At a glance
- The core is the layer in the middle of the sheet.
- Its colour does not describe the surface finish.
- A stated construction does not prove equivalence with an official card.
Read a sheet’s layers
Card paper combines printable faces with a middle layer. The core contributes to opacity and handling; the surface coating receives ink and determines part of the appearance.
Black Core means a black core, and White Core a white one. The holographic and Surge Foil products have a blue core; Silver and Golden metallic products a transparent core. Do not group these constructions under Black Core.
The core does not choose the finish
Matte and Luster share a black core but reflect light differently. Conversely, two shiny-looking papers can differ in core and accepted ink.
Read finish, faces, core, weight and thickness separately. Each answers a different question; none alone can establish printer compatibility.
Compare without a reproduction promise
To assess a finished card, compare a printed, cut sample in the intended sleeve under the same lighting. Holding it in front of a lamp is not a standardised opacity measurement.
A core name proves neither a particular stiffness nor handling identical to official cards. Choose media for your authorised creations and check the result you want with your play group.
Three layers, and a choice for each side
- FrontMatte, inkjet receptive coatingSatin (luster), inkjet receptive coatingHolographic, shifting reflections
- CoreBlack (Black Core)Black (Black Core)Blue
- BackMatte, printableSatin, printableMatte, printable
330 gsm · 370 to 375 µm · matte on both sides
300 gsm · 350 µm · satin on both sides
330 gsm · 370 to 375 µm · holo front, matte back
Schematic cross-section, thickness enlarged. Specifications declared by the supplier.
Papers in the current catalogue
Nominal supplier values, not an in-house print test. Prices and stock are checked on the product page. Where a value is missing, no compatibility is inferred.
| Paper | gsm · µm | Formats |
|---|---|---|
| Double-sided Matte Paper · Black Core · 330 gsm | 330 gsm 370-375 µm | A4 |
| Holographic Front / Matte Back Paper · Blue Core | 330 gsm 370-375 µm | A4 |
| Double-sided Semi-Gloss Paper · White Core · 300 gsm | 300 gsm 360 µm | A4 |
| Double-sided Silver Holographic Paper · 385 gsm | 385 gsm 315 µm | A4 |
Questions about this guide
Is holographic paper necessarily Black Core?
No. Our holographic product has a blue core. Finish and core colour are separate properties.
Does a black core guarantee perfect opacity?
The name describes the middle layer. Without a published measurement for the specific sheet, do not assign it an absolute opacity value.
Sources
Manufacturer limits apply to the media and feed paths stated in each document. A documentary match is not a physical test of our cardstock.
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