Card Stock: Weights, Finishes & Sizes

Card stock is sold by weight and finish, and both matter more than color. For cardmaking bases you want 80-110 lb cover (about 216-300 gsm) so a folded card stands on its own; 65 lb works for layering panels and die-cut accents. Watch the finish: smooth suits crisp stamping and laser printing, linen or felt adds tooth for ink and watercolor, and metallic or pearlescent sheets read formal for invitations. Check whether a shop lists it as text weight or cover weight, since text weight (around 65-80 lb) folds and scores cleanly but won't hold a heavy embellishment. Most makers sell 8.5x11 or 12x12 packs of 25-100 sheets; expect roughly $8-$30 a pack, with metallics, deckle-edge, and cotton stock at the higher end. Many ship in 3-7 business days. For custom colors or cut sizes, ask about minimums and a 1-2 week turnaround.

Use the weight, finish, and color filters to narrow by project, and check related searches for specialty options like cotton or metallic stock.