Understanding Paper for Crafting Success

Choosing the right paper transforms craft projects from amateur to professional. Paper weight, finish, fiber content, and purpose all determine whether your creation holds up, looks polished, or falls apart. This guide demystifies paper terminology and helps you select the perfect paper for every project.

Paper Weight Explained

Weight (lb) Weight (gsm) Thickness Feel Common Uses Can It Fold?
20-24 lb 75-90 gsm Thin, like copy paper Origami, tissue overlays, pattern tracing Excellent
28-32 lb 105-120 gsm Light, like magazine Lightweight cards, liners, paper piecing Very good
65-80 lb 176-218 gsm Medium, like cardstock Card bases, scrapbook pages, die-cutting Good with scoring
80-100 lb 218-271 gsm Heavy cardstock Sturdy cards, boxes, structure Requires scoring
110-130 lb 298-350 gsm Very heavy Premium cards, covers, stands alone Difficult, deep scoring needed

Note: Paper weight systems differ. Text weight (20-80 lb) and cover weight (65-130 lb) measure different paper sizes, so 80 lb text ≠ 80 lb cover. GSM (grams per square meter) is universal and more reliable.

Basic Paper Types

Paper Type Weight Range Best For Characteristics Cost Level
Copy/Printer Paper 20-24 lb (75-90 gsm) Templates, quick crafts, origami Smooth, inexpensive, readily available $
Cardstock 65-110 lb (176-298 gsm) Card making, die cuts, structures Sturdy, variety of colors, versatile $-$$
Scrapbook Paper 65-80 lb (176-218 gsm) Scrapbooking, mixed media, collage Decorative patterns, acid-free, colorful \(-\)$
Watercolor Paper 90-300 lb (190-640 gsm) Painting, wet media, mixed media Textured, absorbent, won’t buckle when wet \(-\)$
Vellum 17-30 lb (65-115 gsm) Overlays, translucent layers, tracing Translucent, smooth, elegant \(-\)$
Kraft Paper 60-100 lb (162-271 gsm) Rustic projects, packaging, tags Brown, natural, eco-friendly $
Tissue Paper 10-15 lb (40-55 gsm) Delicate projects, gift wrap, flowers Very thin, transparent, fragile $

Paper Finishes and Textures

Finish Type Description Best Uses Printing Capability Price Impact
Matte/Uncoated No shine, absorbs ink Writing, stamping, markers Excellent for all inks Standard
Glossy Shiny, coated surface Photos, vibrant colors, sleek look Best for inkjet, some toner +20-50%
Satin/Semi-gloss Slight sheen, not fully glossy Photography, subtle elegance Good for most printing +15-40%
Linen Woven texture appearance Formal cards, invitations, elegant Good, ink may pool slightly +30-60%
Laid Ribbed texture from wire mold Stationery, formal documents, vintage Good, enhances character +30-60%
Metallic Shimmer or foil appearance Special occasions, accents, luxury Difficult, may not dry properly +50-100%
Textured Embossed patterns (linen, canvas, etc.) Visual interest, tactile appeal Variable, test first +20-80%
Smooth Ultra-smooth, no tooth Fine details, crisp lines, modern Excellent for all printing Standard

Specialty Papers

Specialty Type Characteristics Projects Cost Unique Properties
Vellum Translucent, delicate, smooth Overlays, invitations, window effects $$ See-through, elegant layering
Glassine Waxy, semi-transparent, smooth Envelopes, food-safe, protection $$ Grease/air resistant, archival
Parchment Marbled, aged appearance, stiff Medieval crafts, certificates, vintage $$ Heat-emboss compatible, elegant
Metallic Cardstock Shimmer finish, reflective Fancy cards, accents, die cuts \(-\)$ Eye-catching, photography-friendly
Glitter Cardstock Glitter embedded, sparkly Kids crafts, celebrations, accents \(-\)$ No glitter shedding, festive
Chipboard Very thick, brown or gray Sturdy structures, book covers, bases $ Paintable, extremely sturdy
Corrugated Cardboard Ridged layers, very thick Dimensional projects, shipping, structure $ Very strong, industrial look
Handmade Paper Irregular texture, visible fibers Art projects, unique pieces, gifts \($-\)$$ One-of-a-kind, artistic, eco-friendly
Mulberry Paper Fibrous, delicate, translucent Layering, decoupage, lampshades \(-\)$ Strong despite thinness, beautiful fibers
Rice Paper Thin, absorbent, delicate Asian crafts, decoupage, printmaking $$ Traditional, delicate, unique texture

Paper by Craft Type

Craft Ideal Paper Type Weight Finish Why
Card Making Cardstock 80-110 lb Matte or textured Sturdy, folds well, professional look
Scrapbooking Scrapbook paper, cardstock 65-80 lb Various, acid-free Archival, decorative, photo-safe
Origami Origami or copy paper 20-24 lb Smooth Folds crisply, holds creases, affordable
Die Cutting Cardstock 65-100 lb Matte Clean cuts, sturdy results, versatile
Stamping Smooth cardstock 80-110 lb Matte or satin Crisp impressions, ink absorption
Watercolor Watercolor paper 140-300 lb Cold or hot press Wet media, no buckling, proper absorption
Calligraphy Smooth cardstock or calligraphy paper 32-110 lb Smooth Ink flow, minimal bleeding, elegant
Mixed Media Mixed media or watercolor paper 90-140 lb Textured Handles wet/dry, layering, durability
Quilling Quilling strips (pre-cut) 80-120 gsm Smooth or colored Rolls easily, holds shapes, vibrant
Papercraft Models Cardstock 65-110 lb Matte Holds shape, scores well, precise folds

Acid-Free and Archival Quality

Paper Quality pH Level Longevity Best For Cost Difference
Acidic Paper Below pH 7 10-50 years, yellows, brittle Temporary projects, practice Standard
Acid-Free pH 7 or above 100+ years, stable Scrapbooks, photos, keepsakes +10-30%
Archival Quality pH 7+, lignin-free, buffered 200+ years, museum-quality Important documents, fine art, preservation +30-80%

When It Matters: Always use acid-free paper for scrapbooks, photo storage, or anything meant to last. Acid migrates and can damage adjacent photos and papers over time.

Paper Brightness and Whiteness

Brightness Level Appearance Best For Considerations
92-94 Slightly off-white, natural Everyday crafts, warm projects Less eye strain, softer look
95-97 Bright white Most crafts, vibrant colors Standard, versatile
98-100 Ultra-bright white Professional printing, photos Colors pop, modern, crisp
Natural/Cream Off-white, ivory, warm tone Vintage, rustic, warm themes Pairs well with earth tones
True White Pure white, neutral Modern, clean, any color scheme Most versatile, professional

Grain Direction

Grain How to Test Why It Matters Best Practice
Long Grain Paper folds smoother parallel to long edge Cleaner folds, less cracking Fold with the grain
Short Grain Paper folds smoother parallel to short edge Important for bookbinding, cards Align grain with spine/fold
Testing Method Gently bend (don’t crease) both directions—easier direction = with grain Affects folding, tearing, curling Always test before cutting large quantities

Where to Buy Paper

Source Paper Variety Price Range Pros Cons
Craft Stores (Michaels, Hobby Lobby) Wide variety, seasonal $-$$ Convenient, sales, in-person selection Limited specialty papers
Online (Amazon, Paper Source) Extensive, specialty options $-$$$ Huge selection, reviews, delivery Can’t feel/see in person, shipping costs
Office Supply (Staples, Office Depot) Basic cardstock, copy paper $ Affordable, bulk options, local Limited colors/textures
Art Supply Stores High-quality, artist papers \(-\)$$ Professional grade, specialty Expensive, limited locations
Specialty Paper Stores (Paper Source, local) Unique, imported, luxury \(-\)$$ Unique options, expert staff Pricey, niche selection
Online Bulk (Nashville Wraps, Paper Mart) Wholesale quantities $-$$ in bulk Cheapest per-sheet, huge selection Must buy large quantities
Thrift Stores Random, vintage $ Very affordable, unique finds Inconsistent, may not be acid-free

Paper Storage Best Practices

Storage Method Purpose Cost Best For
Flat File/Drawer Keep flat, organized, protected \($-\)$$ Large collections, professionals
Vertical File Box Store vertically, easy access $$ 12x12 scrapbook paper, moderate collections
Sheet Protectors in Binder Protect individual sheets, visible $-$$ Specialty papers, small amounts, organization
Paper Rack/Sorter Sort by color, quick access \(-\)$ Frequently used papers, active projects
Original Packaging Keep paper protected until use Free Unused packs, space-saving
Climate-Controlled Prevent warping, fading, moisture Varies All paper, especially archival

Key Tips: Store paper flat or vertically (never bent), away from direct sunlight, in low humidity (30-50%), and away from acidic materials.

Common Paper Problems and Solutions

Problem Cause Solution Prevention
Curling Humidity changes, one-sided coating Weight down, humidify/dehumidify room Store properly, use heavier weight
Tearing When Folding Paper too thick, folding against grain Score before folding, fold with grain Test grain direction first, use bone folder
Ink Bleeding Paper too absorbent, wrong ink Use thicker paper, different ink, seal paper Test on scrap, use smooth cardstock
Yellowing Acidic paper, UV exposure Use acid-free paper, UV-protective storage Buy archival quality, store properly
Won’t Feed Through Printer Too thick, wrong finish Check printer specs, hand-feed, adjust settings Know printer limits (usually 110 lb max)
Dull Colors After Printing Wrong paper finish, ink type Use glossy for photos, matte for graphics Match paper to ink and project

Paper Cutting Tools by Paper Type

Tool Best Paper Types Cuts Precision Cost
Scissors Up to 110 lb, small projects Curves, detail, freehand Moderate $5-$30
Paper Trimmer Up to 80 lb, straight lines Long straight cuts High $15-$100
Guillotine Cutter Up to 110 lb+, multiple sheets Straight, bulk cutting Very high $40-$300
Craft Knife/X-Acto Any weight, intricate cuts Detailed, curves, precision Very high (skill) $5-$20
Die Cutting Machine Up to 110 lb, shapes Intricate shapes, repeatable Excellent $50-$400+
Laser Cutter Up to 110 lb, no metal/glitter Extremely intricate, fast Perfect $300-$10,000+

Scoring and Folding Guidelines

Paper Weight Scoring Required? Scoring Tool Folding Technique
20-60 lb No None, or bone folder for crisp edge Fold and crease with bone folder
65-80 lb Recommended Bone folder, scoring board Score first, fold along score line
80-110 lb Yes Scoring board, embossing tool Deep score, fold carefully, burnish
110 lb+ Absolutely Scoring tool, ruler, pressure Multiple score passes, fold slowly, press firmly

Scoring Direction: Always score on the inside of the fold (where the fold compresses) for clean results.

Adhesives by Paper Type

Paper Type Best Adhesive Avoid Application Tips
Thin (20-60 lb) Glue stick, spray adhesive, double-sided tape Liquid glue (warps) Apply sparingly, work quickly
Cardstock (65-110 lb) Liquid glue, tape runner, foam adhesive Hot glue (too bulky) Use enough for hold, not excess
Vellum/Translucent Vellum adhesive, mini dots, corners only Standard glue (shows through) Minimal, hide under embellishments
Metallic/Glossy Tape runner, strong double-sided tape Liquid glue (slides, doesn’t stick) Clean surface first, firm pressure
Textured Liquid glue, strong tape Weak adhesives (won’t grip texture) Press into texture, extra drying time
Chipboard/Heavy Hot glue, strong liquid glue, brads Glue stick (too weak) Clamp or weight while drying

Testing New Paper

Test How to Perform What It Reveals Before Starting
Grain Direction Gently bend both directions without creasing Folding direction, tear direction Large projects, folded cards
Ink Compatibility Print/stamp on scrap Bleeding, drying time, color vibrancy Printing, stamping projects
Fold Test Score and fold a scrap piece Cracking, clean fold, scoring needs Cards, boxes, dimensional projects
Adhesive Test Apply various adhesives to scrap Which adhesive works best, show-through Multi-material projects
Color Fastness Expose sample to light for days Fading susceptibility Archival, displayed projects
Eraser Test Erase pencil marks Surface durability, texture retention Projects with pencil marks, drawing

Budget-Friendly Paper Strategies

Strategy Savings How to Implement Trade-Off
Buy in Bulk 30-50% Purchase large packs, split with friends Upfront cost, storage needed
Use Coupons 40-50% Michaels, Hobby Lobby weekly coupons One item at a time, plan trips
Clearance/Sales 50-75% Stock up on seasonal clearance, off-season buy Limited colors/patterns
Store Brands 20-40% Choose store brand over name brand Variable quality, test first
Thrift/Secondhand 70-90% Check thrift stores, estate sales, donations Unknown age, possibly not acid-free
Repurpose 100% Use cardboard boxes, cereal boxes, junk mail Not archival, may look less polished
Sample Packs Try before bulk Buy sample packs to test before committing Higher per-sheet cost initially

Eco-Friendly Paper Options

Option Environmental Benefit Availability Cost Difference
Recycled Content Reduces new tree harvesting Widely available 0-20% more
Tree-Free (bamboo, hemp, cotton) Fast-growing, sustainable sources Specialty stores, online 30-100% more
FSC-Certified Responsibly managed forests Common, look for logo 0-15% more
Unbleached/Natural Fewer chemicals in processing Moderate availability 10-30% more
Biodegradable Breaks down naturally Most paper qualifies N/A
Local/Small Mill Reduces transport emissions, supports local Limited, regional Variable

Paper Weight Conversion Chart

Weight Description US Text (lb) US Cover (lb) GSM Common Name
Ultra-Thin 20 — 75 Copy paper
Thin 24-28 — 90-105 Lightweight
Light 32 — 120 Writing paper
Medium-Light — 65 176 Light cardstock
Medium — 80 218 Standard cardstock
Medium-Heavy — 100 271 Heavy cardstock
Heavy — 110-130 298-350 Premium cardstock
Extra-Heavy — — 400+ Chipboard territory

Best Paper Brands by Category

Category Budget Brand Mid-Range Brand Premium Brand What You Get
Cardstock Recollections (Michaels) Bazzill, Stampin’ Up! Neenah, Mohawk Quality texture, color consistency, archival
Scrapbook Paper Craft Smart American Crafts, Echo Park Graphic 45, Kaisercraft Design quality, archival, acid-free guaranteed
Watercolor Canson XL Strathmore, Canson Montval Arches, Fabriano Artistico Cotton content, durability, professional results
Specialty Creatology (Michaels) Paper Source house brand Legion Paper, Hahnemühle Unique textures, quality, variety

Common Paper Terms Glossary

Term Definition Why It Matters
GSM Grams per square meter—universal weight measure Reliable comparison across brands/countries
Acid-Free pH neutral, won’t yellow or deteriorate rapidly Critical for archival projects, photos
Lignin-Free Wood component removed (causes yellowing) Archival quality, long-term preservation
Buffered Alkaline reserve to neutralize acids Extra protection for archival storage
Cotton Content Percentage of cotton fibers vs. wood pulp Durability, luxury feel, longevity
Tooth Surface texture, affects media adherence Important for drawing, painting
Deckle Edge Rough, feathered edge (handmade look) Decorative, artisan appearance
Cold Press Textured watercolor paper surface Good for most watercolor techniques
Hot Press Smooth watercolor paper surface Detail work, ink, smooth washes

When to Splurge vs. Save

Splurge On Save On Reasoning
Final project cardstock Practice/test sheets Quality shows in finished product
Archival scrapbook paper Temporary crafts, kids’ projects Longevity matters for memories
Specialty papers (vellum, metallic) Basic copy paper Unique papers add value, copy paper is commodity
Wedding/important invitations Everyday cards, tags Formal events warrant quality
Papers for important gifts Gift wrap that gets torn Recipient keeps gift, not wrapping
Artist-grade watercolor paper Student-grade for practice Professional results need quality foundation

Printer Compatibility

Printer Type Compatible Papers Weight Limit Finish Recommendations
Inkjet Most papers, absorbent Usually 110 lb (300 gsm) Matte or glossy inkjet-specific
Laser Smooth, heat-resistant papers Usually 80-110 lb (220-300 gsm) Avoid metallic, textured (can melt/jam)
Sublimation Polyester-coated paper Variable Special sublimation paper only
Thermal Thermal-sensitive paper Thin, specific Thermal receipt paper only

Key Tip: Always check your printer’s manual for maximum paper weight and finish recommendations. When in doubt, hand-feed specialty papers one sheet at a time.

Project-Specific Recommendations

Project Paper Type Weight Finish Quantity Needed
Wedding Invitations Cotton cardstock 110-130 lb Linen or smooth 1 per guest + extras
Greeting Cards Cardstock 80-110 lb Matte or textured 1 per card
Scrapbook Pages Scrapbook paper 65-80 lb Various, acid-free 2-4 per page spread
Paper Flowers Cardstock or crepe 65-80 lb Matte, textured Varies by flower size
Origami Origami or copy paper 20-24 lb Smooth 1 sheet per model
Gift Tags Cardstock 80-110 lb Any 1 per gift
Art Prints Photo or art paper 80-110 lb Matte or glossy 1 per print
Book Pages/Journals Text weight 24-32 lb Smooth or linen Many—calculate pages × 2 sides

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Paper selection impacts every aspect of your craft: durability, appearance, functionality, and longevity. Start with understanding weight (GSM is most reliable), choose acid-free for anything archival, match finish to your project, and always test before committing to large quantities.

For most crafters, a starter collection should include:

  • 80 lb cardstock in white and basic colors
  • 65 lb patterned scrapbook paper
  • Copy paper for templates and origami
  • Vellum for overlays
  • One specialty paper that excites you

Build your collection based on the crafts you love, buy quality for final projects and budget options for practice, and always store paper properly to maintain its quality. Paper is the foundation of paper crafts—invest in understanding it, and your projects will reflect that knowledge.