The Ultra-Thick Prestige Paper
Up to 80PT thick. Heavier than a credit card. The premium choice for business cards that demand attention.
Professional Prints. Handcrafted Feel
Memorable conversation starters. That's what you get with 4over4.com prints, get creative with our free sample pack and explore a new world of possibilities for branding, advertising, plus personal and business affairs, with a flair.
You won't regret it. Order your Free Sample Pack today and prepare to wow and be wowed.
4OVER4 sends free paper sample kits featuring 50 printed finish samples, from Soft Touch and Metallic Pearl to Diamond Glitter and 100% Cotton. The kit ships free and includes real printed swatches on actual production stock, so you feel exact paper weight, texture, and print quality before ordering. 4OVER4 carries 60+ paper types from 14PT to 80PT, all printed on FSC Certified (#C013635), G7 Certified presses in New York City. Over 150,000 businesses served since 1999.
Get Your Free Sample Pack!
Feeling is believing: our sample pack includes a wide range of paper types, finishes and custom printing options - so you can see what 4over4.com is capable of!
*We hate SPAM. We may send you occasional sample updates, when new products are released, but you may unsubscribe at any time.
Why Samples Matter
Why You Should Touch Paper Before You Order
Screens lie. Every monitor shows color differently. And no screen can tell you how a paper feels between your fingers: whether it bends, how thick it actually is, or if that “soft touch” finish is worth the upgrade.
4OVER4 has printed 10 billion+ cards since 1999. The number one reason for reprint requests across the industry? The customer picked a paper stock they'd never touched. They imagined matte and got something closer to printer paper. They thought 14PT was thick enough and wished they'd gone with 32PT.
That's why 4OVER4 ships free paper sample kits. No guessing. No buyer's remorse. Feel the difference between Kraft and Cotton. Compare Diamond Glitter to Metallic Pearl side by side. Hold an 80PT ultra-thick card and understand why agencies pay extra for it.
Paper choice accounts for over half of a print product's first impression. Get it right the first time.
What's Included
What's in the Free Paper Sample Kit
Each sample is printed on production stock with real ink, not blank paper swatches. What you touch is what you get.
Metallic Pearlescent (Green!)
Iridescent shimmer finish with a luminous, pearl-like quality. Shifts color under different lighting.
Multicolored Metallic Foil
Wonderfoil that shifts color with the viewing angle. A rainbow of metallic hues on every card.
Metallic Gold and Silver Foil
Classic hot-stamped foil in gold and silver. Timeless luxury that people pick up and keep.
Soft Touch, Velvety Paper
Matte, suede-like finish that feels like velvet. The paper people can't stop touching.
Clear, Frosted and White
Plastic card substrates: waterproof, durable, and impossible to bend or tear.
Spot UV
Glossy raised varnish on specific areas creates contrast against a matte background. Sleek and tactile.
Silk Laminated
Smooth, silky lamination with a refined feel. Scratch-resistant and built for a professional finish.
Linens and Cream Papers *14 pt, 16 pt, 18 pt and 24 pt
Classic textured stocks with a traditional, elegant feel. Perfect for stationery and invitations.
3D Lenticular Prints
Animated flip and 3D-depth effects that change as you tilt the card. Unforgettable first impressions.
Uncoated, Recycled and 100% Green
FSC-certified eco-friendly stocks with a natural feel. Responsible sourcing, zero compromise on quality.
Gloss and Uncoated Cardstock - All Time Staple
The everyday workhorse. Glossy for vibrant color pop, uncoated for a clean natural look.
Magnets - For Cars, Refrigerators and More
Flexible magnetic stock that sticks. Business cards, save-the-dates, and promo pieces that stay visible.
White Ink Printing
Opaque white ink on dark or colored substrates. Crisp, bold, and impossible to ignore.
Paper Library
60+ Paper Types: Find the Right Stock for Your Project
4OVER4 carries over 60 paper types. The sample kit gives you a hands-on preview of the most popular finishes. Here's how the full paper library breaks down:
Standard & Coated
14PT Gloss, 14PT Uncoated, 16PT Gloss. The workhorses. Good for business cards, postcards, flyers. Clean, professional, affordable.
Ultra Thick (Prestige Collection)
32PT to 80PT with 12 color seam options. The "hand someone a card and they don't put it down" category. Layer Cake construction with colored centers.
Metallic & Pearl
Metallic Pearl Ice, Champagne, Gold, Silver. StarLustre Platinum. These shimmer. Best for luxury brands, event invitations, high-end business cards.
Kraft & Eco
Biodegradable Kraft in 18PT to 80PT. 100% recycled, minimum 30% post-consumer. Raw, tactile, honest. Works with white ink for contrast.
Cotton & Textured
100% Cotton (Reich Savoy). Feels like stationery from a different era. Pairs with letterpress, blind debossing, and edge painting.
Diamond Glitter
Visible glitter particles in the stock itself. Not a coating, embedded in the paper. Makes a statement. Popular for event invitations and creative business cards.
Soft Touch
32PT to 80PT with a velvety, almost rubbery texture. People touch these cards twice. That's the point.
Synthetic Plastic
Water-resistant, tear-proof, heat-resistant. For outdoor menus, pool passes, luggage tags, anything that gets wet or abused.
Classic Linens & Specialty
Textured weave patterns. Old-school professional feel. Often used for legal, financial, and corporate stationery.
Not sure which paper fits your project? That's exactly what the sample kit is for. Touch them all, then decide.
Browse all paper options by productThickness Reference
Paper Thickness Guide: 14PT to 80PT
“PT” stands for points. One point equals 1/1000 of an inch. A standard cereal box is roughly 18PT. A credit card is about 30PT. Here's how 4OVER4's thickness options compare:
| Thickness | Feels Like | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 14PT | Standard business card | Budget-friendly cards, flyers, postcards |
| 16PT | Slightly thicker postcard | Premium postcards, rack cards |
| 18PT (Kraft) | Cereal box weight | Eco-friendly cards, tags, casual branding |
| 26PT | Noticeably thick | Mid-range business cards, greeting cards |
| 32PT | Credit card territory | Premium business cards, high-end invitations |
| 40PT | Won't bend easily | Prestige cards, luxury packaging inserts |
| 48PT | Rigid, substantial | Statement cards, VIP passes |
| 56PT | Approaching coaster thickness | Ultra-premium business cards |
| 64PT | Board-like rigidity | Architectural cards, display pieces |
| 72PT | Structural weight | Collector cards, rigid tags |
| 80PT | Thick as a thin book cover | Maximum impact, conversation starters |
The sample kit includes swatches at multiple thickness levels. Bend them, stack them, hand them to someone and watch their reaction. That's the best way to choose.
3 Simple Steps
How to Order Your Free Paper Sample Kit
Step 1: Request Your Kit
Fill out the sample request form. Name, address, done. No credit card needed.
Step 2: 4OVER4 Prints and Ships
Your kit gets assembled and shipped from 4OVER4's New York facility. Free shipping via USPS.
Step 3: Touch, Compare, Decide
Fan out the 50 swatches. Feel the difference between Silk and Velvet. Compare Kraft to Cotton. Then order with confidence.
Use Cases
Who Orders Free Paper Samples (and Why)
Graphic Designers Presenting Options to Clients
Show your client three paper options instead of describing them over email. Let them hold Metallic Pearl next to Kraft. Decisions happen faster when people can touch the options.
Wedding Planners Building Invitation Suites
Invitations set the tone for the entire event. Cotton with blind debossing says "timeless." Diamond Glitter says "party." A sample kit lets you match the paper to the couple.
Marketing Agencies Pitching Print Campaigns
When you're speccing a 10,000-piece mailer for a client, paper choice changes the budget and the impact. Present real swatches in the pitch meeting. It closes deals.
Small Businesses Ordering for the First Time
Never ordered printed materials before? Don't guess. Touch the paper, pick your favorite, then order 200 free business cards to test the whole experience.
200 free business cardsE-Commerce Brands Designing Packaging
Unboxing matters. The insert card, the thank-you note, the packaging wrap, all of it. Kraft with white ink for an organic brand. Metallic Pearl for a luxury label. Feel them first.
Photographers and Artists Printing Portfolios
Paper changes how an image reads. Uncoated gives a gallery feel. Gloss punches up color saturation. The only way to know which works for your photos is to hold both.
150,000+ businesses have ordered from 4OVER4 since 1999. From freelancers to Fortune 500 teams at Google, MoMA, and the United Nations. The sample kit is where most of them start.
Side by Side
Free Paper Samples: 4OVER4 vs Other Printers
Most online printers either don't offer samples at all, or send you a thin booklet with a handful of paper swatches. Here's how 4OVER4's sample kit compares:
| Feature | 4OVER4 | Other Printers |
|---|---|---|
| Sample count | 50 printed finish samples | Typically 4-10 swatches |
| Real printed samples | Yes (ink on paper) | Often blank sheets or bound books |
| Specialty finishes included | Yes (foil, scratch-off, glitter, scented) | Rarely included |
| Paper thickness range | 14PT - 80PT | Limited range |
| Total paper library | 60+ types | 10-30 types |
| Ultra thick options (32PT+) | Yes, up to 80PT | Typically not available |
| Shipping | Free | Varies |
| FSC Certified | Yes (#C013635) | Varies |
| G7 Certified | Yes | Varies |
4OVER4 has been printing in New York since 1999. 10 billion+ cards through the presses. The sample kit reflects the actual production quality: same presses, same inks, same paper stock you'll get in your final order.
Quality Assurance
Free Samples, Full Guarantees
Every sample ships with the same five guarantees that cover all 4OVER4 orders.
Premium Quality Guarantee
Premium papers, professional-grade inks, and hands-on quality control on every print job.
110% Price Match Guarantee
Find a lower price anywhere and we beat it by 10%, no matter the order size.
On-Time Delivery Guarantee
Guaranteed on-time arrival with same-day and next-day rush printing available.
Responsive Customer Service Guarantee
Live support from 10AM to 6PM EST weekdays plus instant Live Chat responses.
100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Flawless finishing and printing on every order, or we make it right.
Sustainability
Eco-Friendly Paper Samples from New York
Several papers in the sample kit are made for businesses that care about environmental impact. 4OVER4 has been printing sustainably in Queens, NY since 1999.
Kraft Paper
100% recycled, minimum 30% post-consumer content. Biodegradable. Pairs with white ink for high-contrast printing.
Uncoated Stock
30% post-consumer recycled content. Natural feel, no chemical coatings.
Metallic Pearl
Eco-friendly, recyclable, and biodegradable despite the metallic finish.
Vegetable-Based Inks
Zero VOC emissions. All 4OVER4 presses use vegetable-based inks, not petroleum.
Waterless Printing
Saves approximately 20,000 gallons of water per month compared to traditional offset.
70% Waste Reduction
4OVER4's production waste is 70% below industry average.
FSC Certified (#C013635). Elemental-chlorine-free stock. Acid-free and heavy metal-free materials. Printing doesn't have to trash the planet.
Learn more about 4OVER4's green printing programNext Steps
From Sample Kit to Finished Print: What Happens Next
Once you've picked your paper, ordering from 4OVER4 is straightforward:
Business Cards
60+ paper types, 20+ styles, thickness from 14PT to 80PT. Start with 200 free business cards on 14PT stock, or go straight to premium.
200 free business cardsPostcards & Marketing
17+ postcard styles on the same papers from your sample kit. Direct mail with CASS Certification for bulk campaigns.
Invitations & Events
Save the dates, RSVPs, thank-you cards. Cotton with letterpress for weddings. Diamond Glitter for birthday blowouts.
Stickers & Labels
50+ sticker sizes, 25+ premium sticker papers. Same quality standards, different application.
Custom Projects
If it exists on paper, 4OVER4 can print it. Custom die-cuts, unusual sizes, kitting and fulfillment. Talk to a real person about it.
Custom project requestHave questions about which paper fits your project? Call 718-932-2700 and talk to a real person. Not a chatbot. Not a phone tree. A human who knows paper.
Our Story
Partner With Innovators
They told us we were crazy. We don't want to be sane.
1999
The Beginning
In 1999, Google was barely starting out. WiFi didn't exist. People were afraid of Y2K. And two best friends, second-generation immigrants and patent-holding engineers in Queens, New York, launched 4OVER4.COM as the second web-based printer in the entire United States.
First
The Innovation
4OVER4 was the first printer to introduce full-color printing with 24 to 48 hour turnaround. When the industry said it couldn't be done that fast, they did it anyway. No compromises, no excuses, just engineering.
Today
27 Years and Counting
Over 350 products. More than 6,000 possible combinations. 150,000+ businesses served, from solo freelancers to Google and the United Nations. A facility in Queens that still runs on vegetable inks and waterless presses, built that way from day one because it was the right thing to do.
1999Founded
350+Products
6,000+Combinations
150K+Businesses
Social Proof
What Customers Say About 4OVER4
“The sample kit saved me hours of back-and-forth with clients. Now I just hand them the swatches and they choose on the spot. The Soft Touch finish is always the crowd favorite.”
“We ordered the free samples before committing to a 5,000-piece run for our rebrand. The paper quality blew us away, especially the metallic pearl. Our business cards get compliments at every meeting.”
“I keep a 4OVER4 sample kit at every client consultation. Brides love touching the cotton and linen stocks. It closes the deal every single time. Can't recommend enough.”
FAQ
Everything You Need to Know About Free Paper Samples
Are the paper samples really free?
Yes. 4OVER4 ships the sample kit at no charge. No credit card, no hidden fees. Fill out the request form with your shipping address and the kit arrives via USPS. Free.
What's included in the free sample kit?
50 real printed finish swatches. Each one is actual ink on actual production paper, not blank sheets. You get samples of Silk Laminated, Velvet, Metallic Pearl, Diamond Glitter, Kraft, 100% Cotton, Ultra Thick Layer Cake, Synthetic Plastic, Scratch-Off Foil, Scented Ink, and more. The full list is in the "What's in the Kit" section above.
How long does it take to receive the sample kit?
Sample kits typically ship within a few business days from 4OVER4's New York facility. Delivery time depends on your location. Most US addresses receive the kit within 5-7 business days via USPS.
Do you ship sample kits internationally?
Free sample kits ship to US addresses. For international orders, contact 4OVER4's customer service at 718-932-2700 to discuss options.
How many paper types does 4OVER4 offer?
Over 60 paper types in total. The sample kit includes 50 printed finish samples. The full library covers Ultra Thick (up to 80PT), Metallic Pearl, Kraft, Cotton, Diamond Glitter, Soft Touch, Synthetic Plastic, Classic Linens, and standard coated/uncoated stocks. Different products have different paper availability.
What's the thickest paper available?
80PT. That's about as thick as a thin book cover. 4OVER4 offers the Prestige Collection with thickness options at 32PT, 40PT, 48PT, 56PT, 64PT, 72PT, and 80PT, each with 12 color seam options for the Ultra Thick Layer Cake construction.
How do I choose the right paper for business cards?
Start with the sample kit. Touch the papers, bend them, hand them to someone. For a classic professional look: 14PT or 16PT coated gloss. For a premium feel: 32PT Soft Touch. For luxury: 48PT+ with Metallic Pearl or Cotton. For eco-conscious brands: Kraft or uncoated recycled. The "right" paper depends entirely on your brand and audience, and there's no universal answer, which is why the sample kit exists.
Is the sample kit the same quality as actual orders?
Yes. The swatches come off the same G7 Certified presses, using the same inks and papers as production orders. What you feel in the sample kit is what you get when you order. 4OVER4 doesn't make a "sample grade" version.
Can I order samples of a specific paper type?
The standard free kit includes 50 printed finish samples. If you need samples of a specific paper type not in the kit, contact 4OVER4 at 718-932-2700 or through the custom project form. They'll work with you.
What makes 4OVER4's paper different from other online printers?
Range and quality. Most online printers carry 10-20 paper types. 4OVER4 has 60+ types with thickness options up to 80PT. Every job runs on FSC Certified, G7 Certified presses in New York, not outsourced to a third-party print farm. The 30-point quality check by real technicians catches issues that automated systems miss. That's how 4OVER4 has maintained a 4.8-star Google rating while printing 10 billion+ cards since 1999.
Get Started
Get Your Free Paper Sample Kit
50 printed finish samples. 60+ paper types behind them. Free shipping. Touch the paper, then decide.
