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How to Choose the Right Paper for Your Craft Project

Paper Buying Tips

I mentioned before that I don’t use expensive pre-scored card or business card stocks for my computer craft projects.

Remember the 2nd M of Getting Organized to Sell Your Crafts for Profit:Minimize Your Cost.

With pre-packaged card stock, you will have a hard time charging enough to make a reasonable profit.

For most of my orders (business cards, greetings cards, place cards), I use 8 ½” X 11” 225g/m2 coated fine art card stock (specifically Cartulina – an imported paper) purchased in bulk. This comes in white and ivory, but is hard to find.

If Cartulina is not available in your area, use the equivalency chart below to help you find acceptable substitutes. Note that paper weights in pounds are not directly comparable unless referring to paper within the same category, i.e. bond, offset, cover, tab or index. For example, 120 lb. card (a.k.a. index) paper weighs 218.22 grams per square meter; while cover stock labeled only 80 lb. has the same thickness.

I’ve tried various type and weights of paper looking for the best quality/price trade-off. For example, 67 lb. Exact Bristol Vellum cover paper is a little on the light side for cards but acceptable. However I found it didn't suit my requirements for other reasons. The surface has a bit of “tooth” (roughness) and it must be scored with a blade before folding or the edge will “fur”.

So in choosing paper for craft projects, consider not only weight but all the characteristics important to your project. Think of how colored paper will affect different tints; whether the paper has two sides (rougher on one side); how it folds or embosses.

Think of ink absorption. Does printer ink absorb well and quickly? Quick absorption is important when you are printing multiple pages. If the ink doesn't soak in fast enough, you will need to stand by the printer and pull off each one as it comes out of the printer to set it aside for safe drying.

Here's a real inside tip: if a client or a design calls for cream-colored paper, I use standard-size square-cut manila folder covers and cut them to 8 ½ X 11” to fit my printer. Note that manila folders will only work for projects that fit within the flat area of the page, since one side margin has ridges and the other has small slits for attaching files.

They make very nice business cards – nice feel and good snap. They fold and hand emboss beautifully.

Think Creatively When You're Looking for New Craft Supplies

You should be able to find good papers in most of the office supply stores. Check out the heavier papers in the section where paper is sold in bulk. Remember that just because you are looking for craft supplies, you don't have to do it in the craft section of the store.

Unless you understand U.S. paper weight standards, don’t purchase based on weight in pounds. Feel the paper or refer to the chart above. If the weight in grams per square meter is given, you can compare across categories.

Try to save money on your paper but remember that, relative to the cost of printer ink, it’s small potatoes in the total cost of your computer craft project.

I have found a very interesting paper supplier, Paper.com. This site carries a wide array of paper craft supplies, from mundane printer paper to exotic art, specialized and scrapbooking papers. If you need a special paper for crafting, they seem to have it.

In my opinion, two papers that they carry, International Paper's Beckett Expression 80# cover and Strathmore Script 80# cover smooth should be suitable for most paper craft projects.

In addition to normal 8.5"x11" sizes, they sell paper in large, full ream sizes, but will cut to order, which may mean money savings on your craft supplies.

They also have representatives who will ensure that whatever you order is suitable for your needs. Since you can't feel the paper, it’s a good idea to consult with these representatives, and even ask for a sample, if you're trying something new.

One thing to remember is not to get carried away with some of the more exotic craft papers. You may have to charge quite a lot to make up for their expense, possibly more than the market will bear.

A high quality paper makes a big difference to craft project, be it scrapbooking, decoupage or greeting cards. Find one that you like and that is easy to work with.

For more information on using your computer in crafting, please visit Computer Crafting, the gateway to all related articles on crafting by computer on this website.

You will find links there to articles about the best programs to use for printed projects, as well as one on how to start your own "line" of greeting cards.

For more information about scrapbooking, please visit, Scrapbooking Related Articles, which will take you to all scrapbooking related articles on this website.

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