Paper Craft Basics: Choosing the Right Supplies for Cards and Journals

Quick answer

Start with a heavyweight cardstock for card bases and a lighter weight paper for journaling pages. Add patterned paper only after you know your project size. If you are unsure, buy a small assortment first and test how your adhesive, pens, and printer handle each sheet before committing to a large pack.

Walk into any craft store and you will see hundreds of paper options. Without a system, it is easy to buy too much of the wrong weight or finish. This guide gives you concrete decision rules for choosing paper craft supplies for handmade cards and journals, so you can build a stash that works instead of one that just sits there.

The two most common mistakes are using lightweight paper for card bases and buying patterned paper before deciding on a project size. We will cover cardstock vs patterned paper, journaling paper supplies, and the craft paper types that hold up to folding, gluing, and writing. You will also see how a few real products fit into these decisions.

Start with the two paper weights you actually need

For card making, you need a cardstock that can stand up on its own. Look for a weight around 80–110 lb (216–300 gsm). If the package does not list a weight, feel the sheet: it should resist flopping when you hold it by one corner. For journaling, you need a lighter paper that takes ink without bleeding. A 32 lb (120 gsm) text weight is a good starting point. If you plan to use watercolor or heavy markers, go heavier or use a mixed-media paper.

Do not buy a single ream of one weight and expect it to do everything. Card bases need stiffness; journal pages need flexibility and a smooth writing surface. Two separate packs will serve you better than one compromise paper. If you are just starting, buy a 50-sheet pack of each and test them with your favorite pen and adhesive before buying in bulk.

• Card bases: 80–110 lb cardstock, solid core so the fold does not show white.
• Journal pages: 32 lb text weight or higher for fountain pens; mixed-media for wet media.
• Test first: write on a scrap with your usual pen and glue a small sample before committing.

Cardstock vs patterned paper: when to use each

Cardstock is your structural layer. It holds the shape of a card, supports embellishments, and hides adhesive. Patterned paper is your decorative layer. It is usually thinner and should be matted onto cardstock or used as a panel rather than a full card base. A common beginner mistake is folding patterned paper into a card and wondering why it sags or cracks at the fold.

For journals, patterned paper works as background washes, tip-ins, or pocket pages. Because it is thinner, it adds less bulk to a bound journal. If you want to write directly on patterned paper, check that the pattern is light enough and the surface is not coated. Coated or glossy paper repels many pens and stamps. When in doubt, mat a patterned panel onto a cardstock base for cards, and use patterned paper as an accent in journals.

• Use cardstock for any fold, base, or structure.
• Use patterned paper for panels, layers, and decoration.
• Avoid glossy or coated patterned paper if you plan to write or stamp directly on it.

Match paper to your adhesive and tools

Your adhesive and tools dictate what paper will work. Double-sided tape and glue sticks work on most cardstock and patterned paper. Liquid glue can wrinkle thin paper, so use it sparingly or switch to a tape runner. If you use a die-cutting machine, you need paper that cuts cleanly without tearing. Heavier cardstock may require a different blade or plate combination, so test a small piece first.

For journaling, consider how you will attach items. Washi tape and stickers work on most smooth papers. If you use a lot of wet media, choose a paper that is sized for it. If you sew on paper, a lighter weight cardstock or text weight paper is easier to pierce. The goal is to avoid a mismatch between your paper and your favorite tools.

• Tape runners and glue sticks are safest for thin patterned paper.
• Test die-cutting on a scrap before cutting a full sheet.
• For sewing, use lighter paper or pre-pierce holes.

How many sheets and what sizes to buy first

Buy in this order: one pack of white or cream cardstock in 8.5 x 11 inches, one pack of a neutral text weight paper for journaling, and one small pad of patterned paper in a theme you like. This gives you the ability to make cards and journal pages without overbuying. A 50-sheet pack of cardstock yields about 50 A2 card bases if you cut carefully. A 5 x 7 inch sticker sheet or a small paper pad is enough to test patterns before buying a full 12 x 12 inch collection.

If you mostly make cards, prioritize cardstock and envelopes. If you mostly journal, prioritize text weight paper and a few patterned papers for accents. Do not buy a large paper pad until you have made at least three projects with a small one and know which patterns you actually reach for.

• First purchase: one cardstock pack, one text weight pack, one small patterned pad.
• Cards: 8.5 x 11 cardstock cuts into two A2 bases per sheet.
• Journals: 8.5 x 11 text weight paper can be cut or folded to fit many journal sizes.

Storing paper so it stays usable

Paper warps with humidity and fades with light. Store cardstock flat in a closed box or drawer, away from direct sun. Keep patterned paper in its pad or a zip bag if you live in a humid climate. Scraps smaller than 2 x 2 inches are rarely worth keeping unless you do collage or punch art; sort them into a small bin and recycle the rest. Label your packs by weight and color so you do not have to guess later.

If you buy a large paper pad, remove the sheets you need and close the pad immediately. This reduces exposure to air and light. For loose cardstock, a simple file folder system by color works well. If you have pets or small children, store paper up high or in a latch box to avoid bent corners.

• Store flat, closed, and out of direct sun.
• Keep patterned paper in its original pad or a zip bag.
• Sort scraps by size; recycle anything under 2 x 2 inches unless you collage.

Decision rules for buying paper craft supplies

• Rule 1: Buy for the fold, not the look: If the paper will be folded into a card, it must be cardstock weight (80–110 lb). Patterned paper is for panels and layers only. If you fall in love with a patterned sheet, plan to mat it onto cardstock rather than folding it alone. Checkpoint: hold the sheet by one corner. If it flops, it is not a card base.
• Rule 2: Match paper to your pen before you buy a pack: For journaling, test your favorite pen on a single sheet. If it bleeds or feathers, go heavier or switch to a smoother paper. Do not buy a 100-sheet pack until one sheet passes your pen test. Checkpoint: write a full sentence, not just a scribble. Ink behavior shows up in longer writing.
• Rule 3: Let your adhesive choose your paper weight: If you use liquid glue, avoid thin patterned paper because it wrinkles. If you use tape runners, you have more flexibility. If you sew on paper, choose lighter weights or pre-pierce. Your adhesive and tools should narrow your paper choices, not the other way around. Checkpoint: glue two scraps together and let them dry before using the paper in a project.
• Rule 4: Start with neutral cardstock and one patterned pad: A neutral cardstock (white, cream, kraft) works with any patterned paper. Buy one small patterned pad in a theme you actually use. Make three projects before buying a second pad. This prevents a stash of unused patterns. Checkpoint: if you have not opened a paper pad in six months, do not buy another until you use it.
• Rule 5: Store paper flat and closed: Humidity and light are the two main enemies of paper. Keep cardstock in a closed box or drawer. Keep patterned paper in its pad or a zip bag. Sort scraps by size and recycle anything under 2 x 2 inches unless you collage. Checkpoint: if your paper does not lie flat, it has absorbed moisture. Flatten it under a heavy book before use.

Products that fit these decisions

• Circus Left Town Engeldark Card Bundle: Set of 10 cards measuring 5 x 7 inches, printed on premium thick cardstock with envelopes included. Front reads: 'Just because the monkey’s off your back doesn’t mean the circus has left town.' Inside is blank. If you want to skip folding and cutting your own card bases, this bundle gives you a ready-made heavyweight cardstock base with a blank interior for your own message. The 5 x 7 size fits standard envelopes and is large enough for layered paper panels.
• Peter Pan Counted Cross Stitch Leaflet: Cross stitch pattern featuring Peter Pan at the window, including full stitches, quarter stitches, French knots, and backstitching. Chart is in black and white. If you want to add a handmade paper element to a journal or card, a small stitched piece on paper is an option. This leaflet gives you a chart you can work in thread and then mount on cardstock, but it is a counted cross stitch pattern, not a paper craft supply. Consider it only if you already stitch and want to combine crafts.
• Halloween Totem Sticker Sheet: Includes individual die-cut stickers on a 5 x 7 inch sheet, printed on transparent material for indoor use on clean surfaces. Stickers are a low-commitment way to add pattern and theme to journal pages or card fronts without buying a full paper pad. The 5 x 7 inch sheet size makes it easy to store with your paper supplies, and the transparent material lets background paper show through.

Is this paper craft approach right for you?

Best for

• Beginners who want a simple, two-weight paper system for cards and journals.
• Crafters who make handmade cards and want to understand cardstock vs patterned paper.
• Journalers who need paper that works with their favorite pens and adhesives.

Not for

• Crafters looking for a single paper that works for every technique, including wet media and die-cutting.
• Shoppers who want a pre-made card kit with everything included and no decisions to make.
• Artists who primarily paint or use heavy mixed media and need specialty art paper, not general craft paper.

Choose paper by weight and purpose, not by pattern alone. Start with one cardstock, one text weight, and one small patterned pad. Test with your own pens and adhesive before buying in bulk. If you want a shortcut for card bases, a ready-made card bundle like the Circus Left Town Engeldark Card Bundle gives you thick cardstock and envelopes so you can focus on decorating. For journal pages, add stickers or a small paper pad to build variety without overbuying.