Have you ever experienced making DIY crafts and handmade cards at a young age? Or have you ever tried to impress your teachers, friends, and partners with decorated and hand-crafted cards? Everyone has done this at least once in their life, and I bet you can't deny this. How cool it felt at that age! But the point is, what material did you use for card-making and crafts? Do you remember? Let us remind you. It was cardstock, the durable type of paper in different colors.
In your childhood, you just liked the material and found it easy to make crafts with it. But as a business, you cannot be just impressed by its smooth and colorful appearance. You have to consider more factors like its thickness, weight, and types that can resonate with your brand packaging.
Let me share with you an interesting, fun fact from history. You think card making is new or has become popular in recent years. No, it is not new. According to Wikipedia, ancient Chinese sent greeting cards on New Year's Day, and ancient Egyptians sent greetings with papyrus scrolls. In the 1850s, people used expensive and handmade cards as a way of communication. This got popular with the advancements in printing and mechanization.
In this blog, we, as packaging experts, will explore what cardstock is in detail. We will conclude where we can use it and how costly or affordable it can be for our customized box packaging. Without wasting a single second, let's begin!
The cardstock is one of the most common crafting supplies that is thicker than regular paper for writing and printer paper. If you have ever touched a business card, a postcard, playing cards, or scrapbooks, the material is cardstock. It is also known as cover stock or pasteboard, which is durable than regular paper.
It offers versatile applications from packaging and cards to homework and crafts. Recently, the craze of card-making among individuals has revolutionized the world of paper crafting. Use this paper for invitations, business cards, crafts, Menu cards, and certificates.
Making this smooth paper seems interesting, doesn't it? Do you know how cardstock paper is made? Let's discover this together! It is made by the blending of hardwood, softwood fibers, and fillers. Hardwood provides structure to the paper. Softwood gives strength. The fillers enhance the opacity, brightness, and overall appearance of the cardstock.
An interesting fact is that the fiber blend is 99% water. The water is dispersed from an opening to a storage container of a paper-making machine. This blend then flows onto a wide, flat, and porous moving screen. To form paper, water is drained from the bottom of the wire, and the leftover fiber forms a sheet. The sheet is passed through a series of roller presses and heat dryers to make it flat, uniform, and dry. This type of construction makes this paper thicker than regular paper. But it is less flexible than the cardboard.
If we talk about the novices and paper industry specialists, they use the terms cardstock and cover stock interchangeably. Both terms cover stock and cardstock are used to indicate heavy-weight paper generally. But when it comes to technical terms, they are slightly different from each other.
What's the slight difference between them? It's the thickness in caliper that makes them different. Cardstock is measured in actual thickness, i.e., caliper, but cover stock, on the other hand, is measured by paper basis weight. The caliper is the thickness of a single sheet of paper, while the 500 sheets of sample paper are known as the basis weight.
If you are a business thinking of using cardstock, it is a great idea. In fact, it sounds good to use a thick, rigid material that can hold its shape. It will provide you with the following benefits:
For product packaging, it is often a main concern to use a material that is thicker and more durable than normal paper. It offers the rigidity and strength that protect products from damage. Moreover, it offers good print quality and customization options.
Want to impress customers with professional packaging? You are thinking right, but how would you make this possible? Use cardstock as it offers a smooth and consistent surface in different colors and with sharp text. The amazing and vibrant colors also make them pop.
It gives your product the credibility of a product from a professional brand rather than a cheap brand.
One important thing you need to know about cardstock is that it is moisture-resistant. Because it lets you apply different types of coating so that moisture can't damage the packaging. Its ability to resist moisture is better than the synthetic materials.
You have seen or even experienced this: cardstock is the common material for die-cuts and themed paper crafts. It is easy to fold, score, and make DIY crafts, which makes it a popular option among DIY enthusiasts.
As a student or a packaging partner, you need to work on projects of different themes. The projects may be based on rustic, vintage, or handmade themes, where cardstock paper is a great choice. It will enhance the overall look and add an aesthetic appeal.
The writing surface of the material matters a lot when it comes to customization. The surface of the cardstock is even and smooth, which assists in easy painting. Moreover, it allows better printing by reducing the chances of ink smudging.
This cover stock is suitable for all no matter you are a student, a painter, or a packaging expert. For DIY enthusiast students, it is the primary choice. Cardstock is often used for business cards, brochures, and table tents for branding by most businesses. As a product business, you can choose common cardstock to make your product packaging. Apply different finishes like gloss, textured, or matte finishes. Don't forget to try the layered die-cuts and themed paper to create unique shapes and designs that capture attention.
Gone are the days when cardstock use was limited to crafts and greeting cards only. Now it is part of the commercial printing industry in addition to a wide range of papers, where thickness and better quality are the demands. Here are some types of cardstock available in the market:
Textures are essential when you need decorative cardstock. You should not limit your creativity by choosing plain white cardstock. Can you imagine one wrong choice has the potential to break or end your project? Sounds risky. There is nothing to worry about; just choose the type of textured cardstock wisely. The following are some textures for decorative cardstock you can choose:
1. Smooth cardstock
2. Metallic cardstock
3. Glossy cardstock
4. Parchment cardstock
5. Linen cardstock
6. Felt cardstock
7. Cotton cardstock
8. Vellum
9. Woodgrain cardstock
10. Glitter cardstock
11. Kraft cardstock
12. Rough cardstock
13. Organic or natural cardstock
The colored decorative cardstock sets often come in a wide range of colors. Many customers in the world are suffering from OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). You can attract that customer segment with colored sets, as they will not have to make their hands dirty with paint. These cardstocks are a blessing for these customers. Moreover, these heavy papers are suitable for layered die-cuts and crafts. You are not limited to just plain white color; you can choose red, black, yellow, and more colors.
The businesses and customers are under a misconception, a cardstock that is thicker, stiffer, and has weight is good. The high-quality cardstock is actually made from quality fibre, and the manufacturing process makes it premium or light. We recommend that you choose colored cardstock for the greeting cards, scrapbook pages, and DIY crafts. If you want elegance with embellishments and design, use textured cardstock for wedding invitations, home decor, brochures, and magazines.
The thickness of cardstock is measured either in points or mils. Both measurement units tell the thickness of the sheet as compared to the thousandths of an inch. The following are some common cardstock thicknesses:
Want the right cardstock for your business cards, brochures, and trade show materials? A thickness of 10 pt will be suitable for you. In addition to these items, you can use it for media kits, menus, calendars, even programs, lookbooks, crafts, awards, and certificates.
If you want a paper thickness of more than 10 pt for business cards, you must choose 12 pt thickness. They are great for gift tags, postcards, marketing campaigns, pocket folders, and presentation materials.
Do not want standard 10 pt or 12 pt cardstock, but want professional business materials without breaking your bank? No need to worry, when you can choose 14 pt thick cardstock for your flyers, menu cards, and postcards.
Want professional visiting cards that reflect luxury and premium quality? We recommend that you choose a 16 pt cardstock if you feel first impression is important to catch clients. We recommend using this depth for wedding invitations, greeting cards, booklets, and catalogues.
In the above discussion, we found out that we can use cardstock even for product packaging. It will not harm the credibility of your product, but will enhance its presentation. But you will have to choose a rigid and very thick cardstock, i.e., 24 pt. We recommend using it for premium visiting cards, 24 pt cardstock for invitations, and product packaging.
Cardstock weight is not a factor you can easily ignore. It has a significant impact on the look and feel of the project, with durability as well. It is weighed in lbs or GSMs. You have to choose the weight by considering its intended use and how it is expected to perform. Will it be for lightweight use, or will it have to face the tough delivery times? You have to decide and choose accordingly:
The 65 lb weight makes cardstock ideal for greeting cards, postcards, tickets, crafts, and posters. All these items are thinner and more flexible, so it is recommended to use this weight for them.
We recommend using 80 lb cardstock for business cards, greeting cards, invitations, folders, table tents, and more.
The 100 lb weight is thicker than the 65 lb and 80 lb weights. Use it for luxury gift cards, decals, premium business cards, and flash cards.
If you want cardstock for business cards, awards, certificates, report covers, crafts, gift tags, and invitations, choose a weight between 105 to 110 lb.
GSM is the standard unit for measuring paper weight. How is it measured? It is very simple. The sheet is cut to one square meter, no matter what the length or width of the paper becomes. Let's find out the standard weights in GSM and where we can use them:
This paper weight is used in sketch pads or notebooks. But we do not recommend it for heavy inks and alcohol markers.
The 90-100 GSM weight cardstock is recommended for household use.
The movie theatre posters, product posters, and promotional posters weigh 120-140 GSM.
This paper weight is good for stiffer and thicker but bendable pages. According to our recommendation, use this weight for magazine covers, watercolors, paintings, and high-quality flyers.
Do you know which paper weight is used for business cards, handmade cards, and invitations? It is the thickest paper weight, 350 to 450 GSM.
The sheet size matters when we need to adhere to the industrial standards. But don't limit your creativity and think out of the box to make a difference. For cardstock, the only thing that can limit your potential is the printer's capabilities. Based on this fact, the following are the commonly used sizes of cardstock sheets:
1) 8 1/2" x 11" for office and home printing needs, documents, and flyers
2) 11" x 17" for notices, visuals, architectural plans, and posters
3) 12" x 12" is a standard scrapbook size
4) 18" x 12" for display materials, posters, and artwork
|
Booklets |
Catalog Cover |
Certificates |
Flyers |
Decorative Items |
|
|
Hanging Home Decor |
Occasional Decoration |
Greeting Cards |
Die-cutting |
DIY Bookmarks |
|
|
Color Books |
Scrapbooking |
Artist Trading Cards |
Tags |
Borders & Photo Mats |
Mixed Media |
|
Background and Cover Pages |
Invitations |
Menus |
Table Tent Cards |
Business Cards |
Postcards |
It is a misconception that cardstock is used for crafting only. It is a versatile option for use in different fields, including crafting and print design. Let's discover their usage in designing and crafting:
Have you seen booklets, printouts, and invitations? They are mostly made of cardstock. In addition, you can use it for designing client projects and promotional materials.
For craft projects, cardstock is the first choice. You can use it for school projects, personal and artisanal use, cardmaking, cut-outs, gift tags, and other decorations.
Don't even think of underestimating the power of colors and considering them good for visual appeal only. Thinking why? Because they not only bring life to your crafts and box packaging but also give you a chance to play with customer psychology. The colors directly influence their decision whether they should stay or move on. Let's explore different colors and learn how to play with customer emotions and decision-making power:
| Different Colors For Cardstock | |
|---|---|
| Color | What Does It Indicate? |
|
White |
Purity, cleanliness, and innocence for professional-looking packaging, especially for food and beverage packaging. |
|
Black |
Power, sophistication, and mystery. Use black cardstock for luxury product packaging. |
|
Yellow |
Represents friendliness, optimism, and stimulates energy in the viewers. |
|
Green |
Symbol of environment, growth, and money. Brands that want to represent themselves as a sustainable and eco-friendly brand must use green color in their posters, logo, and packaging. |
|
Blue |
Blue gives the sense of reliability, trustworthiness, and security. If you want a poster or packaging that gains the trust of viewers, blue is an ideal choice. |
|
Red |
Red is the color of love, excitement, passion, and appetite that stimulates strong emotions. |
|
Pink |
Pink symbolizes romance, joy, and nurturing. You can use it for greeting cards, gift tags, and paper flowers. |
These are a few colors that influence the customer's thinking patterns. You can discover more colors like purple, orange, grey, and more to convince the viewers the way you want.
If you are a business or you have customers who love art, then we suggest that you promote your products with our artwork boxes and packaging. To learn how artwork packaging promotes your business and increases sales, read our detailed guide: Promotional Packaging Artwork
The final look is the game-changer in setting the expectations and achieving your goal. The finish helps you to complete the final look as it describes the surface and texture of the sheet. The printability also depends on the type of finish you choose. The finishes help you to satisfy the expectations of the intended audience and leave the impression you want. Are you unsure what type of finish you choose to add emotions to your work? Don’t worry, explore the following paper, finish, and choose wisely:
The uncoated cardstock has an untreated surface that gives a softer look to the projects. It absorbs the inks to diffuse the vibrance. It is perfect to use for letterheads, envelopes, and stationery.
No one will like plain cardstock for crafting and other purposes. So the cardstock is coated with a sealant and wax finish. Why? Because it gives a glossy effect with different levels of shine. In addition to shining, it offers protection against wear and tear and reduces the amount of ink absorption. We recommend coated cardstock for photography, magazines, and art books.
You have observed the raised design elements on the packaging. What is that finish? It’s embossing that raises the design elements on the surface. The design elements are pressed into the paper that you can touch. You can note embossing on scrapbooking, wedding invitation cards, and promotional materials.
Want a soft touch for your cardstock? Give a try to felt finish. It feels soft like wool. We recommend you use it for crafts, scrapbooking, invitations, and wedding cards.
You can reproduce new colors of cardstock with a finish. Want to know how? Just apply a gloss finish that adds a layer of shine. You will find gloss-finished paper in magazines, photos, and brochures.
The matte finish papers reduce the brightness of vibrant colors. Matte paper is the recommended paper option when you need a professional and clean look. It protects the images from fingerprints. Use them for documents, photos, or tickets.
Have you ever observed sheer and transparent lines in some documents? These lines are visible when you put the document into the light. This effect is due to the laid finish. It adds a professional look to business documents like letterhead, reports, presentations, and stationery items.
Lettra paper is the brand of paper that provides thick and fluffy paper for letterpress printing. Use this paper with embossing, debossing, and foil work.
Want to add a fabric look to the letterheads, restaurant menus, invitations, wedding, and greeting cards? Not a problem. Just apply the linen finish that will add a feel of linen cloth.
Everyone loves a smooth cardstock surface, don’t you? The smoothness feels satisfying. Besides a satisfying feeling, what is another pro of a smooth surface? It's the crisp image that is produced on the smooth surfaces. If you also want to get similar results, we suggest applying a smooth finish.
How will you feel if you have business documents in personalized cardstock that you love? The rough surface reminds you the school time, and if it's rough like an animal skin, it feels amazing. If you want the animal skin-like feel, a vellum or parchment finish is for you. You can add this finish to business documents, newsletters, diplomas, and calligraphy for a classic and traditional feel.
The things that shine look more attractive. If you are looking for a finish perfect for invitations, wedding cards, and crafting, choose metallic finish. You can enjoy vitality and glamour at the same time.
The satin finish feels like a blend of glossy and matte finishes. Um, let me explain how it looks. A gloss finish will make it difficult to read the text. But if you choose a matte one, it feels plain boring. When you want readability and shine on the same page, we satin finish is a big yes. It is best for portfolios, photo albums, and scrapbooks.
Silk is another finish option similar to the satin finish. It gives a finish between glossy and matte. It makes the text readable in a slight sheen. This makes it easier to write on this paper. Use it on leaflets, brochures, booklets, and projects with promotional materials.
Do you remember the rough feel of handmade paper? It gives you the memory of your childhood when you feel its rough surface. You can achieve the same texture for cardstock with the cockle finish.
Are you confused about choosing which color scheme of printing for your packaging? Which one is better for you: CMYK, RGB, or PMS? We recommend to read our blog: CMYK: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key - Printing Process.
Now the point of concern is whether cardstock is affordable for you, or not, for both regular and premium product packaging. The answer is simple: it is affordable if you purchase cardstock in bulk. The price depends on factors including thickness, weight, and finish. For a 12 pt and 24 pt cardstock, the pricing is as follows:
12 pt cardstock is the commonly used standard size. Its average price is $3.95 per square foot, which will become more affordable if you purchase in large quantities. In terms of square meters, according to this rate, the price will be $42.51.
24 pt cardstock is thicker than 12 pt, so it will cost you more. The average price increases from $3.95 to $4.99 per square foot as the thickness in points increases. Per square meter, the price will become $53.71.
The pricing sounds expensive. What do you think? What about purchasing in bulk to avail exclusive discounts that save you money of at least $0.01 or $0.02? Purchase in bulk quantities that will help you save money.
Paper choice is not an underestimated decision because one wrong choice and your fielding will be set. Cardstock is often preferred over writing paper and cover stock for several potential reasons. Let's find out what makes cardstock the preferred choice:
| Parameter | Cover Stock | CardStock | Paper |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Texture and Smoothness |
It is a coated and textured material. |
It is smoother than cover stock. |
It can be either smooth or textured. |
|
Weight Measurement |
It is measured in basis weight instead of caliper. |
It is measured in caliper measurements. |
Paper is measured in caliper. |
|
Pricing |
The cover stock is the most expensive material. |
The cardstock is an affordable material. |
The regular paper is the least expensive material compared to cardstock and cover stock. |
|
Applications |
Flyers |
Business cards |
Documents |
|
Brochures |
Post cards |
Memos |
|
|
Business cards |
Announcements |
School work |
|
|
Booklets |
|
Flyers |
|
|
Presentation covers |
Photos |
Letters |
Generally, the printers cannot handle paper more than 80 lbs basis weight. So, you must avoid using them, or you must check with the commercial printers to see if they support thicker versions. Otherwise, the printers will be jammed or warped out. For printing on cardstock, you must check the following:
Before using cardstock paper, it is recommended to read the printer's manual. You will find the maximum paper weight capacity.
In case you have thicker sheets, we recommend that you feed one sheet at a time. You should do it yourself.
For specialized products where you have to use heavy cardstock, we recommend professional printing services.
What is cardstock paper used for?
Cardstock paper is used for creating professional business cards, postcards, greeting cards, invitations, and certificates.
Is cardstock just a thick paper?
Yes, it is. Cardstock is a thick type of paper compared to regular paper. It is weighed either in lbs (pounds) or grams per square meter (GSMs).
Is cardstock the same as cardboard?
No, they are not the same. Cardstock is more flexible than cardboard. It is a thick single-ply paper, but the cardboard is a heavyweight material that can be layered as well.
Can cardstock go through a printer?
Yes, cardstock can easily go through a printer. Cardstock of 80 lb can easily pass through the printer. Moreover, it depends on the printer how much thickness of cardstock it can handle.
What are the disadvantages of cardstock paper?
The cardstock paper is expensive than the regular paper. Due to its thickness, it is difficult to fold and store. Those are some disadvantages compared to the regular paper.
Do you offer customized boxes in cardstock?
Yes, we do. You can request any kind of custom boxes in cardstock and other materials like Kraft, cardboard, and corrugated.
The cardstock is an ideal choice for many applications, rather than just crafting. Gone are the days when it was used only for making DIY crafts and school projects. Now, it has become a vital material for various industries, in which the printing and packaging industries are at the top of the list. Cardstock is thicker than regular writing paper, which makes it resistant to wear and tear. Therefore, we recommend it as a perfect material for business cards, brochures, table tents, certificates, and other promotional materials. When it comes to pricing, it is often a good idea to purchase it in bulk, as you can save money.
If you are in search of a reliable packaging partner who can design packaging in cardstock, you are at the right place. We offer you customized packaging in sizes, shapes, and designs you want. Besides packaging in cardstock, we at MyBoxPrinting offer you packaging in eco-friendly materials. Contact us to get an instant quote and see your sales skyrocket.
