Pick up a business card or a promotional postcard and you notice the paper before you finish reading the message. A thicker stock gives a small printed piece a more substantial feel. For many everyday marketing materials, 16pt cardstock is a useful place to start.
What 16pt means
The number describes the paper's thickness. In cardstock measurements, one point equals one thousandth of an inch, so 16pt means a nominal thickness of .016 inch, or about 0.41mm. Printers may also call this measurement caliper.
That is different from the point size used for lettering in a design. It also answers a different question from a paper weight: here, you are comparing how thick the sheet is. Thickness is helpful when choosing how substantial a card should feel, but it does not tell you every detail about its finish or suitability for a specific use.
Onyx Print Group offers thick 16pt cardstock with single- or double-sided printing and optional gloss on the front or both sides.
Five practical ways to use it
Business cards are a natural fit. Put your name, role, and best contact information where they are easy to read. The second side can carry a short service description or a website address without crowding the front.
Promotional postcards give you more room to explain an offer. Use one main headline and make the next step obvious, whether that is visiting your location, scanning a code, or contacting your team. If you intend to mail the piece, confirm the finished format and mailing requirements before ordering.
Product information cards can travel with an order or sit beside merchandise. Use them to explain care instructions, highlight a product feature, or point customers to more information online. Keep the content focused on what the customer will need after the purchase.
Event handouts can put essential details in a compact format. Include the event name, location, date, and a clear way to learn more. Check that the design remains readable at the size someone will actually hold.
Thank-you cards and package inserts can extend a consistent look from the outside of a package to the material inside it. A short message and one useful next step are usually enough. If someone needs to write on the card, choose no gloss for the side intended for handwriting.
Choose the size and finish together
Onyx offers standard sizes, including 3.5-by-2-inch business cards, along with custom dimensions. Custom sizes range from 3 by 3 inches to 28 by 18 inches. Choose the format based on where the piece will go and how much information it needs to hold.
Gloss adds a polished surface. Consider where the piece will be viewed when deciding which sides should receive it, and leave any side intended for handwriting without gloss. A front-and-back layout can also give the headline and supporting details their own space.
Check the finished piece before ordering
Review your artwork at its intended size. Confirm spelling, phone numbers, dates, and any links or QR codes. Onyx accepts print-ready PDF, JPG, and PNG files and asks customers to review their previews before completing checkout.
Also check the finished quantity: cardstock orders are produced by the sheet, and the number of pieces depends on the selected size. With the format, finish, and quantity settled, your 16pt print can be planned around its real job: giving someone clear information they can take with them.
See premium 16pt cardstock sizes, full-sheet quantities and pricing, then upload your design.
