Subject: Paper and Cardstock

Want to preserve the memories of that recent trip you took to Italy? Or maybe you’ve been going through old family photos and decided it was time to start scrapbooking. Not only is scrapbooking a fun hobby and a great way to showcase your experiences, it is also a great stress-reliever and memory keeper. You can keep your scrapbooks on your coffee table for visitors to see, enjoy looking at and reliving your great memories over and over again.

For beginners, here is a basic list of scrapbooking supplies you’ll need to get started:

• Scrapbook album
• Photos
• Scrapbooking paper- Card stock and patterned
• Scissors
• Adhesive
• Embellishments
• Oval Template

It’s easy to get started once you decide on the theme, the photos you would like to include as well as creating your layout before you start.

What Is Scrapbooking?

Fun fact: the first known scrapbook was created even before the invention of photographs! The book, entitled “Manuscript Gleanings and Literary Scrap Book” was published in 1830 by a male, John Poole, not a female. (Scrapbooking is not just for women!) It contained his printed poems and engravings.

Which begs the question, what does one put in a scrapbook? The answer is, pretty much anything you want. Thank-you cards you want to preserve, pressed flowers from a special occasion, selected poems or quotes that have meaning to you. Include newspaper clippings, movie stubs, or even some sand from your favorite beach!

If you are new to this you may be asking, “What does a scrapbook look like?” There are many different types of scrapbooks, but the overall definition is a book that holds your memories. Scrapbooks can be cardstock pages inserted into plastic protectors and held in a 3 ring album, or they can be premade books with pages for you to glue on your photos.

Mark Twain was an avid scrapbooker, and even submitted a patent to improve the scrapbook. His idea was a ‘lick and stick’ type book, to save on glue.

There are scrapbooks for every occasion, but whatever your need for scrapbooking, you get to exercise your personal style and creativity, and really put your stamp on it.

What Kind Of Paper Is Used For Scrapbooking?

The key to any good scrapbook is the paper it’s made on. Extra thick paper, or cardstock, is your best friend. The heavier paper will withstand the weight of glue, embellishments and other accessories you choose to use. Card stock is used as a base, and ranges in weight from 60 pounds to 110 pounds, with the average weight being 80 lbs.

Even though cardstock will be used for your background, and have lots of patterned and decorative paper on top, you don’t have to go with plain white. There are so many styles and colors of cardstock to choose from. Just perusing our menu you’ll find:

• Parchment cardstock with an old-world charm, in 6 colors and 3 sizes
• Charming pastel with a soft look and finish, in 10 striking colors and 3 sizes

• Our Metallic Cardstock features a striking dual-sided metallic finish with a glittering luminescent sheen. It is also acid and lignin free, which keeps your precious scrapbook pages protected from yellowing and getting brittle with age, and allows you to pass on your scrapbooks to the next generation.

• White gloss cardstock is perfect for printing full color photos, as you want to use a copy, not the original. Gloss cardstock is a great accent to allow your scrapbook to shine.

• Linen cardstock has a great texture to it and will add a nice effect to your scrapbook, and comes in 3 beautiful colors in the perfect 80 lb weight.

• The most popular scrapbook paper is our brightly colored cardstock in 23 mesmerizing colors with delightful sounding names like Outrageous Orchid, Celestial Blue, and Cosmic Orange. You’ll find colors to match any theme, and will make your scrapbook stand out.

The average scrapbook size is 12×12, or 8 ½ by 11. Smaller sizes such as 8×8, or 6×6, and even mini scrapbooks hold less photos, but are great to give as gifts.

Cardstock paper can be used in full, or cut down to size.

Scrapbook Ideas

To make a scrapbook, you can start with a premade scrapbook or scrapbook kit, which will have all the materials you’ll need, and even a theme already laid out. Or, you can choose to create one page by page, which takes time but feels great because you did it yourself. Scrapbook ideas for beginners: A scrapbook is just a collection of your memories, preserved in a fun way. You can collect your materials as you go, and save ‘scraps’ or clippings and photographs from your recent trip, or do some digging when you’re ready to start putting it together. You can buy scrapbook magazines for great tips, or even join scrapbook clubs to get lots of great ideas.

Scrapbook ideas for kids: A family vacation or summer road trip is a great place for kids to start scrapbooking. Kids can use a premade kit, or make their own pages. Scrapbooking is about letting them express their creativity in their own unique way. They can choose the colors for their pages, and have fun with accessories and embellishments. Let them choose their photos, and come up with their own themes for their scrapbook, like their dog, or their grandma. They’ll love stickers and lots of accessories. Make it fun and they’ll have a blast.

Scrapbooking Layouts

For your scrapbook design, you can follow a story, or a theme. A story will be a specific event in your life that you would like to document, like ‘Baby’s 1st Year’, where every page is another month or milestone, and a theme is a more broad way of showcasing an event, like Birthday, Graduation, or Wedding. If you don’t have a specific theme in mind, you can keep it more general, and work on each spread separately, then put it all together. You can also make a list of topics you want to include, and then use them later.

Scrapbook layouts follow a spread- two pages side-by-side. Each page can have their own theme, or one theme that spreads across both pages.

Once you have your theme, select your photos. If you aren’t sure which photos to include, or you aren’t sure about the theme, choose the photos that most tell the story you would like the scrapbook to be about.

Your cardstock will be the background template, and can also be used as photo mattes. Arrange any photos, accessories or embellishments on the page, and move them around until you are satisfied with the layout. Scrapbook layout ideas can follow a unified look, with each spread following the same general layout: title at the top, description underneath each photo. Having a set layout will bring your scrapbook together and give it a clean look. Or, you can play around and have fun, making each page and spread its own unique journey. The choice is yours.

Another great idea is a collage scrapbook, with lots of cut-out photos, words, mementos and embellishments arranged on a page close together, to make one beautiful montage. Each page can be its own theme.

Once you have all your photos selected, you can crop them if you’d like, and choose to matte them. Using cardstock to matte your photos with a pretty border will make them stand out more on the page, and create a focal point. Once you have your photos arranged, it is time to glue. Use an acid-free adhesive, and set the photos in place.

Lastly, create a title for your page, to tie everything together. Once you have all your spreads arranged, it is time to lay them out in the album that you chose, and create your cover page with the title of your scrapbook. Then, enjoy it and show it off! You worked hard on this, and you deserve the recognition- and the compliments.

 

PARCHMENT	PASTEL	METALLIC	GLOSSY	LINEN	BRIGHT COLOR

Have you got a project that needs a bit of flair? A little something that takes it over the top into something truly spectacular?

Maybe it’s a work brochure. Maybe it’s a wedding invitation. Maybe it’s a thoughtful card to someone who will appreciate it.

Whatever the reason, why not add a bit of sparkle with our Curious Metallic Cardstock? It’s a beautiful, functional addition to almost any project, and it takes any project from ordinary to unforgettable. Here’s a look at our available metallic cardstock offerings and why they’re the perfect choice for you.

Curious Metallic Paper and Types of Metallic Cardstock Paper

Why would you want to keep your project basic when you could make it glamorous, stylish, and beautiful? Sure, you could use regular cardstock, but why would you want to, when there are so many beautiful metallic cardstock options out there?

Metallic paper is bold by nature, so it’s the perfect choice to really shake things up and draw the eye for a big statement. Don’t be afraid to make a big splash!

On the other hand, metallic paper can also be used to make a subtler statement, depending on your project. It’s a great choice as accent paper for this reason. Even if you do go all-in for metallics, it’s a good idea to cut the metallics with something basic to give the eye a bit of rest.

Regardless of how you choose to use your metallics, the nice thing about metallic cardstock is that you have several metallic options to choose from. We offer three metallics:

1. Gold
2. Silver
3. Pearl/shimmer

If you’re itching to use metallic cardstock in your big project but aren’t quite sure how to use them (or which style you want) here’s a closer look at what you get from each of our three options. Keep in mind, every metal sends a different message–what do you want yours to be?

Worth Their Weight in Gold

Gold has a worldwide reputation as the metal of luxury and riches. If you look back at any point in history, you’ll see tales of heroes, royalty, and movers and shakers who used gold to convey their status. Gold has many reputations depending on your culture, but the general connotation around the world is one of luxury, confidence, charm, and treasure. This is in part because it’s often used in high-end jewelry, and gold or metals like it are often used in trophies. When we compete, we want to win the gold, the sign that we’re the best. In English, phrases using gold often have positive connotations: golden child, gold standard, solid gold, gold star. Gold is the traditional 50th wedding anniversary gift.

So why not bring all that positive energy and luxury into your project with gold cardstock?

We offer metallic gold cardstock in four sizes:

1. 5 x 7
2. 8.5 x 11
3. 11 x 17
4. 12 x 18

Our beautiful gold foil cardstock is elegant and beautiful, with a striking dual-sided metallic finish with a luminescent sheen. It adds just a bit of sparkle to any project and a certain aura of glamor and style. Plus, with our four available standard sizes, there’s gold leaf cardstock for almost any project under the sun.

What to Use It For

What kinds of projects would be ideal for gold cardstock?

If you’re looking to host a glamorous wedding, gold foil cardstock is the perfect choice to deliver an event worthy of Hollywood. Gold is closely associated with luxury and high style, so using gold cardstock for your invitations is a great way to set the bar for the big day to come.

Of course, gold cardstock is also a great choice for people who want to add a bit of pomp and flair to any circumstance. Even if you’re just wrapping a gift, our cardstock will make the recipient think they’re being given something worthy of royalty.

More Than a Silver Lining

Of course, as the saying goes, not all that glitters is gold. Similar to gold, silver also has close associations with wealth and luxury around the world. This is because silver, like gold, is often worn in jewelry. But it’s also a cooler color than gold, and in many cultures, it’s associated with the moon. Since many men wear silver watches instead of gold, silver is often considered more masculine and subdued. In color psychology, silver is seen as the balance between black and white, a respectable, balanced, dignified color. This is in part because silver works well with most other colors.

When you turn to silver cardstock paper, you get a subdued yet refined and glamorous touch.

We offer silver metallic cardstock in four sizes:

1. 5 x 7
2. 8.5 x 11
3. 11 x 17
4. 12 x 18

Our silver foil cardstock offers just enough shimmer to make any project look like a work of art. It’s beautiful and versatile, with subtle sparkling flecks that make it look like you really are giving someone the gift of silver.

What to Use It For

Silver is a great cardstock color for almost any occasion simply because it complements so many different colors. Put together with navy or deep green accents, you can craft a truly unique and beautiful wedding invitation, the perfect choice for a sophisticated wedding.

If you’re having a nighttime party and creating invitations, silver is also a great choice thanks to its associations with the night sky. Add in some black and flourishes of blue and you’ve got a night sky on paper.

Who Needs Ropes and Ropes of Pearls?

Coco Chanel was against wearing pearls–or rather, wearing just one rope of them. For her, there was no reason why women shouldn’t be able to wear ropes and ropes of pearls on a regular basis. Pearls were used in jewelry at least as far back as Ancient Greece and were one of the most (if not the most) valuable gem in many cultures, thanks to their rarity and the difficulty of trying to acquire them. Pearls became more mainstream in the early 1900s, once people in Asia learned how to create cultured pearls. Even so, pearls remain a simple symbol of elegance–think of Audrey Hepburn in her pearls.

So if you want a beautiful, understated shimmery cardstock, why not reach for pearl shimmer cardstock?

Our pearlized cardstock, called Ice Gold, comes in four sizes:

1. 5 x 7
2. 8.5 x 11
3. 11 x 17
4. 12 x 18

Gorgeous and brilliant, our pearl cardstock is like having a pearl sheet of paper–an understated but beautiful backdrop to almost any project.

What to Use It For

Pearlized cardstock is a fantastic option for those who want to add a touch of beauty to their projects. It’s more understated than silver or gold, making it an excellent choice when you want to add shimmer without overwhelming the whole project.

This makes it a fantastic accent for invitations, brochures, certificates, menus, even business cards that want to make a statement.

Looking for Metallic Cardstock?

If you’re looking for beautiful, well-crafted metallic cardstock to elevate your next project, we’re here to help. Our collection of Curious Metallic Cardstock is the perfect option to turn your projects into something truly striking. And best of all? They’re made with only the best materials to ensure your finished product stays beautiful for years to come.

GOLD METALLIC 5 x 7  |  8.5 x 11  |  11 x 17  |  12 x 18	ICE GOLD METALLIC 5 x 7  |  8.5 x 11  |  11 x 17  |  12 x 18	LUSTRE METALLIC 5 x 7  |  8.5 x 11  |  11 x 17  |  12 x 18

Whether you’re looking at restaurant menu paper or wedding menu paper, there’s an art and a science to finding the perfect menu cardstock for the job.

What’s the right size? Should you get regular printer-sized paper or 8.5 x 14 cardstock? What about the finish? What on earth is paper weight?

If that all sounds like Greek to you, no worries. Here’s everything you need to know to select the perfect menu cardstock, whether you’re opening the restaurant of your dreams or celebrating one of the most important days of your life.

Before You Get Started

Before you begin looking into menu paper, there are a few factors you have to consider. This will make it considerably easier to narrow down on the paper you want, rather than choosing wildly different papers and not ending up with the menu that you wanted.

Start with Your Menu Theme

The best place to start is by considering your restaurant menu theme, which will tie directly to your overall restaurant theme.

Are you an Alice in Wonderland-style teahouse? Are you a steakhouse straight from the Texas desert? Are you a French restaurant fit for the Provence countryside?

As soon as you read those descriptions, it conjured up a unique restaurant completely distinct from the one before it. Your restaurant menu style would be similarly distinct. Think about it–you wouldn’t see a classic New York diner menu at an English pub. That would look completely incongruous and disjointed.

If you’re still figuring out your restaurant theme, here are a few factors to think about:

• Casual or formal?
• What’s your cuisine style?
• Is it traditional or modern cuisine?
• Is it a regional cuisine style or a blend?
• Who are your patrons? What are they looking for in a restaurant?

All of these questions are about discovering your restaurant’s personality, which will be reflected in your restaurant menu style.

Consider Your Restaurant Ambiance

This is related to your restaurant’s ambiance, which is a mood or feeling associated with a place.

In a restaurant, the ambiance is a deliberate play on the customer’s first impressions. It sets the stage for food to take the spotlight, while your guests become the audience.

Several factors create ambiance. For example, the size of the restaurant will impact your choice of seating and music. In a small space, music can be overpowering, so you may choose to let the natural soundtrack of conversation and clinking cutlery set the tone.

Your menu continues this stage setting and mood when guests arrive. The look of the menu lets them know what they’re in for as much as the food, so look at your design elements and reflect them in the menu.

Choosing the Perfect Restaurant Menu Paper

With that in mind, you’re ready to start looking at restaurant menu paper options.

Remember, while menu paper designs are fun to create, they’re reliant on a good backdrop. The type of cardstock provides a textural stage setting for the contents of the menu, which sends subtle cues to guests about what kind of meal they can expect.

The Perfect Menu Cardstock

Let’s start with the perfect menu cardstock.

Technically, you can use any paper as menu card paper. You could use regular printer paper. But you shouldn’t–good cardstock can subtly cue that this is an elegant restaurant, or a cool hipster establishment, or a laid-back family restaurant, or anything in between.

There are several different kinds of menus you have to consider, including:

• Dining room menus
• Menu covers
• Table tents
• Specials
• Door hangers
• Outdoor menus
• Tri-fold menus
• Folded takeout menus (including tri-fold and gate-fold menus)

For our purposes, we’ll keep it simple and talk about dining room menus.

Generally, the best menu size paper is around 8.5 x 14, like our menu size cardstock. This will give you enough space to comfortably fit all your options (appetizers, entrees, dessert, and drinks) without feeling crowded.

As for the right menu paper stock, that depends on your restaurant. Glossy paper, for example, is often perceived as more polished than matte, but matte can appear more understated if you want a clean look. You’ll also have to consider the paper texture, which lends a different personality to the paper.

A few common paper finishes include:

• Gloss
• Matte
• Linen
• Parchment
• Embossed
• Silk
• Smooth

We offer linen, parchment, and glossy cardstock finishes.

The Best Menu Paper Weight

A related consideration is the menu paper weight, which is related to the menu paper type.

When we talk about paper weight, we’re actually talking about the thickness of the paper. In U.S. basis weight, this is shown based on the weight (in pounds) of a ream of paper, or 500 sheets.

Your first choice is between cardstock and text paper, which are commonly used as menu paper. Text paper is similar to copy paper–it’s thinner and would require additional measures to ensure you aren’t constantly reprinting menus. Cardstock is thicker and stands up well to folding, though thicker cardstock may require scoring to fold.

We typically recommend using a heavier cardstock as menu printing paper because it’s more durable, though this may require special printing since most consumer printers can only handle between 80 to 100 lbs paper weight. This chart will help clarify paper weights to look for by type.

Finally, when choosing the paper weight, don’t forget to account for the restaurant menu paper size. Heavier cardstock used for a larger menu is durable, but it will be more expensive to print.

The Perfect Menu Color

Now comes the fun part: choosing your menu color!

This involves two considerations: your restaurant’s color and color psychology.

If you’ve already chosen your restaurant’s color scheme, this should be pretty easy. Look for colors that complement the design of the room, making the whole space appear harmonious.

If you haven’t chosen your color scheme yet, go back to your restaurant’s theme. If you’re opening a casual Mexican restaurant, for example, vibrant colors like red and turquoise are great options.

That said, make sure to account for how color affects your impressions and interpretations. For example, blue is considered a calm, serene color, but it’s also an appetite suppressant since humans eat very few blue foods.

As a rule, if you want a high-energy establishment, go for warm colors. If you want a calmer, more laid-back feel, go for cool colors.

Other Types of Menus

We’ve talked a lot about restaurant menus, but they’re not the only kind of menus out there. Most people create their own menus when hosting parties, but the biggest event that would require an average person to make a menu is a wedding.

Wedding Menu Paper

The fun (and stressful) part of planning a wedding is that you have several menus for several different events. These include:

• Engagement party
• Bridal shower
• Bachelor/bachelorette parties
• Bridesmaids and groomsmen luncheons
• Welcome party
• Rehearsal dinner
• Wedding reception
• After-party
• Day-after brunch

You should start thinking about the wedding dinner menu (and as a consequence the wedding menu design) around the same time you think about your invitations. This will help the menus look cohesive with the whole wedding.

Since your wedding food menu varies depending on the event, you may want different designs for each event. That said, keeping the same or similar cardstock can help with a cohesive theme.

Either way, you’re still looking for a menu that can hold up under pressure and look good doing it. A thicker cardstock is the ideal choice, as it’s both elegant and sturdy.

The big hitter is the wedding reception food menu, which is where you really want your wedding theme to shine through. The best way to do this is by keeping your wedding color scheme and subtle touches to show off your style. A winter wedding, for example, can use jewel tones with a small evergreen detail.

Menu Cards

A wedding menu card is a great option because it packs a lot of punch in a small surface area. This also means that you have to get a lot of mileage in a small space.

This can get tricky if you’re using wedding meal choice cards, for example, but don’t worry. You just have to be strategic.

It helps to think of wedding reception menu cards as mini menus. In other words, you have to consolidate down to the essential information and let your personality show through in the small flourishes, like color and cardstock choices. A textured linen finish can give you an old-timey elegance, while glossy paper looks more high fashion.

Regardless, you’re going to want a thicker, sturdier cardstock that won’t crumple or stain easily, which means a higher basis weight.

That said, if you’re doing DIY wedding menu cards, be wary of choosing thicker cardstock, as most at home consumer printers can only handle 80-100 lbs basis weight paper.

The Right Cardstock for Any Menu

When the ramping up to the big day, the last thing you’re thinking about at your bridal brunch is the bridal shower menu. But all these small details will add up to a day you’ll never forget. The same can be said of a restaurant opening.

We’re here to make all those small details a little easier, with cardstock designed to suit your style. Click here to check out our selection of menu cardstock today.

White Cardstock	Parchment Cardstock	Pastel Cardstock	Bright Color Cardstock	Pastel Assortment

 

You’ve got an event coming up. But not just any event. The event. The day that your sales team will knock it out of the park and attract a crowd of new customers.

But first, you have to figure out how to make your own brochure — and ensure that your DIY brochure is equal to the event.

This is trickier than it sounds. There’s quite a lot that goes into making an event flyer and even more considerations for custom flyers. For example, what’s the best paper for brochures? Should you use a cardstock flyer? A paper brochure? What about pamphlet paper?

After all, this is the first chance for people to see your event and one of the easiest ways they’ll remember you afterward.

We’re here to make the process easy (maybe even the easiest part of planning the whole event). Here’s how to create brochures and flyers that will have people lining up outside the door.

What to Consider Before You Head to the Store

Before you ever set foot in a paper store or click on a single link, there are a few things you should clarify with your marketing team.

First, how text-heavy is your planned brochure? Sparse flyers benefit from a smaller surface area, while brochures packed with information are better suited to a larger sheet.

Second, what is your budget? Lower budgets will require economical paper options, which generally means lighter paper and smaller flyers. On the other hand, if you have more money to spend, you have broader options to make a splash.

Third, what impression do you want to make? Do you want to seem fun and hip? Do you want to seem elegant and sleek? This will change your color and finish, as certain colors and finishes lend themselves to a certain psychological impression.

Best Flyer Size

First, you need to answer a basic question: what’s the right flyer size for the occasion?

There’s some variation between leaflet size and brochure size, especially if you’re looking at tri-fold brochure size. Here are a few standard brochure sizes you’ll likely encounter:

• 8.5 x 11
• 8.5 x 14
• 11 x 17
• 12 x 18

One of the most popular brochure sizes is 8.5 inches wide by 11 inches long. It’s the most popular because it’s one of the most common paper sizes in the world–which means its widely available to the average consumer like yourself. Plus, most consumer printers can handle brochures this size.

The next most popular is 8.5 inches by 14 inches, which is slightly longer while retaining the same width as most consumer printer paper. This makes it a great choice for tri-fold brochures since you have more space to show information but can still print in a regular consumer printer.

If you need to make a bigger impact, paper that measures 11 inches by 17 inches gives you more freedom. You’ll have extra space to fit information, which means more space to get noticed. That said, many at-home printers can’t handle paper this size, so you’ll have to have them printed via special order.

The biggest of the four is 12 inches by 18 inches. This is the best choice for flyers that need to fit a lot of information, but it will cost more to print on paper this size because there’s more surface area and because you won’t be able to print it at home.

When selecting a brochure size, think about how much information you want to fit, what kind of impact you want to have, and how large your budget is. Larger sizes give you more space, but they’re also more expensive. Plus, customers may not pick up a larger brochure at first glance because they don’t want to read extra information.

Best Paper Weight For Brochures

Once you’ve selected your brochure size, you have to consider your brochure paper weight, which is intricately related to the brochure paper type you select.

When we refer to paper weight, we’re actually talking about the thickness of the paper. As a rule, the heavier the paper, the thicker the sheet. There are three common methods for measuring paper weight:

1. GSM (based on density in the metric system)
2. U.S. basis weight (based on weight in lbs of one ream, 500 sheets)
3. Caliper (based on thickness in inches)

For simplicity’s sake, we’re going to refer to U.S. basis weight.

Most people prefer to use text paper as their paper of choice for brochures and flyers, as text paper is a thicker, sturdier form of cardstock. It can run as low as 50 lbs (regular copy used for home printing) and as high as 183 lbs (for heavy-duty applications. We generally recommend paper between 80 lbs and 100 lbs for brochures and flyers.

When considering the best paper weight for a tri-fold brochure, keep in mind that you’re going to have to fold the paper. Tri-fold paper should be sturdy enough to hold its shape and look good but thin enough that it will fold comfortably.

Flyer paper thickness is at your discretion. Keep in mind that heavier paper will survive more abuse if you’re releasing it into the wild (i.e. your community) but the heavier the paper, the greater difficulty your printer will have in processing it.

Flyer Colors & Finishes

Once you know your paper weight and size, it’s time to turn a critical eye to the appearance of the brochure, specifically the brochure color and finish.

The best colors for brochures depends on what you want to achieve and the effect you want to have on your viewer. Generally, if you’re at a loss for a pamphlet color, your brand colors are a great place to start, as this helps keep brand consistency and makes your flyers recognizably yours.

If you want to branch out, you should generally stick to two or three colors. Ideally, look for either analogous colors (colors right next to each other on the color wheel) or complementary colors (colors directly opposite each other on the color wheel).

From there, you should also take a look at what kind of finish you want–glossy brochure paper or matte brochure paper?

Glossy flyer paper is more commonly used for flyers and brochures, since people tend to perceive them as more polished and high end. The matte finish is also less vibrant, which isn’t ideal if you want your flyer to stand out from the crowd.

On the other hand, matte flyer paper is more economical, and the right combination of colors on a matte finish can look quite elegant. Matte paper is also easier to read than glossy paper, so it’s a better choice for text-heavy brochures.

The Art and Science of Making a Good Flyer

Whether you’re looking to make the best tri-fold brochure your trade show has ever seen or a batch of great flyers to draw in customers, every good brochure has its roots in good paper. That’s where we can help.

We offer extensive flyer options and customizable brochure options for any style, budget, and event. Because we know every brand starts with great advertising, and great advertising relies on a great medium to convey the message.

When it comes to wedding invitations, business cards, menus, certificates, and everything in between, not all paper is created equal. Picture using flyer paper for a business card and you can start to understand why.

We’re talking about cardstock, and if you want to choose the right cardstock for any occasion, it helps to understand what questions to ask.

For example, what type of paper is cardstock? What’s the difference between cover stock and cardstock? What differentiates printing and writing paper from cardstock? Why do we use different types of paper for different printing jobs? And what makes the best cardstock for the job?

Here are answers to all your most pressing cardstock questions so that you can be sure to order the perfect cardstock.

What is Cardstock?

First, the basic question. What is cardstock?

Cardstock is thicker and more durable than regular printer paper but is thinner and more flexible than cardboard. This makes cardstock the happy medium–durable enough to tolerate handling and look good, but flexible enough to run through a printer.

This is what makes cardstock ideal for a wide range of paper DIY and crafting. What you use cardstock for depends on a variety of factors, such as its weight, color, and finish.

Cover Stock vs Cardstock

Now, if you’re searching for information about cardstock, you may have run across the term “cover stock” and met some confusion. What is cover stock and how is it different from cardstock?

The answer is simple: cover stock and cardstock are the same things (sort of). They’re more or less analogous, with a few key differences in finish and texture.

Cardstock texture is typically smoother than cover stock. Cardstock finishes are also more generic in appearance–that is, more forgiving for a wide range of uses. Cover stock, on the other hand, is usually coated and textured, so the paper has more character (and is less adaptable than cardstock).

In addition, paper weight is measured differently between the two. Cardstock is usually measured and sold in caliper measurements, or thickness in points, while cover stock is measured in basis weight.

Caliper measures the specific thickness of a single paper sample, while basis weight is the weight of 500 sheets of sample paper measured in pounds. In other words, cardstock is measured based on the thickness of an individual sheet, while cover stock is measured based on the weight of 500 sheets.

That said, cardstock and cover stock are often made with similar materials. Both are typically made with a blend of hardwood and softwood fibers. Softwood fibers provide strength to the paper, while hardwood fibers made it possible to form the paper properly.

Some papers are printed uniformly, such as regular printer paper. However, mills often use different fibers at different ratios when printing cardstock and cover stock, which is why you see a range of paper qualities, finishes, and weights, even though the paper is technically the same type.

Cardstock vs Paper

With that in mind, let’s talk about the difference between cardstock and regular writing paper.

Most of the time, when people think of printer paper, they think of bond paper, a durable type of paper with a basis weight of 20 lbs characterized by good absorption, erasability, and rigidity. These qualities and this particular weight make it especially useful for a variety of documents created using office inkjet and laser printers.

The biggest difference between bond paper vs cardstock has to do with the weight of the paper. Bond paper can range in weight from 16 to 36 lbs. Cardstock typically starts at a basis weight between 65 and 100 lbs but can go as high as 200 lbs.

Most consumer-grade inkjet and laser printers are only equipped to handle paper with a basis weight up to 80 lbs, which is why you’re used to seeing bond paper at work instead of cardstock. Printing on cardstock is different than printing on paper because the weight changes how you can print on the paper.

In simple terms, the thicker the paper, the heavier it is, which means that heavier paper does not bend as easily. This makes it more difficult for it to travel through a printer, and heavy cardstock cannot travel through a regular consumer printer at all.

Cardstock Weight & Thickness

This brings us to cardstock weight and cardstock thickness.

What lb is cardstock? That depends on what type of cardstock you’re looking for.

As we noted earlier, most consumer-grade printers can only handle paper with a basis weight of 80 lbs. That said, you typically won’t use paper with that high of a basis weight unless you specifically buy cardstock – most bond paper, as we’ve noted, runs between 16 lbs on the thin side and 36 lbs on the heavy side.

Cardstock has a far wider range of weights, as the different weights of cardstock qualify it for different uses. Because heavy weight cardstock (53 lbs and up) is extremely durable, it can be used for certain heavy-duty applications such as hangtags or even boxes. Lighter cardstock (around 38-53 lbs) is suitable for standard applications and postcards.

The size of the cardstock also changes its applications. For example, there’s 8.5 x 14 cardstock (menu cardstock), sometimes called legal cardstock, which is slightly longer than regular letter paper (8.5 x 11). That said, many manufacturers produce cardstock in larger or smaller non-standard sizes perfect for invitations, tags, or business cards.

If you’re looking for a detailed guide on various types of paper and their equivalent weights, this page has a table that can help you get an idea of what cardstock weights to look for.

Cardstock Colors & Finishes

The beauty of modern paper manufacturing is that you can find cardstock in a huge array of colors and finishes perfect for any project.

Clean white cardstock is always a versatile classic on its own, before you even consider whether you want glossy cardstock or matte cardstock. But colored cardstock can also go a long way to grab attention, whether you’re using bright colors or soft pastels.

Our bright color cardstock, for example, comes in 23 mesmerizing colors.

Of course, if you’re looking for something elegant and timeless, you don’t need to limit yourself. Textured cardstock can offer a touch of character without shouting from the rooftops. We love linen cardstock, a simple yet luxurious cardstock that’s versatile and easy to use. There’s also parchment cardstock (certificate cardstock), the perfect option for a bit of Old World charm.

What Is Cardstock Used For?

There are so many things to do with cardstock, the real question is what project you have in mind. Here are a few common projects we see:

• Booklets
• Brochures
• Business cards
• Catalogs
• Certificates
• Flyers
• Greeting cards
• Invitations
• Menus
• Table Tent Cards

That said, cardstock uses will change the type of cardstock you purchase. Cardstock for card making is different than a cardstock brochure as the paper will face different handling and requires a different level of formality. The same can be said of cardstock for invitations, which is not to be confused with business card stock.

The reason is simple: inviting someone to a wedding has a different aura of formality than printing on letterhead. You’re giving someone the first taste of what your wedding will be like, and the invitation paper lends significant weight.

Choosing the Best Cardstock for Every Occasion

Here’s the good news: no matter what your occasion might be, we can help you find the best cardstock for the job. You know your event, and we know cardstock. So let’s make your event come alive.

If you’re ready to get your project started, we’re ready to help. Click here to start perusing our selection of paper and cardstock today.

You need to print out invitations for your next hit party, so you head to your local paper store or hop online to pick out cardstock. Then you find yourself staring down weight measurements trying to assess the relative thickness of cardstock.

Cardstock thickness is measured in terms of cardstock pounds. Here’s the catch: there is no typical cardstock weight, nor is there a perfect one-size-fits-all weight for every occasion. Even more confusing? A thick and a thin cardstock can both weigh 80 lbs.

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.

With that in mind, we’re going to go through various cardstock weights you might use for different occasions, depending on what you’re trying to achieve. Think of it as your all-purpose guide to understanding and using cardstock.

Basic Information

What is paper weight? How is paper weighed? And most importantly, how do you know the right paper weight for your project.

Here’s a look at all the basic information you need to understand paper weight.

Definitions

Before we get started, there are a few definitions that will help you navigate the topic.

Paper grade refers to the type of paper, with each grade tailored to specific uses. Common paper grades include cover (a.k.a. cardstock), text, bond, etc.

Basis weight refers to the designated weight of uncut paper per 500 sheets. It is not to be confused with equivalent weight, which can be used to compare the weights of differently sized paper.

Caliper and points are easy to confuse, but you don’t need to worry about keeping them straight–they refer to the same thing. Caliper is a measurement of paper thickness expressed in thousandths of an inch, and points is a measurement of thickness using the same metric. The thicker the caliper/higher the points, the higher the basis weight tends to be.

How Paper Weight is Measured

Paper weight is measured using three measures of sturdiness:

• By pounds (lbs)
• By point
• By density

You may wonder why the weight of a cardstock says 65 lb when the reams of paper don’t weigh 65 lb. That’s because weight in pounds isn’t calculated by the ream, but rather by the weight of the uncut paper. So, if 500 sheets of uncut cardstock weigh 65 lbs, it’s called 65 lb stock.

Point is calculated by the thousandths of an inch thickness of sheets of paper. A sheet of paper 0.010 inches thick is 10 pt cardstock, 0.015 inches thick is 15 pt cardstock, etc.

Density (which is calculated based on grams per square meter) is the universal metric measurement of paper density. In North America, this is converted to either pounds or points. Our site uses pounds for the sake of simplicity.

Why “Paper Weight” Doesn’t Fully Describe the Weight of Paper

As you can see, weight doesn’t fully describe the calculation process used to assess paper weight. It’s actually a combination of two things: weight and thickness.

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.

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.

The Basics of Paper Weight

In North America, paper weight is calculated based on:

1. Paper grades
2. Base ream
3. Basis weight

Here are the 10 common paper grades:

1. Bond (stronger and more durable than average paper due to cotton content)
2. Book (designed for specialty use in books, booklets, and magazines)
3. Bristol (made from paper layers glued together under pressure, excellent for paperback book covers)
4. Cover (also known as cardstock, used in business cards, postcards, menus, and more)
5. Index (stiff, thick paper with a smooth finish, used in commercial printing, index cards, and postcards)
6. Newsprint (low-cost paper used in newspapers, advertising, and publications)
7. Offset (designed to hold ink and resist tearing in offset printing)
8. Tag (sturdy and stiff, used in tags, placeholders, and store signage)
9. Text (commonly used in commercial printing for brochures and announcements)
10. Specialty (paper subject to special procedures for specialized uses)

The base ream is the size and paper count used to determine the density of a paper grade. Finally, the basis weight is the calculation of the weight of the paper grade based on its count and base ream. Keep in mind that similar paper weight can vary due to the characteristics of the paper.

What Counts as Lightweight/Medium Weight/Heavyweight?

Lightweight paper can print in most consumer-grade home printers and is usually up to 60 lbs. This kind of paper can be folded without scoring and can be translucent or average printer paper.

Medium weight paper is generally between 65 lbs to 80 lbs–picture the type of paper typically used in cards and you’re in the right ballpark. Heavyweight paper runs from 80 lbs to 200 lbs and can be used in anything from business cards to hang tags to booklets, as it is sturdy and substantial.

Paper Weight by Paper Type

In case you hadn’t guessed yet, 80 lb cardstock is a different animal from 80 lb printer paper. The truth is, the type of paper can significantly change what the weight means.

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.

Our white cardstock comes in the following weights:

• 65 lb
• 67 lb
• 80 lb
• 100 lb
• 110 lb
• 130 lb
• 160 lb

Our pastel cardstock is available in 67 lb cover. Bright color cardstock is available in 65 lb cover. Our beautiful collection of Curious Metallic cardstock is available in 80 lb cover, as does our linen cardstock. Our gloss cardstock (8.5 x 11 and 11 x 17) are both available in 80 lb cover.

Our parchment cardstock is a beautiful addition to any project, with colors like:

• New Champagne
• Natural Cream
• Smoke Gray
• Aged
• Natural
• Ice Pink
• Spring Green

All of our parchment cardstock, regardless of color or size, is available in 65 lb bond. This means it may still be thin enough and flexible enough to print in your home printer, but make sure to check the weight limit of your printer and the caliper (thickness) of the paper.

What’s in a Weight?

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.

It’s also important to remember that paper weight may be affected by the blend of materials used to craft this particular batch of paper. This means that our 65 lb bond parchment cardstock is technically the same weight as our bright color cardstock but may have a completely different feel and behave entirely differently when folded.

Remember, printer paper is fairly standard, but outside of regular office staples, paper is actually quite diverse. It depends on the manufacturer who created the paper. Even though manufacturers use the same paper weight measurements, the content of the paper within that measurement can be completely different from a paper with the same weight using the same measurement.

That’s because paper weight isn’t solely a function of the weight of the paper–it’s also affected by the point and density of the paper in question.

Similarly, our 65 lb cover bright color cardstock isn’t necessarily one weight below our 67 lb pastel cardstock. You may have noticed that our cardstock weights don’t progress in even increments. That’s because paper weights don’t tend to progress at even intervals.

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?

You’ve already gotten started on the first step, which is educating yourself about paper weight and getting comfortable with measurements.

The second step is knowing your project. What are you trying to achieve with this cardstock? What does it need to do?

Does it need to be durable? If so, a heavier cardstock will usually serve you better, though this type of cardstock may be too heavy for most consumer-grade printers.

Is it a flourish, or the backbone of the project? If it’s a flourish, you have to think about the other paper you’re going to use–cardstock accents that are too heavy may seem disproportionate to the rest of the project. If it’s the backbone of the project, you’ll be better served by a heavier cardstock.

Does it need to fold, or will it be one flat sheet? If it needs to fold, you have a choice to make. Lighter cardstock is easier to fold with your own two hands without any added work. Heavier (i.e. thicker) cardstock can fold, but it may require scoring for the fold to look attractive. Alternately, if you just need one flat sheet, you’ll have to think about whether you want the paper to feel lighter in the hands or if it needs to be durable.

Will it go in an envelope (traveling through the mail with a layer of protection) or will it travel through the mail on its own two legs (as in the case of a postcard)? Postcards are considerably thicker than letter paper or even other cardstock because they have to outlast a trip through the postal system unharmed.

Generally speaking, heavier cardstock is good for two things: durability and elegance. It doesn’t fold, tear, or warp as easily, so it can withstand more abuse. But heavier cardstock (used in the right context) can also feel elegant in the hand thanks to the weight of the paper itself.

Lighter cardstock is useful in cases where you need to fold the cardstock and where durability isn’t as much of a concern.

Of course, that’s all fine and good in theory, but what does that look like in practice? Here’s a look at how to choose the right weight for various projects.

Best Cardstock Weight For Invitations

One of the most common questions from our customers is the right cardstock weight for wedding invitations. You know you need thick cardstock for invitations, but you don’t really know what that entails in real numbers.

When you’re thinking about wedding invitations, you’ll have to consider the printing process and the type of invitation. Your at-home printer may not be able to handle heavier invitation cardstock, and thick cardstock for invitations must be scored before it can be folded.

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.

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.

Best Cardstock Weight For Greeting Cards

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. That leaves you with a wide margin of error for weights, which is why the second consideration helps narrow down greeting card thickness: since greeting cards have to be sturdy enough to make it through postage in good condition, you need a cardstock that’s relatively sturdy.

In terms of greeting card weight, this translates to a heavier cardstock that will need scoring to fold. Standard greeting cards range from a 65 to 80 lbs cover, while heavy greeting cards are available in 100 lbs cover and above. If you’re printing at home, go for standard greeting card weight.

Best Cardstock Weight For Postcards

Postcards are a bit simpler since they’re a single rectangular sheet. That said, what you consider a postcard and what the U.S. Postal Service considers a postcard may not be the same thing.

To qualify for First Class mail postcard price, your card must be:

• Rectangular
• At least 3 1/2 inches high x 5 inches long x 0.007 inches thick
• No more than 4 1/4 inches high x 6 inches long x 0.016 inches thick

As you can see, standard postcard weight leaves some room for error.

Cover paper (60 lbs to 120 lbs), index paper (90 lbs, 110 lbs, and 140 lbs), or tag paper (100 lbs to 200 lbs) are usually the best choices in terms of postcard thickness and postcard weight. Keep in mind that the heavier the paper, the thicker the postcard.

Best Cardstock Weight For Certificates

As usual, the best cardstock weight for certificates is not one-size-fits-all–it depends on the certificate itself. Like wedding invitations, you have to consider the printing method (i.e. the printing capabilities and printing style) and the formality of the certificate.

Remember, thicker cardstock is heavier and looks more formal, so if you’re looking for a formal certificate cardstock, certificate thickness is a major factor. Weigh this against the printing method–if you’re doing a DIY certificate and only have access to a consumer home printer, you generally can’t go higher than 100 lbs.

That said, cardstock for certificates is generally on the heavier side to add elegance. Don’t be afraid to reach for 100 lbs paper if you’re looking for a certificate that will look great for years to come.

Additional Information

Got your cardstock straight?

If you’re still struggling to make sense of one weight against another or how to select the right weight for the paper grade, a cardstock weight chart is your best friend.

If you’re stuck, keep this cardstock thickness chart at hand for easy reference. It will help you figure out roughly what weight you’re looking for based on your paper grade of choice.

Keep in mind that the type of paper will also change the weight you need from it, and the weight range that’s acceptable will vary widely based on the paper grade. Text paper is usually heavier than bond paper even if it’s used for the same purpose, so 20 lbs of bond paper does not directly translate into 20 lbs of text paper.

The Right Cardstock Thickness for Every Occasion

Here’s the good news: we can help you find the perfect cardstock thickness for any occasion, whether it’s a wedding, a holiday greeting, or just a friend you want to surprise.

If you need somewhere to get started, check out our white cardstock or any of our other cardstock products. And make sure to keep this post on hand so you know you’ve ordered the right weight for your project.

Happy printing!

Link to chart

 

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