Choosing the right card stock matters whether you’re making invitations, printing reports, building prototypes, or crafting glittery decorations. The wrong paper can lead to bleed-through, jams, poor color reproduction, or a flimsy final product. These recommendations come from extensive product research, hands-on testing, and cross-checking expert and user feedback to find card stocks that perform reliably across common real-world tasks.
Considerations and Testing Approach
How we evaluated card stock
- Real-world usage: We tested sheets for printing (inkjet and laser), cutting, folding, gluing, and machine cutting (Cricut-style). We checked for jams, ink absorption, and how the paper holds creases and edges.
- Technical specs: We compared paper weight (lb and gsm), finish (matte, smooth, glitter), brightness, acid/lignin-free status, and sheet counts to determine per-sheet value and longevity.
- Expert & consumer feedback: We cross-referenced professional stationery and print forums plus verified common consumer complaints (shedding, warping, printer compatibility) to ensure recommendations avoid frequent pitfalls.
- Durability & appearance: For each sheet we assessed tear resistance, color consistency, and whether specialized finishes (glitter, double-sided matte) stayed intact without shedding or smudging.
Why these factors matter
- Weight (gsm / lb): Heavier stock (200+ gsm / ~74 lb and up) is better for cards and invitations; 65 lb / 176 gsm is a versatile everyday weight for heavier brochures and report covers.
- Printer compatibility: Some high-weight or heavily textured stocks can jam home printers; we prioritized products explicitly rated for inkjet and laser use.
- Finish & application: Glitter and specialty finishes are excellent for crafts but may not be suitable for professional printing. Double-sided matte stocks are best when both sides will be printed or written on.
Our final picks balance price, practical performance, and specialized use cases so you can pick the right stock for your project.
Sparkle Glitter Cardstock
A fun, wallet-friendly glitter cardstock pack (50 A5 sheets, 20 colors) made from 250 gsm paper with tightly adhered glitter to minimize shedding. Ideal for party crafts, scrapbook accents, and Cricut projects that need vibrant sparkle without a messy workspace.
This glitter pack is the best budget option for crafters who want vibrant sparkle without spending much. Each A5 sheet measures 5.86 x 8.3 inches and the 250 gsm weight handles cutting, folding, and gluing well. The glitter is advertised as tightly adhered to reduce fallout — in testing we found minimal shedding compared with cheaper glitter papers, and the white smooth backing accepts glue and pen marks cleanly. Limitations: A5 size is smaller than letter-size, so it’s geared toward cardmaking and Cricut projects rather than full-page prints. Also, while laser compatibility is generally fine, heavy print coverage can slightly lift loose particles on lower-quality printers. Overall, a high-impact, low-cost craft solution for kids, hobbyists, and small decorations.
Double-Sided Heavy Cardstock
Premium 8.5" x 11" cardstock at 85 lb / 230 gsm with a matte, double-sided surface in neutral colors. Acid-free and archival-safe, it’s built for professional printing, invitations, and projects that demand a sturdy, two-sided finish.
This heavyweight 85 lb (230 gsm) double-sided cardstock is our premium recommendation for designers and makers who need a robust, printable surface on both sides. The matte finish yields consistent ink absorption and crisp text/graphics without glare. It’s marketed as archival-safe and acid-free — features important for keepsakes and long-term projects like wedding stationery or certificates. In tests it performed well in both inkjet and laser printers that support 230 gsm media, and it cut and folded cleanly with little fiber cracking. The neutral palette and dual-sided usability make it a versatile studio stock, though heavier printers should be confirmed for compatibility before buying large quantities.
Heavyweight White Cardstock
A no-nonsense, high-sheet-count pack: 250 sheets of 65 lb / 176 gsm bright white cardstock. Smooth finish, FSC-certified and acid-free — excellent for recurring office, school, and craft needs where consistent print quality and value matter most.
If you need a dependable everyday card stock with excellent per-sheet value, this is it. At 65 lb / 176 gsm and 96 brightness, the smooth white surface produces crisp, high-contrast printing for flyers, report covers, and craft projects. The FSC certification and acid-free production add sustainability and archival resilience. Across testing the sheets fed well through both laser and inkjet machines and delivered consistent color without excessive soak-in or smudging. The large 250-sheet count makes it ideal for offices, classrooms, and makers who go through supply quickly. Downsides: it’s not heavy enough for premium invitations and lacks specialty finishes, but as a workhorse stock it’s hard to beat for price and reliability.
Neenah 90 lb Cardstock
Neenah 90 lb index cardstock (8.5" x 11", 300 sheets) offers a bright white, smooth finish and excellent print definition. It’s heavier than typical bristol yet lighter than some covers, delivering professional results for flyers, letterpress, and craft projects.
Neenah’s 90 lb index cardstock is our top overall pick for a reason: it strikes a rare balance of professional appearance, high sheet count (300), and dependable printer compatibility. With a smooth surface and 94 brightness the paper renders photos and type crisply, and the weight family (index) offers stiffness without being overly thick — great for brochures, signage, and everyday craft projects. It’s lignin- and acid-free, reducing yellowing over time. In practice it fed consistently through a range of printers and performed well for hand lettering and calligraphy. For users who want a single, reliable sheet for most needs — quality prints, classroom projects, and frequent use — this is the most versatile choice.
Comparison and Key Differences
At a glance:
- Best Overall / Editors Choice — Neenah 90 lb (B07D4YF3K4): Premium print definition, high sheet count (300), versatile weight suitable for professional and craft uses.
- Premium Choice — 85 lb Double-Sided Cardstock (B0DRFCK47R): Heavy 230 gsm, double-sided matte, archival-safe — best for two-sided printing and premium projects.
- Best Value for Money — 65 lb White (B0DSH5V1TT): 250 sheets of bright white, consistent printer performance, most cost-effective for frequent use.
- Best Budget Pick — Glitter A5 Pack (B0F5XYM499): Inexpensive, sparkling finish with minimal shedding — ideal for decorations and Cricut-sized crafts.
Which is best for which use:
- If you need a reliable, all-purpose stock for printing, invitations, and crafts: Neenah 90 lb.
- If you need a heavyweight, two-sided printable stock for premium stationery and keepsakes: 85 lb / 230 gsm double-sided.
- For bulk office/classroom use on a budget: 65 lb white, 250-sheet pack.
- For small-format, glittery craft work and Cricut projects: Sparkle glitter A5 pack.
Final Recommendation
After testing and cross-referencing user and expert feedback, our clear overall recommendation is the Neenah 90 lb index cardstock (Editors Choice) for most users who want consistent print quality, a large sheet count, and versatile weight for both professional and craft projects. If your priority is two-sided premium printing, choose the 85 lb / 230 gsm double-sided matte stock (Premium Choice). If you need bulk everyday paper for class or office projects, the 250-sheet white stock (Best Value) delivers the best cost-per-sheet. And for festive craft projects or Cricut users on a budget, the glitter cardstock pack (Best Budget Pick) offers bright color and sparkle at low cost.
These recommendations are based on hands-on testing (printer compatibility, cutting, folding, glue behavior), technical specifications (gsm/lb, finish, archival quality), and common consumer feedback (shedding, jams, color reproduction). Choose based on your primary use case: print-heavy projects, two-sided stationery, large-quantity needs, or small-format crafts — and you’ll get the best result for your money.