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What is Cardstock? A Complete Guide

what are cardstock

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Cardstock is a heavy, durable, and more flexible type of material. It is sturdier and thicker than the average paper. This makes it perfect to use in things like arts, crafts, and cards. It is also thinner than regular paperboard and cardboard boxes. It is a great alternative to traditional printing paper. It is available in a number of weight options, types, and textures. We will dive deep into all the details of what is cardstock in this article. 

What is Cardstock Made of?

Before knowing about the types and uses, let's learn about what is cardstock made of. It is usually made using a combination of softwood and hardwood materials. Wood is sourced from different types of trees and turned into small wood chips. These are then processed through chemical or mechanical pulping to make paper. If recycled paper is used in manufacturing, then cardstock is created by blending their pulp with water.

Hardwood fibers provide the proper paper formation. Whereas softwood fibers provide the required strength. Different paper mills use different fibers at varying ratios. Hence, giving cardstock a range of sizes, finishes, weights, and quality. So essentially, what is cardstock can be defined as thicker paper. It follows the same process after all.

What is Cardstock Used For?

cardstock what

Before learning about the types and finishes of what is cardstock, let's learn about its uses. Cardstock is a very flexible material, used in many applications. Its sturdy nature is great for different types of cards as well. Here are some of the industries it's used in.

Cards

Cardstock is great for creating different kinds of cards. Its thickness makes it perfect for holding up many kinds of embellishments as well. Some examples include;

Packaging

It is used for product packaging as well because of its strong nature. Their most common uses are in custom boxes because it is easy to print on. Here are a few boxes for what is cardstock suitable for;

Cardstock is also used in scrapbooking and album-making. It is used as a base for layout backgrounds. Its thickness is enough to hold photos and decorative elements without warping.

What is Cardstock Type?

It is manufactured in different mills using different materials. It gives varying thicknesses and finishes to the cardstock. Let's talk about what is cardstock sizes and weight options and how is it determined.

What is Cardstock Size?

Cardstock size is usually measured in inches. Some of the standard cardstock sizes are as follows;

Each specific size caters to different types of usage. However, the standard size of paper for handmade cards is around 8.5 x 11 inches.

Finishes and Textures

A plain and smooth cardstock is the most used but it is available in many popular textures and finishes as well. Which are suitable for decorative cards and papercrafts. Some of the finishing options are as follows.

Now texture is as important as the finishes, some most popular texture options are;

Textured cardstock has a higher price point as compared to the regular though.

Read to Know! What is Cardboard Made of?

What is Cardstock Weight?

Cardstock weight is usually measured in pounds (lbs). Its weight varies between 65 to 110 lbs in general. The standard weight is around 80 lbs. It is written in grams per square meter, represented as GSM. It is always measured using square sheets. Here are standard GSM for cardstock and their uses.

- 75 to 90 GSM

Suitable for notebooks and sketch pads, thick enough to draw with a pencil. But not suitable for heavy inks.

- 90 to 100 GSM 

It is mostly used for household printer paper.

- 120 to 140 GSM 

It is suitable for posters for the most part. They can be promotional or decorative depending on the requirements.

- 210 to 300 GSM 

This is thicker than regular paper but still flexible. Used for magazine covers and flyers. It is also good for watercolor and ink paintings.

- 300 to 450 GSM 

This is called cardstock paper, it is the most stiff and sturdy weight available. Suitable for business cards and invitations.

Colors

Now let's talk about what is cardstock color. It is available in any color you can imagine because it is easily dyed and printable. Gradient cardstock is also used in many crafts and cards. The plain white cardstock is the most versatile option available.

What is Cardstock - Coated vs. Uncoated

Now let's talk about the difference between coated cardstock and uncoated cardstock. They both are used for different purposes depending on the project requirements.

Coated cardstock has a smooth finish because it is layered with a glossy or matte coat. If it has one side coated then it's called C1S. C2S means both of its sides are coated to enhance the visual appeal of printed designs. The coatings also prevent the paper from soaking in ink. It is mostly used in professional settings where print quality needs to be higher. Such as;

The smooth surface provides better image quality and durability.

As referred by the name, it has no coatings on it. Its surface is highly porous and natural. It is suitable for writing and painting. It is preferred for;

The raw feel provides a more natural writeable surface and organic touch.

Conclusion

We have discussed all the basics of what is cardstock in the above article. It is a nature-based paper material made with wood pulp. That makes it highly durable, flexible, and sturdy. It comes in a variety of sizes, weights, and coating types. Cardstock is also very easy to print on to get better printing quality. Making it convenient to use in many industries such as cards and custom packaging to DIY paper crafting.

Read! Get to Know About Custom Printed 4 Pack Bottle Carrier

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