What's the best paper to make cards with?

Creating your own cards is the perfect way to say ‘I care’. But it’s not always easy to put together the perfect card. In fact, people who have been crafting for years still struggle.

At Paperbox, we’ve got a whole lot of experience in card making and there’s one thing we know above all – quality materials make quality cards.

Choosing the right materials is the key to making outstanding greeting cards and none more so than the paper you use. So if you’ve ever wanted to start card making but aren’t sure where to begin, or maybe you’ve tried it before but can’t seem to get the result you want, we’re here to help.

In this blog we’ll break down the best paper for card making including the size, weight and finish for the perfect greeting cards.

The best paper for card making

To choose the perfect paper for your card making you need to make a few decisions. Below we’ve listed the most important factors when it comes to choosing your paper. By answering each of these questions you’ll know exactly what paper you need to start your card making.

What size should the card be?

Cards come in a range of sizes depending on the task. Of course, you can choose to order card in sheets or get it prefolded into your card shapes. Whatever you choose you need to know what size card you’re making first of all.

There are a few sizes that are more common than others and these are the sizes of paper you’ll want to stock up on if you’re looking to make your own cards. These include:

• A5 cards: possibly the most common card size out there
• 5 x 7 cards: also a popular size when it comes to letters and greeting cards
• Square cards: a popular format for Christmas, birthdays and many other greeting cards

What weight of paper do you want?

Weight of paper is measured in grams per square metre (GSM) – the larger the number, the thicker the paper. But when it comes to the weight of the paper you use for cards, there’s usually a sweet spot.

Too thin and the card can easily be ripped, too thick and it becomes harder to work with. So there’s generally a spot in the middle that you’ll want your paper to be. Some of the most common paper weights for card making include:

• 250–300 GSM: a great weight to create professional-feeling cards. It’s firm enough to stand up on its own and take decoration.
• More than 300 GSM: 300 to 350 GSM will give you a luxurious, premium card that can handle layered, heavier designs.

Want a full guide to GSM and crafting? Just check out our full blog here.

What finish of paper would you like?

The finish of your paper will say a lot about your card. Some – such as your more common silk or smooth – are more understated and might just go unnoticed, but others, such as linen, can be used as a statement, oozing luxury into your craft.

When choosing the right finish for your paper it’s important to remember that some will take designs better than others – such as the high ink absorption of matte – but ultimately, it’s down to your personal preference. Some common finishes you can choose from include:

• Fleck and kraft: tiny flecks of other colours in the paper’s fibres
• Smooth: a smooth, flat surface common with most paper
• Linen: a textured finish that resembles linen fabric
• Matte: a non-reflective, soft texture that’s great at absorbing ink
• Silk: a smooth and slightly glossy finish between gloss and matte

Do you want coloured paper?

When it comes to card making you’re going to need to pick a colour, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be red or blue – there are a whole host of more subtle colours to choose from. Common colours for card crafting include:

White: a common greeting card colour that offers versatility for designs
Ivory: a light, off-white colour that looks classic and classy
Brown: an earthy tone that gives your creation an organic feeling
Pink: a dusty pink hue that’s great for the more festive cards

Remember, some colours will work better with certain designs and palettes, so it’s always good to check how your design will look before launching into full card-making mode.

Find the perfect paper for your card making

The next time you’re wondering what the best paper is for card making, you’ll want to consider these key factors. Once you can decide on each one, you’ll land on the perfect paper for your card crafting:

• Card size
• Paper weight (GSM)
• Paper finish
• Colour

Need help finding the paper and craft supplies you need?

Of course, the type of paper you use for your card creations is really up to you, but hopefully now you can see that just by asking yourself four simple questions you can land on the perfect paper for your card crafting.

At Paperbox, we help people find the perfect materials for their next creation – whether that’s a DIY wedding invitation or a birthday card. If you’re in need of help choosing the perfect card supplies for your next design, check out our huge range of resources on our blog or browse all of the paper and card we have on offer.

Still can’t find the card-making supplies you need? Just get in touch – we’re always happy to help.