Coloured card stocks versus printed white card

As you probably already know, most card stock with colour(s) on it is simply white card stock that has been printed a specific colour using either CMYK inks or a pantone (spot colour). The ink sits on the surface of the white card which gives it the appearance of colour. Any white areas are simply the white card stock left unprinted. What you may not be aware of is the growing trend and popularity of using coloured card stocks. These boards are dyed with specific colours that are unique to that particular paper brand. Popular coloured boards include Colorplan, Gmund, Senses and Vanguard, all of which we use here at AHC.

If you're curious as to how coloured boards are made, explore the short video showing how James Cropper produce their Raspberry Vanguard card.

Why we love coloured boards:

1) You can be sure they will be the same colour every time. Since most people use CMYK printing due to it being more cost effective than pantone printing, you can get quite a bit of variation in colour. For example if you brand colour is a dark blue, you will get multiple variations of it using different printers and even during different print runs with the same printer. With a coloured board, that blue will be the same every time.

2) Coloured card stocks have a unique finish which you can't get by printing white card. There's something about seeing small fibers of paper with a lovely matt finish that just oozes luxury.

3) No white edges. Because coloured card stocks are dyed they are that colour throughout, which means no white edges. This makes them ideal for guillotining as there is no ink surface cracking and they are also perfect for sanding and edge gilding for the same reason.

4) Duotone edges and coloured cores. Using a coloured board means the edges of the card stock is the same colour as the surface. This allows for exciting duotone edges when gluing two board colours together, or a coloured core when gluing 3 board colours together. It adds a little something extra to your business card or invitation for very little additional cost.

So what are the drawbacks to using coloured boards?

1) Limited colour range. Despite their popularity increasing, there are still only around 3-400 coloured board colours. Compared to the multitude of colours you can create with CMYK inks and nearly 2000 pantone colours, it does mean you may not be able to find a colour to match your brand. Many designers and brand agencies are now creating brands with coloured boards in mind, versus creating brands based around pantone colours. If you're starting a new business venture it's worth speaking to your designer/agency before they start if you'd like to use coloured stocks.

2) They are most expensive to print. Working with coloured boards means you're either going to need foil stamping or white ink printing. Foil stamping uses opaque foils which means the colour beneath the foil won't show through, even if it's a white foil on a black card stock. White ink printing can also be used, however it isnt as opaque as white foil. Many of our customers use the coloured board and foils as the combination immediately looks distinct and upmarket. Some coloured boards can also be printed with colour designs using a white ink underpin, however this can result in colour shifts depending on the colour of the board and the density of the white ink being used.