Every year, the average office worker in the United States uses about 10,000 sheets of paper. With an office building full of people, that’s a lot of paper being used. In fact, it’s estimated that there are more than four trillion paper documents in the US alone and that number is growing at a rate of 22% a year.
When it comes to figuring out which type of paper to use for a specific job, that can be tricky to navigate. To give office documents a professional, yet creative look, cardstock is a popular choice.
Cardstock can be used in the following projects:
- Booklets
- Business cards
- Cover pages for reports
- Tags
- Die-cutting
- Greeting cards
- Borders and photo mats
There are many uses of cardstock, but its important to know when to use it. After all, the type of paper you select can directly affect the way your work is received and can influence the opinion of the intended audience. So if your project looks second-rate, people will take notice.
When it comes to using paper, it’s best to use it for the following:
- Everyday office use
- Documents
- Office memos
- Flyers
- Letters
The best uses of cardstock, include the examples listed above.
There are benefits to using both cardstock and paper. Sometimes a sheet of paper can give you the same high quality you’re looking for as a sheet of shimmer cardstock. A lot of it depends on personal preference and what you can afford.
But let’s assume that you’re using cardstock for a work project. It’s important to known the difference between different looks and feels. Choosing a cardstock weight is going to depend on what kind of project you’re doing. Different cardstock weights and their uses include:
- 65 pounds: This is best used for tickets, posters, postcards and greeting cards.
- 80 pounds: This is best used for business cards, table tents, invitations and posters.
- 100 pounds: This is best used for printing flat cards, folders, tickets, posters and greeting cards.
- 105 pounds: This is best used for printing awards, report covers, menus, crafts, gift tags and fancy invitations.
Keep in mind that when selected a card stock, weight is going to affect the printing process and what types of finishing services you might be able to use. For instance, if you’re looking to have embossing done on a project printed on shimmer cardstock, picking something around 80 pounds.
If you’re using shimmer cardstock to print pieces for arts and crafts projects, keep in mind that cardstock that’s too thin may pucker or show glue during use.
Heavier cardstocks can be prone to cracking while they’re being folded if they aren’t scored properly.
For home use, check your home printer is to see what weight of cardstock it might be able to handle.
Cardstock can also be affected by paper finish, so if you’re using cardstock for printing, it’s important to understand different types of finishes and how they can affect cardstock.
- Linen: This gives off a texture of linen and is a popular choice for craft projects, menus and weddings.
- Gloss: This gives off a high level of shine, which can make something like shimmer cardstock really pop, especially if you’re printing photography prints or anything with images.
- Smooth: This feel smooth when a person touches it and is great for text-heavy projects.
- Metallic: This gives off a pearly glimmer that adds that touch of glamour you might be looking for wedding invites and menus, crafting, card making and other projects. Shimmer cardstock or white shimmer paper works great for projects intended for a metallic finish.
The possibilities for using and printing with cardstock are endless, whether you’re looking to add a professional touch to work projects and try something different for arts and crafts projects. Knowing a little bit about the different weights, finishes and uses of cardstock can help you come up with the right combination to make your next project a memorable one.
If you’re looking for different types of cardstock, try a wholesale paper company or wholesale paper supplier for your printing needs.
