Business card-card weight

**Scotty** · 08 August 2011, 09:38 PM

Hi,
If buying card stock for business card....what is the standard weight of the card-stock?I have avery perforated stock but seems to be a lighter weight than normal business cards.
Jim

**Soquili** · 08 August 2011, 09:47 PM

Jim this wikipedia link may be helpful. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_card

Generally 350 g/m² (100 pound) or 12 point thick stock.

**gwpriester** · 08 August 2011, 09:58 PM

There are many ways to specify paper and as many years as I spent in the business the only way I could really tell was to feel the actual stock.

Some numbers were higher but in fact were not as thick. It is terribly confusing.

**Scotty** · 08 August 2011, 10:00 PM

Thanks Bill,
I finally found that after posting....my previous search all came up Avery...which they seem a 'Lighter weight'..
Jim

**handrawn** · 08 August 2011, 10:07 PM

EDIT - in reply to Gary:

that might have something to do with weight being just one attribute of paper/board, which has no real direct bearing on either thickness or for that matter strength, except for a given specific batch/stock.... yes it can be confusing, I'd go by feel too if at all possible

**Soquili** · 08 August 2011, 10:24 PM

Jim the Avery cards are a lighter stock so they will pass through the majority of the personal printers on the market.

**Scotty** · 09 August 2011, 02:10 AM

Hi,
thanks to all responders,
I guess I will have to go to stationary store and 'feel-up' all the stock...hope I don't get labeled a pervert...LOL
Jim
P.s Thanks again

**Hwy101** · 09 August 2011, 05:51 AM

Originally Posted by Scotty

Hi, thanks to all responders, I guess I will have to go to stationary store and 'feel-up' all the stock...hope I don't get labeled a pervert...LOL Jim P.s Thanks again

Good one Jim -Points for the Pun!

**Cloud** · 04 November 2011, 05:21 PM

The majority of inkjet/laser printers are designed for upto 250gsm max. Digital Printer/copiers are rated for 300gsm but some people use 350gsm through them (this is short run digital print market you may find on ebay etc) litho printed cards are normally in the 400gsm range. However - 300gsm silk is thicker than 300gsm gloss, and 300gsm pulp board is thicker than 300gsm silk. gsm or gramms per square metre is just it's weight and not it's bulk. If you have 350gsm silk than that is a reasonable thickness

**ruellesmith** · 08 June 2012, 06:21 AM

300gsm is a weight, and does not have anything to do with how rigid the card feels. Bulk of the stock will determine how solid the card feels in your hand. While a rule of thumb is the heavier the weight, the more bulk, it is not always totally true. You can hold 2 different 300gsm stocks in your hand, and they may feel very different.