Business Cards 14pt or 16pt

[onlySE]

Ordering my photography business cards tonight, wondering which one you would recommend
14 or 16 stock.

Also anywhere to get quality cards for not so much $

Thanks!

[PianoGuy]

If the price isn't vastly different, I'd go for the 16 point. It feels a great deal heavier than most cards I receive and thus is more likely to still look good after having sat in someone's pocket all day.

For an illustration, check here: http://www.jukeboxprint.com/business_card_thickness.php

We use the aforementioned jukeboxprint.com. They output 420+ linescreen which produces a product that looks almost as good as photographic printing.

[grant]

At my shop most customers would order paper that was about 10pt-11pt thickness. Although in the last year a several of them commented it felt "thin" (even though it was exactly the same as their last dozen orders) so I decided that by default we would steer people to a 12pt thickness.

Only 1 customer (a paper company, which supplied their own paper) ever printed 14pt cards. They were too thick to fit all 1,000 of them in the packaging designed for a thousand cards.

The only cards I saw that were >14pt were laminated cards- 10pt paper with 2.5mil laminate on both sides. The texture was nice but it was nearly unwieldy.

Some customers would come into the store asking for 14pt, 16pt, etc. because they'd been shopping online. But when I gave them samples of 12pt paper to hold they'd say "that's plenty, anything thicker is too much"

So all in all, i wonder... is it a trend back east to have such ridiculously thick cards? Or are the online printers fibbing, and actually overstating by 4pts?

[PianoGuy]

The printer I use, at least, isn't fibbing. The 16 point cards are indeed the thickest cards I've ever had, but they're also my favourite. (And we're in the West

[grant]

The printer I use, at least, isn't fibbing. The 16 point cards are indeed the thickest cards I've ever had, but they're also my favourite. (And we're in the West

Have you measured them?

[JonnyCash]

I'd say go with the 16PT for sure.

I just received my custom die cut order from JukeBox on 16pt. While the colors/paper is great, the die cut was terrible. We're dealing with quality control right now.

[JonnyCash]

At my shop most customers would order paper that was about 10pt-11pt thickness. Although in the last year a several of them commented it felt "thin" (even though it was exactly the same as their last dozen orders) so I decided that by default we would steer people to a 12pt thickness.

Only 1 customer (a paper company, which supplied their own paper) ever printed 14pt cards. They were too thick to fit all 1,000 of them in the packaging designed for a thousand cards.

The only cards I saw that were >14pt were laminated cards- 10pt paper with 2.5mil laminate on both sides. The texture was nice but it was nearly unwieldy.

Some customers would come into the store asking for 14pt, 16pt, etc. because they'd been shopping online. But when I gave them samples of 12pt paper to hold they'd say "that's plenty, anything thicker is too much"

So all in all, i wonder... is it a trend back east to have such ridiculously thick cards? Or are the online printers fibbing, and actually overstating by 4pts?

I've never measured them- but I'm sure that 16pt = 16pt across the line.
While 16pt is thicker than a traditional business card, it's not "ridiculous". It gives it a nice weight and sturdiness. We're using die-cut cards in an awkward shape, so the extra stiffness is a must

[grant]

I've never measured them- but I'm sure that 16pt = 16pt across the line.

of course 16pt = 16pt, but unless you measure it how do you know that's actually the thickness of what you are receiving?

[JonnyCash]

of course 16pt = 16pt, but unless you measure it how do you know that's actually the thickness of what you are receiving?

Are you suggesting some sort of conspiracy that has gone undetected by designers who use online print companies?

If you PM me your address I would be more than happy to mail you a copy of my business card, so we can start up RFD's version of Myth Busters.

[MrKap]

I still remember two peoples business cards to this day. One was a funny shape, with an interesting material, and the other was pitched as an indestructible material, so of course I spent the rest of the day trying to break it. I don't really remember the normal business cards, but if you ever intern somewhere and get a chance to see the sheer volume of business cards in someone's collection, you start to understand why every little difference counts. jmo...


I don't know if there is a noticeable difference between 14pt and 16pt, just make sure another companies logo isn't water marked on the back.

[Exoticar]

I got the 18pt matte laminated cards from Vertical Thinking. Offset printing presses to boot!

[Deal Tracker]

16 pt all day long! Make sure your getting a good price - we charge $65.00 for 1,000 16pt full color business cards.

[grant]

Are you suggesting some sort of conspiracy that has gone undetected by designers who use online print companies?

I'm not suggesting anything. I did ask a question, which no one has yet answered.

If you PM me your address I would be more than happy to mail you a copy of my business card,

ok!

[grant]

If you PM me your address I would be more than happy to mail you a copy of my business card, so we can start up RFD's version of Myth Busters.

I PMd you on the 1st, when will you send the card?

[deal_with_singh]

16 pt all day long! Make sure your getting a good price - we charge $65.00 for 1,000 16pt full color business cards.

Not sure what Vista Print uses but just ordered 250 "premium cards" for $10 (including shipping). Hoping they turn out well.