Ivory Board vs Art Card: Which Should You Use?

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.