Cardstock is thicker and more durable than regular paper (70-100 GSM), which can be used for business cards. The regular paper (70-100 gsm) is more flexible, thinner and better suited for printing high volumes of text and folding documents without cracking.
Hello, my friends. We’re glad to see you.
In the past 15 years, I have spent time on the production floor as well as in R&D laboratories. There, I studied everything from density and the molecular bonds of acrylic emulsions. We don’t look at paper in my field of expertise, specifically Coated Paper and Self-Adhesive Material. It is a substrate that has complex properties such as tensile, transparency, and moisture.
What’s the Difference Between Cardstock and Regular Paper? “
You might think it’s simple. If you have ever jammed your $5,000 laser printer by feeding it the wrong size of paper, then you understand the complexity. We’re moving beyond the basics today. Today we’re going to discuss fiber density, standards of manufacturing, and the best way to print.
What is the core of Physics? GSM, basis weight, and Caliper
To better understand this difference we need to use the terms used in the industry. (Grams Per Square Meter).
When we are testing a batch of Woodless Pulp in our laboratory, we weigh the paper. The mass of regular paper (also known as copy paper or Bond paper) is usually between 90 GSM and75 GSM. The paper is lightweight and flexible, designed to easily pass through an office printer’s S-curve.
Cardstock is the heavyweight champ. The range starts around 135 GSM, and goes up to a huge 350 GSM. Here is an “insider’s tip” that most people overlook: It’s not only about the weight, it’s also about thickness.
Caliper is more important than weight
We use micrometers in our test facilities to measure the thickness. The cardstocks are manufactured with a larger caliper/bulk. It is important to have this rigidity. You need structural integrity if you’re creating a tent card that stands up or a card for business.
- Ordinary Paper: >0.10 mm thickness. When held up to the light, it is translucent.
- Cardstock: Thickness ranges from 0.18 mm up to 0.35mm. The material is opaque, rigid and makes a snapping sound when flipped.
Cardstock and Regular Paper: A Comparison Regular Paper
The following is a summary based on the ISO 536, and ISO 216 standards we use.
| Feature | Regular Paper (Bond/Copy) | Cardstock (Cover/Index) |
|---|---|---|
| GSM Range | 70 – 100 GSM | 135 – 350+ GSM |
| Typical Caliper | 3.5 – 4.5 mils | 10 – 16 mils |
| Opacity | 85% – 92% (Show-through possible) | 98% – 100% (High Opacity) |
| Fiber Structure | Flexible, lower density | Rigid, highly compressed fibers |
| Printer Setting | “Plain Paper” | “Heavy”, “Cardstock”, or “Label” |
| Primary Use | Documents, Invoices, Books | Business Cards, Menus, Packaging |
Chemistry of Coatings and Adhesion
My 15 years of experience in adhesive materials come into play. It’s easy to think “I am just printing a greeting card. Why should I be concerned about chemistry?”
Surface energy is important when you want to use cardstock as a face stock or glue it. The most common coated cardstocks are cast coated or Matte Litho. The coatings affect the way liquids react with the sheet.
Compatible Adhesives
We analyze the bond between adhesive and paper when we design sticker papers or mounting cardstock. Cardstock has “memory”, which means it wants to go back to its original shape. When you wrap thick cardstock tightly around a glass, its edges lift. This is called “flagging”.
We use adhesives that are aggressive to combat the problem.
- Adhesives for Cardstock: Excellent UV Resistance and Long-Term Aging on Smooth Surfaces.
- Hot-melt Adhesives: Rubber-based. These are used when you need a high initial Tack to adhere heavy cardboard on rough surfaces like cardboard boxes.
Lighter adhesives are fine for regular paper because it doesn’t tend to “remember” the shape.
Printing technology: Pitfalls and how to avoid them
The section below is crucial. We found in our testing that 90% of the times, glossy cardstock fed through a printer with the wrong heat settings causes the toner to flake. We’ll break down printer physics.
1. Laser Printers (Fuser temperature)
Heat and pressure are used by laser printers to melt the toner onto the paper. The “fuser” is the unit.
The problem: Cardstock acts as a heat sink. The cardstock absorbs the heat. The result? What’s the result? The text smears away when you rub it.
Fix: Select the media type “Heavy”, “Cardstock”, or both in your driver. The printer will then slow the feed rate and raise the Fuser Temperature to ensure a good bond.
2. Inkjet Printers (Dye vs. Pigment Ink)
Inkjet sprays liquid. The absorption rate plays a key role.
- Regular paper: Acts like a sponge. When you use too much ink on your photos (high DPI), it can cause the paper to bleed or create waves.
- Coated Cardstuff: When using Cast Coated cardstuff, use dye ink to achieve a vibrant gloss or make sure your pigment ink supports glossy media. If the coating is not porous enough it can smudge.
Warning from the Engineer: Do not feed heavy cardstocks (over 200 GSM ) into a bottom-loading tray that forces you to turn 180 degrees. Paper fibers will break or jam. Use the (rear bypass tray) manual feed slot to ensure a more straight paper path.
Environmental Sustainability
Paper is not a topic that can be discussed without mentioning the environment. Cardstock or regular paper are both sustainable. However, you must look at the supply chain.
We only use materials which comply with (Forest Stewardship Council) standards. The wood pulp in the cardstock and copy paper that you use comes from forests managed responsibly.
Cardstock is more carbon-intensive per page than normal paper, despite using less pulp. Cardstock, however, is kept for longer periods of time (menus and business cards), whereas paper is disposed more quickly. Cardstock’s durability can be justified by a life cycle analysis.
What is the best way to use which? What is the best way to use which?
Here is a guide, based on the feedback we receive from our clients.
Select Regular Paper (70 to 90 GSM) when:
- The volume is king: Your 500-page internal report has a high page count.
- The ability to fold is key: A letter must be folded into an envelope standard #10 without first scoring.
- Reduce cost per page: Your goal is to reduce the price of a sheet.
Select Cardstock (150+ gsm) when:
- The first impression is important: business cards, wedding invitations or product tags.
- Needs in terms of structure: covers for documents (to protect inner pages), cards or die-cut packaging.
- Double Sided Printing High opacity to prevent “show through” so you cannot see the text on the opposite side.
Paper Buying Tips – Expert Advice
Don’t limit yourself to the “Cardstock” label when you shop. Check the details.
- Brightness is measured on a 1-100 scale (TAPPI standard). Cardstock with a brightness of 98 will bring out the colors, whereas regular paper that has a brightness of 84 might appear slightly yellow.
- Check for the “Acid Free” label: When you’re doing scrapbooking and archiving work, make sure that your paper is free of acid. Paper will yellow over time and get brittle (just think of old newspaper). The majority of high-quality cards are acid-free.
- Check the Grain: Advanced users can determine if the paper has a “Grain Long”, “Grain Short”, or whether it is easier to fold. To avoid the coating cracking, you should always fold along the grain.
If you want to know more about the testing procedures, you can consult ASTM International for details.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Question)
How can I print on cardstock with my home printer?
You can, but there are some caveats. Cardstock can be handled by most home printers up to 200 GSM (80lb cover). To avoid jamming you must select “Manual feed” or the “Rear Tray”, and set the paper setting to “Cardstock or Heavy Paper”.
What is the difference between 65lb cardstock and paper?
It is true that “65lb cover” is the most common weight of cardstock. The paper is heavier than 20lb Bond, but still light enough for most printers. Ideal for crafting and greeting cards.
How do you tell the difference between uncoated and coated cardstock?
Cardstock that is not coated feels similar to regular thick paper. It’s easy to write with a pencil. The surface of coated cardstocks (like C1S and C2S), is covered with a thin clay layer, which makes it smoother. The coated stocks work better in photo reproduction, but are difficult to write without smudging.
Does cardstock weight affect postage costs?
Absolutely. Cardstock weighs more because it is heavier. You may need to pay extra for postage if you’re mailing an invitation with multiple pages on 100lb heavy cover stock.
