You may be surprised to learn that business cards are still relevant in 2026, but they have a place in every business owner’s wallet. Even in the age of QR codes and emails, business cards are designed to impress, so your potential customers walk away with a reminder of who you are and what you do in their pocket.
As you set out to design your business cards, you’ll weigh options for the final treatment of the cards, with the main one being a matte finish or a glossy finish. Although it might not seem significant, it can make a large impact on how your business card turns out. Read below to discover the difference between matte vs. glossy business cards and the benefits and drawbacks of each.
Appearance is only one component of what makes matte and glossy business cards different. Learn more about what each finish has to offer:
The difference is in the name with this one. Glossy business cards have an eye-catching sheen that coats one or both sides of the business card, whereas a matte finish is muted and doesn’t have that type of coating.
Besides appearance, gloss and matte finishes come in different textures. A gloss finish has a smooth and silky feeling, but a matte business card will feel more like cardstock.
Why might you consider a matte business card over a glossy one? Some of the pros and cons for matte business cards include:
For all the reasons there are for matte business cards, you might have equally valid reasons for trying out a glossy finish. Here’s what you need to know before making a choice in matte vs. glossy dispute:
Whether you go for the “all eyes on me” appeal of a glossy card or the professional, muted vibes of a matte finish, your business card says a lot about your company. No matter which you choose, Namecheap’s Business Card Maker makes it as easy as 1-2-3 to design and export your business cards. All you need to do is choose a design, enter your info, and upload your logo (or export it from the Namecheap Logo Maker, where you can design a free logo for your brand or business).
With numerous design options to choose from, you’re guaranteed to find one that matches your business perfectly. Check out Namecheap’s Business Card Maker to begin designing. A customizable, unique business card is only a click away.
Professional photographers often use a matte finish for large-format photos in order to reduce glare when displayed on a wall or shelf. For smaller photographs, or when it’s especially important to preserve vibrant, rich colors, a glossy finish is preferred.
Low-quality paper stock makes business cards look cheap, especially if the paper is very thin, flimsy, or easy to bend and rip. Cluttered layouts and unreadable fonts can also make business cards appear cheap.
A poorly planned design is the most common business card mistake. This can include cluttered layouts, illegible fonts, and pixelated images. Other common mistakes on business cards include typos and outdated or missing information.
Business cards printed on glossy paper can produce a glare in certain lighting situations, which makes the information on the card difficult to read. Glossy finishes also can’t be written on since pen ink will wipe off. Finally, glossy business cards are viewed as outdated or even tacky in some industries.
Matte business cards have a muted finish and the surface is lightly textured, while glossy business cards have a shiny, smooth finish. Matte business cards are more traditional and can be written on. The coating on glossy business cards can’t be written on, but it does add durability.
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