When it comes to versatile types of paper, cardstock is near the top of the list. Cardstock paper is a thicker, more durable alternative to traditional printer paper that can be used in a variety of applications. It comes in a complete range of colors, textures, and thicknesses depending on your needs. Here is what you should know about cardstock before you buy.
Common Cardstock Paper Weights
Paper weight describes how thick or heavy the paper is. The heavier the paper’s weight is, the thicker the cardstock paper will be. While the technical weights are not always helpful when you are choosing cardstock paper for invitations, knowing what types of documents are suited for different applications can be useful. Some of the most common weights include:
- 65 lb. cardstock: tickets, greeting cards, scrapbooking paper, greeting cards, postcards
- 80 lb. cardstock: business cards, invitations, table tents, crafts, folders
- 100 lb. cardstock: gift tags, luxury business cards, flat cards
- 110 lb. cardstock: certificates, menus, awards, report covers
If you are choosing cardstock for the printer at your home or business, you should make sure that you select one that your printer or copier can accommodate.
The Different Cardstock Finishes
Just like other types of paper, there are many different finishes available for cardstock printing. Coated cardstock has been covered in a thin layer of sealant that can change its appearance by adding a firmer feel or making it glossy. Coated cardstock is excellent for printing photography, but it isn’t as appropriate for stationery. Uncoated cardstock hasn’t been treated, so the ink will absorb more cleanly into the paper.
Other cardstock paper finishes include:
- Cockle, which has a rough texture that looks similar to the finish of handmade paper
- Felt, which feels soft and slightly fuzzy
- Embossed, which is raised and distinctive for use in wedding invitations or other important documents
- Gloss, which is shiny and smooth
- Linen, which looks and feels just like linen and feels more personalized and bespoke
- Matte, which is a type of cardstock paper that has a slight sheen
- Satin, which is a balance between glossy cardstock and matte paper that gives you the best of both worlds
- And more
If you are on a tight budget, remember that some of the more luxurious finishes can lead to a higher cardstock paper price. There are many different options available in a variety of price points, so working with the right vendor can keep costs low without sacrificing quality.
How to Print Cardstock
Because cardstock paper is thicker than traditional products, you cannot always use it in a traditional printer. If you don’t print cardstock properly, it could crack when you fold it, become warped, get jammed in the printer, or have visible roller marks. If you are printing at home, check your printer manual ahead of time to ensure that it can handle the weight of your cardstock paper. You may need to hand-feed the sheets individually if they are very thick.
If you don’t have a printer that is appropriate at home, you can always rely on commercial printing. Commercial printers are designed to handle a wide range of paper thicknesses and finishes, and they will also provide you with finishing options that take the work out of folding programs, collating booklets, or other tasks. Depending on where you go, cardstock finishing services can include:
- Scoring for clean folds
- Cutting to precise dimensions
- Perforating
- Hole punching
- And more
Making the extra effort to find the right printer for your cardstock printing project can make a big difference in the finished product.
[…] you can store the stickers in the binders. Just vertically align them on glossy thick pages or card stock papers and bind them in the binders. That’s it. Doing so will let you easily see your collected stickers […]