Cardstock paper can be a blank canvas for millions of projects. They can be used to create birthday cards, holiday ornaments, decorative signs, and so much more. The sky is really the limit when it comes to what you can achieve with cardstock paper. Whatever the creative within you decides, decorating the cardstock is generally a crucial step in any cardstock project.
While crayons and markers are both valuable coloring tools, sometimes it’s just more fun to whip out the paints and brushes. There is something therapeutic about the stroke of a paintbrush that just awakens the artist hiding in each of us. Painting allows for bursts of creative expression that ordinary coloring just cannot achieve.
Can You Paint On Cardstock?
Before painting, the important question to ask is whether cardstock paper works as a good canvas for paint. The good news is that you can most definitely paint cardstock. Since it is significantly thicker than ordinary paper, it can withstand the weight of paint without losing its integrity. In this painting cardstock guide, we will discuss whether there is a best paint for cardstock and which painting techniques work best for different types of cardstock paper.
Acrylic Painting On Cardstock
One of the more popular paint types is acrylic paint. Acrylic paints tend to be more pigmented than watercolor paints and allow for endless possibilities when it comes to painting. A primary concern when it comes to cardstock painting is whether the paper can withstand the paint. No one wants to spend hours on a painting only to have the paper warp as it dries.
In order to prevent the dreaded warping, it is important to use a dry brush when painting with acrylic paints on cardstock paper. This means that your brush head needs to be checked prior to painting and the bristles must be completely dry. If you are switching paint colors during painting and wash your brush, make sure to dry the bristles completely before continuing to paint.
Not all cardstock papers are created equal. When it comes to selecting cardstock for painting, it is best to choose a thicker cardstock. The thicker the cardstock, the better it can withstand the amount of paint on its surface. Depending on your painting project, you can decide which cardstock thickness works best. If your plan is to paint a few small decorations, a midweight cardstock will be more than adequate. If you want to paint the entire paper, a heavyweight cardstock would be ideal.
Besides for the actual weight of the cardstock, it is important to note that the best paper for acrylic paint will not be one hundred percent smooth. Texture allows the paint to absorb better. For this reason, make sure to stay away from any glossy finishes. To achieve optimal results, use acrylic paint on mid-weight to heavyweight cardstock that has a slightly textured feel to it.
Watercolor Painting On Cardstock
Acrylic paints and watercolor paints could not be more different. One is not better than the other. It really just comes down to personal preference. Watercolor paints can create masterpieces of subtle calming colors that no other paint can really achieve. If watercolor is your thing, you’ll be pleased to know that watercolor paints can be used on cardstock paper. However, because the paint is different, the same rules do not apply.
When it comes to watercolor painting, it is impossible to use the dry brush painting method that is recommended when painting with acrylic paint. Watercolor paints require a wet brush. For this reason, it is extremely important to use a heavyweight cardstock paper. When selecting cardstock for watercolor painting, you should ideally choose a cardstock with a weight of 130 pounds. The weight of the paper will allow it to withstand the water without warping.
Once you have selected your heavyweight cardstock paper, you can use your watercolors to begin painting. If you plan to use a lot of paint in overlapping layers, it is recommended to allow each part to dry before continuing. Even heavyweight cardstock can’t withstand too much water. It’s advisable to pay attention to the amount of watercolor paint on cardstock; use your judgement on drying times and what the paper can withstand.
Spray Painting Cardstock
There is something about spray paint that just screams fun. Graffiti is generally the first thing that comes to mind when mentioning spray paint. While there is an entire culture of street art dedicated to spray painting graffiti, spray paint can be used in so many other ways. It’s such an alternative painting method since it doesn’t abide by the typical painting method of using a paintbrush. Spray paint can allow you to easily change the color of an entire paper. It can also be used to create tie-dye effects as well as many other unique designs.
When selecting cardstock paper for painting, it is important to choose a heavyweight cardstock that can withstand the amount of paint you plan to use. If your plan is to spray paint a few small stencils, a medium to heavyweight cardstock will be perfect. If you want to spray paint more than a third of the paper, it is recommended to use a true heavyweight cardstock.
Painting with spray paints differs greatly than painting with acrylics. Whereas rough slightly textured paper is the best option for acrylics, a smooth glossy finish is the ideal choice when spray painting. The reason for this is that when it comes to acrylics, you want the paper to absorb the paint so a texture that is not completely smooth will achieve that. In contrast, when it comes to spray painting, you don’t want the paper to absorb the paint. You want the paint to sit on top of the paper and dry there.
Once you have selected your heavyweight glossy cardstock paper, you can begin the spray painting project of your dreams. Get creative and use painters tape to create unique cut-out looking designs. When spray painting, since the paint sits on top of the paper and doesn’t absorb into it, it is important to allow each layer of paint to dry before continuing to spray additional paint. Also, don’t worry if the spray paint doesn’t look one hundred percent even, the slight differences in texture are what makes the spray painting method so unique.
When you spray paint cardstock, it is important to be in a well-ventilated room. The fumes can get a little heady and proper ventilation is very important. Open a few windows before you begin and allow them to stay open for at least an hour or two once you have finished in order to allow all of the fumes to escape.
As long as you remember these basic tips when it comes to painting cardstock, you can really take as many creative liberties as you like when creating your masterpiece. Whether you’d like to awaken the street artist within you or whether you prefer an idyllic Van-Gogh style painting, the sky is really the limit when it comes to painting. Simply roll up your sleeves, include the whole family, and paint away!