Art Paper vs Art Card: What’s the Difference?
Art paper generally refers to lighter coated stocks used for flyers and brochures, while art card is thicker and stiffer for postcards, covers and cards. GSM helps indicate weight but the feel also depends on coating and finishing.
For current specifications, turnaround guidance and quotation details, see our flyer printing in Singapore page.
Art paper bends easily
105gsm, 128gsm and 157gsm coated papers are common examples used for marketing sheets and folded brochures.
You can compare this with our printing services in Singapore and use the artwork guide before submitting files.
Art card holds shape better
260gsm and 310gsm are substantially heavier and are useful for postcards, covers and promotional cards.
Heavier is not automatically better
A 310gsm flyer for a mass-distribution campaign can be unnecessarily expensive and bulky. Choose the stock around function and budget.
Choose paper around use, not only thickness
Paper weight affects feel, folding behaviour, postage weight, handling and price. A heavier sheet can feel more premium, but it may be unnecessary for a short-lived distribution piece or unsuitable for a tight fold without additional finishing. Think about how long the customer will keep the item, whether they need to write on it, whether it will be mailed, and how many copies the campaign requires. Coating also changes the surface: a coated art paper behaves differently from an uncoated woodfree sheet even at similar GSM. When comparing stocks, ask for the same finished size, print sides and quantity so the cost difference is meaningful rather than comparing unrelated specifications.
What to send when requesting a quotation
For a useful quotation, send the finished size, paper or material, printing sides, quantity, finishing requirements, print-ready artwork if available, required date and delivery location. If any item is still undecided, explain how the printed piece will be used so a suitable specification can be suggested. For an urgent job, include the exact time by which the completed item must be collected or delivered. This avoids quoting a specification that cannot realistically meet the deadline.
The QPS price table lets you compare common art-paper and art-card weights at the same quantity.
Useful next steps: Artwork Guide · All Printing Services
