Cardstock 101: The Best Paper Weights & Finishes for Clean, Professional-Looking Cards

Beginners always mess up here (too flimsy, warping, ink bleeding). This post gets tons of saves because it’s practical and confidence-building.

1/20/20261 min read

Simple outline you can use:

  1. What “weight” means (80 lb, 100 lb, 110 lb) in plain language

  2. Best cardstock for:

    • card bases (sturdy)

    • layering/mats (smooth + clean cuts)

    • stamping (smooth vs textured)

    • ink blending (smooth bristol-style)

  3. Smooth vs textured (when to use each for an elegant look)

  4. White cardstock shades (bright white vs soft/cream) and how it changes the vibe

  5. Beginner mistakes + fixes (warping, cracking, adhesive show-through)

  6. My beginner “go-to” combo (1 base, 1 layering, 1 stamping paper)

  7. Quick FAQ + recommended starter shopping list

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