Day 2 – Choosing the Right Paper for Cardmaking: A Beginner's Guide

Hello dear friends

Not sure if you have come after Day 1 of I wish someone had told me this post, but if Not, check it out HERE. For Day 2, I wanted to talk about Paper.

When you're starting cardmaking, one of the first things I'd like you to understand is that paper is one of the most important supplies you'll invest in. The kind of paper you use can make a huge difference to how your projects turn out, whether you're stamping, ink blending, watercolouring or simply putting together a card.

There are so many options available that choosing the right paper can feel a little overwhelming. So, let's break it down and look at the different types of paper you might want to have in your craft room.

1. Choosing the Right White Cardstock

Let's start with white cardstock. There are cardmakers who swear by Neenah Solar Crest and others who prefer Hammermill. I think the most important thing to consider is the weight of the paper.

I usually make my card bases in white and prefer them to be sturdy. So, I look for cardstock that is around 110 lb or heavier. Here in India, I generally look for 250 GSM or more.

You can find quite a few options on Amazon too, and I'll share some links to white cardstock that I recommend in the end of the post.

2. Coloured Cardstock - Start with the Basics

When it comes to coloured cardstock, again, I pay more attention to the weight than the number of colours available. You don't need to buy every colour when you're just starting out. Begin with a few basic colours that you know you'll use often and gradually build your collection. I can always use a little ink blending to create the colour I want for a card base. But if you love coloured cardstock as much as I do, you'll eventually want a variety of colours.

One colour I would definitely recommend having in your stash is black cardstock. It is surprisingly versatile and can be used for so many different styles of cards. It works beautifully for dramatic backgrounds, silhouette designs, heat embossing and adding contrast to your projects. I find myself reaching for black cardstock quite often, so this is one colour I would suggest getting first, aomng with White cardstock.

I also love having a few neutral shades in my collection. Colours like soft beige, ivory and cream make beautiful card bases and are lovely alternatives to plain white. Shades such as Altenew's Shattered Shell, Vanilla Cream, are examples of the kind of colours I enjoy using. They work particularly well for elegant, muted and vintage-inspired designs.

If you love working with coloured cardstock, you will eventually want a wider variety of colours. But as a beginner, I would suggest checking your local craft stores and buying smaller quantities first rather than investing in large packs of every colour.

Another lovely option is to look for gradient cardstock pads. Altenew has some beautiful ones Check Here and Recollections also makes them. These little pads give you several shades of a colour at a more affordable price point, which makes them a great choice when you're starting out. Even now, I continue to use these smaller gradient cardstock pads, especially when I'm die-cutting flowers and leaves. Having different shades of the same colour gives your die cuts so much more variation and dimension.

3. Watercolour Paper - Where Should You Invest?

Now, if you want to try watercolouring, there is one thing I would strongly recommend: look for 100% cotton, 300 GSM cold-pressed watercolour paper. May people like Hot press paper for th esmooth surface but it is a very difficult paper to work with, esp if you are new to watercolors. Cold press paper does have a rough surface but with stamp positioning tool you can make good impressions. I have a dedicated watercolor class at Altenew Academy - if you want to learn more about watercolors and paper for cardmaking, I am sure this class will be useful - Check it HERE.

You don't have to invest in Arches, which is one of the more expensive options. I use Altenew watercolour paper and find it a good option without having to spend a fortune. You can also look out for special offers and stock up when there's a good deal.

If you're a beginner, you may not even know whether watercolouring is something you'll enjoy. So, I wouldn't recommend investing in the most expensive watercolour paper right at the beginning.

Look for a good mid-range option instead. At the same time, I wouldn't go for student-grade paper either as they may not good work well with the various techniques that we use with dye inks and watercolors. Bristol Smooth is one paper that is good for light watercoloring and great for inkblending too.

Paper is one of the most important supplies you'll buy because so many of your techniques depend on it. Your ink blending, stamping and even the final look of your cards can change depending on the paper you use. And if you decide to try watercolouring, the right paper will make a huge difference to the results.

It's worth investing in a decent quality paper without necessarily buying the most expensive one available.

4. Patterned Paper - Don't Buy Every Collection!

And finally, let's talk about patterned paper! I love patterned paper so much that sometimes I buy it and then find it too beautiful to use!

But if you enjoy using it, there are so many companies making gorgeous collections. The temptation, especially when you're new to cardmaking, is to buy every collection that catches your eye. I would suggest holding back a little.

Start with three or four smaller 6 × 6 or 8 × 8 paper pads. You could choose some basic patterns like polka dots, stripes, florals and chevrons. Or perhaps pick a vintage collection, a rainbow collection or a pastel collection depending on the kind of cards you enjoy making.

You don't need every theme, season and colour palette in your craft room right away. As you use what you have and discover what you're enjoying working with, you can gradually add to your collection.

5. Specialty Papers - Explore These When You Need Them

There are quite a few specialty papers and other materials that you will come across as you explore different cardmaking techniques. Unlike white or coloured cardstock, these aren't things you need to buy when you're just starting out. I would recommend adding them to your stash only when you want to experiment with a particular technique.

For instance, if you want to try alcohol ink techniques, Yupo paper is something you will need. It is a smooth, non-porous synthetic paper that allows alcohol inks to move and blend beautifully, creating interesting patterns and effects.

Acetate is another useful material to have when you want to make shaker cards, see-through window cards or interactive designs. It is transparent and allows you to create interesting layers without completely hiding what's underneath.

Vellum is a translucent paper that I absolutely love using for adding soft, delicate layers to cards. You can use it to soften a busy background, create delicate floral elements or add a little dimension without making your design look too heavy.

And then there are the decorative specialty cardstocks such as glitter cardstock, mirror cardstock and holographic paper. Glitter cardstock adds sparkle, mirror / metallic cardstock gives you a beautiful metallic finish, while holographic paper creates an iridescent effect that changes with the light. These are lovely for adding special details to your cards, sentiments, die cuts and backgrounds.

You don't need to own all of these from day one. Buy them when you have a project or technique in mind. It's much better to invest in supplies that you know you will use than to fill your craft room with materials that may sit untouched for years

My Little Tip: Use What You Already Own!

My little rule is this: when you buy something new, make sure you've used some of what you already have!

It helps you build a collection that you actually use rather than one that simply keeps growing.

Remember, you don't need to buy everything at once to get started with cardmaking. Start with good-quality basics, experiment with different techniques and gradually figure out what works best for you.

In the next post, we'll move on to another important part of setting up your craft room, the essential tools you need to get started with cardmaking.

Check out my Amazon Paper Recommendations - HERE

You can email me if you want to know something more at ishani.crafts@gmail.com

Happy Crafting <3