Ivory Board vs Art Card: Which Should You Use?
16 Aug 2026 · Store Owner
The difference is the coating
Ivory board is coated on one side. Art card is coated on both. That single distinction drives every practical difference between them.
Ivory board
The coated face takes sharp, saturated printing. The uncoated reverse stays absorbent, which means glue bonds to it properly. That is why cartons, book covers and folding packaging are specified in ivory board — the box has to hold together.
Art card
Both faces print equally well, so anything read from both sides works: presentation folders, swing tags, double-sided business cards, invitations. The trade-off is that glue does not key into a coated surface as reliably.
Choosing
If it gets glued or folded into a container, use ivory board. If it gets printed on both sides and stays flat, use art card. For business cards either works, though art card gives a more even feel in the hand.
Read next
- How to Choose the Right GSM for Your Project
GSM is the single most important paper specification. This guide matches weights to jobs.
- Complete Guide to Paper Types in Kenya
From A4 photocopy paper to ivory board and woodfree offset — how to choose the right paper for your project in Kenya.
