Plastic vs paper business cards Which card gets kept?
An honest comparison of durability, feel, options and cost — including when paper is the better choice.
Side by side
| Plastic | Paper | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Rigid PVC (or recycled PVC) | Card stock, typically 350–450gsm |
| Durability | Waterproof, tear-proof, doesn’t crease | Bends, absorbs water, frays at corners |
| Feel | Bank-card weight and edge | Depends on stock and finish |
| Options | Clear, frosted, metallic, foil, NFC, magnetic stripe | Wide range of papers, foils and textures |
| Cost | From £79 for 100 here (ex VAT) | Usually lower per card |
| Kept for | Often stays in a wallet | Easier to discard |
When plastic is worth it
Plastic business cards cost more per card than paper, so they earn their place where a card has to last or stand out: trades who hand cards over on site, salons and studios whose card sits on a fridge, consultants who want to be remembered, and anyone using a card as a loyalty or NFC tap card as well.
Published UK specialist prices for 100 full-colour plastic business cards were around £85 ex VAT in October 2026 — more than a typical paper run, but low enough to make sense for anyone who hands out cards thoughtfully rather than by the thousand.
When paper is better
Paper still wins if you need thousands of cards to hand out at events, change your details often, or want an uncoated textured paper look. It’s also simpler to recycle at home. If that’s you, a plastic card might still make sense for a smaller run of “keeper” cards for key contacts.
FAQs
Are plastic business cards worth it?
If your card needs to survive real use or be remembered, usually yes. If you hand out large volumes or change details often, paper is better value.
Can plastic business cards be recycled?
It depends on the material and local facilities. Recycled PVC stock is available if a lower-impact material matters to you.
Are plastic business cards the same size as paper?
Nearly: plastic cards are CR80 (85.60 × 53.98mm) with rounded corners; UK paper cards are usually 85 × 55mm.
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