
- Cotton Cardstock. Cotton cardstock is relatively smooth to the touch but still highly absorbent (unlike vellum or shimmery cardstock) which makes it great for both laser and inkjet printing.
- Linen Cardstock. Like the name suggests, linen cardstock is made to look like linen fabric with a delicate woven texture and matte finish.
- Canvas Cardstock. Canvas cardstock has a textured feel to it, but the texture is a little more noticeable than with linen.
- Parchment. Parchment is a thin, semi-translucent paper that has a slight marbled look to it. ...
- Felt Cardstock. In the world of cardstock, felt is unique. It’s a thick cardstock that has a texture somewhere between cotton and canvas—smooth and yet coarse.
- Kraft. Kraft, or recycled cardstock, has a rustic, on-trend look that I’ve been seeing more and more of lately.
- Vellum. Translucent vellum looks gorgeous on its own or layered over an illustration, artwork or a photo. ...
- Colored Cardstock. Simple colored cardstock most closely resembles thick craft paper you’d find at the store. It’s incredibly smooth, without any texture or grain.
- Wood Grain Cardstock. Wood grain cardstock is having a moment, so I decided to include it even though it’s more decorative than the other papers.
- Laid Cardstock. One of the lesser known papers for wedding invitations, laid cardstock has subtle vertical ridges traveling the length of the paper.
What is cardstock used for?
This balance between durability and flexibility makes cardstock ideal for a number of crafting and design applications. Card stock is also sometimes referred to as “cover stock”. While the terms “card stock” and “cover stock” are roughly analogous, there are subtle differences between the two:
What should I consider when choosing card stock?
If your project calls for card stock, Part 5 of the Ultimate Guide to Card Stock will help you narrow down your choices by highlighting some of the most important considerations for ensuring your work looks its best, including basis weight, sheet size, and paper finish.
What is the best cardstock for greeting cards?
Vellum is a thin translucent paper that can be purchased in cardstock. It's really beautiful for embellishing cards and you can get some great effects using your craft paper punch or a die cut machine with vellum paper. What are the essentials when it comes to the best cardstock for greeting cards?
How do I choose the best weight cardstock for card making?
If you’re considering the best weight cardstock for card making, you have two considerations to work with. First, since greeting cards are generally folded, you need a cardstock that can fold either on its own or with scoring.

What is the best card stock for cards?
Usually, 350 gsm card stock is considered the best paper weight for printing greeting cards.
How do I choose the right card stock?
A good rule of thumb is the higher the weight in pounds, the thicker the cardstock. The thicker the cardstock, the better your invitations will look and feel, especially if you're printing them yourself.
What kind of cardstock is used for cards?
The first type of paper you'll want is a heavy-weight cardstock for the base of your card (ie. card base). The most common cardstock sizes are 8 ½” x 11″ (North America) and A4. I always choose white, and my cardstock of choice is Stampin' Up!'s Whisper White Thick cardstock (100 lb).
What is 67 lb cardstock used for?
67 lb. Our standard cardstock can be considered a lightweight cardstock. It's noticeably thicker than paper, but it's not the heaviest of cardstocks. It runs smoothly through inkjet and laser printers, and can be used to create printed pieces such as invitations, posters, business cards, and more.
What is 65 lb cardstock used for?
greeting cards65lb cover (176 GSM): on the thinner end of cardstock, this cardstock thickness is often used for posters, menus, greeting cards, postcards, tickets, and other crafts.
What is the difference between 65lb and 110lb cardstock?
110 lb cardstock is almost twice the weight of 65 lb cardstock, with 130 lb cardstock being the heaviest (as far as I know) so if you want the heavier of the two, go for the 110 lb cardstock instead of the 65 lb cardstock.
What thickness is card stock paper?
card is 0.010 in (0.254 mm) thick (roughly corresponding to a weight of 250 g/m2), and 12 pt. is 0.012 in (0.3048 mm).
What is the difference between card and cardstock?
What is Card Stock? Card stock, sometimes spelled “cardstock”, is thicker and more durable than regular printer paper, but it's thinner and more flexible than cardboard. This balance between durability and flexibility makes cardstock ideal for a number of crafting and design applications.
What thickness are playing cards?
Typical playing card dimensions- Standard playing card decks are 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches (64mm X 89mm) and 0.17mm and 0.24mm thick. Bridge size playing cards come in at 2.25 inches by 3.5 inches (57mm X 89mm). Most cards have a weight of 280gsm (grams per square meter).
Is 80 lb cardstock good for postcards?
It is a medium weight card stock that will go through almost any type of printer. The 80 lb card stock is the most common weight of card stock, and is used for DIY invitations, card making, scrapbooking, flyers, post cards, die-cutting, menus, craft projects, program, and business cards.
Is 85 lb cardstock good for invitations?
Generally, for invitation cardstock, you don't want to go any lighter than 53 lbs, but thicker cardstock will look and feel more formal and elegant.
What does 80 lb cardstock mean?
January 21, 2015. 80 lb card stock is a type of paper that is usually thicker and stronger than most common printing paper. It is also referred to by names like “pasteboard,” “paper stock,” or “paperboard”. At Printivity, we generally refer to “80 lb card stock” as 80 lb cover.
What if I need more help choosing the right cardstock?
If you need help choosing the right cardstock thickness, our comprehensive Paper Finder can help you locate the most appropriate type of cardstock for any project.
How is cardstock classified?
As a general rule, cardstock is thicker, sturdier and more durable than standard paper.
What is the most common cardstock thickness?
As mentioned, varying projects call for different cardstock thickness.
What is double thick cardstock?
Double thick cardstock is heavier and thicker than standard cardstock. Used for very specified products, double thick cardstock is made of two sheets of cardstock pasted together.
Why buy cardstock from Paperworks?
At Paperworks, we are dedicated to assisting you through all stages of your cardstock buying process. From start to finish, our paper pros will ensure that you have all of your questions answered.
What is 110 lb cardstock?
110lb cover (284 GSM): on the thicker end of the cardstock spectrum, this extra-heavy cardstock is used for deliverables including thick business cards and thick invitations.
Why is it important to look for inkjet printers that can handle the thickness of cardstock?
It is important to look for inkjet printers that can handle the thickness of cardstock, in order to avoid common issues such as tearing, curling, marking, and printer jams.
Why do you use weight on cardstock?
This is actually a good thing for consumers, even though it is confusing. Because weight takes into account the actual thickness of the paper, you can use weight to determine whether a sheet of cardstock is too thick for your home printer to handle.
What scale do you use to determine the right cardstock?
To understand how that happens, you have to understand the US paper density scale, which will, in turn, help you identify the right cardstock for a given situation.
How Do You Choose the Right Paper Weight?
So, if paper weight is so variable and the actual metrics used to determine it aren’t actually concrete, how do you know what paper weight is the right fit?
How much paper can a printer handle?
Most consumer-grade printers can handle 80 lb to 100 lb paper, but not all can, so make sure to check your printer’s weight capacity. That said, heavy papers typically start at 80 lbs and up, and bond paper, for example, can be as light as 20 lbs or as heavy as 72 lbs.
Is cardstock thinner than regular paper?
Cardstock is thicker than regular printer paper but thinner and more flexible than cardboard, sort of a happy medium between the two. It’s also referred to as cover paper.
Is paper weight standardized?
On the other hand, paper weight may be standardized, but the methods of producing paper are not. This means that weight can mean something quite different between one manufacturer and the next.
Is gloss cardstock the same as metallic cardstock?
Keep in mind that the thickness and weight of these cardstocks may be quite different. Our gloss cardstock is technically the same weight as our Curious Metallic cardstock, but the inclusion of a gloss finish means the paper will not fold as easily, since the paper is stiffer and it may actually be thicker.
What is Card Stock?
Card stock, sometimes spelled “cardstock”, is thicker and more durable than regular printer paper, but it’s thinner and more flexible than cardboard. This balance between durability and flexibility makes cardstock ideal for a number of crafting and design applications.
What is part 2 of the Ultimate Guide to Card Stock?
Part 2 of the Ultimate Guide to Card Stock will define paper weight and outline the different ways that card stocks are weighed and sold. We’ll explore uses for some of the most common weights, and provide suggestions for some of our most popular stocks.
What is the difference between card stock and cover stock?
While the terms “card stock” and “cover stock” are roughly analogous, there are subtle differences between the two: Card stock is typically smoother and more generic in appearance, and is often measured and sold according to caliper, or thickness in points. We’ll explain what this means in Part 2!
What is card stock used for?
The wide selection of finishes, weights, sizes, colors, and finishing services available make card stock an easy tool for customizing, upgrading or embellishing a project.
What are the different types of cardstock?
The variety of weights, sizes, colors and finishes that card stock is available in makes it suitable for a wide range of both professional and creative uses, including: 1 Background and cover pages 2 Booklets 3 Business cards 4 Embellishments 5 Tags 6 Borders & photo mats 7 Mixed media 8 Greeting cards & invitations 9 Die-cutting 10 Scrapbooking 11 Artist trading cards
How to know what weights your printer can handle?
If you’re printing at home, consult your printer’s owner’s manual to see what weights your machine can handle. If you’re working with a commercial printer, make sure to ask for their input on which weights are compatible with their equipment in order to achieve the look you want. You may also wish to explore professional finishing services, such as cutting and scoring, so your work isn’t damaged when you’re putting it together later.
What is paper choice?
Paper choice affects the way your work is received and shapes the opinion of your intended audience. This is an opportunity to present them with a tactile experience that conveys the quality, tone, and style of your work. Here are some guidelines for selecting whether to use paper or card stock: Paper. Card Stock.
Can you emboss with too thick stock?
When it comes to embossing, if you choose a stock that’s too thick, it may not emboss properly. Aim for the sweet spot right around 80 lb cover. With regards to crafting or artwork, it’s important to remember that thin or transparent sheets can show glue and may pucker.
Does paper finish affect card stock?
Since it can affect how card stock takes ink, paper finish plays a big role if you’re planning on using your card stock for printing. It’s important to keep this in mind while making your selection, and to know what type of finish will work best for your purposes:
Is it better to use paper or card stock?
There are benefits to using both paper and card stock. A light sheet of paper is just as capable at conveying high quality as a heavy sheet of card stock, so be sure to consider your own personal preference while keeping in mind whose hands the work will end up in, as well as what is practical for your project and your budget.
Which is better, textured or smooth cardstock?
I generally prefer textured cardstock because I like the look, but if I’m going to be using the write/draw or print then cut features, I like smooth cardstock better. Textured cardstock is usually smooth on the other side, and so it’s easy to just put it textured side down on the mat if you want to use the pens with your Cricut. Check out this post to learn how to write on the inside of your cards.
What is the weight of cricut cardstock?
Cardstock weight can vary from brand to brand (even when the number is the same), but in the U.S., the most common weights are 65, 80, 100, and 110 pound. I usually use 80#, which is what Cricut cardstock is. I find 65# to be a little too thin for my projects, but it can be great for layering.
What is the best paper for straight cuts?
There’s always an exception, and for me this is Cricut Deluxe Paper, which is usually patterned on one side and a coordinating solid on the other. The Cricut Deluxe Paper is white core, but is high enough quality that it will do well for straight cuts.
Is AC cardstock good quality?
AC Cardstock is good quality and is widely available. They have bulk packs of single colors as well as variety packs. The cardstock is packaged in boxes with tear-away tops for easy storage. This brand is my go-to for projects where I am making large quantities of the same thing, like teacher gifts.
Can you use cardstock with a Cricut?
However, not all cardstock is good for using with a Cricut, and just like everything else, you get what you pay for. Also, paper crafters have different preferences, and it may take some experimenting to find cardstock that you like to use.
CARDSTOCK
Let’s get down to the basics of choosing the right paper. There are tons of different types of paper out there, which are designated by weight. What we are all most familiar with is the copy/printer paper that is used in offices and homes. This type of paper is generally 20 lb.
COLORS & FINISHES
This is the fun part. When choosing the color or finish of the cardstock for your event or wedding favor tags, think about your theme. This doesn’t always need to be as obvious as pulling one of your wedding colors – ours were yellow and blue.
SUPPLIES
Once you have chosen your cardstock, you might be thinking “How the heck am I going to cut all of these tags out?”. My recommendation is to use a table top paper trimmer to keep your lines straight, and help the process go a little faster.
FINISHING TOUCHES
Now that wasn’t so bad! Once you’ve chosen your paper, printed your tags, trimmed them and added the holes, all that is left is to tie them on to whatever favor you have chosen, and marvel at the beautiful final product! Choosing the material to tie on your favor tags will again depend on your preference and theme.
SHARE THE LOVE
It is so interesting to see how everyone customizes my favor tags to their own unique event and vision. Share photos on social media and make sure to tag me in them, I would love to see what you come up with! Good luck!
