Choosing the right cardstock can make or break handmade cards, invitations, and scrapbook pages. The items below are among the best options for card making in the American market, balancing weight, finish, color, and printability. Whether you’re designing elegant invitations or vibrant DIY greeting cards, these selections cover a range of needs from heavy-weight covers to lightweight indices. Use the quick-reference product table to compare key specs at a glance.
Quick Reference Product Table
| Product | Brand | Weight | Size | Sheets | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neenah Index Cardstock | Neenah | 90 lb / 163 gsm | 8.5 x 11 in | 300 | Smooth, white |
| White Cardstock 8.5 x 11 | Joyberg | 85 lb / 230 gsm | 8.5 x 11 in | 30 | Double-sided matte |
| Astrobrights/Neenah Bright White | Astrobrights | 65 lb / 176 gsm | 8.5 x 11 in | 75 | Smooth, bright |
| Neenah Exact Index Card Stock | Neenah | 110 lb / index weight | 8.5 x 11 in | 250 | Smooth, bright |
| 8.5×11 Colored Cardstock | EHME | 85 lb / 230 gsm | 8.5 x 11 in | 30 | Matte, colored |
Neenah Index Cardstock, 90 lb White, 300 Sheets
Neenah’s 90 lb index cardstock offers a smooth texture and crisp white color ideal for high-resolution prints and professional-looking cards. The weight sits between Bristol and cover stock, providing a balance of stiffness and handling ease for greeting cards, invitations, and scrapbooking accents. Each pack contains 300 sheets of 8.5″ x 11″ white cardstock, ensuring you have ample material for ongoing projects. The product is known for reliable ink holdout and a bright white appearance suitable for color photography and sharp text.
White Cardstock 8.5 x 11, 230gsm, 85 lb Heavy Card Stock
Joyberg’s white cardstock is a heavyweight 85 lb (230 gsm) paper with a smooth matte finish and double-sided design. It’s well-suited for writing, drawing, and creating eye-catching covers. The 11″ x 8.5″ sheets pair well with most multifunction printers, making it a versatile option for invitations, scrapbooking, and craft projects. The matte surface enhances pen strokes and color depth, while the weight provides durability for cards and thicker layouts.
Astrobrights/Neenah Bright White Cardstock, 65 lb
This Astrobrights/Neenah blend provides a smooth finish ideal for inkjet, laser, copier, and offset printing. At 65 lb (176 gsm), it’s a lighter-weight option that still delivers solid print quality and brightness for vibrant card designs, posters, and craft projects. The cardstock is well-regarded for reliable ink absorption and a clean white appearance, making it a practical choice for everyday card making and school projects.
Cranium Cranium 80 lb Cardstock, White
The Cranium Press heavyweight white cardstock offers an 80 lb (176 gsm) option ideal for invitations, menus, and premium business cards. It delivers a smooth surface, high brightness, and a sturdy feel that resists bleed-through, making it suitable for inkjet and color printers. The product emphasizes a thick, white appearance with a refined finish for professional-looking prints and durable craft materials.
Neenah Astrodesigns Cardstock Pack, 72 Sheets, 18 Colors
Neenah’s Astrodesigns cardstock pack provides a bundle of 72 sheets in 18 bold colors. This option is ideal for color-centric card making, crafts, and mixed-media projects that require a lively color palette. While the listing emphasizes color variety and craft versatility, users should consider its weight and printability when pairing with printers or markers for consistent results across projects.
Neenah Paper Exact Index Card Stock, 94 Bright, Index Weight
Neenah Exact Index is a traditional 8.5″ x 11″ white cardstock at 110 lb index weight with 94 brightness. It’s designed for everyday projects like letterheads, brochures, and menus, offering a heavy, durable stock with a smooth finish. The higher weight provides a premium feel for cards that need a substantial presence, while maintaining strong print quality for both text and imagery.
Joyberger Blank Cards and Envelopes, 4×6 Set
Joyberg’s blank cards and envelopes provide a ready-to-use option for DIY invitations and greeting cards. The set includes 30 blank cards and 30 corresponding envelopes. With double-adhesive envelopes and a sturdy 200 g/m² card, these are designed for easy assembly and reliable mailing. The 4×6 postal-friendly size makes them convenient for quick, personalized messages and small-format designs.
8.5×11 Colored Cardstock, 30 Sheets, 230gsm
This EHME 8.5×11 colored cardstock set delivers 30 sheets in six color tones, each at 230 gsm (85 lb). The matte finish and thick stock are well-suited for invitations, crafts, and double-sided prints. The color variety supports creative card designs, while the heavy weight ensures durability and a premium feel for finished projects.
Buying Guide: Key Purchase Considerations For Card Making
- Weight and stiffness: Heavier stocks (around 80–110 lb, 176–230 gsm) offer a premium feel and reduce show-through for multi-layer cards, while lighter stocks can work well for simple, single-sided cards and envelopes.
- Finish and color: Matte finishes reduce glare and are ideal for writing or stamping, while smooth bright whites enhance photo prints. Colored cardstock adds visual interest but may require test prints to ensure ink compatibility.
- Printer compatibility: Check whether the cardstock is rated for inkjet, laser, or both. Some heavier weights may only perform well in inkjet or require specific printer settings.
- Brightness and color accuracy: Higher brightness (e.g., 94+ on Neenah index stock) yields crisper text and more vibrant images, which is important for professional-looking cards.
- Sheet count and pack size: Consider the volume needed for your typical projects. Packs of 30–300 sheets are common, with index or cover stock variants offering different uses.
- Durability and finish holdout: For invitations and greeting cards that require writing or markers, choose a stock with good ink holdout and minimal bleed-through.
- Specialty options: Colored and multi-color packs provide creative flexibility, but ensure compatibility with your design tools and finishing methods (embellishments, die-cutting, etc.).
- Environmental considerations: Look for acid-free, archival-safe options when longevity is a priority for keepsakes or heirloom cards.