Craft Paper Types: A Complete Guide to Choosing Paper

What counts as craft paper

Craft paper is a loose, everyday term for any paper you use to make things by hand: cards, scrapbook pages, paper flowers, gift boxes, origami, collages and decorations. It is not one specific product. A sheet of kraft paper, a sheet of tissue and a sheet of heavy cardstock are all “craft paper” because of how you use them, not because they are made the same way.

Most paper is made from plant fibers, usually wood pulp, that are pressed into a thin sheet. What changes between types is the fiber mix, the thickness or weight, the surface finish, and any dye, coating or pattern. Those differences decide whether a paper folds crisply, takes a stamp or ink well, holds glue without wrinkling, or tears when you look at it.

If you want the basics of what paper is made of, our article on why paper looks white explains how fiber and finishing change its look.

The main craft paper types

Cardstock

Cardstock is a sturdy, heavier paper used for card bases, layered designs, tags, small boxes and anything that needs to stand up on its own. It comes in many colors and finishes, from smooth to textured. For card making, a smooth cardstock is generally easier to stamp on, while textured sheets add visual interest. Some cardstock is colored all the way through, which keeps the edges from showing a white core when you cut or fold it.

Patterned and scrapbook paper

Patterned paper is usually lighter than cardstock and printed on one or both sides. It is popular for layering on cards, scrapbook backgrounds and decorative panels. Scrapbook paper is often sold in square sheets and in themed sets so the colors and prints coordinate. If the pages will hold photos or keepsakes, look for packaging that says the paper is acid-free or photo-safe.

Construction paper

Construction paper is a thin, slightly rough, brightly colored paper often used in classrooms and for children’s projects. It is easy to cut and fold, but the surface can be fuzzy, and the colors may fade over time, especially in sunlight. It is a good choice for temporary projects, templates and practice, and less so for keepsakes.

Kraft paper

Kraft paper is the familiar brown, fairly strong paper used for wrapping, packaging and rustic-style crafts. It holds up well to folding and handling and pairs nicely with stamps, twine and white ink or paint. It is also useful for covering a table while you work.

Tissue paper and crepe paper

Tissue paper is very thin and lightweight, used for gift wrap, pom-poms and layered paper flowers. Crepe paper is crinkled and stretchy, which makes it useful for streamers and petals that need to be shaped. Both can bleed color if they get wet, so keep them away from damp glue and spills. For a closer look at how thin tissue sheets are manufactured, see how tissue paper is made. If you want to turn tissue or crepe into blooms, our printable paper flower patterns give you templates to start from.

Origami paper

Origami paper is thin and light so that it folds sharply and holds a crease without bulking up. It is often sold in squares, with color on one side and white on the other, or with patterns. Ordinary copy paper cut to a square works for practice, but very thick paper tends to resist small folds. For ideas on what to fold, see different types of paper folding.

Vellum and translucent paper

Vellum, in the craft sense, is a translucent paper that lets light and layers show through. It is popular for overlays on cards, wedding stationery and lantern-style projects. It can be tricky with glue, because wet adhesive may show through, so many crafters use tape or fine dots of adhesive that dry clear. Check the product label for what works with that particular sheet.

Mulberry and handmade papers

Mulberry paper and many handmade papers have long, visible fibers and soft, feathery edges. They tear into attractive edges, which makes them popular for mixed media, collage and bookbinding accents. Because they are absorbent, they can wrinkle if you use too much wet glue.

Watercolor and mixed media paper

If you plan to paint, ink or use wet media, use paper made for it. Regular cardstock and copy paper tend to buckle and soften when wet. Our guide on whether paper is porous explains why paper soaks up liquid and how coatings change that.

Copy and printer paper

Plain copy paper is the everyday workhorse for templates, practice folds, patterns, and printed crafts. It is lightweight and affordable, though not ideal for anything that needs to hold its shape or take wet media.

Construction paper vs craft paper

People often ask about the difference between construction paper and craft paper. In practice, “craft paper” is the broader label, covering many kinds of paper used in crafting. Construction paper is one specific kind: inexpensive, slightly textured, strongly colored, and best for short-term projects. Kraft paper, which some people also call craft paper, is the brown wrapping-style paper described above. If a pattern or tutorial says “craft paper” without detail, check whether it means colored paper, brown kraft paper or cardstock before you buy.

Understanding paper weight

Paper weight tells you how thick and sturdy a sheet is likely to be. Two systems are common.

• gsm (grams per square meter) is used in most countries. A higher number means a heavier sheet.
• lb (pounds) is used in the United States. It refers to the weight of a ream (500 sheets) of the paper’s original uncut “basic” size, so lb numbers cannot be compared across different paper categories.

As a rough guide, everyday printing paper is lighter, and sheets heavier than around 160 gsm are generally treated as card, while in US terms cover and cardstock weights go higher still. Exact boundaries differ between manufacturers and countries, so use these as general guidance and check the label. To see how far thickness can go, read about cardboard compared with paper.

Acid-free and lignin-free

Wood contains lignin, a natural substance that can cause paper to yellow and turn brittle over time. Papers labeled “acid-free” or “lignin-free” are made to resist that aging, which matters for scrapbooks, photo albums and keepsakes. If you are crafting something temporary, such as a party decoration, it matters less. For help recognizing the signs of aging in paper, see how to identify old paper.

Choosing paper by project

Paper craft techniques

A frequent question is which craft techniques use paper. Some well-known ones include:

• Origami, folding a single sheet into a shape.
• Quilling, rolling thin strips of paper into coils.
• Papier-mache, building forms from paper strips and paste.
• Decoupage, gluing cut paper to a surface and sealing it.
• Scrapbooking and card making, layering paper, photos and embellishments.
• Paper cutting and kirigami, cutting designs to make flat or standing art.
• Paper flower making, shaping petals from crepe, tissue or cardstock.
• Bookbinding and journaling, assembling pages into notebooks.

Storing your paper

Keep paper flat, dry and out of direct sunlight, which can fade colors. Magazine holders, flat files, clear containers and folders all work. Sorting by color, size or type makes it easier to find what you need.

Safety

Paper crafts are gentle, but the tools can cause injuries.

• Cut away from your body on a cutting mat, and replace dull blades, which can slip.
• Craft knives and other sharp tools should be stored out of reach of young children, and children should only use them with direct adult supervision.
• Follow the label directions for glue, spray adhesive, paints and sealers, and work in a ventilated space when the label advises it.
• Small paper scraps, glitter and punched shapes can be a choking hazard, so keep them away from toddlers and pets.
• Dyed papers such as crepe and tissue can transfer color. Keep them away from the mouth, and wash hands after handling.

FAQ

What is the best paper for beginners? A small set of cardstock, one pack of patterned paper and some inexpensive practice paper covers many projects.

Do I need acid-free paper? For keepsakes and photos, it is a sensible choice. For short-term projects, it is optional.

Can I mix different papers in one project? Yes. Just choose glue that suits the lightest or most delicate sheet, and test on a scrap first.