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Memorial Day Craft Ideas

Every May, millions of Americans commemorate and honor the military heroes who have fallen. If you or someone you love is a veteran, Memorial Day likely holds a very special place in your heart. It is a day that the entire nation can gather together and appreciate those military service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice. While everyone honors Memorial Day a little differently, it is a common activity to create crafts celebrating the nation and its fallen heroes.

But what are some good craft ideas for Memorial Day? Are there any good preschool crafts for Memorial Day? What are some easy crafts for adults and seniors? Finally, where can you get high-quality cardstock to help you honor and commemorate military veterans?

In today’s guide, we will answer all of these questions and more. Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the best Memorial Day craft ideas for all ages:

Memorial Day Crafts For Preschoolers

Memorial Day can be a difficult topic to discuss with young children, especially if they’re still learning basic linguistic concepts. This is why working with different shapes and colors can make it easier to teach preschoolers about Memorial Day. Fortunately, there are several preschool Memorial Day crafts that can help young kids understand the significance of the day in a kid-friendly way:

  • Patriotic Pinwheels – Cut out squares of red, white, and blue cardstock, and have the children decorate them with markers or stickers. Then, help them fold each square into a pinwheel and attach the pinwheels to dowels or straws.
  • Handprint American Flag – This is a classic and easy craft for young kids at home or in the classroom. Simply paint the child’s hand with blue paint and have them stamp it onto a piece of white paper or cardstock. Then, use their fingertips to create the stars on the blue handprint. On a separate piece of paper, have them paint red stripes with their fingers, and then cut them out and glue them onto the white handprint.
  • Thank You Cards – Have the children create simple thank you cards for veterans or active military members. Provide them with red, white, and blue paper, stickers, markers, and other craft supplies to decorate their cards. If your preschoolers cannot write many words yet, create prewritten thank you cards and let them write their names on each one.
  • American Flag Collage – Provide the children with a piece of blue cardstock paper and red and white paper cut into small squares. Have them glue the squares onto the blue paper to create an American flag collage.

Memorial Day Crafts For Kids

As preschoolers get a little older, their language and critical thinking skills advance dramatically. This makes it easier for them to understand more complex concepts and take part in activities that require greater hand-eye coordination. Since Memorial Day is an opportunity to teach children of all ages about the sacrifices made by the brave men and women of the American military, it only makes sense to incorporate some age-appropriate Memorial Day arts and crafts. Here are just a few fun and educational ideas to get you started:

  • Poppy Craft – The red poppy is a symbol of remembrance for those who have died in war. To make a memorial poppy, have kids cut out red tissue paper circles and black cardstock for the center of the poppy. Glue the black circle onto the red tissue paper and attach a green pipe cleaner stem. These can be displayed as decorations or worn as symbols of remembrance.
  • Patriotic Windsock – Cut out strips of colored paper and glue them onto a piece of cardstock or a paper plate. Then, attach ribbons or streamers to the bottom for a festive touch.
  • Thank You Cards – Once children are old enough to have a stronger vocabulary, it gives them the ability to write entire thank you cards on their own. Simply provide the kids with cardstock, markers, and written prompts to help get them started.

Memorial Day Crafts For Teens

It’s not always easy to get teens involved in arts and crafts. But just as it is important for younger children to understand Memorial Day, it is also important for teenagers to take time to reflect on the sacrifices made by the brave men and women of the United States military. So, here are some Memorial Day crafts that teens are more likely to find engaging:

  • Memorial Day Collage – Use magazine clippings, photos, and other items to create a collage that honors those who have served in the military. Consider displaying it in a prominent location in the home or classroom.
  • American Flag Art – Paint a piece of cardstock in the shape of the American flag and add a quote or message that honors those who have served in the military. Teens can also use their own ideas to make each piece of cardstock unique to them.
  • Thank You Cards – As you can see, thank you cards are a great idea on Memorial Day, regardless of your age. Teens can create personalized thank you cards using creative designs and words to express their gratitude and appreciation.

Memorial Day Crafts For Adults

As an adult, you probably want to find ways to honor fallen veterans, too. In addition to spending time with veterans or attending events to honor them, you can partake in craft-making. Here are a few ideas for DIY Memorial Day crafts:

  • Memorial Day Photo Display – Create a display of photos of loved ones who have served in the military. Add flags, poppies, or other patriotic symbols to make these photos even more special.
  • Memorial Day Shadow Box – Create a cardstock shadow box filled with military memorabilia, including medals, flags, and other symbols of service. Display it as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those close to you and your family.
  • Thank You Cards – Again, there are few things that veterans can appreciate more than a heartfelt card. Create personalized thank you cards for military veterans you know, and even those that you’ve never met.

Memorial Day Crafts For Seniors

Seniors are more likely to know at least one fallen veteran than any other demographic. This can make Memorial Day especially poignant for older adults. If you’re looking for ways to help an older parent or grandparent show their respect on Memorial Day, here are a few additional crafting ideas:

  • Patriotic Wreath – Cut out stars from white cardstock paper and attach them to a paper wreath using glue. Then, add red and blue ribbons or tissue paper to make the wreath more festive and patriotic.
  • American Flag Quilt – Create a quilt using red, white, and blue fabric in the shape of the American flag. This is a great group activity for seniors in a community setting. If it is a struggle to knit, consider making a large paper or cardstock banner using the same flag design.
  • Thank You Cards – Ask a senior in your life to write special thank you cards to the veterans they love. This may be a very emotional task for some seniors, so be prepared to show support and comfort.

Ready to start your next project? Check out our high-quality cardstock today, and let us know how you put our cardstock to good use!

How To Make Cardstock Cutouts

Creating cardstock cutouts is a great way for children and adults alike to express their creativity and explore the wonderful world of art. It is a simple, easy, and fun activity that requires only a few supplies, like cardstock paper, scissors, and glue. That said, if you want to make a lot of cutouts or you simply don’t want to risk making mistakes, you should probably use a Cricut machine. Not only will this ensure that your cutouts are uniform in size and shape, but it will also make it easier to create a wide range of custom cardstock cutouts in a matter of minutes!

In today’s guide, we’re going to look at how to make cardstock cutouts using different shapes and cutting materials. So, let’s get started!

Cricut Cardstock Cutouts

Cricut is a brand of electronic cutting machines used for a variety of DIY projects. Cardstock cutouts are one popular way to make use of the Cricut machine’s fast, uniform cutting capabilities.

To create cardstock cutouts with a Cricut machine, you will need the following:

  • Cricut machine
  • Cardstock paper
  • Cricut cutting mat
  • Design software (Cricut’s Design Space works well)

Once you have all the necessary materials, follow these steps to create cardstock cutouts with your Cricut machine:

  1. Choose a design – Select a design from Cricut’s Design Space or create your own using the software.
  2. Load the cardstock paper – Place the cardstock paper on the cutting mat and load it into the Cricut machine.
  3. Set the blade depth – Adjust the blade depth according to the thickness of the cardstock paper you are using.
  4. Cut the design – Press the “Go” button on the Cricut machine and let it cut out the design.
  5. Remove the cutout – Once the design is cut out, carefully remove the cardstock cutout from the cutting mat.
  6. Repeat – If you need to create multiple cardstock cutouts, repeat the process with new cardstock paper and the same design.

With a Cricut machine, you can create a variety of cardstock cutouts for different projects, including greeting cards, party decorations, scrapbooking, and more. However, if you don’t have a Cricut machine or you prefer to create your cardstock cutouts entirely by hand, you should get a craft or X-acto knife. These tools allow you to cut intricate shapes or make delicate cuts, making them perfect for creating detailed decorations or cards. When using X-acto or crafting knives, remember to always use a cutting mat or a self-healing cutting board to protect your workspace and keep the blade sharp.

Cardstock Heart Cutouts

Creating heart-shaped cutouts from cardstock paper is a popular DIY project for occasions such as Valentine’s Day, weddings, or anniversaries. To create heart cutouts with Cricut, simply follow these steps:

 
  1. Open Cricut Design Space software and select the “New Project” option.
  2. Select the heart shape from the “Shapes” option. Adjust the size of the heart to your desired dimensions.
  3. Load the cardstock paper onto the Cricut cutting mat.
  4. Connect the Cricut machine to your computer and click the “Make It” button in Cricut Design Space.
  5. Press the “Go” button.

Cardstock Circle Cutouts

You can use cardstock circle cutouts for a variety of DIY projects, such as creating confetti, decorating party favors, or adding accents to scrapbook pages. Follow these steps to create your own cardstock circle cutouts:

 
  1. Open Cricut Design Space software and select the “New Project” option.
  2. Select the circle shape from the “Shapes” option. Adjust the size of the circle to your desired dimensions.
  3. Load the cardstock paper onto the Cricut cutting mat.
  4. Connect the Cricut machine to your computer and click the “Make It” button in Cricut Design Space.
  5. Press the “Go” button.

Cardstock Animal Cutouts

You can use cardstock animal cutouts to create a baby mobile, decorate for a party, or make a zoo-themed scrapbook page. You can also use different colors and patterns of cardstock paper to create a unique look for each animal cutout. Here are the steps to make animal cutouts with Cricut:

 
  1. Open Cricut Design Space software and select the “New Project” option.
  2. Select the animal shape from the “Images” option. You can search for a specific animal or browse through the available options.
  3. Adjust the size of the animal shape to your desired dimensions.
  4. Load the cardstock paper onto the Cricut cutting mat.
  5. Connect the Cricut machine to your computer and click the “Make It” button in Cricut Design Space.
  6. Press the “Go” button.

Cardstock Flower Cutouts

Flower cutouts are great for creating a bouquet or floral wreath. You can also layer multiple cutouts of the same shape to create a three-dimensional flower. Here are the steps to follow with Cricut:

 
  1. Open Cricut Design Space software and select the “New Project” option.
  2. Select the flower shape from the “Images” option. You can search for a specific flower or browse through the available options.
  3. Adjust the size of the flower shape to your desired dimensions.
  4. Load the cardstock paper onto the Cricut cutting mat.
  5. Connect the Cricut machine to your computer and click the “Make It” button in Cricut Design Space.
  6. Press the “Go” button.

Cardstock Letter & Number Cutouts

Letter and number cutouts work well when you want to create personalized banners, decorate party tables, or design custom signs. You can also use letter and number cutouts for educational activities, like teaching younger children how to spell and count. Here are the steps you need to follow to make letter and number cutouts on Cricut:

 
  1. Open Cricut Design Space software and select the “New Project” option.
  2. Select the letter or number shape from the “Text” option. Type the letter or number that you want to cut out.
  3. Adjust the size and font of the letter or number to your desired dimensions and style.
  4. Load the cardstock paper onto the Cricut cutting mat.
  5. Connect the Cricut machine to your computer and click the “Make It” button in Cricut Design Space.
  6. Press the “Go” button.

Cardstock Star Cutouts

Star cutouts are perfect for starry backdrops and even glow-in-the-dark ceiling stickers. Here’s how you can make cardstock card cutouts with Cricut:

 
  1. Open Cricut Design Space software and select the “New Project” option.
  2. Select the star shape from the “Images” option. You can search for a specific star or browse through the available options.
  3. Adjust the size of the star shape to your desired dimensions.
  4. Load the cardstock paper onto the Cricut cutting mat.
  5. Connect the Cricut machine to your computer and click the “Make It” button in Cricut Design Space.
  6. Press the “Go” button.

Cardstock Cutouts For Freshies

Fortunately, making cutouts for freshies is just as easy as making cutouts for any other DIY project. Typically, freshies are circular, but you can really use whatever shape you like. Here are the steps you should follow using Cricut:

 
  1. Open Cricut Design Space software and select the “New Project” option.
  2. Select the shape you want from the “Images” option. You can search for a specific shape or browse through the available options.
  3. Adjust the size of the star shape to your desired dimensions.
  4. Load the cardstock paper onto the Cricut cutting mat.
  5. Connect the Cricut machine to your computer and click the “Make It” button in Cricut Design Space.
  6. Press the “Go” button.

Cardstock Leaf Cutouts

You can use cardstock leaf cutouts to create a leaf garland or a holiday wreath. Follow these steps to make leaf cutouts with a Cricut machine:

 
  1. Open Cricut Design Space software and select the “New Project” option.
  2. Select the leaf shape from the “Images” option. You can search for a specific leaf or browse through the available options.
  3. Adjust the size of the leaf shape to your desired dimensions.
  4. Load the cardstock paper onto the Cricut cutting mat.
  5. Connect the Cricut machine to your computer and click the “Make It” button in Cricut Design Space.
  6. Press the “Go” button.

Remember that for all of the shapes and designs outlined above, you don’t necessarily need a Cricut machine. If you prefer to do things by hand, you can simply draw the shape freehand or with a stencil design. Then, trace the shape and cut the cardstock using a good pair of scissors or a crafting knife. Just keep in mind that this method will take more time and could result in more errors!

Ready to start your next project? Check out our high-quality cardstock today, and let us know how you put our cardstock to good use!

DIY Easter Cards

Easter occurs every year after the Spring Equinox. More specifically, it always falls on the first Sunday after the full moon which happens on or after the Spring Equinox. In any case, Easter holds a very special meaning for hundreds of millions of people all over the world. Whether you celebrate Easter as a religious holiday or simply as one more day to spend time with loved ones, homemade Easter cards offer a great way to make the occasion even more special.

But if you’ve never created a DIY or handmade Easter card before, you’ve probably got a few questions. For instance, what are some easy Easter cards to make for family and friends? What are some fun Easter card craft ideas for kids? What kind of Easter greetings or Easter messages should be included in your cards? Finally, where can you get high-quality stationery to make cards for Easter?

In today’s guide, we will answer all of these questions and more, but first, let’s look at some good DIY Easter card ideas:

Simple DIY Easter Card Ideas

Fortunately, making your own Easter cards from scratch is not overly complicated. It’s all about finding a theme that fits with the holiday and helps you send the kind of Easter message you want to convey. So, here are a few simple DIY Easter card ideas to get you started:

  • Patchwork Easter Greetings – Easter is inextricably linked with Spring, a season that most people associate with bright, beautiful colors. A patchwork Easter greetings card allows you to celebrate the holiday with a beautiful combination of patchwork quilt colors.
  • Spring Flowers – Nearly everyone looks forward to the annual appearance of flowers in Spring. Why not celebrate the beauty of nature with a DIY Easter card? If you have a green thumb, you can even decorate your cards with dried flower petals from your garden!
  • Religious Easter Message – Whether you want to send a word of hope to people within your religious community or simply celebrate your faith with friends and family this Easter, you can do so by adding a religious symbol or message to your cards.
  • Celebration of Sunshine – Another reason to celebrate this Easter is that it represents the end of winter and the return of beautiful sunshine! This makes for a great card theme, as you can easily add the image of a bright sun using colored cardstock.
  • Classic Easter Bunny – If you appreciate the classics, you can’t go wrong with an Easter bunny card! This card is sure to be popular with adults and children alike.

Making A Pop-Up Bunny Easter Card

The Easter Bunny is a very popular character for Easter cards, particularly if you want to create an invitation for an Easter egg hunt or a similarly fun get-together. There are dozens of ways to create a unique pop-up Easter bunny card, but here is one of the easiest methods for amateur crafters:

  1. Cut Out Bunny Shapes – First, you’ll need to cut out the shapes of your Easter bunnies using a thin cardstock or construction paper. Either way, it’s easiest to cut out the bunny shape in different parts. This can make things easier if you accidentally make a mistake. Typically, you can divide your bunny into three different parts: ears, face, and body.
  2. Fold the Pop-Up Paper – The main appeal of a pop-up card is the mechanism that allows the card to have a 3D effect when opened. To do this, simply fold the face of your Bunny so that it has a crease down the middle and parallel, opposing creases on the left and right side. These creases will allow the face to push forward when the card is opened.
  3. Fold the Ears – Once the ears are positioned alongside the head, you will also need to fold them at an angle so that they pop out when the card is opened. This is easier than the folding required for the face, as the ears just need to be folded down so that they are pointed downward while the card is closed.
  4. Glue the Bunny and Cardstock – Finally, it’s time to glue everything in place! Remember not to glue all of the rabbit parts down. If you do, they will not be able to “pop up.” Instead, just glue down the outside of the face, the base of the ears, and the entirety of the body.

Children’s Handmade Easter Card Ideas

Easter can be an extremely fun and memorable time for children. If you want to include your kids in even more of the festivities, you will want to include some DIY Easter card ideas that are more kid-friendly. Thankfully, we’ve got you covered! Here are a few simple Easter cards that children can create on their own:

  • Bunny In a Hole – Since a pop-up bunny card may be a little complicated for younger children, a fun alternative is the bunny in a hole card. This card just requires your kids to draw or cut out a bunny face for the inside of the card. Then, they will need to cut a hole in the front of the cardstock so that the bunny is always visible! The bunny in the hole card creates a 3D effect without all of the extra work.
  • Barnyard Animals – If your child wants to make fun Easter cards for their classmates, barnyard animals are a great option. Simply by making circular cards with faces, your child can create a wide range of animals with ease, from sheep to baby chicks.
  • Easter Eggs – Easter eggs are a classic choice for DIY crafters, and they are particularly easy for kids. These flat eggs can be colored and designed using almost any kind of cardstock. To make them even more interesting, your kids can cut the eggs in half so that they “open” to reveal a fun message or greeting!
  • Bunnies and Carrots – This card design is extremely easy to make with the combination of white and orange cardstock. Your child just needs to cut out the shape of a carrot and the face of a rabbit, and then glue the rabbit to the top of the carrot. It’s really that easy!

What To Write In A Homemade Easter Card

As you can see, there are a lot of different ways to design and decorate a homemade Easter card. But what should you actually write in your cards? The answer will largely depend on your reasons for making the cards in the first place. Are you inviting friends and family to an Easter get-together? Do you want to spread a message of hope this year? Or do you simply want to wish loved one’s a happy Easter? By answering these questions, it will be easier to find the right wording for your Easter cards.

If you’re still struggling to come up with ideas, you’re not alone. It’s not always easy to come up with unique phrases or messages on your own. So, here are a few classic phrases to include on the front or inside of your cards:

  • Happy Easter!
  • Wishing you and your family a wonderful Easter!
  • Hoping your Easter is full of love and light!
  • Sending you hope and happiness this Easter!
  • From our family to yours: Happy Easter!

Ready to start your next project? Check out our high-quality cardstock today, and let us know how you put our cardstock to good use!

Cream Cardstock Paper Guide

Cream is an extremely popular color choice for cardstock paper. Why? Because cream is a classic, understated color that works for a wide range of projects and in many different settings. Whether creating refined wedding invitations or printing new business cards, cream is a great color to use for cards, invitations, and even DIY arts and crafts.

Cream is extremely common for personal projects, due in large part to its versatility. For example, you can use a faint cream cardstock for a heartfelt message, and a darker cream variation for something more formal. Regardless of the occasion, you can almost certainly find a shade of cream or off-white that will meet your needs.

But what are the best ways to use cream-colored cardstock? Does cream work well for wedding invitations? What kind of DIY projects can you do with cream cardstock? Why is cream often associated with dyslexia? Finally, where can you find high-quality cream cardstock at affordable prices?

In today’s guide, we will answer all of these questions and more, but first, let’s look at some of the most common ways to use cream cardstock:

Cream Cardstock For Wedding Invitations

If you’ve ever received a wedding invitation from a friend, family member, or acquaintance, there is a good chance that it was made using cream cardstock. There isn’t a specific reason that cream is so often used for wedding invitations. It might be chosen so frequently because it is one of the most neutral colors on the spectrum. It is a beautiful color that works in tandem with common text colors like white, gray, black, or dark blue. Perhaps most importantly, it is very easy on the eyes.

In any case, thousands of couples choose cream cardstock for wedding invitations each and every year. There are various symbolic reasons to associate weddings with cream. The color is frequently thought to represent humility, peace, comfort, and openness — all important qualities to have in a new marriage!

However, it’s not all about representing marriage when using cream-colored wedding invitations. If you’re sending out invitations, you’ll want the recipients to feel a positive when they open their invitations for the first time. Cream often has the natural effect of procuring thoughts and feelings of simplicity and purity. It is a neutral color that is close to white but with a slightly darker hue that makes it less bright and more earthy. Consequently, cream typically has a pleasant calming effect.

Lastly, the earthiness of cream also helps it work well with most spring colors. Since many couples choose to get married in the springtime, it only makes sense to use colors that match the season in everything from wedding decorations to invitations. Therefore, cream makes the perfect choice for wedding invitations, particularly weddings planned for the spring or early summer.

Cream Cardstock For Dyslexia

Do you have any friends or family members who suffer from dyslexia? Or perhaps you just want to write letters, invitations, or other visual projects that are accessible to people with a broad range of conditions? Either way, cream is one of the best colors to use to ensure that people with dyslexia can comfortably read the words.

If you’re not familiar with dyslexia, it is a condition that makes it difficult for children and adults to read words. This is often because people with dyslexia have a more challenging time connecting the sounds of words with written letters and words. In some cases, dyslexia causes people to skip over words or even switch the order of words. Consequently, it can be very hard to read comfortably when you have dyslexia.

So, how does cream help? The truth is that the format, color, and overall look of words can have a huge impact on a person’s ability to read them, especially if the person has dyslexia. Though each person has their own preferences, people with dyslexia can often read words more easily if they are cream-colored or set against a cream background. For this reason, if you want to send out letters or invitations that are dyslexia-friendly, it is best to make good use of cream cardstock.

Additional Popular Uses of Cream Colored Cardstock

Naturally, wedding invitations and correspondences with dyslexic acquaintances are not the only common ways to use cream cardstock. There are hundreds, if not thousands of popular ways to put cream cardstock to good use. Unfortunately, we don’t have time to cover them all in this guide! So, here are just a few more of the most popular ways to use cream cardstock:

 

Report Covers

If you need to submit a report or presentation for school or work, you know that it’s a good idea to have some kind of protective cover. You don’t want to spend days or weeks compiling an important report, only to have it crumpled or ruined before you can present it. So, consider using a report cover to keep your pages protected. Additionally, report covers can help you look more organized. Using a color like cream for your cover offers a perfect balance between visual appeal and professionalism.
 

Menus

Menus should be easy on the eyes. This is because people of all ages need to be able to quickly scan a menu and even read the tiny details. A background color like cream can help make sure that virtually anyone can read the various words and food items comfortably.
 

Business Cards

Traditionally, business cards have been white or off-white. Since white has become somewhat overused, many people prefer having business cards that offer a slight variation that still looks professional. Cream, beige, and other off-white variations are all great solutions.
 

Greeting Cards

Greeting cards allow you to send festive messages to loved ones. They are very popular around the holidays or the start of the new year. In any case, choosing the right colors is key to creating beautiful, memorable greeting cards. If you’re unsure which colors to choose, cream is an ideal neutral color that works for virtually any occasion.
 

Brochure Covers

Brochures can help you present a lot of information in a small, manageable format. While brochures are most common for businesses, you may also use brochures for more personal projects. Either way, cream cardstock helps make a nice, inviting cover for your brochures.
 

Table Setting Cards

Are you hosting a nice dinner for your family and friends? Or do you need to plan a formal meeting for your coworkers? In these situations, you’ll probably want to create table setting cards that let people know where they should sit. Cream table settings are perfect because they are easy to read and even easier to coordinate with the colors and design of your table.

DIY Crafts

DIY arts and crafts give you nearly limitless possibilities. In fact, you’re only limited by the materials and your imagination. That said, some popular craft ideas include decorations for holidays and special events. If you want to create interesting items that work during any time of the year, you can’t go wrong with cream-colored cardstock. Cream has a calming effect, making cream-colored DIY crafts especially good if you want to have a fun, relaxing holiday season!

Ready to start your next project? Check out our high-quality cardstock today, and let us know how you put our cardstock to good use!

Best Cardstock For Alcohol Markers

Alcohol markers, also known as permanent markers, are a staple tool of illustrators, graphic artists, and even casual arts and crafts enthusiasts. However, this doesn’t mean that alcohol-based markers are the best solution for every art project. In fact, there are many situations where alcohol markers are inferior to other options, like water-based markers. And more often than not, issues can arise with alcohol markers based on the type of paper being used.

For this reason, people who prefer alcohol markers need to find the best kinds of paper and surfaces to draw on. Otherwise, the chemicals used in permanent markers can bleed through the paper and force you to start your project from scratch. So, whether you’re simply drawing a picture or creating custom wedding invitations, you’ll need to make sure you’re using the right paper or cardstock.

Naturally, this begs a couple of important questions. For instance, what are the differences between water-based markers and alcohol-based markers? What makes alcohol markers superior? Why do alcohol markers bleed through thin paper? What kind of paper or cardstock is best to use with alcohol markers? Finally, where can you acquire high-quality cardstock to finish your next project? In today’s guide, we will answer all of these questions and more, so let’s get started!

The Challenge Of Alcohol Markers & Paper

Do you remember the markers you used when you were in school? Most of the time, they were water-based markers that would not produce very strong colors. Moreover, if you left the cap off for even a few minutes, the marker would quickly dry up and become useless. These are just a few of the reasons that serious artists and crafters try to avoid water-based markers.

Alternatively, alcohol markers are known for their strong colors. Additionally, they do not dry up as quickly as water-based markers, though you still need to put the cap back on to avoid drying. However, this is not to say that alcohol markers are perfect in every way. In fact, one way that water-based markers typically improve upon alcohol markers is their relationship with paper. Water-based markers do not release as much liquid, which means they are easier to use with most kinds of papers.

While water-based markers will still bleed through very thin paper, they will not bleed through even the thinnest cardstock. This is not the case with alcohol markers. Alcohol markers create darker, more prominent colors by releasing more liquid and using stronger chemicals than water-based markers. More specifically, permanent markers tend to use chemicals like xylene, toluene, and urethane resin. And though these chemicals are perfectly safe to use, they have the unintended side effect of bleeding through thick and thin paper products alike.

This is why it is best to opt for cardstock when using alcohol-based markers. Cardstock is naturally thicker and sturdier than most kinds of standard writing paper. That said, not all cardstock will work well with alcohol markers. You will need to ensure that you get high-quality cardstock that is thick enough to absorb alcohol marker ink without allowing it to bleed through to the opposite side.

The Challenge Of Alcohol Markers & Paper

Selecting The Best Alcohol Markers For Cardstock

Choosing the best material to use in tandem with alcohol markers is important. You will need to think about the kind of project you want to do and how the materials will help you achieve your vision. Additionally, you’ll have to consider which types of cardstock work best with alcohol markers. That said, finding the best cardstock is not all about the cardstock itself. You’ll also need to consider what kind of alcohol markers you intend to use. We’ll go over some of the most popular brands of alcohol-based markers below:

Copic Markers

  Copic Markers are high-quality markers that are well-regarded by many visual and graphic artists. These alcohol markers tend to have a very smooth application that reduces unintentional blotting. Additionally, each marker is filled with a reservoir of non-toxic, alcohol-based ink. Like many high-quality alcohol markers, Copic Markers have ink comprised of both ethanol and isopropanol alcohol.

While Copic Markers are known for their quality, they can still bleed through many different types of paper. For example, Copic Markers often bleed through marker paper and watercolor paper. This is why it is best to use Copic Markers in tandem with very thick, bleed-proof paper or cardstock.

Ohuhu Markers

  Ohuhu Markers are another brand of permanent markers that compete with Copic as some of the best products on the market. However, these markers distinguish themselves from other brands through their longevity. If you invest in a set of Ohuhu Markers, you can expect to use them for years without a significant deterioration in quality. Moreover, the tips of Ohuhu Markers are specifically designed to meet a wide range of needs. Whether you need to fill in large spaces or address tiny details, you can do so with Ohuhu Markers.

Unfortunately, Ohuhu Markers have a high degree of pigmentation, which also makes them bleed through many types of paper and cardstock. You can expect the colors to be strong and vibrant, but this comes at the cost of limited compatibility with paper products. In fact, the manufacturers recommend using very heavy cardstock with Ohuhu Markers to reduce or eliminate bleeding entirely.

Prismacolor Markers

  Prismacolor Markers are some of the best alcohol-based markers for beginners. They provide great coloration, but they do not allow you to replace the marker tips or ink. Consequently, they do not have a very long lifespan like other high-quality markers. Moreover, Prismacolor Markers also bleed through most kinds of writing paper and can even produce uneven lines if the user is not careful.

When choosing the right drawing or writing material for Prismacolor Markers, it is best to go with thick cardstock. This way, you don’t have to worry about any of the ink bleeding through. Plus, you are less likely to experience issues with uneven amounts of ink, as the cardstock does a better job absorbing the ink evenly. That said, you will still have to be careful and use a gentle touch to avoid any unsightly errors.

The Best Cardstock For Alcohol Markers

In general, cardstock is the best material for alcohol markers. It is thick and durable enough to withstand multiple layers of ink without showing any signs of bleeding, blotting, or tearing. However, not all cardstock is the same. For example, if you choose a light cardstock of 65 lbs, you could still end up with ink bleeding through to the wrong side. The chances only increase if you ink over the same area multiple times.

Fortunately, you can find many of the best cardstock products for alcohol markers at Fine Cardstock. We offer dozens of cardstock products that are compatible with all of the most popular brands of alcohol markers. If you want to get the best outcome with your markers and cardstock, we recommend using heavier cardstock like our 80, 100, 120, or 130 lbs products. Heavy cardstock is thicker and extremely bleed-resistant, making it the best drawing or writing material for alcohol or water-based markers. By choosing heavy cardstock, you can avoid issues with ink bleeding and create beautiful arts and crafts projects with your alcohol-based markers!

Ready to start your next project? Check out our high-quality cardstock today, and let us know how you put our cardstock to good use!

Cardstock Freshies Guide

Who doesn’t like a great smelling car? If you want to keep that “new car” smell for as long as possible, or you even want to add new and interesting aromas to your vehicle, then you’ll definitely want to try out cardstock freshies. Not only can freshies completely transform the interior of your car, but they can also be placed in your home or workplace. This means you can use cardstock freshies to enhance the air in virtually every environment in your life!

But how can you use cardstock cutouts for freshies? Is there a particular kind of freshie cardstock you should use for DIY freshies? Finally, what are some quality cardstock designs for freshies? In this guide, we will answer all of these questions and more, but first, let’s look at what we mean by “cardstock freshies” and what they can really do. So, let’s get started!

What Are Cardstock Freshies?

  If you’re unfamiliar with the term “freshies,” it is a fun synonym for “air freshener.” Thanks in large part to the online community of arts and crafts enthusiasts, freshies have taken on a whole new life. Now, you can find thousands of freshie cardstock images for free. These images can then be turned into cardstock cutouts and placed on homemade cardstock freshies.

Most freshies are made using a combination of materials, primarily scented aroma beads that have been baked in the oven. Cardstock can also be used as a fun addition and a way to easily place unique images on your air fresheners. In any case, all freshies that feature cardstock paper designs can be considered cardstock freshies.

DIY cardstock freshies offer crafters a highly unique experience. Not only do they require careful design of cardstock cutouts, but they also involve baking. Therefore, making your own cardstock freshies is truly a fun and challenging project!

Freshie Cardstock Image Ideas

There are no limits when it comes to freshie cardstock images. From animals to business logos, you can use pretty much any image as the basis for your cardstock freshie. For this reason, it is best to think of ideas unique to you and your environment. For example, if you’re creating a cardstock freshie for your workspace, you might use an inspirational quote or something that is both fun and appropriate for the office. Alternatively, if you’re creating a freshie for your car, you might opt for something reflective of your personality and sense of humor!

Oftentimes, when the sky is the limit, it can be difficult to decide what you want to do. This is definitely true with freshies! With so many images at your disposal, how are you supposed to choose? While we can’t make the choice for you, we can offer some popular options to help get your creative juices flowing! So, here are some popular freshie cardstock images to consider:

  • Celebrities – Do you have a favorite singer, actor, or athlete? If so, you can use their images to create fun freshies!
  • States or Countries – If you’re proud of where you come from, why not celebrate your roots? Freshies offer you a great way to celebrate your home state or country wherever you go.
  • Team Mascots – If you’re a sports enthusiast, making a freshie with your favorite team’s logo or mascot is a great way to show your dedication as a fan!
  • Brand Logos – Whether you own your own business or simply want to appreciate your favorite company, you can easily create cardstock freshies using brand logos.
  • Quotes – Quotes are one of the most popular options for freshies because they are so versatile. You can use funny quotes, inspirational quotes, or even your favorite movie quotes to create a memorable freshie!
  • Nicknames – Do you have a fun nickname that is unique to you? If so, turn it into a freshie!
  • Cartoon Animals – Cute images are a great accompaniment to pleasant smells. You can easily create freshies using images of real or imaginary animals.
  • Memes – Do you have a favorite meme that applies to you or a meme that always makes you laugh? If you’re like most people nowadays, you probably do. So, make your favorite meme into a cardstock freshie!
  • Landscapes – Landscapes offer great material for all kinds of visual arts and crafts, and freshies are no exception.
  • Religious Symbols – If you have religious symbols or images that are important to your spiritual life, you can use these symbols to create freshies and daily reminders of your beliefs.
  • Holiday Themes – Freshies won’t last forever, but they can definitely last for the duration of the holiday season. Whether you want to appreciate Thanksgiving or the New Year, you can make a freshie to celebrate your favorite holiday in style!

How To Make Cardstock Freshies

Making cardstock freshies requires a few steps, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be making tons of cool designs in no time! So, let’s look at how to make cardstock freshies:

  1. Prep Your Oven – The exact temperature may vary based on the kind of aroma beads you use. That said, you should generally expect to preheat your oven somewhere between 325°F and 350°F. If you’re unsure what heat setting to use, do a test with a small number of beads to see how much heat they need to melt.
  2. Break Out The Baking Sheets – You can use traditional baking sheets to create your freshies. If you’re afraid of your beads getting stuck to the metal, consider lining your baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. Arrange Your Cookie Cutters – The easiest way to set the shape of your freshies is to use cookie cutters. Simply arrange your cookie cutters on your baking sheet, making sure that they are spaced evenly apart. While round cookie cutters are the most common option, you can use specialty cookie cutters based on the desired shape of your freshies.
  4. Set the Beads and Nails – It is easiest to use a nail or similar metal rod near the top of each freshie to create the hole that will later enable you to hang your design. Once the nails are in place, pour your aroma beads into the cookie cutters until they are spread out evenly and tightly compacted.
  5. Start Baking – Place your baking sheet in the preheated oven and let the beads bake for approximately 6 to 8 minutes. If this is your first time, consider testing your beads at the 5-minute mark. All you have to do is take them out of the oven and gently press on the top of the beads with a spoon. If the beads stick to the spoon, they are finished. If not, they may need a few more minutes.
  6. Cool Your Beads – Once you know that your beads have begun to melt into each other, you can remove them from the oven to let them cool. Remember that your beads should not melt into a liquid. You should still be able to distinguish individual beads from one another. Overbaking the beads could cause them to lose their aroma!
  7. Separate the Freshies – When the beads have had time to cool, you can remove them from the cookie cutters. To do this, you may need to pry them out gently. Don’t use too much force, as it could cause them to lose their shape.
  8. Thread Your String – Assuming you plan to hang your freshies, you’ll need to thread string through the holes you created with the nails. You just need to tie the strings together so that the freshies can hang from your car’s rearview mirror or wherever you choose to hang them.
  9. Add Your Cardstock – The last step is to add your cardstock and any images to your freshies. The best method is to use hot glue or a similarly strong adhesive. Once you’ve made sure that the cardstock is securely glued to the freshies and you feel happy with the design, you’re all set!

The Best Cardstock For Freshies

Fortunately, most cardstocks work really well for freshies. There is no specific home, work, or car freshie cardstock, though it is generally advisable to go with a thicker cardstock like 80 or 100 lbs. These are less likely to be damaged if your freshies have not cooled properly. In any case, adding cardstock to freshies is really easy and a great way to enhance their value and visual appeal!

Ready to start your next project? Check out our high-quality cardstock today, and let us know how you put our cardstock to good use!

How To Cut Cardstock On Silhouette Cameo

The Silhouette Cameo Cutting Machine is one of the best tools that a crafter or artisan can have in their arsenal. Like a Cricut or similar crafting machines, the Silhouette Cameo takes some practice to use properly. Additionally, you’ll need to make sure that you really know how to use it to avoid any safety issues, as the Silhouette Cameo 4 blades are capable of cutting through thick materials like cotton, felt, leather, and — you guessed it — cardstock.

But getting accustomed to your Silhouette Cameo machine will take time. You have to learn how to program the machine to cut through different materials and make the final products match your desired image. Fortunately, the Silhouette Cameo comes with various built-in templates and settings to make most arts and crafts projects a breeze.

But what exactly can you do with a Silhouette Cameo 4? What is the correct Silhouette blade for cardstock? What are the right Silhouette cardstock settings? How can you ensure that your Silhouette machine will cut cardstock cleanly? Finally, what is the best cardstock paper for Silhouette Cameo machines? In today’s guide, we will answer all of these questions and more. Plus, we will teach you how to cut different types of cardstock with your Silhouette Cameo, including glitter cardstock and thick cardstock. So, let’s get started!

Cutting Cardstock With Silhouette Cameo

The Silhouette Design Store offers even more templates if you are not satisfied with the options available on your machine from the outset. To access these templates, you can simply purchase and import them to your Silhouette Cameo. Then, all you have to do is double-check the size and cut settings. This will ensure that your machine is prepared to cut cardstock to your specifications.

However, you will still need to get things prepared before you can actually start the cutting process. First and foremost, you should make sure that you’re using high-quality cardstock. While your Silhouette Cameo can still cut low-quality cardstock, it will only hurt your project to use subpar materials. Moreover, low-quality cardstock fibers have a tendency to tear, which can prevent you from making clean cuts with your machine. If you repeatedly use bad cardstock, it could even clog up your machine and damage the blades. So, always opt for the good stuff!

Next, run a practice cut on your cardstock to see if the settings are working well. If not, you may need to adjust certain variables like the speed and pressure. There’s no one-size-fits-all formula when it comes to cutting cardstock, but you can generally set the speed between 6 and 10 in the Cut Settings window. Then, you can set your thickness somewhere between 20 and 25.

Once you’ve done a practice cut, check to make sure that you’re getting clean cuts. If not, you can set your machine to double-cut the cardstock by default. Alternatively, you can just keep the mat in the machine and select “Send to Silhouette” a second time. This will all but guarantee that your Silhouette Cameo will fully cut through your cardstock and leave a very clean cut.

 

Cutting Glitter Cardstock With Silhouette Cameo

Cutting glitter cardstock works much the same as cutting regular cardstock. However, the pieces of glitter can make it harder to cut with the preset cut settings. Instead, you may need to ensure that the machine is set to double-cut the cardstock. You may also want to increase the thickness and reduce the speed. However, these factors will also depend on the intricacy of the design. It is often best to stick to the standard settings for very intricate cutting templates.

That said, using double-cut is often the best way to avoid any issues with glitter cardstock. Once the machine has cut the cardstock two times, do not remove the mat until you have manually checked the cardstock yourself. You’ll just need to use one finger to lift a part of the cardstock upward. This will show you if the blade was able to cut through the cardstock cleanly. This method also works well for thick cardstock.

If you make the mistake of removing the mat before the machine has been able to make a clean cut, you’ll likely have to start your entire project from scratch with new cardstock. Why? Because you won’t be able to put the mat back in the right position. You will almost certainly put it in a slightly different position. This will cause the machine to make cuts in the wrong places. Therefore, it is always best to test your cuts first, even when using the double-cut setting.

Cutting Thick Cardstock With Silhouette Cameo

When cutting thick cardstock, you’ll want to make sure that your Silhouette Cameo is prepared to make clean cuts. This can be difficult, as thick fibers are more difficult to cut in general. Fortunately, a Silhouette Cameo is still fully capable of cutting thicker cardstock.

In general, you’ll want to follow the same guidelines as you would use for glitter cardstock. This means that you may need to increase the thickness setting and reduce the speed setting. For both thick and textured cardstock, consider reducing your speed to 4 and turning double-cut on. Just make sure that you keep a close eye on your machine and the results. If you repeatedly try to cut thick cardstock using the wrong settings, you could dull your blades and ruin your cardstock paper.

Which Blade To Use When Cutting Cardstock

The AutoBlade is great for most materials, but if you’re trying to cut thicker cardstock, you might need something a little more heavy-duty. Most experts recommend using the 2mm Silhouette blade for cardstock. This is double the thickness of the AutoBlade (1mm) and provides a better cutting experience with most kinds of cardstock. If you want to change blades frequently, you should also consider getting a CB09 blade holder, as it makes it much easier to switch between different blades as needed.

However, you shouldn’t need a blade any larger than 2mm to cut cardstock. For example, the 3mm blade is almost exclusively used for specialty materials like leather. Using a blade that is too thick for cardstock will quickly wear the blade down. More than anything else, you want to make sure that you’re blade is sharp and clean, especially if you’re cutting intricate designs.

To clean your blade, first remove it from the machine. Then, set the blade depth to 10. From here, you can use a cloth to wipe down the blade and blade housing area, or simply blow air through it to remove any remaining pieces of paper or dust. You shouldn’t need to clean your blade very often, but try to clean it at least once every few cuts to avoid excessive dulling of the blade or blockage in the machine.

It is also important to consider the blade settings. You’ll need to set the depth of your blade before you start cutting. This can be done manually by removing the blade or through the settings window. In either case, it is usually recommended to keep your blade depth at 5 or 6 to get clean cuts with cardstock.

Ready to start your next project? Check out our high-quality cardstock today, and let us know how you put our cardstock to good use!

Homemade Anniversary Cards

Creating a special moment for your significant other on your anniversary is always a great idea. However, it’s not always easy to find new and interesting ways to tell your loved one how much you appreciate them. This is also true if you want to help another couple celebrate their anniversary. Fortunately, homemade anniversary cards are a great way to show someone that you care and that you remembered a very special day!

But you probably have a lot of questions about making cute homemade anniversary cards. For instance, what are some good DIY anniversary card ideas? What makes a great anniversary card for husbands? What about anniversary cards for wives? Or for parents? What should you write on a special, homemade anniversary card? Lastly, how can you make easy, creative, handmade anniversary cards on your own?

In today’s guide, we will answer all of these questions and more, but first, let’s take a closer look at some of the key benefits of creating a DIY anniversary card for a loved one.

The Benefits Of A DIY Anniversary Card

If you’ve never made a DIY card before, it may seem like a lot of effort. You might even be tempted to save yourself time and just buy a premade card from the local supermarket. Sadly, this will almost certainly not have the desired effect. More often than not, buying a generic card for anniversaries and other special days is often seen as lazy. It takes very little effort and does not really show how much you love and appreciate the recipient.

So, here are just a few of the benefits of DIY anniversary cards:

  • Show Your Love & Appreciation – Whether it’s an anniversary card for your husband, wife, parents, or someone else, a homemade card allows you to really show how much you love and appreciate the recipient (or recipients). When you make a card from scratch, you can include personalized messages that come from the heart. The loving words and images will almost certainly have a lasting impact!
  • Enjoy Personal Fulfillment – Making a DIY anniversary card doesn’t just benefit the recipient. In fact, there are many benefits for the creator, too! When you buy a card, you really don’t have to put in any effort. But if you spend the time and effort to make a unique card, you get a much greater sense of personal fulfillment when you’re finished.
  • Flex Your Creativity – It’s not always easy to find good outlets for your creativity. Fortunately, cardstock is literally a blank canvas to display your artistic and creative abilities.
  • Have Fun With a New Hobby – If this is your first attempt at making a DIY anniversary card, you may just find that it is your new favorite hobby! Doing arts & crafts is a very common and even therapeutic activity that can get pretty addicting (in a good way).
  • Impress Your Loved One – Finally, a handmade anniversary card can take your loved one by surprise. If you put a lot of effort and love into your creation, your spouse, friend, or family member will likely be very impressed with your card and the dedication it took to make it.

Handmade Anniversary Card Ideas

Now that you know some of the reasons to consider making your own anniversary cards, it’s time to explore some DIY anniversary card ideas! Even if you don’t use any of the ideas below, they may be able to get your creative juices flowing. So, let’s take a closer look at some of the best handmade anniversary card ideas:

  • Image Collage – Whether you want to use hearts, wedding bells, or photos of your loved one, a collage of different images is a great way to decorate an anniversary card. If you’re not a wordsmith, no problem! You can let the images do the talking for you.
  • 3D Quotes – Do you have a special phrase or name that you use with your loved one? If so, you could create a three-dimensional quote by layering pieces of cardstock or paper on top of each other and cutting out the letters. Not only will it look great, but it will add a deeply personal touch to your anniversary card.
  • 3D Flowers – Flowers are universally linked with love. So, why not create paper flowers that literally pop out from the card? It’s a great way to show your love and make a lasting impression at the same time!
  • Love Timeline – If you trust your math skills, you can create a card that counts exactly how many days you and your loved one have been married. As a variation on this idea, you can even create a card that showcases major events in your lives over the years with dates, words, and images.
  • Wedding Photos – Most anniversaries celebrate wedding days, so why not break out the photo album and put some of those memories to good use? An anniversary card is a great way to remind someone of the love and happiness they felt on their wedding day!
  • Mini Love Letters – If you really like cute homemade anniversary cards, try making mini love letters attached to a single card. Each letter is inside a small envelope. When your loved one opens each envelope, they will find a beautiful message of love and appreciation.

How To Make A Homemade Anniversary Card

The exact steps you’ll need to follow to make a homemade anniversary card will vary based on the type of card you want to create. For example, a card that only has written words on it will be very different from a card decorated with three-dimensional hearts or flowers. In any case, here are some basic tips to help you make your very own anniversary card:

  • Choose a base – The most important element of an anniversary card is the base. Most people use cardstock or a thick paper that can be folded into a card. Either way, you’ll want to choose a base material with a color that matches the intention of the card.
  • Make a design – After choosing the base, you’ll need to come up with a design. You can reference some of the ideas above, peruse around Pinterest, or even come up with your very own ideas.
  • Gather your materials – When creating a card, you’ll likely need various materials, including colored cardstock, paper, glue, pens, markers, scissors, and a ruler — just to name a few. Make sure that you have all of these ready before you start making your card.
  • Have backups ready – Remember not to put all your eggs in one basket! If you only get enough materials to make one card, you could end up making a mistake and needing extra cardstock. So, always have backup materials ready.

What To Write In An Anniversary Card

Whatever you write in an anniversary card should come from the heart. It may sound cliche, but no one wants to read a card from a loved one that just has generic phrases written in it. Instead, think about who is receiving the card and your relationship with that person. How do you feel about them? What do you want to express on this special day? What can you write that will make them happy? If you can answer these questions, you’re well on your way to making a beautiful and memorable DIY anniversary card!

Ready to start your next project? Check out our high-quality cardstock today, and let us know how you put our cardstock to good use!

How To Cut Cardstock On Cricut

If you are familiar with Cricut smart cutting machines, you probably know that they have revolutionized home crafting. The same project that may have taken you a full day to finish can now be done in half the time thanks to Cricut’s advanced design and computer-controlled cutting capabilities. However, Cricut is still relatively new territory for a lot of crafters. If you just enjoy arts and crafts as a hobby, you may not be too familiar with how the Cricut Maker and similar Cricut machines work.

In today’s guide, we are going to teach you everything you need to know about using Cricut with cardstock. More specifically, we will discuss how to cut cardstock on Cricut, different factors to consider when cutting cardstock paper, and even the best blade to use on your Cricut machine. So, let’s get started!

Using Cardstock With Cricut Maker

While there is plenty of standardization in the world of cardstock, there is still plenty of variation to consider before you stick your cardstock in a Cricut Maker. Not only are there tons of different brands of cardstock on the market, but there are also different sizes, textures, as well as weights and thicknesses.

First, we will examine cardstock size. Cardstock usually comes in specific sizes based on how you plan to use it. For example, you can get letter-size cardstock (8.5” x 11”), cardstock for scrapbooking, (12” x 12”), and occasionally extra large cardstock (12” by 18”). While most cardstock sizes will fit in your Cricut Maker without any issues, you may need to get a bigger Cricut cutting mat for the largest pieces of cardstock.

Next, you will want to consider the weight of your cardstock. As you may already know, cardstock weight is measured in pounds, and the weight of cardstock is also a reflection of its thickness. Some common sizes include 65 lbs. (light cardstock) and 85 lbs. (medium cardstock). These are both manageable using most Cricut machines, as you will be able to choose “cardstock” as your material during the setup process. However, if you want to use a thicker cardstock, like 100 lbs. cardstock, you may need to do a bit more customizing. We will talk about how to cut thick cardstock on Cricut a little later on.

Finally, you must consider the texture of your cardstock when using it with the Cricut Maker. Smooth cardstock is the standard cardstock you might use for a birthday card or invitation. This can generally be used with a Cricut machine without any issues. Alternatively, textured cardstock has a surface that is not completely smooth, as it may have a grid design that forms ridges along the face of the material. To cut this material, you will need to use the “Textured” setting on your Cricut Maker.

Cutting Glitter Cardstock On Cricut

Glitter cardstock is very popular for birthday cards and other celebratory messages, but it does present a unique challenge when you need to cut and shape your cardstock. Fortunately, Cricut machines are able to handle glitter cardstock without any issues — as long as you use the right settings. If you are preparing to cut glitter cardstock on your Cricut machine, you will need to follow these steps:

  1. Customize your design to fit your desired look
  2. Look through the materials list on your Cricut machine and select glitter cardstock (note: you may need to turn the smart set dial to “Custom”)
  3. Place your glitter cardstock onto the cutting mat as you would with any other material
  4. Load the mat into the machine and press “Go”
  5. Finally, take out the cut design

As you can see, it is not super complex to cut glitter cardstock. However, depending on the make and model of your machine, it may not have “glitter cardstock” as a preset material option right out of the box. Even if you can’t find glitter cardstock in the options, you can always turn the smart set dial to custom to let the Cricut machine know that you are using a material that is not listed. We will also address the right steps to create a custom material later in this guide.

Cutting Thick Cardstock With Cricut

Cricuts are designed to handle a wide range of materials, from extremely thin cuts of paper to much thicker, stronger materials. That said, if you don’t have the settings right, your machine may not be able to cut through very thick cardstock. For example, 100 lbs. cardstock is generally considered “heavy” and is therefore on the thicker end.

If you need to cut thick cardstock on your Cricut machine, you should not choose “cardstock” as your material. This is because the cardstock option is designed for light or medium-weight cardstock, not heavy cardstock. To make sure that the machine cuts your thick cardstock cleanly, you should select “posterboard” as your material. This way, your machine knows that it is cutting through a thicker material and will adjust its settings accordingly.

If you don’t see “posterboard” as an option, you will need to create a custom setting using the smart set dial. This is true for any cardstock that is heavier than 85 lbs. However, creating a custom material is one of the more complex processes related to Cricut machines. So, here are a few tips to help you create custom materials that match your needs:

  • Check the settings for materials that are relatively close to your materials so you know roughly how much pressure to use and which multi-cut setting is needed for your cardstock
  • Do not assume that thicker cardstock requires more pressure: it may just require a multi-cut setting
  • Try to test out your custom materials settings before you use them on your best cardstock
  • Cricut Makers can handle custom materials with a maximum thickness of 2.4 millimeters

Which Blade To Use When Cutting Cardstock

Thus far, everything has been pretty simple. Even though many Cricut owners get nervous when attempting to cut new materials, they often forget that Cricuts are specifically designed to handle hundreds of different materials with ease. However, things get a little trickier when choosing the blade type.

In many cases, your settings will help your Cricut machine pick the best blade for you. However, if you are using a custom setting or you are required to choose the blade for some other reason, you will need to know the best blade type for cutting cardstock. Generally speaking, the deep-point blade is recommended for thicker materials like chipboard, foam sheets, cardboard, and thick cardstock.

If you are using a very thin cardstock, you may be able to get by using the fine-point blade. However, you should be aware that it may not deliver a clean cut. Additionally, using the fine-point blade to cut thicker materials could wear down the blade, requiring replacement much sooner than expected.

The Bottom Line

Cutting cardstock with a Cricut machine is not rocket science, but using the wrong settings could also have disastrous results for your arts and crafts project. Therefore, it is vital that you understand how the size, weight, and texture of your cardstock can affect the final outcome. To ensure the best results, simply follow the steps in this guide or consult your Cricut manual for further guidance.

Ready to start your next project? Check out our high-quality cardstock today, and let us know how you put our cardstock to good use!

Pink Cardstock Paper Guide

Pink cardstock paper is one of the most popular varieties on the market. You can use pink cardstock for event invitations, including weddings, birthday parties, anniversaries, engagements, and baby showers (just to name a few). Plus, pink cardstock paper can be used as part of fun arts and crafts projects for kids or adults. In short, it is always a good idea to have some extra pink cardstock on hand.

In today’s guide, we will discuss some of the best ways to use pink cardstock paper. But first, let’s take a look at the different shades of pink and how to choose the best shade for your purposes.

Choosing The Right Shade Of Pink

There are literally hundreds of different shades of pink on the color scale, but this doesn’t mean you will need to sift through that many options to find the best color for you. Fortunately, there are a few popular shades of pink that are commonly used for invitations and decorations:

  • Pastel Pink – Pastel Pink is a classic color that is both elegant and sophisticated. Consequently, this color works well for a wide range of purposes, but it is especially useful for important invitations (like weddings or baby showers).
  • Fireball Fuchsia – Fireball Fuchsia is a fun, bright pink with hints of red and purple. This makes it a great option for decorations and fun activities with the kids.
  • Plasma Pink – Plasma Pink is still a bright pink that acts as a softer middle ground between Pastel and Fuchsia. This extra pop of color offers you the perfect way to grab people’s attention with posters, invitations, or even DIY decorations.
  • Pulsar Pink – Pulsar Pink is another brighter variation on the classic Pastel, but with a brighter tone. This is yet another pink option that works in a wide range of settings.
  • Watermelon – Watermelon is a really fun variation of pink that resembles the inside of its namesake fruit. Not only is watermelon a unique color, but it works great for kids’ invitations and events.
  • Flamingo – As the name implies, Flamingo Pink resembles the color of a Flamingo. It crosses traditional pink with hints of white cream. This is another color that works in virtually any setting.
  • Salmon – Salmon is a very understated pink that is a popular option in art and fashion. Since it is not overly bright or vivacious, it also offers you a simple way to send out beautiful invitations.
  • Peach – Peach combines pink with hints of yellow and white. Like the fruit, this color can vary based on the lighting, but Peach is especially good for spring or summer wedding invitations.
  • Dark Pink – Dark Pink can be a more somber color, which is why it is not used as often for invitations. However, it still serves a good purpose for arts and crafts or even posters for special events.
  • Hot Pink – Hot Pink is a bright, neon pink that really stands out from the crowd. It may be straining on the eyes for some, which is why this color is usually reserved for kids’ events and activities.
  • Magenta – Magenta combines pink, purple, and red to create an almost grape-like hue. This makes it a great choice for classy, subtle cards and invitations.
  • Light Pink – Like Pastel Pink, Light Pink is another classic color that works well in many different settings.
  • Persian Rose – Persian Rose offers a pinker variation on Magenta, making it a great option if you want something that adds a better pop of color to your project.

Pink Cardstock For Wedding Invitations

As previously mentioned, pink cardstock is a great option for wedding invitations. Typically, the shade of pink you choose will reflect the style and tone of your wedding ceremony. If you are planning a prim and proper ceremony, you may want a lighter pink. Alternatively, if you want to show a more casual side, bright and neon pink variations can get the message across instantly.

With wedding invitations, you also need to carefully consider the color and size of your font. Wedding invitations often use thin, cursive letters that could be difficult to read against a background that is too bright. Therefore, if you do opt for a bright shade of pink for your cardstock, you will want to make sure that the lettering is a bit thicker and colored to stand out against the background. On the other hand, if you choose a light pink color, you have a bit more room for variation, as the text will generally be easier to read (as long as you do not pick a similarly light color).

Though many people try to keep their wedding invitations simple, you may want to include things beyond simple colors and text. For example, you can combine pink cardstock paper with a beautiful picture of the soon-to-be-married couple. While this makes the card-making process a bit more complicated, it also helps personalize the cards for your special day.

Pink Cardstock For Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day gives you the chance to tell your loved ones how much you care about them or even reveal your feelings to your secret crush. In either case, you can use almost any shade of pink for Valentine’s Day cards and still keep your card on the theme of the day. If you want to make sure that your color screams “romance,” you can choose a shade of pink that is closer to red.

When it comes to text, you can really mix things up on your Valentine’s Day card. Pink and reddish-pink go well with text that is gold, white, cream, beige, or even silver. Depending on the darkness of your cardstock, you may be able to use darker colors like black or dark gray. Just remember that you should always be careful to find colors that do not clash in an unflattering way. This is very important when you are trying to impress or woo the recipient!

Pink Cardstock For Baby Cards

In addition to its romantic connotations, the color pink is often associated with birth, youth, and the beauty of new life. This makes it the perfect option if you are making cards to send to a baby, invitations for a baby shower, or cards of congratulations to new parents. While it may sound strange to send a newborn baby card, these are the kind of mementos that they can find years later and cherish as adults.

In any case, softer pinks are usually best for baby cards. They help emphasize the beauty and significance of such an important life event. However, if you want to make your card more fun and lively, you may choose a brighter pink that helps remind everyone that this is a great time to celebrate.

In either case, you should avoid using darker text, as it does not fit well with the tone of a baby card. Instead, try to use lighter text colors like white or cream. With baby cards, you also have more freedom to use fun additions like cartoons, stickers, or even DIY drawings.

Ready to start your next project? Check out our pink cardstock paper today, and let us know how you put our pink cardstock to good use!