Substrate

In printing, the substrate is the base material that receives the printed image. For business cards, this is typically a rigid sheet of paper, often referred to as cardstock, though other materials like plastic or metal can also serve this function. The choice of substrate directly influences the tactile quality, durability, and visual appearance of the final product.

When discussing substrate printing, professionals often refer to the material’s grammage (GSM), which measures its weight per square meter. A higher GSM indicates a thicker, stiffer sheet. Other critical properties include surface texture, opacity, and how well the material accepts ink or lamination. Selecting the correct substrate ensures that the design renders with the intended sharpness and that the card meets the desired structural integrity.