Two Different Looks.
The Same Great Price.
You've chosen your photographs, written your greeting and finished your design. Now comes one last decision: matte or high gloss? The right choice depends on the look you want for your card. Matte offers a subtle, low-shine appearance, while high-gloss front adds a shiny finish to the outside.
At Bright Print Works, both finishes cost the same. Choose the finish that suits your artwork, with quantities starting at 25 cards.
Order 5″ × 7″ greeting cards with your preferred finish, full-color outside printing and an optional full-color interior. Scoring is included.
Matte vs. High-Gloss Front at a Glance
| Consideration | Matte | High-Gloss Front |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Subtle and low shine | Shiny and reflective |
| Design direction | Understated artwork, soft palettes and elegant typography | Colorful photos, bold graphics and lively seasonal designs |
| Photo printing | A quieter presentation | A glossy presentation |
| Printing options | Outside only or outside and inside | Outside only or outside and inside |
| Price | Same price | Same price |
These are design suggestions, not restrictions. Family photographs can look beautiful in matte, and a simple business greeting can work well with high gloss. Start with your preferred appearance.
Choose Matte When You Want the Artwork to Feel Quiet and Refined
Matte is a natural fit for designs that rely on space, thoughtful typography and a restrained color palette. Its low-shine appearance can complement a personal message without adding a glossy surface.
- Botanical illustrations and watercolor-style artwork
- Cream, neutral and pastel color schemes
- Simple business thank-you cards
- Holiday designs centered on an elegant greeting
- Family photographs with a softer visual style
Picture this: a cream card with evergreen branches, a dark green greeting and your family name. Matte keeps the overall look understated and cohesive.
Choose High-Gloss Front When Shine Is Part of the Look
High-gloss front gives the outside face of your flat card a shiny finish. Once folded, that outside spread forms the front and back covers. It is an appealing choice when you want a glossy photographic or graphic presentation.
- Bright family photographs
- Colorful birthday and celebration cards
- Bold Christmas and holiday graphics
- Business cards featuring team or product photographs
- Rich seasonal colors and large image areas
Picture this: a family photograph beneath colorful holiday lights, paired with a short white greeting. High gloss adds a shiny surface to that cheerful design.
Still Deciding? Ask Yourself These Three Questions.
- Do I want visible shine? If a glossy surface is part of your vision, choose high-gloss front. If you prefer a low-shine appearance, choose matte.
- What sets the tone of the card? Consider whether your design is built around a bold photograph, delicate illustration or simple message.
- Will I add handwriting? Finish names alone don't establish pen compatibility. Contact us about the selected stock and writing surface before ordering.
Your Finish and Your Printing Option Are Separate Choices
Choosing matte or high gloss determines the finish. Choosing outside only or outside and inside determines where your artwork is printed. You can combine either finish with either printing option.
Outside Only — 4/0
Full-color artwork on the front and back covers, with the inside blank. Choose this when your printed design belongs on the outside and you want an unprinted interior.
Outside & Inside — 4/4
Full-color artwork on both spreads. Add your greeting, family update, photographs, business message or printed signature inside.
High-gloss front does not mean a high-gloss interior. The finish option describes the outside face of the card.
How Much Do Matte and High-Gloss Greeting Cards Cost?
| Quantity | Outside Only | Outside & Inside |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | $68 | $78 |
| 50 | $78 | $88 |
| 100 | $98 | $108 |
| 250 | $148 | $188 |
| 500 | $218 | $268 |
| 1,000 — FREE 16 pt Upgrade | $288 | $348 |
Prices apply to both matte and high-gloss front finishes. Scoring is included. Cards are supplied flat. Envelopes, shipping and applicable tax are additional.
Your Finish Choice Comes with Substantial Cardstock
Orders of 25 through 500 are printed on 14 pt cardstock. Every order of 1,000 cards receives a FREE upgrade to thicker 16 pt cardstock, with either finish and either printing option. The upgrade is automatic.
Prepare Your Design for Print
Neither finish can correct a blurry photograph or crowded layout. Start with sharp images, readable lettering and a correctly prepared file. Bright Print Works prints your supplied finished artwork.
- Flat trim size: 10″ × 7″, folding to 5″ × 7″.
- Bleed: ⅛″ on all outside edges, for a complete spread size of 10.25″ × 7.25″.
- Outside layout: back cover left and front cover right for a standard portrait card.
- Supply a separate inside spread when ordering inside printing.
- Keep important text, logos and faces away from the trim edges and center score. Remove visible guide lines from your final artwork.
CMYK preferred • High-resolution JPG or TIFF accepted • No PNGs or screenshots • 20 MB maximum. RGB files will be converted to CMYK and slight color shifts may occur.
Find the artwork guide and complete specifications on the greeting card product page.
Greeting Card Finish FAQs
Is high gloss more expensive than matte?
No. Bright Print Works offers both finishes at the same price for each quantity and printing option.
Which finish should I choose for family photographs?
Choose high-gloss front if you want a shiny photographic presentation. Choose matte if you prefer a low-shine look. Either can work with family photos.
Can I print inside a high-gloss greeting card?
Yes. Choose Full Color Outside & Inside. High-gloss front describes the outside finish; inside printing is a separate selection.
Does matte mean uncoated?
Not necessarily. Matte describes a low-shine appearance and should not be treated as a promise of an uncoated or universally writable surface. Contact us if your project has specific coating or handwriting requirements.
Do both finishes include scoring?
Yes. Cards are scored and supplied flat for folding to the finished 5″ × 7″ size.
Your Greeting. Your Finish. One Simple Price.
Matte or High-Gloss Front • Orders from 25 • Scoring Included
Shop Greeting Cards →Questions? Call 800.440.9131 or email brightprintworks@gmail.com.