Choosing the Right Finish: Matte, Glossy, or Silk Finished Business Cards?

Business cards are still one of the best ways of forming professional connections, but you need your business card to stand out for all the right reasons. When you engage the services of a professional Vancouver business card printing firm, they will guide you in terms of colours, font styles, font sizes, and logos to align with your business branding and personal preferences, but you will need to specify your choice of finish.

What are the finish options?

There are three main finishes that you can choose from. These are matte, gloss, and silk. Chances are that you will have seen them all before and already have a favourite. However, if you don't, this article will help you to select the finish that best suits your needs. You can then engage a Vancouver business card printing firm with confidence.

Why choose a matte finish?

A matte finish delivers a soft-touch, non-reflective surface that is easy to write on. For this reason, it is popular with professionals who may wish to add a final flourish or extra detail by hand to personalize their business card for each recipient. Perhaps you want to suggest an appointment time or add a written reminder of something that you discussed? A matte business card lends itself perfectly to this purpose.

Why choose a gloss finish?

A gloss finish is shiny and eye-catching. It makes images pop and text stand out sharply. A gloss finish is favoured by those who like to personalize their business card with bright colours and exciting logos, suggesting energy and enthusiasm. Gloss is also slightly more water-resistant than matte, meaning it is less likely to smudge, even in hot venues or when handed over outdoors. For this reason, a gloss finish is ideally suited to those planning to distribute them in crowded networking environments.

Why choose a silk finish?

Choosing a silk finish for a business card offers several distinct benefits that can help your card stand out and leave a lasting impression. A silk finish gives business cards a unique, silky smooth matte texture, which feels luxurious and high-end in the hand. This tactile experience can make the card more memorable, giving your brand an aura of sophistication and professionalism. Silk-laminated business cards are more resistant to tearing, water, and general wear and tear compared to standard cards. The finish helps prevent fading, curling, and dog-eared edges, keeping your cards looking sharp even after being carried around or exposed to spills.

Which is right for you?

If this is your first time commissioning business card printing in Vancouver, you could ask to see samples of each finish, as this can help drive your decision-making process. Many businesses will also mock up an example of your business card with each finish if you ask them, and this can be very helpful in deciding which works best for you.

In general, however, matte business cards deliver a professional and elegant first impression, helping you to project a trustworthy image. Glossy business cards are exciting and vibrant, and can encourage recipients to make contact. Silk business cards will help you stand out from the crowd, which can be useful if you are operating in a crowded market sector.

Conclusion

There are compelling reasons to choose all of the available printing finishes, but when booking your Vancouver business card printing, you will need to narrow it down to just one. Carefully consider your needs and preferences, and if possible, get a sample made to make sure that the final product is truly reflective of your brand identity.