The 5 Most Common Card Finishes

When it comes to designing custom game cards, the finish you choose can dramatically affect not only the look and feel of the card but also its durability and usability. Card finishes protect the surface, enhance visual appeal, and improve handling.

Here’s a guide to the five most common card finishes used in the board and card game industry.

Table of Contents

A Summary Comparison Chart

Card Finish	Appearance	Texture / Feel	Cost	Durability	Fingerprint Resistance
Gloss Finish	Shiny, vibrant colors	Smooth	Medium	Low	Low-Medium
Matte Finish	Muted, subtle colors	Smooth, non-reflective	Medium	High	Low-Medium
Linen Finish	Soft, slightly muted colors	Textured, fabric-like	High	High	Medium
UV Coating	Glossy or selective glossy (spot UV)	Smooth, sometimes raised	High	High	Medium-High
Foil Finish	Metallic or holographic shine	Smooth to slightly raised	Medium	Medium	High

Here’s a detailed comparison chart based on the five most common card finishes. If you want to know more info, please keep reading below…

1. Gloss Finish

Gloss finish is one of the most popular and widely recognized card coatings, providing a shiny, reflective surface that enhances the brightness and vibrancy of printed colors. This finish makes cards look sleek and professional, giving them a high-end retail appeal.

This sheen also brings out the details in complex artwork, especially those with vivid or photographic elements. It’s ideal for card games or collector cards that rely on eye-catching visuals.

Pros	Cons
Enhances the vibrancy and saturation of colors. Smooth surface allows easy shuffling and handling. Adds a professional, high-quality appearance.	Can show fingerprints and smudges more easily. Slightly more reflective, which can create glare under bright lights.

2. Matte Finish

Matte finish offers a smooth, non-reflective surface that gives cards a soft and elegant look. The texture is smooth but slightly velvety, providing a pleasant tactile feel that enhances shuffling and gameplay.

It’s a favorite among professional card game players because it reduces glare under lighting and offers excellent handling properties.

Pros	Cons
Reduces glare, making cards easier to read under bright lighting. Hides fingerprints and smudges better than gloss. Provides a sophisticated, subtle aesthetic.	Colors may appear less vibrant compared to gloss finishes. Slightly more prone to showing scratches over time.

3. Linen (Textured) Finish

Linen, or textured finish, is distinguished by its embossed crosshatch or woven pattern that adds texture to the surface of the card. The subtle texture of a linen finish improves air circulation between cards, reducing friction during shuffling and dealing.

This finish not only looks appealing but also provides practical benefits, making it one of the most popular choices for professional playing cards. The texture also gives cards a unique visual depth that looks elegant under various lighting conditions.

Pros	Cons
Reduces sticking and friction when shuffling large decks. Adds a distinctive tactile feel, enhancing the user experience. Hides minor scratches and wear better than smooth finishes.	Textured surface can slightly reduce sharpness of printed images. Can feel rough to some players who prefer a smoother surface.

4. UV Coating (Spot or Full)

UV coating is a high-gloss liquid coating cured with ultraviolet light, applied either across the entire card (full UV) or on selected areas (spot UV). This finish enhances visual contrast and adds a protective layer that resists scuffing and moisture.

Full UV coating creates a mirror-like shine over the whole surface, making artwork pop with depth and saturation. Spot UV, on the other hand, is used to highlight specific design elements such as logos, titles, or icons – adding a dynamic contrast between glossy and matte areas.

Pros	Cons
Protects cards from water, dirt, and general wear. Spot UV can highlight logos, characters, or text for an eye-catching effect. Provides a glossy or semi-gloss finish depending on the technique.	Can be more expensive than standard finishes. Spot UV requires precise alignment during production.

5. Foil Finish (Holographic or Metallic)

Foil finish represents the pinnacle of luxury and creativity in card design. It involves applying a thin metallic or holographic film to the card surface using heat and pressure, resulting in striking reflective effects that captivate the eye.

Foil finishes come in various types – metallic, gold, silver, rainbow holographic, and custom color foils. Depending on your choice, the result can range from a subtle shimmer to a dazzling spectrum of colors that shift under light.

Pros	Cons
Creates a high-end, collectible look. Can emphasize special cards, logos, or illustrations. Offers reflective and holographic effects that catch the eye.	Generally more expensive and complex to produce. Foil areas can be prone to scratches if handled roughly.