Kraft, Linen, or Pearlescent: Specialty Business Card Stocks Explained

Coated cardstock in gloss or matte covers most business card orders, and for good reason - it's affordable and it works. But when a brand wants the card itself to say something before anyone reads a title, PeakPrint's three specialty stocks - Kraft, Linen, and Pearlescent - are where that happens. None of them are laminated finishes; they're different base materials with their own texture and personality built in.

Kraft Business Cards

Kraft Business Cards are printed on thick, uncoated 18pt Kraft cardstock with a natural brown tone and a visible fibrous texture. It's the same family of material people associate with recycled packaging, which is exactly the point - kraft stock signals sustainability and craftsmanship without needing a line of copy to explain it. It shows up most often with eco-conscious brands, artisans, farmers' market vendors, and small businesses that want their card to feel handmade rather than corporate.

Linen Business Cards

Linen Business Cards are printed on 11pt cardstock with a subtle woven texture and a soft cream tone, similar to fine stationery. The texture is understated - you notice it in hand more than at a glance - which is why linen tends to appeal to law firms, consultants, and other professionals who want a timeless, quietly upscale card rather than one that shouts for attention.

Pearlescent Business Cards

Pearlescent Business Cards are printed on 14pt cardstock with a soft shimmer that shifts as the card catches the light. It's the most visually distinctive of the three - closer to invitation-grade stationery than a standard card - and it's a common choice for beauty brands, event planners, and boutique businesses that want a card people remember pulling out of a stack.

Choosing between them

Think about what you want the material to communicate before the design even loads: kraft for sustainability and craft, linen for understated professionalism, pearlescent for a bit of shine and memorability. All three print in full colour the same as PeakPrint's coated stocks - the difference is entirely in what the card feels like before anyone reads it.