All you need to know about card stock and paper weights is this cardstock weight guide.
If you want to host a hit party, you need to print out invitations, so you can pick them up at your local paper store or online.You are trying to assess the thickness of the piece of paper.
The thickness of the card stock is measured.There is no typical cardstock weight, nor is there a perfect one-size-fits-all weight for every occasion.Is it even more confusing?A thick and a thin piece of paper can weigh 80 lbs.
Understanding the US paper density scale will help you identify the right paper for a given situation.
We are going to look at different weights for different occasions, depending on what you are trying to achieve.Think of it as your all-purpose guide.
What is the weight of paper?How much paper is weighed?How do you know the right paper weight for your project?
Each grade is tailored to specific uses for the type of paper.Common paper grades include cover.Text, bond, etc.
The weight of uncut paper per 500 sheets is referred to as the basis weight.Equal weight can be used to compare the weights of different sized paper.
You don't need to worry about keeping the points straight because they refer to the same thing.A point is a measurement of paper thickness expressed in thousandths of an inch.The higher the points, the heavier the basis weight.
When the reams of paper don't weigh as much as the cardstock, you may wonder why it says 65 lbs.The weight of the uncut paper is what determines the weight in pounds.If 500 sheets of uncut cardstock weigh 65 lbs, it is called 65lb stock.
The point is calculated by the thickness of the paper.The thickness of a sheet of paper is 10 pt.
The measurement of paper density is based on grams per square meter.This is converted to either pounds or points in North America.The site uses pounds for simplicity.
The calculation process used to assess paper weight is not fully described in weight.It is a combination of weight and thickness.
Even though it is confusing, this is a good thing for consumers.You can use weight to determine if a sheet of paper is too thick for a home printer.
The methods of producing paper are not the same as the paper weight.It is possible for weight to mean something different between manufacturers.
The density of a paper grade is determined by the size and paper count of the base ream.The basis weight is the calculation of the paper grade's weight based on its count and base ream.The paper's characteristics can affect the weight of the paper.
Most home printers can print up to 60 lbs. of lightweight paper.This kind of paper is translucent and can be folded without scoring.
The medium weight paper is typically between 65 lbs to 80 lbs and is used in cards.It is sturdy and substantial and can be used in anything from business cards to hang tags to booklets.
It is not the same as 80lb printer paper.The type of paper can affect what the weight means.
Cardstock is thicker than regular printer paper but thinner and more flexible than cardboard, which is a happy medium between the two.It is also referred to as a cover paper.
The paper is in 67 lbs.There is a bright color in the cover.Our linen cardstock is also available in 80 lbs.The 8 x 11 and 11 x 17 are available in 80 lbs.
All of our paper is available in 65 lbs of bond.Make sure to check the weight limit of your printer and the thickness of the paper to make sure it's thin enough to print in your home printer.
The thickness and weight may be different.Since the paper is stiffer and may actually be thicker, it will not be as easy to fold as the other paper.
The paper weight may be affected by the blend of materials used to craft it.When folded, our 65lb bond parchment is the same weight as our bright color, but may have a completely different feel and behave.
Outside of regular office staple paper, it is quite diverse.The paper is created by the manufacturer.Even though the same paper weight measurement is used by manufacturers, the content of the paper within that measurement can be completely different.
Paper weight is affected by the point and density of the paper in question.
Our 65lb cover bright color cardstock isn't necessarily the same weight as our 67lb pastel one.You may have noticed that our weights don't progress at all.Paper weights don't progress at intervals.
If paper weight is variable and the metrics used to determine it aren't concrete, how do you know if it's the right fit?
The first step is to learn about paper weight and get comfortable with measuring it.
Knowing your project is the second step.What are you trying to accomplish with this piece of paper?What should it do?
Does it need to last a long time?The heavier the paper, the better it will serve you, though it may be too heavy for most printers.
Is it a success or a failure?Card stock accents that are too heavy may seem disproportionate to the rest of the project if it is a flourish.If it is the center of the project, you will be better served by a heavier card stock.
Will it be one flat sheet or will it need to fold?You have the option to fold it.It is easier to fold with your own hands.Heavier, i.e.It may require scoring for the fold to look attractive.If you only need one flat sheet, you have to think about whether you want the paper to feel lighter in the hands or if it needs to be durable.
Will it travel through the mail in an envelope or on its own two legs, as in the case of a postcard?Postcards are thicker than letter paper because they have to survive a trip through the postal system unscathed.
Heavy cardstock is good for two things.It can tolerate more abuse because it doesn't fold, tear, or warp as easily.The heavier the paper, the more elegant it can feel in the hand.
Lighter cardstock is useful in cases where you need to fold the card stock.
What does that look like in practice?There is a way to choose the right weight for a project.
The right weight for wedding invitations is one of the most common questions we get from our customers.You know you need thick cardstock for invitations, but you don't know what that entails in real numbers.
The printing process and the type of invitation are things to consider when thinking about wedding invitations.Your at- home printer may not be able to handle heavier invitations, and thick invitations need to be scored before they can be folded.
Check your printer's weight capacity to see if it can handle 80lb to 100lb paper.Heavy papers start at 80 lbs and up, and bond paper can be as light as 20 lbs or as heavy as 72 lbs.
You don't want to go lighter than 53 lbs, but the thicker the card, the more formal and elegant it will look.
There are two things to consider when choosing the best weight for card making.
Since greeting cards are generally folded, you need a card that can fold on its own or with scoring.That leaves you with a wide margin of error for weights, which is why the second consideration helps narrow down greeting card thickness: since greeting cards have to be sturdy enough to make it through postage in good condition, you need a card that is relatively sturdy.
The heavier the greeting card, the harder it will be to fold.Heavy greeting cards are available in 100 lbs cover and above.Standard greeting card weight is what you should use if you are printing at home.
Since they are a single sheet, postcards are simpler.What do you think about a postcard in the U.S.The Postal Service doesn't think postcards are the same thing.
The best choices for postcard thickness and postcard weight are cover paper (60 lbs to 120 lbs), index paper, and tag paper.The heavier the paper, the thicker the postcard.
The best weight for certificates is dependent on the certificate itself.Like wedding invitations, you have to consider the printing method.The formality of the certificate is related to the printing capabilities and printing style.
If you are looking for a formal certificate, you should consider the certificate thickness.If you only have access to a consumer home printer, you can go higher than 100 lbs.
The heavier the paper, the more elegant it is.If you're looking for a certificate that will look great for years to come, don't be afraid to reach for 100 lbs paper.
A weight chart is the best way to make sense of one weight against another or how to pick the right weight for the paper grade.
For easy reference, keep this thickness chart at hand.You can use it to figure out what weight you want based on your paper grade.
The weight range that is acceptable will vary widely based on the paper grade, so keep in mind that the type of paper will also change the weight you need from it.Text paper is usually heavier than bond paper even if it is used for the same purpose.
We can help you find the perfect thickness for any occasion, whether it is a wedding, a holiday greeting, or just a friend you want to surprise.
If you need a place to start, check out our other products.If you keep this post on hand, you will know the right weight for your project.