I have a shelf full of cardstock that I keep for someday. Then there’s this new 65lb bundle that I opened the minute the box hit my porch. It’s already my go-to for cardstockdiy cards, and I’m not just saying that. I’ve run it through my die cutter, hand-cut tiny stars with scissors, and even spilled coffee on the first card I tried. The coffee was my fault. The cardstock still held up.
Why 65lb cardstock is my new cardmaking favorite
Ok so I used to think all cardstock was basically the same. Then I started making more folded cards and realized the weight determines how the whole card stands, feels, and flops around. 65lb is lighter than my usual 110lb, but that’s exactly why it works for cards. It folds without that stiff crack, and it keeps a nice, flat shape on a desk.
I made a birthday card with a layered balloon die cut, and the front didn’t warp. That’s not nothing. A heavier cardstock can pull at the glue and curl, especially if you add extra layers. This one behaves.
The smooth texture makes it ideal for papercrafts
I usually look for a little tooth, you know, texture for ink blending. This pack is honestly smoother than I expected. And that turned out to be a good thing.
Smooth cardstock means my thinner pens don’t skip, my embossing folders leave a crisp impression, and stamped images come out with fewer bald spots. I pressed a large background stamp onto a cream square and the pigment sat on top nicely. It didn’t soak in and get blotchy. For scrapbooking, that same smooth surface works when I’m layering patterned paper and want a flat base that doesn’t fight me.
Die cutting cardstock without frayed edges
Here’s the thing. I’ve tested a lot of cardstock in my cutting machine. Some shred. Some tear. Some leave a weird white line along every cut edge. This 65lb bundle slices through like butter, no frayed edges. The petals on a flower die came out clean enough that I didn’t feel the need to sand or ink the edges.
I also used it for a small word cut, like a script font with thin letters. No broken pieces. My diecutting results have been consistent, which is rare for me. The only issue I hit was when I forgot to switch to a sticky mat, and that’s on me, not the paper. Not gonna lie, that mistake made me appreciate the paper even more.
What else this 65lb cardstock pack can do
Because this is a full bundle, I don’t reserve it for just cards. I used it for:
- Simple scrapbooking mats and photo frames
- Hand-cut tags for gift packages
- Patterned paper backing for envelopes
- A quick stencil when I needed a template
- One paper airplane that flew surprisingly well
That last one was not planned. But honestly, I’m glad the paper is flexible enough to handle something other than a neat craft desk project.
The honest downsides, because no cardstock is perfect
Look, I have some complaints. The pack doesn’t come with any labels, so if you’re like me and toss the outer wrap immediately, you’ll forget which color is which. I wish they printed the name on the sheet edge. Also, the lighter 65lb weight isn’t the best for 3D pop-up structures. If you want a tall, springy mechanism, grab something heavier.
But for flat cards, layered focal points, and everyday papercrafts, this pack is the one I reach for. It just makes the process less fussy.
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