Cardstock - My Recommendations

Hello, my name is Dips and I'm a cardstock addict!  When I explain that the picture below is of my current stash of plain A3 cardstock, perhaps you'll understand!

And the above is the slimmed down version - I used to have twice as much as this!

What's the Best Card
I often get asked what's the best cardstock to use, and the answer depends on what you want to do!  Below are my recommendations on the best cardstock to use for different papercrafting needs, if you are scrapbooking, make sure your choosen card is acid free:

To make card bases	Conqueror 300gsm card finished in wove (smooth), contour (hammered) or laid (Finely Ridged), Oyster or White colour Stardream (285gsm) or Majestic (290gsm) double-sided pearlescent Colourplan (270gsm) or Accent (300gsm) double-sided matt Kraft card (280gsm) Silk Art Coated (300gsm)
To mat and layer	All of the above plus Mirri or Mirror card (270 gsm), Centura Pearl (250gsm) and Curious Irridescent (240gsm) Core’dinations Colour-Core cardstock (260 gsm)
To use with Electronic Die Cutting Machines	All of the above but care needs to be taken with Mirri or Mirror card which has a foil-layer (it can be best to use mirror-cut and cut it out back-to-front with the mirrored side facing the cutting mat)
To use with Manual Die Cutting Machines	All of the above
To use with Embossing Folders	All of the above
For Rubber Stamping & Colouring with Alcohol Pens	Silk Art Board (300gsm) Elegance Satin Super Smooth (300gsm) Neenah Classic Crest
For Printing	Centura Pearl, Conqueror Wove & Irridescent, Curious Irridescent, Silk Art Board, Elegance Satin Super Smooth, Neenah
For Inking/Spritzing	Silk Art Board
Box Making	Box Board (550 gsm) for box base Any of the above for box lid

What Size?
As you will have seen from the opening picture, I prefer to buy my card in A3.  This is because I tend to make my own card bases (often using my Cameo Silhouette with the Extended Cutting Mat) and I like a larger card base usually c20cm x 20cm/7.5"x7.5". I rarely have any waste from using A3 card as I use an off-cuts to create embellishments or borders from my card.  This size is also good for making boxes or papercraft projects such as baskets, masks, easel cards or cards-in-a-box. If you make 15cmx15cm cards, then choose 12"x12" card as your go-to size, and if you make A5 or A6, then buy A4 card.

What Finish?
As a rule of thumb when I want a sheen, pearl or glisten finish, I use double-sided pearlescent card such as Stardream, Majestic or Curious, and would choose this over single-sided pearl such as Centura. Double-sided pearlescent is luxurious and is a higher gsm than Centura, providing a stronger base for card making.

If I want a matt finish, I prefer Conqueror or Accent, but will choose Colourplan if I need a colour not available in the former two.

Using different Textures or Finishes will add interest to a card, especially the same colour tone but in different styles.

What Colour?
In terms of card colour for a card base, I use Oyster (matt) or Opal (pearlescent).  These both have much less yellow in them than either an Ivory or Cream coloured card. Milk is also a lovely alternative too. To me, they are a more pleasing and subtle colour choice.  I only use White if I am also using a designer patterned paper that has white accents in it.








My Personal Favourites
Although I do think it is important to have a wide variety of card for any given project, the selection below represents my personal favourites which I turn to time and again, namely; Cappucino (Stardream), Opal (Stardream), Lilac (Stardream), Pink (Accent), Damask Blue (Majestic)

For future reference, you might want to download a PDF of this post here.

So what's your favourite, do let me know?  Have I missed anything you want to know?

I've been asked where I shop for my Cardstock, I buy from:

Create and Craft




Crafter's Companion


PDACardandCraft

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