If you are just getting started in the crafting world, you might be wondering what is the difference between colored cardstock and colored construction paper?
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What is the Difference Between Colored Cardstock and Colored Construction Paper? If you are just getting started in the crafting world, you might be wondering what is the difference between colored cardstock and colored construction paper? Though both come in a variety of colors and are typically used for crafts, there are some major differences. Construction paper is typically used in classrooms and on kids craft projects. It’s not much thicker than regular paper and has a fibrous, rough feel. Cardstock on the other hand is the grown up version of construction paper. It’s much thicker than construction paper and much higher quality. In fact, the quality is probably the biggest difference between cardstock and construction paper. You can stamp, paint, fold, glue and die cut cardstock with professional looking results, whereas the same techniques on construction paper would bleed and soak into the paper much more and the risk of tearing while folding is much greater. Cardstock is generally 60#-
Transcript
What is the Difference Between ColoredCardstock and Colored Construction Paper?
If you are just getting started in the crafting world, you might be wonderingwhat is the difference between colored cardstock and colored constructionpaper?
Though both come in a variety of colors and are typically used for crafts,there are some major differences. Construction paper is typically used inclassrooms and on kids craft projects. It’s not much thicker than regularpaper and has a fibrous, rough feel.
Cardstock on the other hand is the grown up version of construction paper.It’s much thicker than construction paper and much higher quality. In fact,the quality is probably the biggest difference between cardstock andconstruction paper. You can stamp, paint, fold, glue and die cut cardstockwith professional looking results, whereas the same techniques onconstruction paper would bleed and soak into the paper much more and therisk of tearing while folding is much greater. Cardstock is generally 60#-
Cardstock can be generalized into three main categories; smooth cardstock,textured cardstock, and specialty cardstock.
Why use smooth colored cardstock?
Smooth cardstock is just that, smooth, and can have a matte finish or aglossy finish. Some of the most popular brands of smooth cardstock areBazzill Smoothies and Bazzill Card Shoppe, American Crafts SmoothCardstock and Neenah. These smooth cardstocks are great for stamping,painting and die cutting as the smooth texture makes more crisp stampededges and clean cutting.
Smooth cardstock is also great for crafts that involve printing with a printer.
Textured cardstock has some sort of raised or lightly embossed design builtinto the paper. The most common types of textured cardstock paper have anorange peel texture, linen texture or crosshatch texture. Lots of craftersprefer these textured cardstocks because they have an elegant feel and giveprojects more depth and dimension.
Some of the most popular brands of textured cardstock are Bazzill Mono andFourz, and American Crafts Precision Cardstock.
Textured cardstock is great for layering elements on your projects and cutswell with metal dies and with electronic die cutting machines like SilhouetteCameo or Cricut Maker. You can check out a guide for which of these paperscuts best here.
Can you stamp on textured cardstock?
Textured cardstock paper is typically not the best choice for rubber stamping,as the ink adheres unevenly when it’s stamped. Even though textured
cardstock has a very subtle pattern, it is still an uneven surface and you willnot get a crisp stamped image.
Can you paint on textured cardstock?
You can paint on textured cardstock, but you would want to use this in veryspecific circumstances. The subtle texture will cause some blending issuesand much like the stamping, you will not be able to get crisp images. Butabstract painted backgrounds do work.
Can you print on textured cardstock?
While you can indeed print on textured cardstock, the results you get willvary depending on the degree of texture on the paper, and the type ofprinter you are using. Very subtle orange peel or linen textures will performmuch better than deeper textures like those found on Bazzill Fourz.
Additionally, you’ll likely have better results with inkjet printers versus laserprinters. Laser printers work by laying ink right on the surface of the paperand it is immediately dry. Inkjet printers work by shooting ink onto the paperand the ink has time to soak into the grooves of textured paper giving youmuch better results.
