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 paper weight and finish should each piece use?
Answer
Paper weight and finish should follow the job the piece has to do, not a default setting. A card that gets shuffled in a wallet needs body, while a wall display wants a surface that reads well from a distance. Start with durability and viewing context, then pick the finish.
- Business cards: at least 14pt so they feel solid and resist bending. 16Pt-32pt for a premium impression, with 32pt roughly three times the thickness of a standard card.
- Brochures and flyers: 100lb text weight balances a quality feel with easy folding and mailing, and lighter stocks keep large mailings and handouts economical.
- Wall or shelf display: rigid boards or canvas hold up better than thin paper for long-term viewing.
- Finish rule of thumb: gloss for photo-driven visuals, matte or uncoated for text you want people to read comfortably.
| Piece | Weight | Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Business card | 14pt-32pt | Matte, gloss, or soft touch |
| Brochure / flyer | 100lb text | Gloss for images, matte for copy |
| Postcard | 14pt-16pt | Gloss front, uncoated back for writing |
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