Quality cardstock is usually something that we don’t think too much of when starting a project. Unless you have a lot of experience handling different kinds of cardstock and qualities, you probably just expect cardstock to feel like how you expect it to–sturdy, durable, and able to hold its shape.
But cardstock comes in many different sizes, weights, colors, and even materials. So how do you differentiate cheap and readily-available cardstock with something more premium? Learn about all the types of quality cardstock and how to distinguish between them below.
The Weight and Thickness of Cardstock
It’s fairly common that you’ll find bulk cardstock available on online retailers such as Amazon. They’re usually listed as having a certain weight rating or GSM (grams per square meter), a measurement of how heavy the paper is. Different weights can be used for different purposes. Something that is 300 to 400 GSM is much heavier, meaning they’re great for use in general cards, business cards, invitations, and even signage. However, since it’s not as easy to bend, it might not be suitable for a book or magazine.
That’s where 200 to 300 GSM cardstock comes in handy. If you’re printing something that needs to be a little bendy, then it really helps to get less thickness. It’s great for books, magazines, flyers, and even brochures.
However, when buying cardstock at various GSM ratings, it’s not really possible for someone to test the quality of paper unless they have specific tools. That means unless you’re buying from a reputable seller that understands GSM ratings and other factors specific to paper and cardstock, there’s no guarantee that you’ll get the advertised GSM.
So to prevent this, it’s important to buy good quality cardstock from vendors that are trusted and reliable. Ordering cardstock for business cards and then receiving something flimsy not only wastes your time and money, but results in an inferior product that might negatively affect your reputation when you start handing out these business cards!
Picking the Right Texture and Finish
Premium cardstock paper can feel great in the hands. If you’re planning to make something that will be touched, such as a business card or birthday card, then it can help to create a good first impression with a quality texture and finish. You might also want a different texture for artistic purposes, such as watercolor painting. This might seem like a minor difference, but it’s vital in professional applications where a noticeably tactile feel can contribute to a better impression of a product.
In short, working with quality cardstock ensures that you can carry out your designs or ideas without being held back by a low quality product. It ensures that your products or designs will turn out as you envisioned them, and you’ll avoid wasting time and money if you decide to buy bulk cardstock that has been incorrectly advertised or manufactured through an inferior production process.
Learn more about Quality Cardstock
If you would like to learn more about quality cardstock and different colors it is available in make sure to check out PaperPapers.com. They have a variety of cardstock available in different GSM’s and colors. If you have any questions or need any help when choosing your next cardstock make sure to Contact them. They would be more than happy to answer any questions you might have.
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