Print Your Own Membership ID Cards with Matte or Glossy Paper?

When you’re printing your own membership ID cards, is it best to use matte or glossy paper? Which will turn out better? Is there one that has more benefits than the other?

Short answer is: Depends.

I know that’s one of the most frustrating answers to get, but it’s the truth. Matte paper will work best for some print jobs while glossy will be the clear victor for others. The real question is: Would matte or glossy paper be best for this run of membership ID cards?

That’s the question we’re going to help you answer in this post.

Consider The Pros & Cons of Each Paper Type

Read over this quick list of pros and cons of both matte and glossy. Compare them with what you’ll need your membership cards to do.

Matte Paper Pros

• Can use just about any printer
• Bar code friendly (no glare from the gloss)
• Has nice textured feel

Matte Paper Cons

• Must laminate the cards to give them a glossy look
• Can have a “dull” appearance since the paper isn’t shiny

Glossy Paper Pros

• Gives a glossy look without having to laminate it
• Has a nice, smooth feel
• Eye catching

Glossy Paper Cons

• Need to use a laser printer (glossy inkjet paper can be hard to come by and expensive)
• Not bar code friendly due to the glare from the gloss
• Not full color photograph friendly (since it has to be printed on a laser printer)

Now that we’ve gone over the pros and cons, you might already have an idea about which will work best for you. Let’s just finish up with some questions you need to make sure to ask yourself.

Questions To Consider Before Choosing Stock for Your Membership Cards

Will You Be Adding a Bar Code?

We went over this a little bit in the pros and cons, but if you’re adding a bar code it’s something you need to seriously consider. Glossy membership cards can pose a threat to bar code scannablility because they can give off a glare. However, some glossy membership cards aren’t glossy enough to give off a strong enough glare to interfere with the bar code.

So, how do you know if glossy membership cards will work with your bar code and scanner? You request samples of glossy membership cards to test them out!

Will the Membership Card Be Near Water?

Printing out pool membership cards? You’ll want to laminate them no matter if they’re glossy or matte. Sometimes glossy is a little more expensive, so you can go ahead and buy matte membership cards to be laminated. Peel out the cards, laminate them, and remove the excess paper from the bottom of your letter via perforation before sending it out to the new member.

What else should you consider when choosing between matte and glossy paper for membership cards?

Ready to get started printing your own? Download our free Getting Started Guide to learn how!

Image: cote

Related posts:

Do you carry postcards that are glossy or matte finish on one side of the card and unfinished side on the other? What’s Better For Printing Bar Codes: Matte or Glossy Paper? Weekly RoundUp: Glossy vs Matte, Inkjet Paper in Laser Printer & More Glossy Paper VS. Matte Paper