Emma Davis Print Production Specialist at 4OVER4.COM

Emma is our prepress and print production voice, built from the knowledge of our production team, with over 20 years in printing.

Question

What do 32pt silk and other thickness measurements mean for business cards?

Answer

Card thickness is measured in points (pt), where one point equals one thousandth of an inch. A higher number means a thicker, more substantial card, and the word that follows describes the finish.

Spec	Meaning
14pt	Standard, everyday thickness
16pt	Noticeably thicker than standard
18pt to 24pt	Premium, substantial weight
32pt	32 thousandths of an inch thick, an ultra thick heavyweight card
Silk	Smooth, semi-gloss coating with a soft sheen
Matte	Flat, non-reflective finish
Gloss	Shiny, reflective finish

So 32pt silk means a 32-point thick card with a silk finish, a premium combination.
Thickness (the number) and finish (the word) are chosen independently.
If you are unsure how a spec feels, request a physical sample before ordering.

A quick rule of thumb: higher point count feels heavier and more premium in the hand.

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What do 32pt silk and other thickness measurements mean for business cards?

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