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Colored Paper and Cardstock Guide

Whether you’re about to start a crafting project or have a large printing job ahead of you, it is important to understand your options when it comes to cardstock paper. There are a wide variety of colors to choose from, as well as different finishes. Each color comes in various sizes and offers different weight options.

The heavier the weight, the thicker the paper will be. The lightest weight options serve best as ordinary paper or printer paper. As you go into the heavier weights, the paper will be stronger and will work best for invitations, cards, and the like. The different color options come in various sizes as well. The most common paper size is the 8×11 inch size, but there are both smaller and larger options available as well.

There are no right and wrong options in terms of what you would like to choose. It comes down to understanding your project and selecting the color and size that speaks best to your desired outcome. Continue reading this colored paper and cardstock guide to get started on your project.

Colored Paper and Cardstock

If you’re a preschool teacher and are looking to add color cardstock paper to your classroom art section, you can find a great selection here. Ordinary construction paper does not withstand scribbles and painting jobs as well as colored cardstock would. A better quality paper with a more significant weight to it will allow the children to take pride in their work and not get frustrated when it crumbles before their eyes.

Of course, there are many other situations in which you may require colored cardstock paper. Crafting is not limited to any specific age group. You may be making invitations, thank you cards, holiday cards, or holiday decorations. With varying shades of blue, green, orange, pink, red, and more, there’s sure to be a color that suits your project’s needs.

If you are planning a more typical printing project, colored copy paper would be a more appropriate material to use. Colored printer paper offers a lighter weight and would work well for flyers, pamphlets, newsletters, and the like.

 

Pastel Color Paper & Cardstock

Pastel Colored Paper and Cardstock

Some projects require more muted colors. For example, an invitation for a baby shower would look best on pastel colored paper. Pastel cardstock comes in a variety of colors and sizes. Click here to view all available options. With three different size options, you can customize your selection based on your desired look.

Baby shower invitations would work best on the 8.5 x 11 cardstock size. With over ten colors to choose from, you can choose to go the more traditional route with a lilac or pink option for a girl, or you can break the mold and go with a canary or green color. Be as gender specific or gender neutral as you would like. You can then select a complementary color in the 11 x 17 cardstock size to create decorations.

Colored pastel paper can also be used for signage in the workplace. White colored paper sometimes fades into the background a little too much, whereas bright colored paper may be too loud for a corporate environment. Pastel paper offers the perfect balance. Available in three different sizes and two paper weights, you can select the paper best suited for your needs here.

 

Bright Color Paper & Cardstock

Bright Colored Paper and Cardstock

Meanwhile, some projects require loud colors that will grab your attention. Bright color paper will draw the eye to whatever message you are trying to convey. If you are printing flyers about a beloved missing dog, a neon colored paper will help people take notice and hopefully assist in locating your cherished pet. Similarly, if you are posting signs about guitar lessons or any other service you would like to offer, a bright color will best serve your needs.

Bright color cardstock would be best for birthday party invitations with a louder theme. For example, if you are hosting a dinosaur themed party, a terra green colored cardstock party invitation would be the perfect choice. Also available in three different size options, you can take advantage of the array of bright colors to create themed party decorations, party signage, and more.

 

Metallic Color Cardstock

Metallic Cardstock

There are certain projects that require a little something extra. Click here to view our curious metallic paper collection. Metallic cardstock paper offers an elegance that cannot be found in ordinary paper. It elevates the simple do it yourself project into something extravagant and Gatsby-like. Not every occasion calls for such shimmery elegance, but when required, it is imperative to get it right.

Imagine you are hosting a New Year’s Eve party, invitations printed on white, red, or really any ordinary color would not do the party justice. However, an invitation printed on a 5×7 gold foil cardstock would be perfect. Available in even more size options, you can go the extra mile to incorporate the gold cardstock into all aspects of your party design. From invitations to letter cutouts to signage above the food and drink stations, the options are endless when it comes to customizing your party’s unique look.

Silver metallic cardstock is another great option when it comes to portraying elegance. For example, as a save the date card for a vow renewal ceremony. There are so many special occasions in life which call for the class and elegance that only a metallic cardstock paper can convey.

The beauty of any type of paper, whether pastel colored, bright colored, or metallic, is the ability to take a blank canvas and turn it into something spectacularly unique. You can transform that blank slate into a memory that will last a lifetime. The customization options are entirely up to you. Simply browse our large selection of both paper and cardstock paper and get started.