Are High Gloss Business Cards Worth the Cost?

When it comes to business cards, the options are limitless. You can choose the colors, the fonts, the images, and the message. You can even decide what paper to print it on – be it regular cardstock or a high gloss paper. But what features are worth the extra cost? Do high gloss business cards really warrant a higher price tag?

Advantages to High Gloss Business Cards

There are some advantages to choosing high gloss business cards. These include:

• Having a card that stands out among the others. Many business cards are printed on traditional cardstock. Therefore, if you are placing your business card in a rack with cards of your competitors, then having a high gloss business card could allow it to stand out from the other ones based on appearance alone. If you use your business card for advertising, then the high gloss effect may be worth the cost.
• Photo-like images. If you use a traditional logo on your business card, then you may not need the image to truly pop. However, if you use your picture on your business card, or have a photo that you want to incorporate into the background, opting for a high gloss finish on your business card can help give you that extra photo-like quality to make it stand out from the others. For example, you may be a travel agent and want to use a picture of a sunset over a Hawaiian beach on your business card. The effect will be much more realistic using high gloss paper.
• Professional image. Most people know that it is difficult to print on high gloss card stock at home. Therefore, a high gloss business card automatically exudes a professional appearance.

Disadvantages to High Gloss Business Cards

There are also some disadvantages to choosing high gloss business cards. These include:

• Too “slippery” to write on. Some clients like to write on the business card to help remind them of why they are keeping it. Many business people may make notes on the back of the card, such as adding their home number if the client needs to contact them afterhours. You may want to write down a special price or discount you will give them if they call you. However, high gloss business cards are difficult to write on.
• High cost. Like other business card “upgrades” high gloss business cards come with a higher price tag than those printed on regular cardstock. If you are just starting out in the business or are on a limited budget, this can reduce the amount that you can purchase. You may find it more cost effective in some cases to go with a regular cardstock instead.

Deciding whether or not high gloss business cards are cost effective depends upon your company’s needs. You should consider how you plan on using your business card, what images and information you want it to convey, and what your budget is before making a decision.