What does point (pt) mean for paper?

A point, written as pt, is a unit of paper thickness equal to one thousandth of an inch. When you see a stock listed as 14pt or 16pt, that number is telling you exactly how thick each sheet is, and the higher the number, the sturdier the card.

• 14pt: the everyday standard for cards and postcards, thin enough to stay affordable.
• 16pt: a step up in stiffness and perceived quality, a popular upgrade for business cards.
• 18pt and above: extra-thick stocks that feel substantial and resist bending.

Points measure thickness only, not weight, so pair the point value with the stock and finish to picture the final feel.

In inches, 14pt is 0.014 in, 16pt is 0.016 in, and 32pt is 0.032 in, about as thick as a credit card.