Metallic & Pearl Variants

Metallic Cardstock Options

Our metallic cardstock options have become a standout choice for artists creating limited-edition prints, variant covers, and fan art collectibles. These specialty papers add visual depth — the paper itself reflects light differently across the surface, giving each print a finish that stands out at conventions, in shops, and online.

Available in three finishes:

• Metallic Gold (100# Cover) — A heavyweight gold-finish cardstock designed for variants and limited-edition prints. The gold finish replaces white areas in your artwork and can shift other colors unpredictably, which is the point. Best suited for bold designs with high contrast and strong line work.
• Pearl Silver (80# Cover) — A pearlescent paper with a soft silver shimmer that catches the light. Ideal for elegant prints, holiday designs, and limited runs where you want a refined, premium feel without the strong color shift of metallic gold.
• Pearl Rose (80# Cover) — A warm pearlescent paper with a subtle pink-rose shimmer. Popular for romantic, fantasy, and feminine-themed artwork. The pearl finish is more subtle than gold or silver, preserving more of your original color palette while adding a luminous quality.

When to Choose Metallic Cardstock

• Variant covers and limited editions — The premium feel of metallic stock signals exclusivity to collectors and reinforces the limited-run value of your release.
• Convention sales and artist alley — Metallic prints stand out in a sea of standard prints and command higher price points without significantly higher production costs.
• Holiday and seasonal designs — Gold and silver finishes pair naturally with winter, holiday, and celebratory themes.
• Fan art and collectibles — A metallic variant gives fans a reason to buy a print they might already own in standard format.

Design Tips for Metallic Printing

• Heavy areas of pure white on Metallic Gold will be gold — those areas will print as gold, which is the paper showing through. Pearl Silver and Pearl Rose are more subtle and preserve whites better.
  
• Submit files in CMYK at 300 DPI with proper bleed, same as our standard print specifications.
• High-contrast designs print best. Bold linework and strong color blocks translate well to metallic stock; soft gradients and photographic detail can lose definition.

Add a metallic variant to your order today by selecting it from the paper options at checkout, or contact us at contact@printkeg.com for guidance on whether metallic is right for your project.