What is Card Stock?

Card stock is a thicker paper that is used for products that require durability and opacity. This article will explain the various types of card stock and the method used in determining paper weights.

History

Paper has been around for centuries. Beginning with the Egyptians, hand making paper from papyrus, through the 19th century to the present, paper has served to carry human communication through the centuries and is now integral in product packaging as well. Paper making consists of mixing pulp and water, placing it on a screen, compressing it until the fibers intertwine and water is extracted and drying. Now fully-automated, the process is similar to early hand-made methods in which fixed-size screen boxes were used to create one sheet at a time.

Function

Because it is thicker, card stock is more durable than writing paper, so it is ideal for projects that need to hold up under more wear and tear. Post cards are an ideal example. The automation of mail handling uses machines that stress all papers that pass through them. Without the durability of card stock, your post card will likely be shredded in the mail handling process. In fact, the United States Post Office has specifications regarding not only the size but also the rigidity required to meet their post card standards.

Business cards are another good example of products that demand card stock for their production. Display rack cards also require card stock or they will ultimately sag and bend making them less noticeable. Technical specification sheets last longer if printed on card stock, especially if they are used in binders and subjected to a lot of page turning. Menus are another good example.

Quite simply, anything that you handle regularly and needs to last is best-suited to card stock. Additionally, card stock offers a greater level of opacity and should be considered for products and projects which are printed on both sides to eliminate show through.

Types

Just as there are various types of paper, there are also various types of card stock. It ranges from index to high-end vellum. Your choice depends on your end product: You wouldn't want to send classy invitations printed on index stock just as you would not want to use expensive vellum in the manufacture of file folders. Your product will dictate your selection. Index, tag and bristol are the low end of the card stock spectrum. As the least expensive, they are good for the work-horse type applications (file folders, index cards) and products whose durability far exceeds appearance.
For business cards and marketing post cards, you will want to use cover stock. Cover stock is available in a wide variety of colors and finishes, and those things also affect its price. Because of its wide versatility, you will be able to find a suitable cover stock for nearly every project and price range.
Using parchment or vellum will set apart exclusive invitations and announcements from more ordinary projects, but those classes of card stock come with a price tag to match.

Finishes

Index and tag have very smooth finishes with a tight surface. A typical 3 by 5 inch index card is a good example. Bristol (sometimes referred to as vellum bristol) has a rougher or "toothier" finish to it although it falls in roughly the same price range.

Cover stock finishes may be smooth, vellum or have a variety of specialty finishes. As you can see, the word "vellum" is widely used throughout the paper industry and carries an assortment of meanings. True vellum (a noun) is historically made from skin or hide and has the reputation of being the ultimate paper. When used as an adjective, vellum generally refers to the finish or surface of the paper which is typically rougher and more porous.

Other popular finishes for cover stocks include linen (basket weave look), laid (raised, rough horizontal lines) and felt (mottled look).

At the high end, vellum and parchment both carry a mottled finish and can have a very uneven surface.

Gloss versus Matte Finish

The lower end grades of card stock are uncoated finishes. Their porousness does not lend itself to the coating process. On the other hand, cover stocks can be coated and are offered in a variety of types. Matte papers, sometimes called silk, are coated to have a hard but dull finish. Gloss papers have the same hard finish but offer a shinier surface. Both matte and gloss have the same durability and their hard finishes improve the look of printed ink. The look is a matter of personal preference in much the same way that some people like glossy photos and some like matte photos. Finally, there is cast-coated paper which is treated so that it has extreme mirror-like shine to it. And coated paper can be treated on either one or both sides. Your selection depends on your preference and end product.

Paper Weights

All papers, card stocks included, are referred to by their weight, but it can be very confusing. Basis weight is the term used to classify paper weights. The basis weight is the weight of 500 sheets (one ream) of the paper in its parent size. The confusion occurs due to the lack of uniformity in parent sizes. For example, the parent size sheet of cover stock is 20 by 26 inches. A standard weight for cover stock used for business cards or post cards is "65 pound." As defined, 500 sheets of cover stock 20 by 26 inches weighs 65 pounds. The parent size for index however, is much larger: 25.5 by 30.5 inches. The weight of 500 sheets of index in its parent sheet weighs 110 pounds. It sounds like it should be much heavier than 65 pound cover, but it is roughly the same thickness and has similar rigidity. It's very important to keep this in mind when selecting the right card stock for your project. Don't be misled to believe that 110-pound index is nearly double the thickness and durability of 65-pound cover when, in essence, they're about the same.