Business Card Printing: Paper Weights & Finishes Explained
Last reviewed: 21 August 2026 · Written and reviewed by the Xcel Print & Promotions team
A business card is often the first physical thing a customer holds from your brand, and the weight and finish say as much as the design. A flimsy, thin card undersells you; a substantial, well-finished one signals quality before they’ve read a word. Here’s how to choose paper weight and finish without overthinking it.
We print business cards in-house, so this is the advice we give customers day in, day out.
Paper weight (GSM): how thick should a business card be?
GSM (grams per square metre) is the measure of thickness. For business cards:
- 350gsm, a solid, professional standard. Most quality business cards sit here.
- 400gsm, noticeably more substantial and premium in the hand; a small upgrade that gets noticed.
- Below 300gsm, avoid for business cards; it feels like a flyer, not a card.
Finishes: matt, gloss, silk, soft-touch and more
- Silk / soft-silk: a smooth, low-sheen coating, the popular all-rounder. Clean, modern and easy to read.
- Matt / uncoated: understated and tactile; uncoated is also the easiest to write on (handy for appointment cards).
- Gloss: makes colours and photos pop; great for bold, visual brands.
- Soft-touch (velvet) laminate: a premium suede-like feel that instantly reads as high-end.
- Spot UV & foil: selective shine or metallic detail on a logo, for cards that need to stand out.
So what should you choose?
For most businesses, 350-400gsm with a silk finish is the reliable, professional choice. Go soft-touch or add spot UV/foil if your brand trades on a premium feel (interiors, salons, hospitality, consultancy). Choose uncoated if you or your customers will write on the card. And whatever the finish, keep the design clean: clear type, a decent logo, and don’t run important text right to the edge, leave a safe margin so nothing gets trimmed off.
Order full-colour business cards with free artwork upload or design online, or explore our full printing range. No minimum order, fast UK turnaround, get a quote if you’d like a hand choosing.
FAQs
What GSM is best for business cards?
350gsm is the professional standard for business cards, with 400gsm giving a more substantial, premium feel. Anything below about 300gsm feels flimsy and is best avoided for cards.
What is the most popular business card finish?
A silk (soft-silk) finish is the popular all-rounder, smooth, modern and easy to read. Matt/uncoated is understated and writable, gloss makes colours pop, and soft-touch laminate gives a premium, suede-like feel.
Which finish is best if I need to write on the card?
Choose an uncoated or matt finish. Coated finishes like gloss and soft-touch resist ink, so they’re not ideal for appointment cards or anything you’ll write on by hand.
Is there a minimum order for business cards?
No, there’s no minimum order. You can order a single set or bulk quantities, with the unit price reducing as volume increases.
Written by Andy · Founder, Xcel Print & Promotions
Xcel Print & Promotions is a family-run UK workwear, branded-clothing and print company with over 20 years' experience. We embroider and print in-house from our base in Haverhill, Suffolk, with no minimum order, so this advice comes from kitting out real teams every working day, from single tradespeople to large sites and schools.
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