Are t-shirts and sweaters the same? No. A similar situation is in paper-based materials, where some papers are thinner and others are thicker. Which one is right? It’s all about your purpose of using them. If you need more durable packaging material for your products, you need thicker and more durable cardboard that can withstand all the harsh conditions. When it comes to business cards and wedding cards, they are whole different scenarios where you need different kinds of materials. Here comes the cardstock that fills the gap of your need.

What is Cardstock?

Cardstock is smoother and more generic in appearance, while thicker than regular printer paper, but thinner than cardboard. They give you a delicate balance between flexibility and durability, making them ideal choices for a number of crafting and design applications. They are categorized by weight and often textured and coated.

Sizes and Thickness of Cardstock

Your project and packaging are effective only when they are created with optimum measurements. You need to consider a few factors to decide which one is right for you. Begin with the paper weight and size to determine how much flexibility and rigidity will be sufficient for your packaging, business cards, invitations, and more.

 Cardstock Thickness

The units used for measuring the thickness of cardstock are pounds lb, gsm, and points. If the number is higher in pt or pound, the cardstock will be thicker or vice versa.  

• 65 lb (176 gsm) – 10 pt: Your scrapbooking and covers for reports don’t require thicker cardstock, so this thickness will be ideal for crafting them, leading to easy folding and cutting.  

• 80 lb (216 gsm) – 11 pt: It shows the medium weight option for brochures, invitations, and Greeting cards that feels durable and substantial.  

• 100 lb – 110 lb (270-298 gsm) – 14-16 pt: The higher number means thicker. It gives a rigid and professional feel to the products, like Business cards and postcards.  

• 120 lb and higher: You can use such cardstock for rigid packaging boxes.

Cardstock Sizes

Cardstock is sold in various sizes based on commercial printer sizes and other specialized projects. Here are the most popular sizes for cardstock:  

• Letter: 8.5″ x 11″ – The standard size for home and office printers. 

• Legal: 8.5″ x 14″ 

• Tabloid (or Ledger): 11″ x 17″ 

• A4: 8.3″ x 11.7″ – The standard international paper size.

Types and Uses of Cardstock Based on Finishing

When you hold cardstock in your hand, it will feel different due to the various surfaces and textures of the paper. The appearance of the cardstock has a profound impact on absorbency and printability. Here are the types of cardstock:

Coated Cardstock

You can identify coated cardstock through a high level of glossiness and a stiffer feel, as they are treated with sealants. The waxy finishing on the paper gives them their signature shine and tearing resistance. The smooth surface of coated cardstock requires a lesser quantity of ink, so you can use it for photography, art books, and magazines.

Uncoated Cardstock

These cardstocks are best for letterheads, Envelopes, and stationery due to their less reflective and untreated surface. Colors on uncoated cardstock are not so vibrant, but they are easier to write on.

Embossed or Debossed Cardstock

The tactile feel on embossed cardstock comes from a raised design with a unique pattern on the surface. You can use them for crafts, scrapbooking, promotional materials, and invitations. The letterpress printing gives debossed cardstock with a thick and fluffy appearance.

Laid Cardstock

These cardstocks can be used for letterheads, reports, and presentations. The differentiating thing in such papers is the transparent lines running through them that are visible on holding them. 

Metallic Cardstock

The shiny look will add a touch of glamour to your cardstock, so it will be an ideal choice for card making, weddings, and crafting.

Glossy or Matte Cardstock

The basic material will be the same, but the finishing that can be identified through shine makes them distinct from each other. Glossy offers more shine, while matte is soft but not shiny. If you need a compromised result between glossy and matte cardstock, we recommend you to use satin cardstock finish. 

Parchment or Wove Cardstock 

Parchment cardstock is rough, while wove cardstock is smooth and slightly rough. Parchment cardboard is perfect for awards, invitations, stamping, and scrapbooking. Wove can be used as everyday paper. 

Colored Cardstock

Cardstock has impressive colors other than white. For purity, innocence, and cleanliness, you can use white but black cardstock, yellow cardstock, green cardstock, purple cardstock, orange cardstock, blue cardstock, and more have their purposes. Don’t limit yourself to the white only when you can move beyond.

Paper Finishing Services for Cardstock

Give your cardstock a professional look through special paper finishing services. They are used for common paper, but you can apply them to your cardstock to make it more appealing.

Cutting

If your cardstock has uncommon sheet sizes or you need custom dimensions, cutting will ensure you get the exact size of cardstock for your needs.

Scoring

Clean and quick fold comes from the scoring tools that indent into the cardstock at certain places. This process is used for invitations, booklets, place cards, and more.

Perforating

The items like shelf talkers, coupons, and tickets require tearing off and quick folding. You can use perforation to add a series of holes to get the specified shape.

Hole Punching

When you need to compile a bunch of cardstock in the form of booklets, informational packages, handouts, and presentations, hole punching will add clean circular holes for you.

Uses of Cardstock

The uses of cardstock based on their look and feel are affected by both the weight and size. The following are the uses of cardstock: 

65lb Cardstock

• Greeting Cards  
• Postcards 
• Posters  
• Tickets 
• Crafts

80lb Cardstock

• Business Cards  
• Posters 
• Greeting Cards  
• Invitations  
• Table Tents  
• Folders  
• Tickets 
• Crafts

100lb Cardstock

• Business Cards 
• Flat Cards  
• Invitations 
• Posters 
• Folders 
• Tickets 
• Crafts 
• Gift Tags 
• Greeting Cards

 120lb Cardstock

• Certificates 
• Report Covers 
• Menus  
• Gift Tags 
• Business Cards 

Takeaways

• Cardstock is thinner than cardboard, but both are made of paper.  
• Cardstock has different weights and sizes; choose one based on your needs.  
• Finishing plays a vital role in the printability of cardstock.

Whether you need coated or uncoated cardstock for your greeting cards, business cards, and more, you can contact The Packaging World for the best product at affordable prices. We know time is money, so our turnaround time is fast as well. 

FAQs

What is the difference between cardstock and coverstock? 

Cardstock is a generic term for a relatively thicker type of paper that is more rigid than standard paper, while coverstock is cardstock specially designed for covers only. Coverstock is premium heavy paper with finishes like metallic, glossy, and more.  

What is the difference between coverstock and construction paper? 

Coverstock is known for its smooth and durable nature, while used for professional business cards and more. Construction paper made of unbleached wood pulp confines its uses for children’s crafts, school projects, and general-purpose art.  

Can I use cardstock for shipping boxes? 

No, shipping boxes require more durable packaging material. The suitable choice for them is cardboard rather than cardstock.