Clear coat business cards

[RubyGloom]

This may be a stupid question so apologize but what is a clear coat business card?

[TPF Sponsor]

[rub]

Never heard the term "clear coat" for business cardss, but my guess would be that they are UV coated. I order all of my cards with the UV coating. They look great and stand up to wear and tear and scratches much better.

[cgipson1]

^^^ Exactly!

[RubyGloom]

Ok, that's what I thought it was. Thanks! So they are better then matte cards?

[rub]

My cards are black so it's a huge benefit for me. I think it's worth it. Just make sure you get both sides done. If they only offer one side, order from somewhere else.

[RubyGloom]

My cards are black so it's a huge benefit for me. I think it's worth it. Just make sure you get both sides done. If they only offer one side, order from somewhere else.

Ok thanks! Mine are mostly back, with a bit of blue and white. I just ordered them so I am excited to get them back and see what they look like.

[naptime]

i absolutely hate it when people coat both sides of a car. i've had them done in the past, and it's a major pain.

often times someone gives you a card, or you give your card to someone.... and they/you want to write something on the back....

not happening on most clear coat and or glossy cards. they just dont play well with pens.


years back, for my computer store i had what i thought were the most beautiful glossy black cards with silver ink.

and i had nothing but complaints. because no one could write on them.

NOW.. i always get my cards with a coated front, and a matte back. and always a light colored card.

[CCericola]

It is probably UV. I would check with them just in case it is actually Aqueous coating. AQ coating (like the pages of a glamour magazine) can show fingerprints especially on black printing. And business cards get handled a lot so you don't want AQ. UV can show fingerprints but not as bad.

[KmH]

I only have the front of the card coated, so I can write on the blank back of the card.

[unpopular]

Definitely some kind of varnish, which may or may not have UV properties (but likely does). This provides an aesthetic appeal as well as mechanical protection.

If your cards are being printed custom, you might be able to have some of the card coated but not all of the whole card, such as your over your name or a photograph. This adds a subtle emphasis without the plastic- and (imo) unsophisticated look of varnish over the whole card.

[CCericola]

The most expensive business card I worked on was at a ad agency in Philly. The client had papyrus shipped from Egypt. I've also seen metal business cards (though I always wondered if they ever had problems at airport security with those)

Spot UV, like unpopular suggested is also an option to help your design stand out. It just costs a bit more because of the extra steps.

Actually, depending on the design I stay away from full UV on cards. It can look a bit cheap at times (Again, totally depends on the design)

Some methods are cool but people get so caught up in the gimmick that it really doesn't work for their business. Like the seed paper that came out. It is organic paper with flower seeds embedded in the fibers so you can plant the card and it will biodegrade and the seeds will grow. Great for a garden center or florist but doesn't really work for say an Auto repair shop.

[RubyGloom]

Thanks for the info and opinions, I will let you all know how they turn out.

[shootermcgavin]

I'm not a fan of clear cote on a business card either, I like just the standard professional cards.

[CCericola]

The best movie scene ever starring a business card:

[rub]

My cards are black - on both sides - so clients dont write on them anyways. UV coating works for me - but you guys do make a very good point.