Kat’s Favorite Cardstock – 2018

Although I have a few new brands to add here this year, I’m using the same intro as last year because I still believe it to be true (for me).

When it comes to paper/cardstock, I use more than one brand because there are several that I like; different brands for different projects, etc.  When searching for colored cardstock, I recommend trying different brands and then once you’ve found the ones you like, choose by the color, not just the company.  While I list only my favorites here today, there are several other brands that I use.  The same can be said for ink pads, but that’s another post   Again, the cardstock and papers I am sharing with you today are the ones I like the most and that I use on a regular basis.

Artist’s Choice Card Stock by Gina K Designs

Gina K’s Artist’s Choice Card Stock is new to me this past year.    It’s great for coloring with colored pencils and alcohol markers.  The paper has more tooth and absorption which allows it to “grab” the color.

Strathmore Bristol Smooth Paper

I still love my Bristol Smooth Paper for stamping, ink blending, coloring, and light watercoloring, (works great with Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers!).  It’s really nice quality paper and ink blending is much easier on this paper than some others.

White Cardstock

For card bases, I prefer Gina K Designs’ Pure Luxury 120# Cardstock.  This is the smoothest, thickest cardstock I’ve ever used and I just adore it.

If I need white cardstock for stamping, die cutting, layering, etc., I usually use Gina K Designs’ Layering Weight White Cardstock.  It is 80#.

Colored Cardstock

There are several brands that I use but these are my most commonly used brands of colored cardstock:

I use Gina K Heavy Base Weight Colored Cardstock – This is 100lb cardstock in many different colors.

I also use MFT’s Heavy Weight Card Stock – This is also 100lb cardstock in a large variety of colors.

Another cardstock I really like is Lawn Fawn’s Rainbow Cardstock Pack which is also 100lb.

Copic Express Blending Cardstock

I use this cardstock when I color with Copics and it’s not a single layer card.  Copics blend well on this paper and it’s easy to cut in my ScanNCut2!

Vellum

When I need quality vellum, I reach for Essentials by Ellen, 40lb Vellum.  It comes in a pack of 25.  However, if I’m doing a project in bulk or if it’s for kids or something, I just use inexpensive vellum that I buy at Hobby Lobby.   I save my good vellum for important projects.

Specialty Paper for Alcohol Inks

There are two kinds of paper I use when creating with alcohol inks:

Tim Holtz® Alcohol Ink Cardstock – Gloss – White

I use the Tim Holtz® Alcohol Ink Cardstock most of the time because it’s less expensive than the yupo paper.  I use this alcohol ink cardstock when I’m when I’m practicing or just “playing around” with alcohol inks.

Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink White Yupo Paper

When I am working on a specific project and am not just experimenting, I use the White Yupo Paper.

The products mentioned on this page are all listed and linked below for your convenience.

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