Buying guide
Cardstock vs Patterned Paper: Which to Use When
They are not competing products. One is structure and the other is surface.
People treat these as alternatives and buy one instead of the other. They are not alternatives. Cardstock is structure, patterned paper is surface, and most good projects use both.
What each one is
Cardstock
Heavy paper in a solid color or a metallic finish, usually 250 to 350 gsm. It is what you build on: card bases, die cut shapes, tags, box structures.
Patterned paper
Printed with a design, often double sided, typically 200 to 250 gsm. It is what you layer on top for color and texture.
When to use which
Card making
Cardstock for the base and the fold, patterned paper for the front panel. A card folded from patterned paper alone tends to crack along the spine and shows the pattern on the inside where you want to write.
Scrapbooking
Patterned paper for the page, cardstock for matting photos and cutting titles. Solid cardstock behind a photo gives the eye a rest between patterns.
Tags and die cuts
Cardstock, every time. Patterned paper at the same weight will still fray more at intricate cuts.
Boxes and structures
Cardstock at 300 gsm or above. Anything lighter collapses once it is assembled.
Combining them without a mess
Use solid to separate pattern
Two patterns touching compete. A thin band of solid cardstock between them reads as deliberate.
Pull the solid color out of the pattern
Pick a cardstock in a color that already appears in the patterned sheet. It is the easiest way to look coordinated without matching exactly.
Metallic is punctuation
Mirror and foil cardstock works as a small accent, a border or a die cut word. As a full layer it overwhelms everything else. See cardstock and foil paper.
What to buy first
If you are starting from nothing, one pack of assorted patterned paper, one pack of solid cardstock in neutrals, and a single sheet of metallic will cover almost any project you attempt in the first year.
The short version
Cardstock holds the shape. Patterned paper carries the design. Buy both and use the solid to give the pattern somewhere to breathe.
Shop paper and cardstock
Related reading
FAQ
1. What is the difference between cardstock and patterned paper?
Cardstock is heavy solid colored paper used for structure and die cutting. Patterned paper carries a printed design and is layered on top for color and texture.
2. Can I make a card entirely from patterned paper?
You can, but the fold tends to crack and the pattern appears inside where you write. Use cardstock for the base and patterned paper for the front panel.
3. Which is better for die cutting?
Cardstock. At the same weight it holds intricate cuts better than printed patterned paper.
4. What weight cardstock do I need for boxes?
300 gsm or above. Lighter stock collapses once the box is assembled.
5. How do I stop layouts looking muddy?
Separate competing patterns with a band of solid cardstock, and choose a solid color that already appears in the patterned sheet.
6. What should I buy first?
One assorted patterned paper pack, one pack of neutral cardstock, and a single metallic sheet for accents.