Glossary of Different Types of Paper

The paper types below are often measured by lb (although there are a few different ways to measure paper, such at pt.), and the different weights tend to correspond with different thicknesses of paper. The lb measurement refers to the weight of 500 sheets of paper measuring a standard size before being cut down. The sizes are as follows:

1. Bond or Writing: 17" x 22" (cut to 8.5" x 11"). Standard weight is 20 lb, with 16 lb as a lighter alternative and 24 lb as the heavier. Common for letterheads, photocopier paper, and laser printer paper.
2. Book: 25" x 38". Weights vary from 30 lb Bible stock (very thin and mostly used for Bibles specifically) to a maximum of around 115 lb. This classification is most common for posters, catalogs, booklets, and publication magazines.
3. Text: 25" x 38". These typically range from 60 lb to 100 lb. Stationery papers tend to come in text weight.
4. Cover: 24" x 36". This is a heavier grade paper that ranges from 60 lb to over 100 lb. It is used most often for postcards, business cards, etc.

1. California Paper Goods, The Paper Library
2. Mia's Craft Ideas, Types of Paper
3. Print Outlet, Printing 101

Want a visual guide for all the different types of paper? Click here to download this PDF!

This paper yields a neutral PH and is used for preservation. It is lignin- and sulfur-free. Paper that is not acid-free will yellow and deteriorate over time. This type of paper is used for scrapbooking for this reason.

This is a particularly permanent and durable acid-free paper. It is meant for publications of significant value.

This paper is generally quite thick, ranging from 125lb to 225lb weight. It has industrial uses as well as fine art. Fine Art Vellum Bristol can come in a lighter weight, 57lb to 80lb cover. Vellum Bristol has a very slightly textured surface.

This term can be used to describe a wide range of paper thicknesses. From thick card stock to corrugated layers, cardboard is often a term that is avoided because its meaning has become so widespread.

This is a type of paper that falls in thickness between printer paper and paper board. It ranges in weight from 50 lb to 110 lb, and the most popular weight is 80 lb. It is the most popular type of paper used in the crafts on AllFreePaperCrafts.com, especially in card making! It can come in a variety of finishes, including iridescent, glossy, textured, matte, glitter, and more.

This is an inexpensive, thick, one-ply cardboard. It is typically made from recycled paper stock.

This is a paperboard over .01 inches thick.

This paper is typically used for printing documents. It is thinner than printer paper, weighing about 20 lb while printer paper is 24 lb. For this reason, it is useful for printing text and should be avoided when printing high-quality images.

This material features a fluted corrugated sheet and two flat liners to create the thick board. It is typically brown or white, and many recycled projects feature a corrugated cardboard base. The fluted layer adds texture and interest to a project.

This is thin paper like tissue paper with a crinkled surface. Due to its scrunched texture, it can be stretched fairly easily. It is a great paper type for making paper flowers.

Decoupage paper comes in a variety of weights and finishes. It is typically patterned and is used specifically for decoupage projects. Several of the patterns lend themselves to fussy cutting, where you cut out the image to be decoupaged on a different backdrop. Other decoupage papers are already die cut for you and prepackaged that way.

Laminated and Printed Duplex papers feature sheets of paper with different patterns/colors/finishes on each side. Laminated Duplex papers can have one textured side and one smooth side, for example. Printed Duplex paper simply means one side is printed a different color, but Laminated Duplex can involve different textures, too.

This is a strong paper that is typically brown, sometimes bleached. It is often used to make gift bags and kids crafts.

Lignin is the "glue" that binds the cells of a tree and creates its structure. However, in paper, lignin can cause it to alter over time and become unstable. Thus, many manufacturers are now offering lignin free papers for fine artwork and scrapbooking. Acid-free paper is lignin and sulfur-free.

This is paper handmade from the mulberry plant. It is also a term that is given to a wide range of handmade papers because it has a distinct, rough look with distinct fibers running through the papers. It has a medium thickness and comes in a variety of colors. It is great for making paper flowers, scrapbooking, decoupage, card making, gift tags, and more. If you tear the paper, you get a nice fuzzy edge to use in your craft projects.

Newsprint is a low-cost thin to medium paper that typically comes in white. It is used for many first-draft drawing projects due to its low cost. It can also be used for papier mache, decoupage, and scrapbooking.

This is a thin paper that is specifically designed to be easy to fold. It tends to be patterned on one side and plain on the other, the plain color coordinating with the patterned side. Because it is engineered for its easy folding, its primary use is for origami projects. However, it can also be used for scrapbooking and cardmaking. The patterned side lends interest to any paper projects.

This is a thick paper with a wide range of colors and finishes. It is often used in bookbinding to make the covers.

This is a sculpting material that can be formed from a variety of thin papers and glue. It is commonly made from newsprint sheets but there are recipes across the web that use toilet paper, copy or printer paper, newspaper, and more.

This is a slightly higher quality of copy paper weighing 24 lb that can hold up to heavy amounts of ink more easily.

When paper is called recycled it includes a certain amount of "post consumer fiber" or "post-consumer waste." This includes but is not limited to newspapers, chipboard, office paper, or other used paper. In order to claim to be "recycled" paper, the mills must use at least 20% or more recycled material.

Made from the rice plant, this paper type has a rough, translucent finish. It is usually white and used for projects such as calligraphy. Edible rice paper, on the other hand, is made from starch and is used for making food crafts like cake toppers.

Like decoupage paper, scrapbook papers come in various weights, patterns, and textures. They often measure 12x12, 6x6, 8x8, or 8.5x11 depending on the size of your scrapbook. Scrapbook papers are also often used for card making and decoupage. Many popular upcycled projects feature a cardboard base such as a cereal box with scrapbook paper decoupaged over it. Check out a few of our scrapbook layouts, too!

One of the thinnest papers, tissue paper is like crepe paper but features a smooth finish instead of a crinkled one. It is often used to make paper flowers. It can also be used to make papier mache and is popular for gift wrapping.

This is a thin but tough translucent paper. Vellum is often found as a small layer inside wedding invitations. Unique effects can be achieved by stamping, embossing, and printing on vellum. Vellum can come in plain white or it can feature patterns which then can be layered on top of opaque papers.

This is a handmade paper with long fibers and an uneven surface.

Watercolor paper is very thick paper or board with a rough surface. It is usually white, and its primary use is for painting. Many card makers have taken to using watercolor paper for their projects to create beautiful stamped designs, etc.

Chances are if you're a card-making fanatic, you've asked this question before. Cardstock is commonly used for greeting cards because of its sturdiness and versatility. It comes in a variety of finishes and its width is between regular copy paper and cardboard, making it stiff but flexible.

To make embellishments for your greeting cards, you can use tissue paper, origami paper, mulberry paper, and decoupage paper to create a variety of smaller details.