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what is the difference between cover stock and card stock

by Prof. Harold Walter Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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The answer is simple: cover stock and cardstock are the same things (sort of). They’re more or less analogous, with a few key differences in finish and texture. Cardstock texture is typically smoother than cover stock. Cardstock finishes are also more generic in appearance–that is, more forgiving for a wide range of uses.

The terms cover stock and card stock are analogous and are frequently interchanged by both novices and industry professionals alike. They both refer to heavy weight paper, and for all intents and purposes, are the same thing – card stock, is cover stock, is thick or heavy paper – plain and simple.

Full Answer

What is the difference between cover stock and text stock?

What is the Difference Between Cover Stock and Text Stock?

  • Thickness. The primary difference between cover stock and text stock is the thickness of the sheet. ...
  • Weight. All paper has weight assignments. ...
  • Determining Weight. Paper weight designations can be confusing. ...
  • Uses. Because of their thickness and rigidity, cover stocks are used for items, such as post cards and business cards.
  • Colors and Finishes. ...

What is 80lb card stock like?

This question is especially tricky to answer over the Internet, so bear with me:

  • For reference: most postcards are printed in 100 lb cover or thicker (i.e. 14 pt cardstock is thicker than 100 lb cover)
  • 80 lb cover feels like a thin cardstock
  • 100 lb cover feels more like a “regular” cardstock

What does 80 lb cardstock mean?

What does 80 lb cardstock mean? Basis weight refers to the weight of 500 sheets (a ream) of card stock at its basic size. It’s expressed in pounds, and varies depending on the grade of that particular stock. For example, a basis weight of 80 means that a 500-sheet stack of that paper grade at its basic size weighs 80 pounds.

What weight is card stock?

What Weight Is Cardstock?

  • Weight. Pound (lb.) is the measurement of weight for paper. ...
  • Thickness. Point (pt.) is the measurement used to describe the thickness of card stock in thousandths of an inch.
  • Grade. Paper comes in many finishes such as metallic. ...
  • Ranges. Card stock ranges from 60 to 130 pound. ...
  • Considerations. Postage will change based on carad stock weight. ...

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What is the difference between card stock and cover stock paper?

Card stock is typically smooth to the touch and is measured and sold according to its basis or pound weight. This measurement is equivalent to the weight of 500 sheets of 20-by-26 inch paper. Cover stock, on the other hand, is often coated and textured, and is typically measured by caliper, or thickness, in points.

What is cover stock used for?

Cover stock refers to a heavier type of matte or glossy paper that your business can use for heavier items like business cards and posters.

What is card stock?

Card stock, also called cover stock and pasteboard, is paper that is thicker and more durable than normal writing and printing paper, but thinner and more flexible than other forms of paperboard.

What is the difference between card and stock?

Card stock, sometimes spelled “cardstock”, is thicker and more durable than regular printer paper, but it's thinner and more flexible than cardboard. This balance between durability and flexibility makes cardstock ideal for a number of crafting and design applications.

Is cover stock thicker than card stock?

The terms cover stock and card stock are analogous and are frequently interchanged by both novices and industry professionals alike. They both refer to heavy weight paper, and for all intents and purposes, are the same thing – card stock, is cover stock, is thick or heavy paper – plain and simple.

Which cardstock is best for greeting cards?

Usually, 350 gsm card stock is considered the best paper weight for printing greeting cards.

Can you print on cover stock?

Not only can you print on cardstock with an inkjet printer, but you can achieve really great results. Many inkjet printers can print on thick card as are versatile enough to print photo lab quality photos and graphics.

Why is it called cardstock?

Cardstock (card stock) is a type of paper that is thicker, heavier, and sturdier than regular or standard paper.

What are the different types of cardstock?

Cardstock varies by material, texture, feel and price, so here is a rundown of each of the different types.Solid White Cardstock. This is what most people call “cardstock“. ... Linen Cardstock. ... Cotton Cardstock. ... Parchment. ... Felt Cardstock. ... Kraft. ... Vellum. ... Colored Cardstock.More items...•

Is 65 lb or 110 lb cardstock thicker?

As a general rule, cardstock is thicker, sturdier and more durable than standard paper. Cardstock is typically classified by weight, measured in pounds (lbs) per 1000 sheets of paper. Cardstock weight ranges from around 65 lbs (thinnest cardstock) to 110 lbs (thickest cardstock).

How thick is cover stock paper?

card is 0.010 in (0.254 mm) thick (roughly corresponding to a weight of 250 g/m^2, and 12 pt. is 300 g/m^2.

What is the heaviest card stock?

Cardstock weights have increased in recent years. The most popular cardstock weights are 80 lb, 90 lb, 110 lb, and 130 lb.

What is cardstock in the UK?

In the UK we tend to talk about 'card' when looking for what to make our handmade cards and crafts with. However, the word card means so many things, credit card, finished greetings card and of course sheets of card, so we use the term cardstock to make it clear we're talking about the same thing.

Is card stock like cardboard?

Whereas cardboard is actually another name for card stock. Card stock or cardboard is thicker than the standard three-ring binder paper you may have used in school but thinner than a poster.

What is cardstock for Cricut?

Cricut Brand: Most Cricut cardstock is 80 lb. weight, textured, solid-core cardstock. It's ideal for making cards, banners, decor, and other paper crafts. American Crafts Cardstock: AC brand cardstock is another favorite brand with crafters. It's a smooth, solid core cardstock that's available in a rainbow of colors.

What type of paper is card stock?

Cardstock: Cardstock printer paper is thicker than ordinary paper. Its thickness and durability mean it's often used to create paper menus, postcards and invitations. Cardstock can be coated or uncoated, depending on the project.

What is the best way to choose between card and cover stock?

While the thickness and weight will obviously play a part in your selection -- a heavier paper, for example, works best for a handmade birthday card -- the best way to choose between card and cover stock is often simply by its feel between your fingers.

What is the difference between card stock and cardboard?

Paper that is sold as either "card stock" or "cover stock" is thicker and more durable than standard drawing or construction paper, but thinner and more flexible than cardboard. While these heavier mediums are sold under different weights, thicknesses and labels, they serve basically the same purpose in crafting projects and could be used interchangeably.

How is cover stock measured?

Cover stock, on the other hand, is often coated and textured, and is typically measured by caliper, or thickness, in points. One point is equivalent to 1/1,000 inch. In comparison, card stock that is labeled 80 pound -- or 80# -- is roughly the same as a cover stock labeled 10 point. Advertisement.

What is cover stock?

Cover stock: is a specific term reserved for heavy weight paper of a decorative nature; found in an assortment of colors, finishes, textures, and coatings. Sticking with technicalities, cover stock is generally classified by paper basis weight, rather than caliper, or thickness.

How is Card Stock Made?

To understand how card stock is formed, you must understand the materials and the process. Both are key to the quality of the final product that results.

What determines the quality of card stock?

If card stock is not created equally, what determines a quality card stock? Many people are under the misconception that the quality of a card stock is determined by its thickness, stiffness or weight. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Depending on personal taste and what the paper will be used for, some prefer thick, heavy stock, some prefer a lighter, softer stock. Therefore, the quality of a card stock is determined by the fiber quality and manufacturing process, not by thickness.

How is card stock sheet guided?

Sheet is guided through a series of roller presses and heat dryers until it is a flat, uniform, dry sheet of card stock

What is the quality of card stock?

Therefore, the quality of a card stock is determined by the fiber quality and manufacturing process, not by thickness.

Is card stock the same as cover stock?

The terms cover stock and card stock are analogous and are frequently interchanged by both novices and industry professionals alike. They both refer to heavy weight paper, and for all intents and purposes, are the same thing – card stock, is cover stock, is thick or heavy paper – plain and simple. However it should be noted ...

What is the difference between coverstock and cardstock?

There is some confusion between cover stock and cardstock. Cardstock is generally measured by weight, and coverstock is measured by points. Many printers and people use the same measurements for both. You can read more about cardstock vs coverstock here. Cardstock weight for postcards depends on your preference.

What is Cardstock Used For?

For example - invitations, resumes, and even menus are all great uses of card stock. Although they aren't mandatory for any of these media, they give whatever you are passing out the impression that it is more polished rather than using your typical 8.5x11 paper.

What is the thickness of cardstock?

It comes in a variety of thicknesses. 10pt, 12pt, 16pt and 24pt are all common thickness for cardstock prints. 12pt cardstock is one of the most popular choices for today cardstock printing needs although there are other sizes on the market.

What is 12pt cardstock?

12pt card stock is a more durable and much thicker than ordinary printing paper or writing paper. 12pt Cardstock is also more versatile than other kinds of paperboard of a similar size. They're sold in sheets (as opposed to paper reams).

How much does cardstock weigh?

What weight is cardstock? Although there are different definitions of cardstock across countries, in the US the typical weight is about 250 g/m. In the U.S., card stock thickness is usually measured in points or mils which is the thickness of the sheet in thousandths of an inch. For example, a 10 pt. card is 0.010 in (0.254 mm) thick (roughly corresponding to a weight of 250 g/m^2, and 12 pt. is 300 g/m^2. Of course, there are other thicknesses and therefore weights of this type of material, but these are the most common thicknesses.

How much does a 12 pt cardstock cost?

At Printmoz you can get a discount on cardstock if you are ordering printed cardstock in bulk. The average price of 12 pt cardstock is $3.95 per square foot. While 24 pt cardstock runs at $4.99 per square foot. If you order in bulk, you’ll save $0.02 per square foot on 12 pt cardstock and $0.01 per square foot on 24 pt cardstock. Postcard printing on cardstock will help you simplify your message into sound bites that are easy to read. So if you want to send out a promotion using printed postcards, it’s always a good idea to work on the design elements before you decide so you know exactly how much space you will need for your postcard. Cardstock printing is also great for text bubbles for photo booths!

What type of cardstock is used for printing?

Here are the most common card stock printing types of cardstock: Textured— Thie kind of cardstock has options for texture and color. You can pick the kind that is best for your needs Colored— Many cardstock printing ideas can tie in the right color that goes in with your color scheme.

What is the difference between card stock and cover stock?

While the terms “card stock” and “cover stock” are roughly analogous, there are subtle differences between the two: Card stock is typically smoother and more generic in appearance, and is often measured and sold according to caliper, or thickness in points. We’ll explain what this means in Part 2!

What is Card Stock?

Card stock, sometimes spelled “cardstock”, is thicker and more durable than regular printer paper, but it’s thinner and more flexible than cardboard. This balance between durability and flexibility makes cardstock ideal for a number of crafting and design applications.

What is part 2 of the Ultimate Guide to Card Stock?

Part 2 of the Ultimate Guide to Card Stock will define paper weight and outline the different ways that card stocks are weighed and sold. We’ll explore uses for some of the most common weights, and provide suggestions for some of our most popular stocks.

Why are text and cover stock different sizes?

The reason actual weight of Text and Cover stock of the same pound rating will be different is due to the way the pound rating is determined. Both use the weight of 500 sheets for the pound rating, but they use a different size sheet. For Text stock, 500 sheets measuring 25" x 38" are used. While for Cover stock, 500 sheets measuring 20" x 26" sheets are used instead.

How thick is a 10 pt card?

In North America, paper thickness can be displayed in points (1/1000" or .001"). For example, a 10 pt. Card stock is 0.010" thick (about the weight of a 140lb Index stock) while 12 pt. Card stock is 0.012" thick (about the weight of a 100lb Cover stock).

What is the difference between metric and metric paper weight?

The North American system for paper weight uses pounds (expressed as either # or lb) while the metric system uses grams per square meter (gsm or g/m2 or g/m2), often called "grammage". The North American pound rating is based on the weight of 500 sheets (a.k.a. a ream), while the metric rating is based on the weight of a 1 meter by 1 meter sheet.

Is cover paper more durable than text paper?

It is more durable than Text paper. Cover paper is more rigid and must be scored (i.e., dented or creased) before it can be folded. This type of paper is usually smooth, but can have a texture. It can have either a matte or glossy appearance.

Is 80# cover paper the same weight as 80#?

The U.S. system is a bit confusing because the same pound number can be used for both lighter (Text) paper and heavier (Cover) paper. For example, 80# Text paper and 80# Cover paper have the same pound number even though the Cover stock is almost twice as heavy! The metric system in comparison is more straight forward. For example, 80# Text Paper weighs 104 g/m2 while 80# Cover Stock weighs 218 g/m2. The Cover stock is clearly more than twice as heavy as the Text stock.

Why do you use weight on cardstock?

This is actually a good thing for consumers, even though it is confusing. Because weight takes into account the actual thickness of the paper, you can use weight to determine whether a sheet of cardstock is too thick for your home printer to handle.

What scale do you use to determine the right cardstock?

To understand how that happens, you have to understand the US paper density scale, which will, in turn, help you identify the right cardstock for a given situation.

Is cardstock thinner than regular paper?

Cardstock is thicker than regular printer paper but thinner and more flexible than cardboard, sort of a happy medium between the two. It’s also referred to as cover paper.

Is gloss cardstock the same as metallic cardstock?

Keep in mind that the thickness and weight of these cardstocks may be quite different. Our gloss cardstock is technically the same weight as our Curious Metallic cardstock, but the inclusion of a gloss finish means the paper will not fold as easily, since the paper is stiffer and it may actually be thicker.

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