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Paper Explained: Matte vs. Dull vs. Uncoated Published May 31, Pocket folder paper stock finishes explained Uncoated paper no gloss, no finish prints your art with a more muted color. From top to bottom: Glossy, Dull, and Uncoated. Prints with muted colors. Leave a Reply Cancel reply. Close Font Resize. Keyboard navigation.
Matte Business Cards
I consulted roundups by Business. I also researched how to design cards that stand out, so I could compare features from various printing services. I then consulted with our four experts to find out what makes a great business card and a great business card printing service.
I also interviewed a panel of Wirecutter colleagues, many of whom have been freelance writers and have designed and printed their own cards. Based on my research and interviews, I created a list of criteria that a great business card printing service should meet:. I wanted to include options for same-day or next-day turnaround, so I also considered services from UPS , FedEx , and Staple s that require in-store pickup.
I eliminated sites that had bad Web interfaces, glitchy or difficult-to-use design tools, few or no premade templates, or limited customization options. From this group, I started by ordering sample packs from the sites that offered them to compare materials and finishes. To see how well each handled printing challenging designs, I worked with Wirecutter creative director Ryan Hines to create a print test. This card let us test how well each service rendered colors, fine lines, and photos, and how consistently it trimmed cards.
Then I anonymously ordered cards from all sites.
Paper Explained: Matte vs. Dull vs. Uncoated
We also went with 16 pt stock, as it feels sturdier than printer paper but is still inexpensive and common. Staples and FedEx do not offer 16 pt card stock, so I picked the closest equivalents in these cases: 13 pt for Staples, and lb paper for FedEx at the suggestion of a store employee.
I interacted with representatives from each of the printing services, noting the length of email response delays and the helpfulness and consistency of customer service over phone and live chat. I also called and asked each of the finalist services to outline its customer satisfaction policies. Finally, I noted when cards arrived relative to their estimated turnaround times.
Once I received the cards, Ryan and I evaluated printing quality by comparing the cards side by side. This is what we looked for:. On the back of each card, we added blocks of both CMYK and Pantone colors to see how each service converted and printed these colors, along with a color gradient to see how the services handled changes in tone. Ryan compared the color swatches on the cards we received with the Pantone Color Bridge Coated book.
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The company has quick turnaround times, great customer service. Vistaprint frequently runs promotions that lower the cost of cards and shipping, too. Ryan said Vistaprint did the third-best job rendering fine details like small typeface and thin lines. Colors were mostly accurate, although a tad dark.
Vistaprint provides a better overall experience in creating a business card than any other service we tested.
When designing your cards with Vistaprint, you can start by choosing cards based on shape standard, rounded, square, slim, or folded , paper stock glossy, matte, uncoated, pearl, soft touch, brown kraft, linen, recycled matte, or colored paper , special finishes like metallic or spot UV to make certain areas shiny or glossy , or specialty stock plastic cards, ultra-thick 32 pt stock, or ColorFill for a colorful center. Paper weight options are helpfully included in descriptions of paper stock. Once you choose a feature as a starting point and click on the respective thumbnail, Vistaprint has buttons to fill out the rest of your order details, with available options for shape, size, stock, paper weight, and finishes based on your selection.
Vistaprint offers 8, premade templates at the time of our testing, at least categorized by industry, the most of any service besides FedEx which has 9, Designs range from sparkly and geometric to understated. Although the pool is overwhelming, the site gives you many different ways to find something you like: Templates are divided by industry, style, or theme, or by available additional features. You can choose a template already designed for add-ons like spot gloss or metallic finishes, and you can upload photos from Facebook or Instagram to your card design.
Vistaprint provides the best visual tools to review your design. I appreciated this image because imagining how the bleed and trim lines affect your design can be difficult for people without design experience. Only one other service I tested, FedEx, has this tool, and I think it is the best way to view a proof. If you select a template with an add-on like spot gloss or metallic finishes, Vistaprint lets you preview these effects with a video. My original order was delivered but stolen from my porch over the winter holidays.
When I called Vistaprint in a panic, the company quickly reprinted and shipped my order for free, and the new batch of cards arrived four days later. A Vistaprint representative confirmed that the site often has significant discounts that include cards and shipping costs, so we recommend checking for promo codes before ordering. If you truly need cards immediately, we recommend going with a service that offers same-day in-store pickup. Like many services we tested, Vistaprint prints products beyond business cards.
Jukebox aced our print test with vibrant colors, sharp fine lines, readable small typeface, and precise trimming.
Why A Vistaprint Business Card Is A Bad Idea | Print Peppermint
In addition to matte and gloss finishes, specialty stocks are available with silk and velvet finishes. Below is a Patrick Bateman business card printed on Velvet card stock. A simple design can elevate a business card design. Keep in mind that coated stock is often difficult to write on, preventing people from making notes on printed pieces. If glare is a concern, opt for a matte coated stock, since high gloss stock is very reflective. You can see the reflection and the shine.
Uncoated stock is used for printing envelopes and business letterhead for an elegant and classy look. Uncoated business cards can be easily written on with a pen or pencil, making them great as appointment cards. Examples include real estate brochures, business stationery, restaurant menus, school bookmarks, and college booklets. Keep in mind that colors look significantly different on uncoated vs.
They may appear darker than on coated stock, and images are not as sharp.