{"id":120,"date":"2026-06-25T06:47:23","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T06:47:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.luxebusinesscards.ca\/blog\/?p=120"},"modified":"2026-06-25T06:47:32","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T06:47:32","slug":"what-is-the-difference-between-16pt-and-38pt-business-cards-thickness-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.luxebusinesscards.ca\/blog\/what-is-the-difference-between-16pt-and-38pt-business-cards-thickness-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is the Difference Between 16pt and 38pt Business Cards? Thickness Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The main difference between 16pt and 38pt business cards is thickness and rigidity. A 16pt business card is considered a standard premium card. A 38pt business card, on the other hand, is more than twice as thick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Moreover, 38pt business cards feel significantly heavier, sturdier, and more luxurious in hand. Many professionals often remain unsure whether to choose a 16pt business card or a 38pt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Business owners are often confused about the thickness of business cards. And yes, numbers like 16pt and 38pt do sound technical but they directly affect how your card looks, feels, and performs in the real world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s understand what a business card thickness actually means and what the difference is between the thicknesses of the two business cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"975\" height=\"531\" src=\"https:\/\/www.luxebusinesscards.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/image-6.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-121\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.luxebusinesscards.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/image-6.png 975w, https:\/\/www.luxebusinesscards.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/image-6-768x418.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 975px) 100vw, 975px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>What Does Business Card Thickness Mean?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s begin our guide by understanding the thickness of business cards. When printers refer to &#8220;pt,&#8221; what do they actually mean? They basically mean points. It is a unit that is used to measure the thickness of paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also, you must remember that the higher the number, the thicker the cardstock will be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In simpler words, a 38pt card is much thicker than a 16pt card.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>How Thick Is a 16pt Business Card?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But have you ever wondered how thick a 16pt <a href=\"https:\/\/www.luxebusinesscards.ca\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.luxebusinesscards.ca\/\">luxury business cards<\/a> actually is? Well, a 16pt business card is often considered the industry standard for premium paper cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It offers not only good durability and a professional appearance but also comfortable wallet storage and affordable production costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also, many companies often choose 16pt. This is actually because it provides a balance between quality and practicality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A 16pt card feels noticeably stronger than standard office paper but remains lightweight and easy to carry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>How Thick Is a 38pt Business Card?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A 38pt business card is basically designed to stand out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These cards are more than twice as thick as a 16pt card. As a result, they create an immediate impression of quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Furthermore, these 38pt business cards offer not only a luxury feel and greater perceived value but also increased durability and enhanced brand recognition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When someone receives a 38pt card, they instantly notice the difference. Besides that, most luxury brands, high-end consultants, real estate professionals, and premium service providers often choose these thicker cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <strong>Side-by-Side Thickness Comparison:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s do a quick side-by-side thickness comparison between a 16pt business card and a 38pt business card with this table:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Feature<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>16pt Business Card<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>38pt Business Card<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Thickness<\/td><td>Standard Premium<\/td><td>Ultra Thick<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Flexibility<\/td><td>Moderate<\/td><td>Very Rigid<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Weight<\/td><td>Lightweight<\/td><td>Heavier<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Durability<\/td><td>Good<\/td><td>Excellent<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Wallet Comfort<\/td><td>Excellent<\/td><td>Good<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Luxury Feel<\/td><td>Moderate<\/td><td>High<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Cost<\/td><td>Lower<\/td><td>Higher<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Which Thickness Is Better for Your Business?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the main concern is, which thickness would be better for your business? Well, there is no universal answer. This is because the best thickness actually depends not only on your goals and industry but also on your target audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Choose 16pt If You Need Practicality:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">16pt cards are actually pretty beneficial. They have low printing costs and are lightweight. And still, they offer a professional appearance. In addition to this, they can be easily stored in your wallet.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.luxebusinesscards.ca\/metal-business-cards\/\">Metal business cards Canada<\/a> are an ideal price\/quality combination. For which businesses are they ideal, though? They are ideal for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Startups<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Small businesses<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Retail stores<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Service providers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Event networking<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Choose 38pt If First Impressions Matter<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the flip side, some industries rely heavily on perception and branding. But what does this even mean? This basically means that some industries focus mainly on creating a lasting first impression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For that, they opt for 38pt business cards. These cards provide them with a premium look and high durability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You must also remember that these thicker cards are known for creating a stronger impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can consider a 38pt card if you are a:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Luxury real estate agent<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Financial advisor<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>High-end consultant<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Architect<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Law firm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Executive-level professional<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Does Thickness Affect Durability?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Are you unsure whether the thickness of business cards affects their durability? Well, the answer is a big yes! Thickness absolutely affects the durability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, one of the biggest concerns people have is how long their cards will remain presentable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let us compare it for you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Durability Factor<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>16pt Business Cards<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>38pt Business Cards<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Bending Resistance<\/td><td>Good<\/td><td>Excellent<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Corner Protection<\/td><td>Good<\/td><td>Excellent<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Wear During Travel<\/td><td>Good<\/td><td>Excellent<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Long-Term Appearance<\/td><td>Good<\/td><td>Excellent<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You must also keep in mind that a thicker card is naturally more resistant to bending and creasing. This can be particularly important for professionals who carry cards daily in wallets, briefcases, or travel bags.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>What is the difference between 16pt and 38pt business cards?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ans. <\/strong>The difference between 16pt and 38pt business cards is the thickness and the physical strength of the card. A 16pt card is a standard everyday card that&#8217;s versatile and cost-effective, while a 38pt card is a luxury thick card and is very rigid and durable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>For which businesses should you choose 16pt business cards?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ans. <\/strong>You should choose 16pt business cards for the following businesses:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Startups<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Small businesses<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Retail stores<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Service providers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Event networking<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Why should you choose a 38pt business card?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ans.<\/strong> If you want to create a lasting first impression of your brand, you can consider a 38pt business card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Let\u2019s Wrap It Up!<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This brings us to the end of our guide!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To sum it up, the major differences between 16pt and 38pt business cards are the thickness, durability, and brand perception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can consider a 16pt card as it offers a professional and cost-effective solution. This works well for everyday networking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the contrary, a 38pt card delivers a more luxurious feel, greater rigidity, and a stronger first impression. This can help your brand stand out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From our experience manufacturing premium business cards, thickness is often one of the first things people notice when they receive a card. However, you can choose the one according to your preferences.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The main difference between 16pt and 38pt business cards is thickness and rigidity. A 16pt business card is considered a standard premium card. A 38pt business card, on the other hand, is more than twice as thick. Moreover, 38pt business cards feel significantly heavier, sturdier, and more luxurious in hand. Many professionals often remain unsure&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":122,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[30,31],"class_list":["post-120","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business","tag-luxury-business-cards","tag-metal-business-cards-canada"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.luxebusinesscards.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/120","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.luxebusinesscards.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.luxebusinesscards.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.luxebusinesscards.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.luxebusinesscards.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=120"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.luxebusinesscards.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/120\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":123,"href":"https:\/\/www.luxebusinesscards.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/120\/revisions\/123"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.luxebusinesscards.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/122"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.luxebusinesscards.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=120"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.luxebusinesscards.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=120"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.luxebusinesscards.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=120"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}