What is cover stock? What is card stock? What is the difference between card stock and cover stock? Well, lovies, these are the questions I was asking when I visited the WorldWin Papers booth at CHA last January.
Side note: I’m always looking for paper. As a crafter and a card-maker, the right paper makes a big difference. Specifically, I’m in search of the perfect card stock to use a base for my home made cards. And after reading a bunch of posts on Operation Write home, I purchased some paper to use and was STILL disappointed in the lack of “heft.’ There is a post here you can read to see what I’m talking about.
SO. I approached the WorldWin folks and asked for guidance.
They suggested I get to know some of their paper lines and learn the difference for myself! My first lesson is Cover stock 101, 65 lb weight.
Back to my earlier question- what is cover stock? It’s actually just another term for what crafters usually call card stock. And the 65lb tells you how much 500 sheets of that paper weigh! So 90 lb cover stock is a thicker paper than the 65lb weight. Now you know!
Here’s how WorldWin describes this paper:
Card Stock designed for scrapbooking, card marking and paper crafts
3 Collections – Smooth & Silky, Textured and The Original Textured finishes include – Denim, Ribbon, Twill, Cascata and Ruche Smooth & Silky finishes include Silk and Ice Dust Available in 8.5″ x 11″ and 12″ x 12″ fade-resistant cardstock colors Archival quality – acid free, lignin free, and chlorine free cardstock Ideal for layering and embellishments Outstanding cutting, folding, punching and embossing cardstock characteristics
What I got to test was ColorMates Original, both in colors and white. I found it to be a great paper for layering! It’s too light to be my favorite paper for card bases- but if you like to layer paper, this is a perfect weight.
I made you a video to show you exactly how I tested it!
I forgot to add the electronic die-cutting sample in the video, so here it is- a lovely, intricate shape cut by my Cricut.
Cut with my Cricut E2 & the Lyrical Letters cart.
It would certainly recommend this weight of paper for electronic die-cutting. Nice enough to have body, but not so heavy that you can’t layer it up. (At least without it becoming too thick!)
Here are some of my other samples:
Smooth enough for nice crisp stamped images.
Great for coloring with markers, painting with watercolors, misting, and embossing!
Perfect for punches and layers upon layers!!
I’ve been using it to make the stamped/embossed card layers. I also use it as a card base if I’m going to add an extra layer on the inside of the card as well. (Such as when I use a colored coverstock for the base and add a panel of white for stamped sentiments on the inside.)
Thank you, WorldWin, for sending me the paper so I could try it out for myself. And y’all, stay tuned: I have a follow-up post on 80 lb weight next!
Feel free to leave me questions or comments & I’ll do my best to answer them!
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Thank for the video, Jenny. I’ve been wanting to try it. Nice to see the cut on the cricut. Nice!!
Carmen L
you didn’t mention the price. This is nice paper, and it is very pricey. I can get paper of comparable quality for almost half the cost.
Another thorough testing of paper goodness! You rock! SCRAP ON!
I’ve used their card stock in the past and it was fine. The best part was that the store had it displayed in order by color and within the color the gradations of shades. It made it really easy to select monochromatic colors for matting, etc. That store is now out of business and I don’t have access to Colormates any longer. They had some really nice colors.
Great, simple explanation of paper weight. I work at a print shop, and paper weight can be very confusing. Keep in mind however, that different paper companies can and do measure paper weight with different base sizes of paper – effectively making different brands of the same weight different actual thicknesses! The best thing is to actually be able to feel the paper, when possible.
For card bases, I’d recommended 100 or 120 lb. cardstock. Both will need to be scored to get a good crisp fold without cracking, but make for a hefty, luxurious feeling card. : )
Great tip, Natalie! Thanks for your comment!
I have had a Cricut cutter for years and have always had problems with the paper tearing. I went to a scrapbook week end and discussed this problem with some of the vendors that sold items that were cut using the Cricut system. They all said it was the quality of paper that I used. They told me about WorldWin CutMates paper and I have not had this problem since. It might be a little more but is well worth it when you are cutting items for a scrapbook!