matt film gives a soft, glare-free surface, and the card feels thick and substantial in the hand. Ballpoint usually writes on matt laminate, but stamps are unreliable, so this is not a card for stamp loyalty schemes. The laminate helps protect the print, so the cards hold up well in a wallet.

Plan ahead for this one. The minimum order is 500 cards, and production takes longer than our standard cards. Matt laminate softens solid black to a deep charcoal, which a screen proof cannot show, and it can scuff, most visibly on dark areas. Laminated cards cannot go in kerbside recycling. If gold or silver is what you need, the foil cards on velvet laminate above cover those.

Feel

Thick, silky matt

Look

Glare-free with metallic foil

Eco

Not kerbside recyclable (laminated)

Best for

Brands with copper, blue, red or magenta accents

Plastic is waterproof and hard to tear, so it suits trades, gyms, hospitality and anyone whose card has to survive the real world, such as a work ute or a busy kitchen. It lasts much longer than paper in a wallet. Options include signature panels, hole punching and lanyard slots.

Colour behaves differently on plastic. Colours print lighter and may not match the same design printed on paper, and a colour shift of about 10% is common. If you need a close brand colour match, allow for this. Ink on plastic can also be more prone to scuffing than ink on paper.

You cannot write on it with a normal pen, so add a signature panel if you need a write-in area. Plastics like PVC can warp above about 60C, so do not leave cards on a car dashboard in summer. No plastic card can go in kerbside recycling, and Australia's packaging body lists rigid PVC as a problem material. The minimum order is 500 cards per design.

Feel

Smooth, rigid, slightly flexible

Look

Gloss or matt, opaque

Eco

Not kerbside recyclable

Best for

Trades, gyms, hospitality

Gloss laminate gives a shiny, vibrant finish that catches the light. Of all our standard finishes, it makes colours look brightest and photos most vivid, so it suits colourful and image-led designs. It feels smooth and slick in the hand.

Gloss is not the base for our embellished cards. Spot UV is a flat, clear shine on selected areas, and it needs a matt background to show, so our spot UV, Scodix and raised foil cards are built on velvet laminate instead. Some customers simply do not want a shiny card. If you prefer a quieter look, see velvet laminate below or matt laminate above.

Both sides are laminated, so you cannot write on it or stamp it. Gloss laminate can be marked by rough handling, dust and scratches. The film resists splashes, but water can wick in at the raw cut edges. A few inks, such as Reflex Blue and Rhodamine Red, can shift colour under laminate. Laminated cards cannot go in kerbside recycling, so this is not the card for an eco-led brand.

Feel

Smooth, slick, shiny

Look

High gloss, vivid colour

Eco

Not kerbside recyclable (laminated)

Best for

Colourful and photo-heavy designs

It feels soft and slightly grippy, not slippery, with a silky, low-sheen look. Velvet is the finish customers ask us about most, and the feel is what they mention when they praise it. The film helps protect the print from splashes and wear.

Velvet is also the base for our embellished cards, because effects stand out against its matt surface. Spot UV is a flat, clear shine printed on part of the design. Scodix is a raised, clear gloss you can feel with a fingertip. It is not coloured and it is not an emboss. Gold, Silver and Rose Gold Foil cards add raised metallic foil on top, and Holographic Foil uses a 400gsm velvet card. These effects go on one side of the card.

Velvet has two known weak points. It softens solid black and dark colours to a deep charcoal, which a screen proof cannot show. Standard soft-touch film can also show fingerprints and fine scratches, most of all on dark designs. Both sides are laminated, so treat velvet as not writable and not stampable. Laminated cards cannot go in kerbside recycling.

Feel

Soft, grippy, velvety

Look

Low sheen, muted

Eco

Not kerbside recyclable (laminated)

Best for

Premium everyday cards, embellished designs

The texture gives it a distinctive feel and a quality, traditional look. It is bright white for a textured paper, and it suits a classic, understated card. Creative businesses often ask for textured stocks like this one when they want a card that feels like paper rather than plastic film.

Because it is uncoated and has no laminate, it is easy to write on with pen or pencil. That makes it a good choice for appointment cards, or for cards you hand over with a quick note on the back. With no plastic film, it can go in kerbside paper recycling.

Colours and photos print softer on uncoated paper than on smooth coated card, so expect a gentler, more muted result. Plan your layout with trimming in mind. On linen, a centred logo or a tight border makes even a small cutting shift easy to see. If your design depends on exact centring, give borders some room so a small shift does not show.

Feel

Fine woven texture both sides

Look

Bright white, textured

Eco

Unlaminated, so kerbside recyclable

Best for

Classic cards, appointment cards

Because it is see-through, a frosted card takes on whatever is behind it. On a white desk it glows. Against a dark sleeve or a black wallet it can look grey. Keep this in mind if your design needs to look crisp and bright in every setting, and think about where people will usually see your card.

Printing on a semi-transparent card needs care. Light colours and fine detail can disappear unless a layer of white ink is printed behind them. When you send your artwork, we check it and flag any elements that need white ink backing before anything is printed. This is a different process from printing on paper, so it is worth asking us about your design early.

The matt surface spreads light, so it hides fingerprints and scuffs better than clear plastic does. Plastic generally does not take a normal pen, so this is not the card for write-in details. It cannot go in kerbside recycling. If you like the toughness of plastic but want a solid white card, see the opaque plastic card above.

Feel

Smooth, soft matt plastic

Look

Semi-transparent, frosted

Eco

Not kerbside recyclable

Best for

Designs that want a see-through look

In the hand it is bare, uncoated paper with no film on top. The extra weight is what makes it useful. Blind deboss, a sunken press with no ink, works better on paper over 400gsm, so both weights take a crisp deboss. Foil, foil emboss, painted edges and foil edges are all on offer. The 450gsm can be pasted to a second sheet for an even thicker card. The 600gsm cannot.

It suits a short, bold design: a logo and name in gold, silver or a coloured foil, maybe a debossed mark on the back. Gold foil on black is one of the most requested looks in our customer enquiries.

The catch is ink. On dark paper only white, silver or gold ink can be printed, and white ink is only about 80% opaque, so it looks slightly soft rather than bright white. There is no full colour print and no white letterpress. It is uncoated and takes ink, but a normal dark pen barely shows on black, so it is not a card to write on.

Feel

Bare, uncoated, no film

Look

Solid black paper

Eco

No eco claim

Best for

Gold or silver foil designs

US papers are sold in pounds rather than gsm. 110lb cover is about 298gsm, and 130lb cover is about 352gsm, which is the card weight Classic Linen is sold at in Australia. Royal Sundance is already offered on cards by at least one Australian printer.

Classic Crest can be used on many laser, inkjet, offset and digital printers. The felt and linen textures work best with simple designs, where the texture is part of the look, and the felt suits a pressed letterpress logo. As with all uncoated paper, printed colours look softer than on coated card. Note that Classic Linen in Solar White leans slightly cream, so if you want bright white, ask to see a sample.

On eco, Classic Crest is sold with 30% post-consumer recycled content, and 100% recycled versions are available in White and Natural White. If you like the linen texture but want something we print, look at Linen board in our range.

Feel

Felt, linen or smooth, uncoated

Look

Warm whites; Solar White leans cream

Eco

Classic Crest sold with 30% or 100% recycled content

Best for

Classic, textured stationery look

This paper is the clearest proof that gsm is weight, not thickness. The mill puts the 300gsm at about 0.63mm and the 450gsm at about 0.97mm. A typical 450gsm velvet laminated card is about 0.5mm. So the same 450 number can be almost twice as thick. A 600gsm white version also exists, at about 1.2mm.

It feels soft and natural, with a creamy shade. That softness is why it takes a deep letterpress or emboss impression, and it is the paper our Letterpress, Embossed and Painted Edge cards are built on. Pens write well on it. The 300gsm is also offered with flat print on our Cotton Business Cards, and it can be pasted to a second sheet.

Watch out for three things. The mill says it is sensitive to humidity and temperature changes. Foil on weights over 300gsm needs a test first. Lamination also needs testing, so treat it as a bare, natural surface. On the dark colours, only white, silver or gold ink prints.

Feel

Soft, natural, slightly creamy

Look

Uncoated, natural fibre

Eco

FSC Mix, recyclable to Aticelca 501:2025

Best for

Letterpress and emboss cards

All of them are uncoated, with a toothy texture you can feel under your thumb. That surface holds ink rather than sitting it on top, so colours print softer than on a coated card. Being uncoated, it takes pen.

The range is the point. You can pick 300gsm for a light card or go to 600gsm for a heavy one, and stay in the same white look. The 400, 500 and 600gsm weights take blind emboss and deboss. The 600gsm Soft White is a letterpress paper. The 300 and 400gsm can be pasted to a second sheet for extra thickness.

A question we get: will an emboss show on the back? A blind emboss, raised with no ink, leaves a mirror mark on the back unless the card is two or three sheets pasted together. A blind deboss leaves no mark on the back. Because the four lines differ, name the exact shade and weight when you order.

Feel

Toothy, uncoated

Look

Bright, natural, off or soft white

Eco

FSC on all lines; Soft White has cotton and recycled fibre

Best for

Emboss and deboss designs in white

Both are uncoated, so the surface is bare paper with no film. Grey is a rare colour at these weights. It sits between white and black, which suits designs where black feels too heavy and white feels too plain.

The 400gsm takes foil, foil emboss and blind emboss with foil. Blind deboss works better on paper over 400gsm, so the 600gsm is the one to pick for a crisp sunken mark. The 400gsm can be pasted to a second sheet for a thicker card. The 600gsm cannot. If you do add printed colour, expect it to look softer than on a coated card, as it does on all uncoated paper.

Plan your design around foil. On black and navy paper only white, silver or gold ink prints. If your design relies on printed colour on grey, ask us before you order. Being uncoated, grey takes pen. If you want the same foil and emboss look in white, see textured white above.

Feel

Bare, uncoated paper

Look

Mid grey

Eco

FSC; recycled fibre in both, cotton in the 400

Best for

Foil designs in a cooler tone

The 270gsm is about 0.36mm and the 325gsm about 0.43mm. Single sheets top out at 352gsm. Many thick luxury cards sold as 600gsm Superfine are two or more sheets layered together, sometimes with a coloured seam showing at the edge. If you see a very thick Superfine card, it is layered.

A digital-certified version runs on HP Indigo and toner presses, which suits short runs, and the standard sheet runs on offset. Layered Superfine is a popular base for letterpress, because the thick, soft sheet takes a deep impression. As an uncoated paper, colours look softer than on coated card, which suits minimal designs with lots of white space.

On eco, it is FSC Mix, elemental chlorine free and archival. It is sold as carbon neutral, but that claim is based on offsets and renewable energy certificates, and it is not a recycled paper. If you like it but want something we print, look at Gmund Cotton or STAX layered card in our range.

Feel

Smooth or soft eggshell, uncoated

Look

Ultra-white or warm white

Eco

FSC Mix; ECF; archival

Best for

Clean, minimal designs

Look at the edge and you see a thin stripe of colour between the white faces. There are nine seam colours: Scarlett Red, Azure Blue, Woody Natural, Onyx Black, Rusty Orange, Sunny Yellow, Taffy Pink, Ivy Green and Violet Purple. The faces are smooth, natural uncoated board, printed full colour on both sides. Because it is uncoated, you can write on it.

If you have asked us for something above 450gsm, like 600 or 700, this is the card to look at. Being uncoated, it has no velvet or gloss laminate on it. Uncoated board also prints colours slightly softer and more muted than a laminated or coated card, so expect less punch on bright brand colours.

Know the limits before you design. The layered build does not support die-cutting, so there are no rounded corners. Orders run from 50 to 200 cards and are dispatched every Friday. Bonded cards can curl, so each batch is checked for it. Only the Woody Natural seam is recycled, not the whole card.

Feel

Smooth, natural uncoated board

Look

White faces with a coloured stripe on the edge

Eco

Only the Woody Natural seam is recycled

Best for

A thick card with a brand-colour edge

The look is natural and flecked, with visible plant fibres. A machine-made version is smooth enough for block and press printing.

It suits a conversation-starter card: a zoo, a wildlife charity, an eco brand or anyone who wants people to ask about their card.

What to watch out for. The heaviest grade on offer is about 190gsm. Most business cards are 250 to 400gsm, so on its own it is thinner and more flexible than a normal card. To make a stiffer card it would need to be pasted onto a backing board. It is usually sold in small packs, so larger runs are hard to source. And a novelty story is not for every client. A law firm may not want to explain where their card came from. If you want a natural, eco-minded card we print, see Recycled board or Kraft board in this guide.

Feel

Natural, fibrous, thinner than card

Look

Flecked natural tones

Eco

Tree-free. Chlorine and bleach free, pH neutral

Best for

Wildlife, zoo and novelty eco cards

Holographic board comes at about 0.25mm and 0.3mm. A 280gsm mirror board is about 0.38mm.

Printing needs the right press. It runs on offset, flexo and screen, and some digital grades run on specific HP Indigo presses only. It is not suitable for laser or inkjet printing. Ink on a metallic surface is see-through, so solid colours need a white ink layer underneath. The flip side is useful: leave white ink out of chosen areas and the hologram or mirror shows through just there, such as in a logo.

Watch the heat. The hologram sits in a polymer coating that can be damaged by heat, so keep it below 40C. The mirror surface is scratch resistant. Grades with film laminated to board are a mix of plastic and paper. If you like the metallic look but want something we print, look at metal cards in our range.

Feel

Smooth metallic surface

Look

Rainbow hologram or mirror over the whole card

Eco

No eco claim

Best for

Full-card rainbow or mirror effect

It is uncoated, with a slightly rough surface and visible fibre. The cotton adds to that roughness. Printers describe it as feeling more like a material than a paper, with a stone-like, earthy character.

It takes letterpress, hot foil, blind emboss and deboss, as well as flat colour print. It can also be pasted to a second sheet for a thicker card. The earthy, muted tones are what draw people to it: Gesso, Clay and Verdigris are hard to find in other card papers.

Watch out for two things. The recycled content means the shade can vary slightly from one making to the next, with the odd fibre speck. If you are reordering and need an exact colour match, keep that in mind. The mill also says varnish and plastic laminating must be tested first, so treat it as a bare paper. The rough surface is better for type and logos than for fine photos.

Feel

Slightly rough, stone-like, visible fibre

Look

Coloured through, muted earthy tones

Eco

FSC, 25% recycled fibre, acid free

Best for

Earthy brands, foil and emboss

At 300gsm it is lighter than most papers in this section, and a little lighter than the 350gsm boards in Everyday. Remember that gsm is weight, not thickness, so the best way to judge a paper is in your hand. Ask for a sample if feel matters to you.

If you want a stiffer card, it can be pasted to a second sheet. This is called a duplex, and it builds one thicker card from two thinner sheets. Because it is uncoated, it takes pen, so it works for cards you write a note on.

What to watch out for. Uncoated paper soaks up more ink than coated card, so colours print softer and more muted. Bold, bright brand colours will look calmer here than on a white coated board. Only one weight is offered. If the shades suit your brand, ask us and we will check what is possible for your design.

Feel

Uncoated, natural paper

Look

Ivory, Sand or Stone

Eco

Sold as recycled paper. No other eco claim

Best for

A quiet card in natural shades

A 300gsm Sirio Pearl is about 0.35mm, and 350gsm about 0.4mm. Where the colour is dyed through, as with Sirio Pearl and Majestic, the edges match the faces.

The shine changes how ink behaves. Some of these surfaces have no porosity, so ink sits on top. Offset needs special inks, and drying can take from 8 hours to more than 24. Gold Shimmer needs at least 48 hours and is not suitable for laser or inkjet. Cosmos Pearl runs on digital laser and litho, and takes embossing and foil. Sirio Pearl takes letterpress, embossing and hot foil. On the two-tone board, ink, foil and pressing need checking separately for each face.

On eco, Cosmos Pearl, Majestic and Sirio Pearl are FSC certified. Sirio Pearl is already offered on business cards by at least one Australian printer.

Feel

Smooth with a soft shimmer

Look

Pearl sheen; golden shades in Gold Shimmer

Eco

FSC (Cosmos Pearl, Majestic, Sirio Pearl)

Best for

Soft shimmer without foil

In the hand it has a soft, flexible feel rather than a stiff one. Specs vary by supplier: one version is listed at 16.5pt, about 0.42mm, another at 375gsm. One customer review of a bamboo card said the gsm was not what was specified and the card felt very flimsy. If stiffness matters to you, ask for a sample before you order.

It is printed digitally, and it is best suited to lighter colours and designs because of the natural texture and off-white base. A simple logo and name with plenty of open space works better than heavy ink coverage or large dark areas. As with all uncoated paper, colours look softer than on coated card.

On eco, the printer that sells it says the pulp is FSC and/or PEFC certified. You will also see it called biodegradable, but no test standard is named behind that. It is proven at scale, with hundreds of reviews on one large printer's page. If you like the idea but want something we print, look at Recycled board or Wild Cotton in our range.

Feel

Soft, flexible, woven texture

Look

Subtle off-white

Eco

FSC and/or PEFC certified pulp, per the seller

Best for

Light, natural designs

The look and feel is the whole point. It has a distinctive natural cork texture and warm brown colour, and it is far thicker than a paper card. A typical 350gsm artboard is about 0.38mm, so a 1.5mm cork card is roughly four times as thick. That makes it bulky. It will take up more room in a wallet or cardholder, and fewer will fit in a box or a pocket.

Cork cards are either printed digitally or laser engraved. Engraving burns the design into the surface, which gives a darker, natural-looking mark with no ink. Simple, bold designs suit both. The cork grain and thickness also mean these are made by specialty printers rather than on standard business card presses.

Many of the cork rolls on the market are flooring and pinboard grade, made for walls and floors rather than print, so ask what grade a printer uses. A handful of specialty printers overseas offer cork cards. If you like the natural look but want something we print, look at Kraft board in our range.

Feel

Thick, springy cork grain

Look

Warm brown cork texture

Eco

No eco claim

Best for

A distinctive natural look

In the hand it is smooth and bright white. It is uncoated, so there is no shine and no plastic film. Fedrigoni says dot gain and print contrast are at the highest levels you can get from an uncoated paper. In plain words, fine type and detail stay sharp.

It takes letterpress, offset, embossing, hot foil, thermography and screen printing. That makes it a good base for a minimal white card with one strong finish, such as a single foil or a blind emboss. Because it is uncoated, you can write on it with a pen.

What to watch out for. It feels thinner than its weight suggests. At 340gsm it is about 0.36mm, while many 300gsm cotton or felt papers are thicker. This is a good example of why gsm is weight, not thickness. If you want a white card that feels heavy in the hand, ask for the thickness, not just the gsm. If you want a premium uncoated white card we print, see Gmund Cotton in this guide.

Feel

Very smooth, velvety, uncoated

Look

Extra white, no shine

Eco

FSC Mix, ECF pulp

Best for

Minimal white cards with fine type

It is a bulky paper. The 320gsm sheet is about 0.43mm thick, which is more than many papers of the same weight. So it feels solid in the hand without being very heavy. The vellum surface is smooth with a soft, natural feel and no shine.

It takes letterpress, offset, embossing, hot foil, thermography and screen printing. It is uncoated, so you can write on it with a pen. It suits a calm, natural look: a warm white or ivory card with dark ink or a blind emboss.

What to watch out for. Because part of it is recycled, the mill notes slight variation in shade and the odd small speck left from the recycling process. If you need a completely even white, choose a paper with no recycled fibre. The recycled share is 40%, so it is a part-recycled card, not a fully recycled one. If you want a fully recycled card we print, see Recycled board in this guide.

Feel

Smooth vellum, soft and natural, bulky

Look

Premium white, white or ivory, no shine

Eco

40% recycled fibre, FSC certified (mill figure)

Best for

Natural-look cards with a part-recycled story

In the hand it feels natural and a little rustic. You can see the straw flecks and feel them under your fingertips. It is uncoated, so there is no shine, and you can write on it with a pen. It comes in 300gsm and a heavy 600gsm.

It suits bakeries, cafes, farms, florists and any brand with an earthy, natural feel. Simple one or two colour designs work best, because the flecks are part of the look.

What to watch out for. "Up to 50%" means the straw share can be lower than half. Some sellers call straw card compostable, but that is not backed by a named standard, so treat it with care. Textured and heavy papers like this can give uneven results on digital presses, and one Australian printer recommends a test print first. The flecks also mean fine detail and solid colour areas will not look fully even. If you want a natural brown card we print, see Kraft board in this guide.

Feel

Natural, flecked, slightly rustic

Look

Visible straw flecks, no shine

Eco

Up to 50% wheat straw, FSC fresh fibre (Gmund)

Best for

Cafes, bakeries, farms and natural brands

The Gmund Hemp 320gsm sheet is about 0.5mm thick, so it feels solid and substantial in the hand. It is uncoated with a natural look and no shine, and you can write on it with a pen. The Gmund versions take letterpress, offset, screen printing, embossing and foil, and their fresh fibre is FSC certified.

It suits wellness brands, natural products, cafes and anyone who wants a plant-fibre card with a soft, earthy feel.

What to watch out for. Check the hemp share before you buy into the story. At 10% to 30%, most of the card is still wood or recycled fibre. One maker says hemp paper is stronger and longer lasting than tree paper, but that is the maker's own claim. Gmund lists no digital printing for its Hemp 10% paper, so short digital runs may not suit it. If you want a natural uncoated card we print, see Recycled board or Kraft board in this guide.

Feel

Natural, uncoated, substantial

Look

Soft natural white or cream, no shine

Eco

FSC fresh fibre in Gmund versions. Hemp share 10% to 30%

Best for

Wellness, natural products and plant-based brands

Thickness depends on the surface. Wove 300gsm is about 0.35mm. Laid and Contour 300gsm are about 0.43mm, because the texture adds bulk. CX22 320gsm is about 0.35mm. The paper is uncoated, so you can write on it with a pen.

Its biggest strength is matching. The same family comes in letterhead and envelope weights, so a law firm, accountant or practice can have cards, letters and envelopes that all look and feel the same. Laid in particular reads as traditional and formal.

What to watch out for. Card weights stop at 300gsm for Wove and Laid, and 400gsm for CX22, so it will not give you a very thick card. The card weights are FSC Mix, not recycled. A fully recycled Laid exists, but only in letterhead weights. Laid lines can look more like letterhead than a business card, which some people love and others find old-fashioned. If you want a textured card we print, see Linen board in this guide.

Feel

Smooth (Wove, CX22) or lightly textured (Laid, Contour)

Look

Classic stationery white, fine laid lines on Laid

Eco

FSC Mix, ECF. Card weights are not recycled

Best for

Cards that match letterhead and envelopes

Availability is the first thing to know. It is discontinued in Australia, with limited stock left. The colours on offer depend on remaining stock, and some may sell out before you order. Ask us which colours are still available.

The 270gsm is about 0.37mm thick and the 380gsm about 0.48mm. The feel is the selling point: matt, slightly sandy and soft at the same time. The colours are deep. It takes foil and embossing, though Antalis suggests a trial first for foil. It is certified for digital toner and HP Indigo printing.

Keep it bare. Antalis does not recommend coatings because they change the feel, and lamination can leave a cloudy silvering. Laser cutting leaves visible marks and changes the colour at the cut. If you plan to write on your cards, ask us first. It is FSC Mix and ECF.

Feel

Matt, between silk and sand

Look

Deep, strong colour

Eco

FSC Mix, ECF

Best for

A rich colour with an unusual feel

At 285gsm it is about 0.36mm thick. That is lighter than most papers in this section, so the look does more work than the weight. The surface is coated and shiny, with a pearl shimmer on both faces.

It takes letterpress, blind embossing and foil. The mill recommends offset printing with UV inks for the best result, and the maker does not back it for laser printing. It is FSC Mix, acid free and made from virgin fibre.

Two things to watch. First, writing: shiny coated surfaces tend to smear pen ink, so it is a poor fit for appointment cards. Second, it has no recycled content. If the shimmer suits your brand, ask us and we will check what is possible.

Feel

Smooth, shiny

Look

Pearl shimmer, same on both sides

Eco

FSC Mix, ECF, acid free, no recycled content

Best for

A shimmering card without foil

A common question is metallic paper or foil. Foil is a metallic film pressed onto part of the card, such as a logo. Metallic paper shines across the whole sheet, so the glow is softer and everywhere. You can also combine them, because the paper takes foil.

At 250gsm it is about 0.34mm, and Cryogen White is thinner at about 0.29mm. That is light for a business card, so many people paste two sheets together for a firmer card. It takes letterpress, embossing, debossing, foil and screen print, and it is suited to digital toner and HP Indigo.

Do not laminate it. Antalis says a laminate reduces or removes the metallic effect. It also says to avoid extreme humidity or temperature. It is FSC Mix, ECF and fully recyclable. If the sheen suits your brand, ask us and we will check what is possible.

Feel

Natural vellum surface

Look

Soft metallic sheen across the sheet

Eco

FSC Mix, ECF, fully recyclable

Best for

An all-over shine without foil

Both are bulky for their weight. Keaykolour 300gsm is about 0.42mm and Pop'Set 320gsm is about 0.40mm, so they feel thicker than a standard artboard of the same gsm. Neither has a shine. Both suit dry toner digital printing, and Pop'Set has an HP Indigo grade.

Keaykolour takes embossing and foiling well, so a gold or white foil on a deep red or grey board works nicely. Pop'Set suits bold, playful brands that want the colour to come from the paper itself. Pop'Set also contains 30% post-consumer recycled fibre and is FSC Mix. Keaykolour is FSC Mix, not recycled. A Keaykolour Parchment version adds long-life archival quality (ISO 9706).

What to watch out for. Light colours are easier to read on. On dark boards, normal ink barely shows, so most people use foil or white ink. Pop'Set card weight comes in a small colour range. And like all uncoated coloured papers, printed colour on top will look softer than on white coated board. If you want a coloured board we print, see Colorplan in this guide.

Feel

Matt, very light texture (Keaykolour) or ultra smooth (Pop'Set)

Look

Colour through the paper, no shine

Eco

FSC Mix. Pop'Set has 30% post-consumer recycled fibre

Best for

Bold coloured cards with foil or white ink

At 350gsm it is about 0.40 to 0.44mm thick, depending on the colour. It is also made up to 700gsm, so a very thick single-colour card is possible without pasting two sheets together.

It takes letterpress, offset, embossing, hot foil, thermography and screen printing. It is FSC Mix, and its recyclability has been tested to a named standard (Aticelca 501:2025). Uncoated, so you can write on the lighter colours with a pen.

What to watch out for. Fedrigoni warns that plastic lamination can show small defects on this paper, so it is best left unlaminated. The black shade can shed some black particles onto white surfaces, worth knowing if your cards sit next to white stationery. On dark colours, ink barely shows, so foil or white ink is the usual choice. If you want a coloured board we print, see Colorplan in this guide.

Feel

Smooth, uncoated

Look

42 solid colours, coloured right through

Eco

FSC Mix. Recyclable to Aticelca 501:2025

Best for

Solid colour cards, foil on coloured board

It is a very bulky paper. The 300gsm sheet is about 0.43mm thick and the 350gsm is about 0.5mm, much thicker than a smooth paper of the same weight. So it feels generous in the hand without being stiff like a laminated board. It is uncoated, so you can write on it with a pen, and the texture is the same front and back.

It takes letterpress, offset, embossing, hot foil, thermography and screen printing. Letterpress and blind emboss look especially good on it, because the soft felt surface takes an impression well. A digital version, Tintoretto Touch Class, is made for digital presses.

What to watch out for. The mill notes the felt texture needs specific press settings, so not every printer will run it. Lamination may show small defects, so it is best left unlaminated. The texture also softens very fine lines and large solid areas of colour, so simple designs suit it best. If you want a soft textured card we print, see Wild Cotton in this guide.

Feel

Soft felt texture both sides, bulky

Look

Warm off-white, no shine

Eco

FSC certified, ECF pulp

Best for

Letterpress and blind emboss, crafted brands

Like black, it is a dark paper, and that sets the rules. Only white, silver or gold ink can be printed on it. White ink is about 80% opaque, so it reads slightly soft rather than bright white. Full colour print is not an option.

Where it shines is foil. Gold, silver and coloured foils sit well against deep blue, and it takes both flat foil and raised foil emboss. If black feels too severe for your brand but you still want a dark card with a metallic logo, navy is the one to compare. At 400gsm it has a solid feel, and it can be pasted to a second sheet if you want it thicker.

It is uncoated, so it takes ink, but a normal dark pen will be hard to read on navy. If people will write on your cards, keep that in mind. There is no white letterpress on dark paper either.

Feel

Bare, uncoated paper

Look

Deep navy blue

Eco

FSC Mix

Best for

Foil designs on a dark blue

Printing on clear works differently from paper. Ink on clear plastic acts like a tint, not solid colour, because light passes through it. White and pale colours nearly vanish unless a layer of white ink is printed behind them. So any light colours or fine text in your design need a white ink backing.

It is waterproof, so it copes with a splash or a damp pocket better than paper. Clear plastic does show scratches and scuffs more than frosted plastic, so a card kept loose in a pocket will show wear sooner. Clear cards of this type can also deform above about 60C, so a hot car dashboard is not a good place for a stack of them.

You cannot write on it with a normal pen, so it is not a card for appointments or notes. It is also not recyclable in kerbside bins. Orders start at 250 cards. At 0.5mm it is also too thick to run through an office printer, so put any names or numbers in the print file. If you want the plastic look with less shine and better scuff resistance, compare frosted plastic.

Feel

Smooth, rigid plastic

Look

See-through

Eco

Not kerbside recyclable

Best for

Designs built around transparency

In the hand they feel smooth, soft and slightly rubbery, close to a velvet laminated card. Curious Skin 270gsm is about 0.3mm thick. Touche at 13pt is about 0.33mm. Curious Skin is made for digital presses, including HP Indigo.

They suit fashion, beauty and design brands that want a soft, quiet card, especially in dark colours where the matt surface looks deep and rich. Several have FSC options. Touche lists FSC on its mill page, and Curious Skin is FSC Mix.

What to watch out for. Soft-touch surfaces can pick up faint shiny scuff marks over time. Colours under soft-touch can look slightly muted and warm. For writing, a ballpoint or fine permanent marker is the safer choice on soft-touch surfaces. These papers also sit higher in the range than a standard board with film. If you want a soft touch card we print, see Velvet laminated board in this guide.

Feel

Soft, velvety, ultra matt

Look

Deep matt, slightly muted colour

Eco

FSC options (Touche, Curious Skin FSC Mix)

Best for

Fashion, beauty and design brands

It is uncoated, with no shine. It is acid free and pH neutral. You can write on it with a pen.

Its strength is how many ways it can be printed. Gmund lists offset, letterpress, digital printing with dry toner, screen printing, embossing, hot foil and engraving. Many premium papers only suit offset or letterpress, so a paper that also runs on digital presses is useful for short runs and for cards with a different name on each.

What to watch out for. Gmund notes that office laser and inkjet printers only suit the lighter weights, not card weights, so do not plan to print your own at home. The six surfaces look and feel quite different from each other, so ask to see samples of the exact surface before you choose. It is mostly sold in small boxes, so supply for larger runs can be slow. If you want a Gmund paper we print, see Gmund Cotton in this guide.

Feel

Uncoated, six surfaces from smooth to textured

Look

Natural white, no shine

Eco

No eco claim. Acid free, pH neutral

Best for

Premium uncoated cards on short digital runs

It feels silky smooth, some describe it as slightly toothy, with a matt white look. The 200gsm sheet is about 0.25mm thick, thinner than most paper business cards. It is flexible rather than stiff.

It takes offset, letterpress, screen printing and hot foil. There is also a grade made for HP Indigo digital presses. It suits trades, outdoor businesses, marine, fishing, farms and anyone whose card might end up wet, in a toolbox or in a pocket on a work site.

What to watch out for. Yupo cannot go through laser printers or copiers, because the heat damages it. Writing on it is hit and miss. Pencil and ballpoint can skate across the surface, so test a pen first if writing matters. It is plastic (code 5), so it does not go in paper recycling. Put it in with paper and it contaminates the batch, because it will not pulp. And at card weights it is thinner than a standard 350gsm board. If you want a tough, water-resistant card we print, see Opaque plastic in this guide.

Feel

Silky smooth, flexible, thin

Look

Matt white, paper-like

Eco

Polypropylene (code 5). Not recyclable with paper

Best for

Trades, outdoor and marine businesses

In the hand it feels exactly like a credit card: smooth, stiff and springy. It shrugs off water and wipes clean. One thing surprises people. The credit card format is 85.6 x 54mm, a little smaller than a standard 90 x 55mm business card.

Where PVC earns its place is the extras paper cannot carry. You can add sequential numbering, barcodes, signature panels, lanyard slots, magnetic strips and variable data, so every card can have its own name or number. That makes it the format for membership cards, loyalty programs, VIP passes and staff ID. ID cards with names and photos can be ordered from a single card. PVC Business Cards start at 1000 cards per design.

What to watch out for. Do not plan on writing or stamping on it, because stamp ink does not mark PVC. Heat above about 60C can make PVC deform. Manufacturers quote a life of about 2 to 3 years of regular use. And PVC (plastic code 3) cannot go in the yellow recycling bin, so if eco credentials matter to your brand, a paper card is the better fit.

Feel

Smooth, stiff and springy, like a bank card

Look

Clean plastic, full colour print

Eco

PVC (code 3) cannot go in the yellow bin

Best for

Memberships, loyalty programs, VIP passes, staff ID

The types look quite different. The Gmund sheet is a vivid green, heavily textured and flecked, so the grass is part of the look. Another grass paper has a smoother satin finish. On a strongly green sheet, printed colours shift towards green, and heavy flecks and texture break up fine lines and small text. Bold, simple designs work best.

It takes a wide range of printing: digital, offset, letterpress and screen printing, plus embossing and foil. The green Gmund sheet has been printed in Australia with white and black digital ink, hot foil, letterpress and blind embossing. A foil logo or a pressed mark on the green is a clean way to use it.

On eco, this is one of the better-documented specialty papers. The grass sheets are FSC certified, and one is free of optical brighteners and recyclable in normal paper recycling. It is rare as a business card, though. If you like the idea but want something we print, look at Recycled board or Kraft board in our range.

Feel

Textured and flecked

Look

Vivid green with visible fibres

Eco

FSC certified; recyclable with paper

Best for

Bold, simple designs on green

It looks like frosted glass. Hold it up and you can see light and shapes through it. It is chosen for its look, not its thickness, and at 200gsm it is thin. A similar 210gsm translucent paper is about 0.17 to 0.19mm, roughly half the thickness of a typical 350gsm card. On its own it bends easily, so it can be pasted over another card as a duplex, with the print underneath showing through.

Vellum suits designers, stationery and brands that want a light, layered look rather than a heavy card. The Shimmery Silver and Shimmery Gold colours add a sheen to the sheet itself.

What to watch out for. Translucent papers are sensitive to heat and humidity and can curl or warp. Blind embossing can turn milky, and hot foil needs a test first. Ask for a printed sample before you commit to a full run, and plan the design for a see-through sheet: anything printed on the back will show through to the front.

Feel

Thin, smooth and crisp

Look

Frosted glass, see-through

Eco

No eco claim

Best for

Layered designs, stationery, light and airy brands

It feels very soft, and the mill describes it as double volume, meaning it is bulky for its weight. The 300gsm comes in six colours: Linen Cream, Max White, Natural Beige, New Grey, Gentlemen Blue and Power Blue. The 450gsm comes in Max White and Natural Beige.

Cotton is uncoated, so pens write well on it. It suits foil, blind emboss and deboss, and the 300gsm can be pasted to a second sheet for a thicker duplex card. Uncoated paper prints softer colour than a coated board, so expect a calmer, more natural look rather than punchy colour.

What to watch out for. The soft surface dents and scratches easily, and small cotton dust specks and light spots are normal in pure cotton paper. Metallic foil can oxidise over time unless it is protected. The darker colours (New Grey, Gentlemen Blue, Power Blue) may be limited to white, silver or gold ink, because only those print well on dark paper. It is acid free.

Feel

Very soft and bulky

Look

Natural, matt, soft colour

Eco

Pre-consumer recycled cotton. Acid free

Best for

Soft, natural brands, foil or emboss on cotton

Thicknesses run from 0.5mm to 0.8mm. Thicker magnets hold better, and 0.8mm is suggested for a stronger hold on powder-coated surfaces, like some fridges and cabinets. The face is usually matt or gloss laminated. The cards are waterproof and reusable, and they come off without leaving sticky marks.

The point of a magnet card is that it stays in view. It suits plumbers, electricians, pest control, pizza shops, cleaners, vets and any business people need to call again months later. Several Australian printers make them.

What to watch out for. A magnet card is heavy and thick for a wallet, so people tend to put it straight on the fridge, which is the idea, but it is not the card to hand out at a networking event. It is not paper, so it does not go in paper recycling. If you want a card that lasts for years in a wallet or kitchen drawer, see Rigid PVC in this guide.

Feel

Flexible, heavy, thick

Look

Matt or gloss printed face

Eco

No eco claim. Not paper, so not paper recyclable

Best for

Trades and home services people call again

It comes in several thicknesses. The 300gsm sheet is about 0.25mm and the 450gsm sheet is about 0.36mm, which is closer to a standard card. It prints by offset with normal offset inks, on HP Indigo digital presses, and with UV and water-based inkjet.

Its big advantage over many synthetics is writing. Agfa states it works with ballpoint pens, markers and pencils. That makes it handy for appointment cards, loyalty cards, tags and any card you might write a note on and then hand to someone working outdoors.

What to watch out for. The OM grade is not made for dry toner or laser printers. A separate grade, Synaps XM, is the one for toner. It contains at least 15% recycled polyester, certified by RecyClass, but the other 85% or so is new plastic, and there is no easy way to recycle it after use. It is a special-order sheet, so it can be slow to source in Australia. If you want a tough plastic card we print, see Opaque plastic in this guide.

Feel

Smooth, silky, flexible

Look

Matt white, paper-like

Eco

Minimum 15% recycled polyester, RecyClass certified

Best for

Waterproof appointment and loyalty cards

The 270gsm is about 0.37mm thick. That is about as thick as a typical 350gsm artboard at about 0.38mm, even though the gsm is lower. This is a good example of why gsm is weight, not thickness. The surface is smooth with a light vellum feel. Ask for a sample if feel matters to you. It is uncoated, so you can write on it.

Extracted takes foil, emboss, die cutting and letterpress. It only comes in 270gsm, so if you want a heavier card, two sheets can be pasted together as a duplex. That also lets you pair two colours, one on each side.

What to watch out for. There are ten colours, so if you need a close brand colour match, standard Colorplan has a far wider range. As with every uncoated paper, printed colour looks softer than on a coated board.

Feel

Smooth, uncoated, about 0.37mm

Look

Ten muted, modern colours

Eco

100% recycled fibre, 25% from coffee cups

Best for

Eco minded brands that want colour and texture

The surface is uncoated natural fibre, soft to the touch. Being uncoated, it takes pen well, which helps if you write notes or appointment times on your cards. If you are comparing it with a 450gsm velvet card, note the difference: velvet is about 400gsm board plus a thin plastic film, while this card is all paper.

The 450gsm takes foil, raised foil, blind emboss and deboss, and it can be pasted to a second sheet for a thicker duplex card. Deboss, pressed in without ink, works best on paper over 400gsm, so both weights are a good base for it. For flat printing, uncoated cotton prints softer colour than coated board, so photos and bright brand colours will look gentler.

What to watch out for. Only one colour is offered, Natural White. Do not choose between these and other stocks by gsm alone, because gsm is weight, not thickness. Ask for a sample if thickness matters to you. These are paper cards, so there is no laminate to protect them from scuffs.

Feel

Soft, uncoated natural fibre

Look

Warm natural white

Eco

FSC certified. 500gsm acid free

Best for

Foil or deboss on a soft, thick white card

It is soft and flexible like fabric. On its own it is far too floppy to be a business card. To work as a card it would need to be bonded to a stiff board or plastic core, then cut to size. That adds extra steps to every card.

People usually ask about it because they want a card that feels rich, soft and a bit luxurious, or they want the look of leather without using animal hide. Those are fair goals, and there are card materials that get closer with less fuss.

What to watch out for. Faux leather is plastic. Calling it vegan leather says it is not from an animal, but it is not an eco claim, and it carries no eco certification. Finished faux leather business cards are very hard to find, so most people who want this look end up choosing a soft-touch card, a dark textured paper or real leather instead. If leather matters to your brand, a leather card holder with a paper card inside is a common answer. If you want a card with a soft, rich feel we print, see Velvet laminated board in this guide.

Feel

Soft fabric, needs a stiff backer

Look

Leather look

Eco

No eco claim. Polyurethane plastic

Best for

Leather look without animal hide

The surface is uncoated with a subtle vellum texture, smooth but not shiny. GF Smith gives the 270gsm as about 0.37mm and the 350gsm as about 0.46mm. Two 270gsm sheets can be pasted into a 540gsm duplex for a much thicker card, and you can pair two different colours, one on each side.

Colorplan is a favourite for foil, blind emboss, letterpress and die cutting. Blind emboss with pale gold foil on Colorplan Mist, or black foil emboss on duplexed Colorplan Smoke, are typical of what it does well. With 55 shades, it is a good place to start if you want the card itself in your brand colour rather than printing a colour onto white.

What to watch out for. On dark shades only white, silver or gold ink prints well, so plan dark cards around foil or those inks. Some shades fade faster in sunlight than others, with Purple rated lowest in GF Smith's own tests, which matters for cards on display. Colorplan has no recycled content. If that matters, look at Colorplan Extracted. The 350gsm comes in fewer colours than the 270gsm.

Feel

Smooth uncoated with a subtle vellum texture

Look

Solid colour, dyed through to the edge

Eco

FSC Mix, virgin fibre, no recycled content. Acid free

Best for

Matching a brand colour in the paper itself

In the hand it feels rough and toothy, much like a watercolour sheet. Because each sheet is made by hand, the surface and thickness are not as even as a mill-made board. That is the charm, and also the limit. Fine type and large flat areas of colour will not sit as crisply as they do on a smooth sheet, and uncoated paper prints softer colour in general.

Watch the edges. Business cards are cut from large sheets, so most cards in a run end up with clean cut edges. A deckle usually survives only where a card meets the edge of the original sheet. If the deckle is the reason you want this paper, talk to your printer about layout before you commit. It is sold mainly as an art paper in small packs, and it is rarely offered as a printed business card.

If you like the idea of a soft, cotton feel but need clean, even cards, our 100% cotton 600gsm board is the closest card in our range.

Feel

Rough, toothy and soft, like watercolour paper

Look

Natural white with uneven, feathered deckle edges

Eco

No eco claim

Best for

Artists, makers and wedding or craft businesses

It is much lighter than steel. A card weighs about 2.5g at 0.2mm and about 6g at 0.5mm. Like any metal card it is cool to the touch. Black is the most popular colour.

Decoration is usually laser engraving. The laser removes the coloured coating and leaves a sharp silver-white mark, so a black card with a silver logo and name is the classic look. Detail is crisp, but this is mostly a one colour effect rather than full colour print. Metal cards are quoted from 50 cards per design.

What to watch out for. Thin aluminium bends, so it is less rigid than steel. On some blanks the cut edges are not anodised and can show bare metal or feel sharp. Treat it as a card you hand over, not one you write on. Aluminium itself can be recycled over and over without loss of quality.

Feel

Cool, light, clearly metal

Look

Coloured metal with silver engraved detail

Eco

Aluminium recycles without loss of quality

Best for

A metal card that is light enough to hand out

Only the 300gsm end of that range is card weight. Lighter sheets are closer to writing paper than to a card. The fibre is also described as translucent, so at lighter weights printing on one side can show through to the other. Ask to see the exact weight before you design a two-sided card.

Like other uncoated plant papers, it prints softer colour than a coated board, so muted tones and simple layouts tend to suit it best. Some banana papers are sold as recyclable and compostable, but those claims come without a named standard, so treat them with care. Banana paper is mostly made in India, it is hard to find in Australia, and it is rarely offered as a printed business card.

If you want a natural, earthy card that is easy to print and reorder, our Kraft board and Recycled board are the closest cards in our range.

Feel

Natural plant-fibre paper

Look

Organic, uneven fibre texture

Eco

Uses banana-plant waste; compostable claims have no named standard

Best for

Eco brands and food or farming businesses with a story to tell

It looks rich and quiet. The colour sits in the fibre rather than on top, so the cut edge matches the face. The surface is matt and gently textured. Ask for a sample if you want to compare it with another stock.

It takes letterpress, hot foil and blind embossing well, and the 300gsm can be pasted to a second sheet for a thicker duplex card. It is uncoated, so pens write on it. Dark colours take white, silver or gold ink, so foil is a natural partner for the deeper shades.

What to watch out for. For flat full colour print, large solid areas are best avoided. The mill notes the surface can vary slightly from one making to the next, so a reorder months later may feel very slightly different. Only four colours come in 350gsm. On the eco side, the range is FSC certified and Cradle to Cradle Certified Material Health Silver, and it is sold as vegan, acid free and pH neutral.

Feel

Matt with a gentle visible texture

Look

Deep, through-dyed colour

Eco

FSC certified, Cradle to Cradle Material Health Silver, acid free

Best for

Understated colour cards with foil or letterpress

Weights run from 118gsm up to 490gsm. The 368gsm sheet is about 0.27mm thick and the 490gsm is about 0.35mm, so the heaviest grade comes close to a standard paper business card in thickness. It is flexible rather than stiff.

Unlike many synthetics, Polyart has grades made for dry toner digital presses and for HP Indigo, so short digital runs are possible. It also prints by offset and screen. It suits cafes, kitchens, trades, gyms and outdoor businesses, where a card may meet water, oil or greasy hands.

What to watch out for. If people need to write on your card, ask for a sample and test a pen first. The maker says HDPE is recyclable in plastic stream 2, but no recycling scheme backs that, and a coated plastic card is unlikely to be accepted in paper recycling. It contains no recycled content. It also sits higher in the range than other synthetic papers. If you want a tough plastic card we print, see Opaque plastic in this guide.

Feel

Matt, paper-like, flexible

Look

Matt-coated white paper

Eco

No eco claim. HDPE plastic, no recycled content

Best for

Cafes, kitchens, trades and gyms

Because the material is so thick, acrylic cards are cut with a laser, not a guillotine. Lettering and logos are added by laser engraving, white ink or UV printing. On clear acrylic, an engraving on the back shows through the front, which gives a floating, etched-glass look. In the hand the card feels solid and glossy, more like a small object than a piece of stationery.

What to watch out for. A 3mm card is thick and heavy, and it will not slide easily into a wallet or a standard card holder. The glossy, non-porous face is not a good surface for writing on. Mirror acrylic costs more to make than clear. Acrylic is also rarely recycled: it is resin code 7, and many recycling centres do not have the facilities to process it. It is offered by only a small number of specialist makers.

If you want a see-through card that still fits a wallet, our Clear plastic card is the closest card in our range.

Feel

Solid, smooth and glossy, like glass

Look

Clear, frosted, mirror or translucent colour

Eco

Resin code 7, rarely recycled

Best for

Designers, architects and display or signage businesses

It comes in 6 to 14 mil, about 0.15 to 0.36mm thick. It is a good example of why gsm is not thickness. A common 10 mil grade is about 0.25mm thick but weighs only 167gsm, because the sheet is so light for its size. That means it can feel less stiff than its thickness suggests.

Teslin runs on more presses than most synthetics, including toner, inkjet, offset, letterpress and HP Indigo, and it takes embossing and foil. It resists water, chemicals, abrasion and tearing. One grade is sold as biodegradable, but the maker's own figure is 7.8% breakdown over 74 days in lab conditions, so do not treat that as a fully biodegradable card. It is rarely offered as a printed business card.

If you need a tough card that handles water and wear, our Rigid PVC card is the closest card in our range.

Feel

Smooth, light and paper-like

Look

Matt white

Eco

No eco claim

Best for

Trades, outdoor work and cards that get handled a lot

Every card shows its own grain, so no two are the same. Most wooden cards are marked by laser engraving, which burns the design into the surface without ink. Some are UV printed in full colour over a white base layer. Engraving shows up well on pale woods and bamboo, but contrast is poor on dark woods such as walnut, where white ink works better.

What to watch out for. Solid wood at 1.3mm and up is thick for a wallet. Wood reacts to its surroundings, so store cards away from extreme heat and humidity. Paper-backed veneer includes paper and glue, so it is not pure wood. Some makers mention FSC timber, so ask for proof if that matters to you. Lead times can run to several weeks.

If you love a natural, earthy look on a card that is easy to print, our Kraft board is the closest card in our range.

Feel

Real timber grain, warm and rigid

Look

Natural wood in light or dark species

Eco

No eco claim

Best for

Builders, cabinet makers, landscapers and outdoor brands

Gmund Cotton 600gsm is about 1mm thick, thicker than a credit card. It feels soft and bulky, which is exactly why letterpress works so well on it. The plate presses the ink into the paper, leaving a dent you can feel with your thumb.

Beyond letterpress, it takes foil and blind deboss. Deboss, letterpress without ink, leaves no mark on the back and works best on paper over 400gsm, so this weight suits it well. You can combine letterpress on the front with foil on the back. Pens write beautifully on uncoated cotton, though stamp ink may feather.

What to watch out for. The surface is very soft, so it dents and scratches easily, and small cotton specks and light spots are normal. Metallic foil can oxidise over time unless protected. Darker colours may be limited to white, silver or gold ink. Colour prints softer on uncoated cotton, so letterpress here is about texture and depth, not bright colour. It is made from pre-consumer recycled cotton and is acid free.

Feel

Soft, bulky, about 1mm thick

Look

Natural cotton, deep pressed impression

Eco

Pre-consumer recycled cotton. Acid free

Best for

Letterpress cards you can feel

In the hand these cards are very rigid and heavy. A coloured middle layer shows as a stripe on every edge, built into the card rather than painted on. Each face can be a different paper or colour. MultiLoft can run on HP Indigo and toner presses, and Colorplan 700 suits letterpress, screen and hot foil.

What to watch out for. These cards take longer to make, and die-cut shapes add more time. They are bulky and can take up about double the space in a card holder. Remember gsm is weight, not thickness, so ask for the actual thickness. MultiLoft and Colorplan 700 are FSC certified.

Our STAX layered card and Cotton 800gsm are the closest cards in our range.

Feel

Very thick, rigid and heavy

Look

Clean faces, optional coloured edge stripe

Eco

MultiLoft and Colorplan 700 are FSC certified

Best for

Designers, studios and premium brands that want weight

It is soft, lumpy and handmade, with flecks of seed and fibre through the sheet. That gives a crafted look, but fine type, thin lines and large solid areas of colour will not print crisply. Printing is usually done by inkjet. One Australian maker says it is not suitable for laser printers, which can rule out digital toner presses.

What to watch out for. The card is made to break down in water, so it is less durable than board. Seed type matters: one Australian maker will not ship its bottlebrush seed paper to WA or Tasmania because of myrtle rust restrictions. If your contacts are interstate, check the seed mix before you order. The recycled content is the maker's own claim, and biodegradable claims come without a named standard.

If you want a recycled card that prints crisply and lasts, our Recycled board is the closest card in our range.

Feel

Soft, lumpy handmade paper with seed flecks

Look

Natural, speckled and uneven

Eco

Recycled pulp, maker's claim; plantable after use

Best for

Garden, nursery, eco and wellness brands, event giveaways

The surface is uncoated natural fibre, soft to the touch, and the sheer weight is the point. Remember that gsm is weight, not thickness, so ask for a sample if you want to feel how thick it is. If you have asked us for anything above 450gsm, like 600 or 700gsm, this is the top of the paper ladder.

In our range it is offered with flat print and edge paint. Edge paint suits it well: the thicker the card, the wider the painted stripe, so a heavy card shows a bold line of colour around every edge. Customers often ask for coloured edges to hide white edges on dark designs. Being uncoated, it can be written on with a pen.

What to watch out for. It has no velvet or matt laminate, so it can scuff. If you want letterpress, choose the 600gsm cotton instead. Colour prints softer on uncoated paper than on coated board. Only one colour is offered. Like every card in this guide, it is far too thick for an office printer.

Feel

Very thick, soft natural fibre

Look

Warm natural white, bold edge when painted

Eco

FSC certified

Best for

The thickest paper card, painted edges

PET film looks and feels like a smooth plastic card with a matt face. The composite feels like a bank or ID card, stiff and slick. Both are used more for ID, membership and loyalty cards than for business cards, so very few printers offer either as a business card.

What to watch out for. Composite blanks are made to the credit card size of 85.6 x 54mm, a little smaller than a standard 90 x 55mm Australian business card, so they will not match your other cards. The composite is still mostly PVC. PET film needs a toner press, so the print options are narrower than paper.

If you want a plastic card in standard business card size, our Rigid PVC and Clear plastic cards are the closest cards in our range.

Feel

Smooth plastic, thin film or stiff card

Look

Matt white film or glossy ID-card style

Eco

No eco claim

Best for

Membership, loyalty and ID-style cards

The selling point is toughness. Digi Tuff is described as extremely tear and water resistant, and oil resistant, and it removes the need for lamination. NeverTear is waterproof, tear resistant and has antimicrobial protection. Digi Tuff also comes in clear, frosted and metallic versions. Some Australian printers already sell 260gsm Digi Tuff as waterproof business cards.

What to watch out for. The surface is smooth plastic, so ask before you plan to write on the card with a pen. Polyester costs more to make than common synthetic papers. NeverTear carries no eco claim. The Digi Tuff recycled grade states 85% pre-consumer waste and 15% new polymer, but that is the maker's own claim with no named scheme.

If you need a tough, waterproof card, our Rigid PVC card is the closest card in our range.

Feel

Smooth matt plastic film

Look

Matt white, or clear, frosted and metallic versions

Eco

Recycled grade: 85% pre-consumer waste, maker's claim

Best for

Trades, hospitality, outdoor and marine businesses

Leather cards are usually laser engraved on the smooth grain side, which is the face. The back, the flesh side, is fuzzy and does not take laser engraving as well, so plan for a one-sided design. The feel is soft, warm and tactile, very different from paper or plastic, and each card shows the natural grain of the hide.

What to watch out for. A 1.2mm card is thick for a wallet. Hides are natural and irregular, so expect some variation between cards. Very few printers offer real leather business cards, so expect a small-run, made-to-order product. Debossing or foil on leather cards is something to ask about rather than assume.

If you want a premium, heavy card with a hand-made feel, our 100% cotton 600gsm board is the closest card in our range.

Feel

Soft, warm and tactile

Look

Natural tan hide with grain

Eco

No eco claim

Best for

Leather workers, saddlers, fashion and craft brands

These cards look and feel like steel cards with a warm metallic colour. They can be screen printed, surface etched and cut through, and full colour is possible. PVD coatings do not tarnish. Etching cuts into the surface, so etched areas can show the steel colour beneath the coating.

What to watch out for. Claims of 24k gold are hard to check, and the thickness of the gold layer is rarely stated. Some 24k gold cards are a PVC plastic core with a gold layer, not metal at all, so ask what the base is. The plastic version carries no eco benefit.

Our Stainless steel metal cards are the closest cards in our range, and coloured finishes such as gold and rose gold are usually a coating on that same steel.

Feel

Cool, heavy and rigid

Look

Gold, rose gold, silver or copper-tone metal

Eco

No eco claim

Best for

Jewellers, real estate, finance and luxury brands

In the hand it is cool to the touch and heavier than any other card. Finishes include brushed, matt black and cut-through detail, and metal cards are offered in silver, gold and matte black. Coloured finishes such as black, gold and rose gold are usually applied as a PVD coating, which is very hard and does not flake like paint.

Steel allows things paper cannot. Chemical etching cuts patterns into the surface, and etching from both sides meets in the middle to make cut-through shapes, with optional colour infill. Laser engraving gives fine detail, with text best kept to at least 1.5mm tall, and UV printing can add full colour gradients or photos. Metal cards are quoted from 50 cards per design.

What to watch out for. Mirror finishes show fingerprints and scratches, while brushed and matt hide wear better. Painted edges are not offered on steel, because paint chips off a steel edge in a wallet. Thin gauges can bend, so do not expect 0.3mm to be unbendable. It is not a card for writing on. Stainless steel does not rust and is fully recyclable as a material.

Feel

Cool, heavy and rigid

Look

Brushed, matt black or mirror metal

Eco

Stainless steel is 100% recyclable as a material

Best for

Founders, executives and anyone whose card is the pitch

Brass takes chemical and laser etching well, which suits fine detail, and it can also be colour printed, cut through and debossed. Finishes include brushed, mirror, frosted, antique and matt black. The look is a warm, rich gold.

What to watch out for. Copper alloys tarnish over time, so expect brass to darken unless it has a protective lacquer. Be careful with names: most cards sold as brass are actually plated stainless steel, so ask whether a card is genuine brass or a brass finish. Few business card printers offer solid brass, and minimum orders can be large. Brass is recyclable as a metal.

If you want a gold-coloured metal card, our Stainless steel metal cards are the closest cards in our range, with coloured finishes applied as a coating.

Feel

Heavy, cool and solid

Look

Warm gold colour, brushed, mirror or antique

Eco

Recyclable as a metal

Best for

Jewellers, watchmakers, architects and heritage brands

In the hand a carbon fibre card is light and stiff, with a deep, glossy weave under the surface. Cards are usually screen printed in one colour on both sides, or printed in full colour on one side. Raw carbon fibre sheet is available in Australia.

What to watch out for. Carbon fibre costs more to make than metal or plastic, and lead times of two to three weeks are common. It is a thermoset composite, which means it cannot be melted down and recycled. The glossy resin face is not a surface for writing on. Few printers offer real carbon fibre cards, so ask whether a card is real carbon or carbon-look PVC.

If you want a slim, rigid card with a dark technical look, our Stainless steel metal cards and Rigid PVC cards are the closest cards in our range.

Feel

Light, thin and stiff

Look

Glossy black twill weave

Eco

Thermoset composite, not recyclable

Best for

Motorsport, cycling, automotive and engineering brands

Copper takes laser and chemical etching, one to four colour and full colour printing, debossing and cut-through designs. Finishes include mirror, brushed and frosted. The look ranges from bright and polished to soft and satin, depending on the finish.

What to watch out for. Copper tarnishes over time and needs an anti-tarnish coating or some care to keep its shine. Some people like the aged look, others do not, so decide which you want. Be careful with names: many cards sold as copper are copper-tone plating on stainless steel, so ask whether a card is solid copper. Copper is recyclable as a metal.

If you like the warm colour but want a card that does not tarnish, our Stainless steel metal cards are the closest cards in our range, with coloured finishes applied as a coating.

Feel

Heavy, cool and solid

Look

Warm reddish metal, mirror, brushed or frosted

Eco

Recyclable as a metal

Best for

Electricians, craft brewers, designers and artisan brands

Every stone card is unique, with its own colour, texture and veining. Slate fronts can be laser engraved, printed or left plain, and the back can carry a laminated paper layer with full colour print. Marble cards are laser engraved, with the lettering filled in gold, silver or white.

What to watch out for. Neither material is pure stone: both need a backing to stop them breaking. Slate is heavy and thick, so it will not suit a slim wallet. Each comes from a single specialist maker, and marble cards are sold as finished sets that are often out of stock. Stone cards sit at the very top of the range.

If you want a dense, heavy card for the same kind of impact, our Stainless steel metal cards are the closest cards in our range.

Feel

Cool, hard and heavy

Look

Natural stone texture and veining

Eco

No eco claim

Best for

Stonemasons, builders, interior designers and architects

Titanium cards are usually laser engraved, which marks the metal without ink. A satin finish also allows laser colour marking, where the laser changes the colour of the metal surface itself. Titanium can also be PVD coated in colour, like steel.

What to watch out for. Titanium is the costliest common card metal, and lead times can run 12 to 30 days. Fake titanium is common on online marketplaces, where titanium-coloured steel or coated cards are sold under the name, so ask the maker for the grade. Very few business card printers offer it. It is not a card for writing on, and like any bare metal it is not made to take pen.

If you want a premium metal card, our Stainless steel metal cards are the closest cards in our range, and our Anodised aluminium cards are a lighter option.

Feel

Light for metal, rigid and cool

Look

Cool grey, brushed, mirror, black or coloured

Eco

No eco claim

Best for

Executives, engineers, tech and luxury brands