Guide to Find Out What is Card Stock and Its Uses

Cardstock is a sturdy paper type used for different purposes. Brands often use this material to create their flyers, business cards, and invitation cards for certain events. This material comes in various types and thicknesses and you can choose various shapes and designs for your product. If you have been wondering what is card stock paper, read this blog till the end. 

What is the Difference Between Cardstock and Regular Paper?

Cardstock paper is thicker than regular paper and can hold the printing ink better than regular paper. This paper is used for creating menus, invitation cards, business cards, and more. This material is used because it can withstand external factors such as dust and humidity better than regular paper. It is important to remember that the card stock paper weight depends on the purpose. Business cards are thicker and sturdier than those of invitation cards, when both are made from cardstock. Choose the thickness of the cardstock after analyzing each thickness. 

What Thicknesses of Card Stock Paper are Available?

The card stock paper? offers different thicknesses, and you can find your desired thickness after learning about how each thickness will affect your product. The lower the GSM is, the lighter the cardstock will be. These are the common thicknesses of cardstock used for various purposes: 

120 GSM

Looking to create movie posters or flyers for your café? This is the perfect thickness to use. The 120 GSM paper will hold the ink better than a 90 GSM paper. 

210 GSM

While this thickness of cardstock can still be bent, most of the time it is being used to create magazine covers, playing cards, and high-quality flyers. 

350 GSM

The 350 GSM cardstock is used to create business cards, jewelry cards, and at times invitation cards. This is the ideal thickness and is very stiff. 

What is Card Stock Used for?

Card stock is used for various purposes across different industries. Most brands use this material to create their catalogue as it gives an elegant and luxurious look. People use it for personal reasons as well. There are different types of thicknesses available that you can use for different purposes. The following are some of the uses of cardstock:  

Business Cards

Businesses choose card stock for business cards? to create a lasting impression on clients and competitors. Most business cards have a metallic and textured look, as these two qualities give a visually appealing look. 

Wedding Invitations

Choose wedding card boxes and invitations made of cardstock to ensure the invites aren’t too heavy, yet look elegant when they reach the recipients. Decide on the colors, designs, and the type of cardstock for your wedding invites. 

Playing Cards 

Almost every card game is made with cardstock material because of the several qualities this material possesses. Each brand chooses different thicknesses and sizes for their card games to create a unique brand identity in the market.

Jewelry Cards

Jewelry cards are used by different small brands when packing items such as rings, earrings, bracelets, etc. Since cardstock is a sturdy material, choosing it for jewelry cards creates a lasting impression on customers.

What are Different Types of Card Stock?

When it comes to designing the cardstock paper, there are different ways to do so. Whether you need the card stock for professional purposes or personal reasons, you can choose different types. Consider the following types of cardstock paper for your needs: 

Metallic

Metallic cardstock gives an elegant appearance with the silver foil used on the visuals. This type of cardstock can be used for various purposes, such as business cards and catalogues. 

Textured

Textured cardstock adds a beautiful depth to the designs and offers a tactile appearance. Most people use textured designs when designing their wedding invitations to give a visually appealing look.  

Glossy 

When designing playing card games, brands favor the glossy look. The reason is that the glossy cardstock not only provides a beautiful shine but also keeps the cards safe from abrasions. 

Kraft

Kraft cardstock is used to reduce the carbon footprint and to offer a rustic appearance. Most small businesses choose Kraft cardstock for their jewelry cards to attract eco-conscious customers. 

What are the Sizes of Card Stock?

You can choose different card stock sizes as per your needs. There are multiple sizes available in the market for different types of products, such as business cards, playing cards, wedding invites, and more. You can either choose from the market available sizes or customize the sizes as per your products’ needs. Here are a few sizes commonly used for different purposes:

Business Cards

Customize the sizes of your business cards as per your brand’s needs. Research the market to find out the common sizes for business cards and finalize the one that you find the most fitting. Most standard business card sizes available in the market are:

• ‎3.38” x 2.12” x 0.04”
• 4.59” x 5.48” x 0.34”
• 6” x 4” x 0.1” 

Playing Cards

There are different types of playing cards available in the market, all with various dimensions. Brands often use smaller dimensions for kids' playing cards as kids have tiny hands. The following are the common playing card dimensions available in the market for poker and other cards: 

• 0.69” x 2.56” x 3.63”
• 2.5” x 3.5” x 0.5”
• 3.5” x 2.5” x 0.3”

Jewelry Cards 

Brands often choose different sizes and styles for their jewelry cards to add variety in the market. The jewelry cards are made of card stock to keep the jewelry pieces safe during shipping. You can consider the following dimensions for your customized jewelry cards:

• 2” x 2” x 0.1” 
• 2.4” x 3.5” x 0.2” 
• 3.5” x 2” x 0.5” 

Wedding Invitations 

If you are looking to get personalized wedding invitation cards, choosing card stock is a wise choice. Most people use card stock for their invites as the material is thicker than regular paper and can hold the printing ink well. The following are a few common sizes you can try:

• 5” x 7” x 0.5” 
• 6” x 4” x 0.1” 
• 7” x 5.1” x 0.07”

Get Custom Printed Card Stock Paper for Various Purposes

Now that you know what is card stock, it is time to place an order. Get the liberty to test designs for your business cards or playing card boxes for free before finalizing the one that speaks to you. You can choose high-end printed card stock ?with different sizes and appearances. Get in touch with us today to get a free quote on your custom packaging needs.