Custom paper cards

Paper cards are a relevant choice when the priority is cost efficiency, environmental positioning or a shorter card lifecycle. They are particularly suitable for stamp loyalty programmes, promotional campaigns, seasonal gift cards and business cards where a plastic support is not required. If durability, encoding options or a more premium feel are important, PVC cards may be more appropriate.

A barcode loyalty card uses a printed barcode or QR code scanned at the point of sale, making it suitable for businesses with a scanning system or digital loyalty platform. A stamp loyalty card relies on a physical stamp applied manually at each visit, making it ideal for coffee shops, bakeries, local retailers and any business that prefers a simple, equipment-free loyalty mechanic. Both formats can be produced on paper stock with a range of finishes.

For loyalty cards and gift cards, 350 gsm or 400 gsm coated stock is the most common choice. It offers a solid feel, good print quality and sufficient rigidity for everyday use in a wallet or at a counter. If the brand positioning calls for a more natural or eco-conscious feel, uncoated or recycled stock is also available. The choice of stock should be aligned with the intended finish — laminated cards generally print better on coated stock, while uncoated stock suits a more artisan or organic visual approach.

The most popular finishes for paper business cards are matte lamination, gloss lamination and soft-touch lamination. Matte gives a clean, professional result with reduced glare. Gloss creates a more vivid, colour-rich presentation. Soft-touch offers a velvety tactile feel suited to premium or design-led brands. Foil stamping and spot UV can also be added to specific elements such as logos or names for a more distinctive first impression.

Yes. Paper cards can be printed with variable barcodes, QR codes, numbering or other personalised data fields. This is particularly relevant for barcode loyalty cards, membership cards and any programme where each card needs a unique identifier. To prepare this type of project efficiently, it is best to provide a structured data file matching the required card fields alongside the print-ready artwork.

Yes. Recycled and FSC-certified paper stocks are available for brands with environmental commitments or sustainability guidelines. These stocks can be combined with eco-compatible finishes to produce a card that aligns with a responsible brand positioning. If this is a priority for your project, mention it in your quote request and we will confirm the available options.

Paper card production runs 4 to 6 working days from proof approval for standard configurations. Premium finishes (foil stamping, embossing, spot UV, edge painting) extend to 6 to 10 working days. Express lead times of 2 to 4 working days are available for time-sensitive campaigns on standard configurations. We ship across Europe and the UK with tracked delivery, and international shipping is available on request.

Yes — every paper card order includes a free digital proof showing the final artwork as it will print on your chosen stock. For variable data projects (barcodes, serial numbers, stamp zones), a sample is validated against your source file before the full run. No paper cards are produced without your explicit approval.

Yes. Two design routes alongside print-ready file orders, applicable across all our paper card products (business, barcode loyalty, stamp loyalty, gift cards). Template adaptation: share your brand identity, stock preference and personalisation needs, and we adapt an existing paper card template. Full custom design: our designers create the card from scratch including stock-specific design and finish placement, with two revision rounds. Both routes are quoted alongside the print order.