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CARDSTOCK around in your head and you want to place them on cardstock. WHICH CARDSTOCK DO I USE? The question really is not what cardstock can you use but what technique can I use on the different cardstocks. Well, my handmade greeting card addicts, the answers lie below. There are many types of cardstocks available for you to make your handmade greeting cards. What makes a big difference between the many cardstocks out there is the ability to hold and absorb different types of media such as pigment ink, dye based ink, chalks, watercolors and so on. Some cardstock have special qualities that only experimentation will tell you the do’s and don’ts. Below is a list of the cardstock, and through trial and error, I have listed there special properties. 1) MATTE FINISHED CARDSTOCK This cardstock works almost like a sponge and will soak up most of the pigment you use. It has a flat look to its surface and many colors are available in different thicknesses. I find that 65# to 110# cardstock works well because they fold easily and sharply. Almost all media works well on matte finished cardstock. Heat embossing, dry embossing, rubber stamping and watercolor effects are the techniques that I find work the best. You will probably find more techniques as your thirst for new and different ideas continues.
2) SEMI-COATED MATTE FINISHED CARDSTOCK This cardstock has a smoother feel to it and a little bit of shine also. I use the same thickness as the matte finished cardstock with the same media. You might want to try pastels, Pearl-Ex powders, colored pencils and markers. The techniques are also the same as the matte finished cardstock. 3) GLOSSY CARDSTOCK Glossy cardstock is very shiny with a very slick surface. It is as close to non-absorbent as you can get in a cardstock. Be very careful with what media you apply to this cardstock The thickness of this cardstock is not measured in pounds but in points. The higher the number of points the thicker the cardstock. I generally use 10 point to 12 point glossy cardstock. Media that works well on this cardstock is dye based inks, permanent markers and pigment inks only when used with a heat gun. The techniques that work well are heat embossing, sponging and the use of a brayer. Layering is another way when used as a background and other materials are placed on top of the cardstock. 4) VELLUM Vellum is an exciting cardstock to use. It is thin and almost see-thru. You can use pigment ink on vellum with heat embossing but please be careful. When too much heat is applied to this cardstock, bending and creasing will occur so go very slowly and keep a careful eye on the results. Dye based inks will never dry unless you use your heat gun and follow the same steps as pigment ink. Colored pencils, oil pastels and archival inks can be used. Dry embossing on vellum cardstock will leave a beautiful white embossed outline that will give you some wonderful effects. Remember that the thickness of most cardstock is measured by pounds; the higher the number the thicker the cardstock. You will generally see 65# or 80# on the packaging and this will tell you whether it is good for card making or not. Some cardstock thickness is measured in points as the glossy cardstock. The higher the point total, the thicker the cardstock. You will probably see 10 pt. or 12 pt. as markings for the thickness. No matter what cardstock you chose, remember that practice makes perfect and trial and error will give you some surprising and wonderful “mistakes” on any cardstock. Let your imagination run wild and you will find some interesting and unusual cardstocks for your handmade greeting cards. Now go on a cardmaking journey and have some fun. |
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