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Stack of dark printed cards with a cream circle, green leaves, and white paper edges

Cardstock Printing

Thick 24pt cardstock for handouts and compact displays that need more structure than ordinary paper—best kept dry and used indoors.

  • 24pt cardstock gives invitations, counter cards, and inserts a noticeably rigid feel.
  • Single- or double-sided layouts can pair a visual front with details, schedules, or a QR code on the back.
  • Square or rounded corners and select contour cuts let the finished shape support the design.
  • Gloss laminate can add handling protection and sheen, but it does not turn paper stock into an outdoor sign.
  • Easel and adhesive-backing options depend on the display surface, duration, and removal expectations.
The story Give the small-format piece enough structure PRINT + FINISH NOTES —

Cardstock sits between a handout and a rigid sign. It has enough body for invitations, product cards, table displays, and premium inserts, while staying compact and easy to distribute. That makes it useful for Los Angeles-area hospitality counters, event check-in tables, retail displays, and office communications kept in controlled indoor spaces.

The print brief should separate finished size from artwork size. Files that print to the edge need bleed; logos and text need safe margins; photographs need enough resolution at final dimensions; and two-sided pieces need the correct front-to-back orientation.

Finish choices follow the use. Rounded corners soften frequently handled cards, custom cuts create a distinct silhouette, laminate helps with routine handling, and an easel or adhesive back changes how the piece stands or mounts. None of those additions makes paper the right material for rain, wash-down areas, or long-term outdoor display.

Quick answer

Direct answer: Cardstock printing puts full-color artwork on thick paper stock for invitations, tabletop promotions, postcards, inserts, and compact indoor signs. A complete production quote needs the customer-supplied finished size, quantity, print sides, stock, cut shape, finish, approved artwork, and selected display add-ons.

Key takeaways

  • Build artwork at final size with bleed beyond trimmed edges, safe margins for text, and adequate image resolution.
  • Provide brand-color references and review the proof with the understanding that printed color can differ from a backlit screen.
  • Keep cardstock dry and indoors; for prolonged exterior exposure, wet areas, or frequent cleaning, ask about a rigid plastic or metal sign instead.

Specs & options

Specs

Stock
24pt heavyweight cardstock with a stiff paper feel
Print
Full-color digital printing from artwork prepared at final size
Sides
Front only or front and back, with the same or different artwork
Corners
Square or rounded; radius selected to suit the finished dimensions
Cuts
Rectangles or select circle, oval, and halo-cut shapes
Finishing
Optional gloss laminate for added handling protection and sheen
Environment
Dry, protected indoor use; easel and adhesive options reviewed per display surface

Options

  • Single-sided or double-sided printing.
  • Rounded corners: ¼″, ⅜″, ½″, ¾″, or 1″ radii.
  • Select custom shapes: circle, oval, or halo cut from an approved cut path.
  • Gloss laminate for added handling protection and a shiny finish.
  • Easel add-ons for dry countertop or tabletop display only when selected in the written quote.
  • Adhesive backing only when selected and approved for the order; receiving-surface suitability remains the customer’s responsibility.

Need help preparing files? See Artwork Setup.

Good fit for

  • Invitations and announcements for weddings, fundraisers, openings, and launches.
  • Dry indoor counter cards and tabletop signs for QR menus, checkout messages, and front-desk information.
  • Postcards, mail inserts, and handouts that need more stiffness than text-weight paper.
  • Retail shelf talkers, product story cards, package inserts, and hang tags.
  • Business and networking cards where a thicker stock fits the intended use.
  • Small photo or art prints intended for protected indoor display.

How it works

  1. 1) Define the finished piece

    Send the quantity, customer-verified trim size, print sides, stock, corner or cut shape, finish, selected display add-ons, and approved artwork.

  2. 2) Prepare the artwork

    Supply a print-ready PDF when possible, with bleed, safe margins, embedded assets, outlined fonts, and adequate raster resolution.

  3. 3) Review the proof

    Confirm front and back orientation, trim and cut paths, important color expectations, QR-code destination, spelling, and finishing.

  4. 4) Print, finish + protect

    The approved pieces are printed, cut, laminated when selected, inspected, and protected for handoff.

FAQ

What does “24pt cardstock” mean?

“Pt” is a paper-thickness measurement. A 24pt stock feels substantially stiffer than ordinary copy paper, but it remains a paper product intended for dry, protected use.

Can you print cardstock double-sided?

Yes. Front and back can use the same or different artwork. Mark the intended orientation clearly, especially for portrait pieces, folded concepts, or shapes that are not symmetrical.

Can I get rounded corners or custom shapes?

The listed options include several corner radii plus circle, oval, and halo-cut shapes. Send the finished dimensions and vector cut path so feasibility, tolerances, and safe margins can be reviewed.

Should I add laminate?

Gloss laminate can help with ordinary handling and adds sheen. It changes the look of color and reflections, and it does not make cardstock waterproof or suitable for long-term outdoor exposure.

Do you offer easels or adhesive backing?

Easel or adhesive-backing options are included only when selected and listed in the written quote. The customer supplies the display requirements and remains responsible for testing the receiving surface, placement, and removal method.

What file types do you accept?

A print-ready PDF is preferred. AI or EPS and high-resolution PNG or JPG files can also be reviewed. Build at final size, include bleed for edge-to-edge color, keep text inside safe margins, embed assets, and outline fonts in vector files.

Does the order require approved artwork?

Yes. Production begins from customer-approved artwork with final copy, dimensions, sides, bleed, safe margins, cut paths, and color references resolved. Design or file-rebuilding work is not included unless it is separately listed in the written quote.

What arrives with a cardstock order?

The finished order contains the approved printed pieces with the quoted stock, sides, trim, corners, cut shape, laminate, and selected display add-ons, protected for handoff. Display placement, field measurements, mounting decisions, permits, access, and installation are not included.

Production parent

See commercial printing for approved-file preparation, printing, finishing, and production handoff.