Back To Basics - Cardstock

Hello there, today in my Back To Basics episode I am talking about cardstock. This is the coloured variety not the white stuff. There are obviously tons of different makes of cardstock out there, I haven't used them all but I am going to talk about my favourite ones today. Cardstock here in the UK is measured in gsm - grams per square meter. In countries that use the imperial system they measure in pounds (which usually has the # symbol. Not to be confused in the medical world where # means fracture!). Because cardstock is measured in weight and not thickness it is slightly difficult to gauge how thick a cardstock is by just having the weight. Some cardstocks can weigh the same but one can feel thicker than the other. I guess it is just the way the cardstock has been made. A coating or a texture may also make the thickness feel different.

 

Bazzill Basics

This, as well as Papermania, was one of the first cardstock I started using. The original has a nice texture to it, almost canvas in texture. It comes in a wide range of colours and is 216gsm/80#. Personally I think this is a bit thin for card bases but it is great for layers on a card or for die cutting. Bazzill Basics come in a wide range of textures now: Smoothies, Washboard, Metallics etc.I get mine from Die to Die for.

 

Doodlebug

The original Doodlebug cardstock is manufactured by Bazzill Basics (I am not sure if the new stuff is or not actually) and has a criss cross texture. It is the same weight as the Bazzill Basics - 216gsm/80# but comes in all the fun Doodlebug colours. Doodlebug have now come out with a different texture, more like a canvassy texture but it does seem to have a slight shiny coating on it which I don't really like. It still comes in all the amazing Doodlebug colours though. I get mine from The Glitter Pot.

 

Papermania

I wanted to include this cardstock here despite not really using it anymore. I wanted to include it as it is great value for money. It has the same canvas texture and although it is 216gsm/80# it does feel a little thinner. It is great for die cutting or layering on to cards. You can get it from The Glitter Pot.

 

Stampin' Up

Now, I only have the older version of this cardstock, the textured one. It now only comes in smooth. I like this cardstock in that it matches the Stampin' Up colours but since I no longer have the inks I do not use it as much (hence why I haven't bought any of the new stuff yet). It is the same weight as the other cardstocks already mentioned: 216gsm/80#. I again, would not personally use this as a card base although I am sure I have once or twice. It is a little thin for me but I know a lot of people do use it for bases and are happy with it. My SU demo is Julie Ketttlewell.

 

Papertrey Ink

Now I know a lot of people in the UK (and anywhere apart from the US for that matter) are going to hate me for mentioning this but PTI really is one of my favourite cardstocks. Especially the white. It is 300gsm/110# and is very thick. It is great for card bases but also for stamping, die cutting and colouring on. Shame that international shipping is so expensive!

 

Bazill Card Shoppe

I LOVE this cardstock. It comes in a good variety of colours and is 270gsm/110# although to me it feels more like 310gsm/120#. It is very thick (you actually need to score it on either side of the cardstock to fold as it is so thick) and is great for card bases especially. It is also great for die cutting and stamping. It is not bad with Copics for colouring but I would prefer the PTI for that. You can buy it in individual sheets at The Craftz Boutique, in a variety pack at Craftie-Charlie or in packs at Simon Says Stamp.

 

Vellum

I really love vellum but for some reason it is quite hard to get the good quality stuff in the UK. I prefer thick vellum like the 108gsm/40# Bazill vellum which you can get at Simon Says Stamp. I also like the Papertrey Ink Vellum cardstock and the Linen Vellum.

 

Pearlescent

I do occasionally like to use pearlescent cardstocks. Two of my favourites are Papertrey Ink Shimmer cardstock and Bazzill Bling. These are the same thicknesses as already mentioned and the Bazzill has the same texture to it. I mainly use these for die cutting but you can stamp on them too.

 

Glitter

Again I do occasionally like to use glitter cardstock mainly for die cutting. Two of my favourites are Doodlebug Sugar Coated (comes in the great Doodlebug colours) and Stampin' Up Glimmer paper. They both have the glitter particles on the outside which I love but the particles do not come off when you touch it.

 

Here is the video showing you what they look like and more of my waffle!

 

 

Hope that may have helped some of you. Two cardstocks that I did not mention that I would like to try are the Simon Says Stamp and the heavyweight My Favorites Things cardstocks. I do not have the space for them at the moment though! :) I would love to hear what your favourite cardstocks are. Please leave me a comment letting me know :)