Crafting cards demands cardstock that holds color, resists bleed, and handles printers or hand-made textures with ease. The following five products are chosen for versatility across invitations, scrapbooking, and DIY cards. Each option covers different weights, finishes, and color ranges to help you achieve vibrant, professional results.
Summary of chosen products
| Product | Brand | Weight / GSM | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neenah Index Cardstock | Neenah | 90 lb / 163 gsm | 8.5″ x 11″ | Smooth white, lightweight index stock; high print quality |
| White Cardstock 8.5 x 11 | Joyberg | 85 lb / 230 gsm | 8.5″ x 11″ | Double-sided matte, versatile for prints and crafts |
| Astrobrights/Neenah Bright White Cardstock | Astrobrights | 65 lb / 176 gsm | 8.5″ x 11″ | Bright white with smooth finish; printer friendly |
| Neenah Exact Index Card Stock | Neenah | 110 lb / 250 gsm | 8.5″ x 11″ | Heavyweight index stock; excellent for business cards and invitations |
| 8.5×11 Colored Cardstock | EHME | 85 lb / 230 gsm | 8.5″ x 11″ | Six colors; matte finish for crafts and posters |
Neenah Index Cardstock, 90 lb, 300 Sheets
Neenah Index White Cardstock offers a smooth texture and crisp white for high-resolution prints. At 90 lb index weight, it sits between heavier cover stock and lighter Bristol paper, providing a balance of durability and lightness. The 8.5″ x 11″ sheets come in a pack of 300, making it a reliable option for card bases, layered designs, and professional handouts. The surface supports sharp ink and clean color reproduction, suitable for invitations and detailed artwork.
White Cardstock 8.5 x 11 (Joyberg)
This Joyberg white cardstock is 85 lb (230 gsm) with a smooth, double-sided matte finish. It offers excellent ink absorption and a versatile surface for writing, drawing, and printing. The 8.5″ x 11″ format and dual-sided matte design make it suitable for posters, book covers, and DIY card accents, allowing for vibrant colors and clean lines without bleed-through.
Astrobrights/Neenah Bright White Cardstock
Combining Astrobrights brightness with Neenah’s processing, this 65 lb (176 gsm) cardstock is well-suited for vivid color projects and crisp printing. The smooth finish supports inkjet, laser, copier, and offset printing, making it a popular choice for invitations, flyers, and crafts where color punch matters without sacrificing print fidelity.
Neenah Exact Index Card Stock, 110 lb
Exact Index offers a heavyweight 110 lb index paper, meeting USPS 7 pt minimum for business reply cards. With 94 brightness and a smooth finish, this stock is ideal for everyday projects like letterheads, brochures, and menus. Its robust feel makes it a strong base for layered card designs and durable invitations that require a premium touch.
8.5×11 Colored Cardstock (EHME)
These 8.5×11 colored sheets in six hues offer a matte finish with a heavyweight 85 lb (230 gsm) rating. The colors contribute to vibrant card designs and crafts, while the double-sided matte surface supports markers, pencils, and inks with minimal show-through. A versatile option for themed invitations, scrapbooking accents, and decorative cards.
Buying Guide
- Weight and feel: Choose based on card base needs. Lighter weights (65–90 lb index) are great for cards and invitations with a crisp print, while heavier stocks (110 lb index or 80–85 lb cover with 230 gsm) provide durability for business cards and premium invitations.
- Finish: Matte finishes reduce glare and support detailed drawing and writing. Glossy finishes are more color-saturated but can be prone to ink smearing if not printer-friendly. Consider double-sided matte for versatile crafting surfaces.
- Brightness and color: Higher brightness (e.g., 94+ brightness) yields crisper white cards. For colorful cards, colored or bright white stock can enhance contrast and visual impact.
- Printer compatibility: Check printer type (inkjet, laser, copier) and weight tolerance. Some heavier stocks may require manual feed or special settings; always refer to printer manuals when selecting 85 lb to 110 lb stocks.
- Usage scenarios: For invitations and menus, heavyweight index stocks (110 lb) provide a premium feel. For crafting and layered designs, lighter index or colored stock offers flexibility and cost efficiency.
- Finish durability: Acid-free and archival-safe stocks extend the longevity of scrapbooks and keepsake cards, which is important for long-term keepsakes.
- Color range: A mix of white, bright white, and colored cardstock enables creative designs, contrast for text, and decorative accents that align with event themes.
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