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Uncoated vs Pearl vs Linen: Which Cardstock is Best for Wedding Menus?

Writer's picture: Noora ZahediNoora Zahedi

Gold and white image design. Close up of pearl cardstock, uncoated cardstock, and linen cardstock in circles. It reads "Which cardstock is best for wedding menus?" at the top. Persis Print logo in top left corner.
The cardstock you choose depends on the vibe and aesthetic of your wedding day.

Is cardstock a different term for paper?

On a daily basis, cardstock is reserved for kids’ late-night dollar store trips for their research projects, and paper is an all-encompassing term for papers of all thickness. In print, because the thickness, brightness, and feel of the paper type is important to the customer and to the print process, we refer to thicker papers as cardstock.


To avoid miscommunication when inquiring about your project or getting a quote, if you’re looking for thick paper, ask for cardstock, and the Persis Print team will know what you're looking for. Here we will look at three different types of cardstock commonly used for ceremonies and weddings, and we can decide together which cardstock is best for wedding menus.


 

What is uncoated cardstock?


Two pictures of menus printed on uncoated cardstock side by side.
Uncoated cardstock has a more natural feel.

Most cardstocks have a coating. This is what makes them glossy or matte, and gives them different finishes. Uncoated cardstock is similar to matte cardstock in its feel, but has a more natural feel and texture that sets it aside and makes it different to regular finished. It is specially beautiful with white background prints, common with menus and wedding items, due to it’s absorbency of ink.


 

What is pearl cardstock?


Two pictures of menus printed on pearl cardstock side by side.
With Pearl cardstock, the cardstock is the showstopper.

Pearl cardstock is a special cardstock finish that has a pearl-like glow and shine. Because of its finish, it usually comes in an off-white colour, and is most often used for ceremonial and special occasions like greeting cards, invitation cards, and menus. With Pearl cardstock, the cardstock is the showstopper, not the print or design itself.


 

What is linen cardstock?


Two pictures of menus printed on linen cardstock side by side.
Linen cardstock has a woven texture.

Linen cardstock is another special cardstock finish that has a woven texture and feel. If looked at closely, it has a woven tartan-like texture, and is similar to watercolour paper texture. Linen cardstock is often used for certificates and menus. Due to its texture, it’s more fit for simple text prints and stands out with solid backgrounds.


 

How does the print quality compare?

Both pearl cardstock and linen cardstock are best with simpler designs. Due to their texture, the quality on full-colour photos is not as vibrant as uncoated cardstocks. For wedding menus, all 3 types of cardstocks have beautiful and sharp print quality using our machines at Persis Print.


 

Which cardstock is the best for my wedding menus?

The cardstock you choose depends on the vibe and aesthetic of your wedding day. Pearl has an off-white colour and shiny finish, which can be a deciding factor. If you’re looking for luxury options, both Pearl and Linen are worthy contenders. Uncoated cardstock is perfect for clean or minimal aesthetics, and tends to be more money-wise.


 

Final Takeaways

Uncoated cardstock, Pearl cardstock, and Linen cardstock are all great options for wedding menus. They do, however, have different styles that match different wedding themes. The texture differences and levels of brightness can be a deciding factor for brides and grooms. When asking for sample prints or examples of past work, the Persis Print team can help you find the best paper for your vision.

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