Learn about the different types of craft paper! Some people love to craft every day while some dabble here and there. One thing that both sets of people will have in common is knowing just how many different types of craft paper there are. Choosing the type of craft paper that suits your needs will not only make the crafting process much easier but yield a better result as well.
Table of Contents
Features of Different Types of Craft Paper
When you're looking to understand the different types of craft papers that you can get in the market, you will also need to know what features make them different. Down below we'll go through just that and hopefully, it will help you with your next crafting project.
- Weight – The weight of the paper is how thick or thin the craft paper will be. Usually, the weight of a paper is calculated in grams but you don't necessarily need to know the exact numbers. Just knowing how thick or thin your paper needs to be, will be good enough. Thinner papers are more fragile but fold better while thicker papers will last a long time but will be a lot harder to fold.
- Coating – The coating on a paper determines the texture of a craft paper. If the paper has no coating on it, it will have a rougher texture while papers with coating on them will have a smoother finish. Coated paper comes in glossy and matte finishes.
- Opacity – The opacity of a paper is determined by its thickness. If you're making crafts that require thicker papers, you will have more opacity while with thinner paper or Vellum paper you will have a more transparent finish to it.
- Brightness – You wouldn't normally think that there may be a brightness scale for paper, but there is! Craft papers come in many different brightness scales and depending on your craft project, you can choose the brightness that suits you the best.
Types of Craft Paper
There are a lot of different papers that you can use for different crafts. There is no right or wrong when it comes to crafting but just like any other thing in your life, you will be much better off knowing which type of craft paper can help you make your craft a success. Down below we’re listing the most common types of craft paper you can find in the markets nowadays. These paper types are broken down so it is easy for you to pinpoint exactly what you need. In reality, craft paper types are pretty much be categorized into 7-8 broad types.
#1 - Construction Paper
Now, these are the types of craft paper that all of us are most familiar with. We have seen this paper since our childhood and probably have used it to make some school crafts as well. Construction paper is great for children's crafts because it is inexpensive and comes in all the colors you could ever want. It does have a rougher texture which tends to make it harder to fold. The color of construction paper tends to fade over time, so it isn't for crafts that you may want to keep.
#2 - Crepe Paper
Crepe paper is pretty much a coated tissue paper and has a crinkled surface to it. This type of paper comes in many different colors and patterns and is very easily available in any arts and crafts store. There are a few different types of crepe paper that you can find and if you're looking to make floral décor or party décor, you should be going for an Italian-made crepe paper. Cheaper crepe paper will not last as long and can tear very easily so they are more suited to kids' projects.
#3 - Cardstock
One of the most popular types of craft paper, cardstock is easy to find and comes in a million different colors and textures. It is a medium-weight paper which means it is heavier than printer paper and lighter than cardboard. Cardstock is most popularly used for scrapbooking, cards, and handmade boxes. Nowadays, you can even find cardstock that comes with different patterns and designs on it.
#4 - Kraft Paper
Kraft paper has become popular in the past few years as a minimal and edgy way to wrap your presents. Well, apart from being a great economical wrapping paper, kraft paper also works great for different crafts. You can bleach this coarse brown paper yourself or buy it in already bleached sheets or rolls from the art store. These types of craft paper are great for making cards, scrapbooking, and even making minimal floral crafts.
#5 - Newsprint
Newspapers are very versatile, not only can you read them, use them as drawer inserts, but you can also use them for many different crafts. Newsprint paper is the paper that is used for newspapers and is an extremely cheap craft paper that you can find easily. It tears easily and has a good sturdiness to it that makes it perfect for paper mache projects.
#6 - Mulberry Paper
A unique offering in this list, Mulberry paper is a handmade paper that is made in China. It is made from the thin fibers of the Mulberry tree and has a very lightweight feel to it. Mulberry paper is great for scrapbooking and collage making owing to its coarse texture and organic look. This paper is also very durable which just makes it the best!
#7 - Scrapbook Paper
There are a lot of types of craft paper that are marketed to serve one purpose but can be used for other crafts as well and Scrapbook paper is one of them. It comes in so many different patterns and designs with some printed on one side only and some printed on both sides. There are standard sizes available in scrapbook paper which you can always cut to the size you need.
#8 - Origami Paper
Origami paper is meant for origami craft projects but you can always use it for other crafts as well. There are designs on one side of this paper while the back is usually very plain and simple. This type of paper folds and holds its shape really well and has a very thin feel to it.
#9 - Tissue Paper
The simpler form of crepe paper, Tissue paper is a very thin, fragile craft paper that you can find easily in every craft store. This paper comes in a lot of different colors and can be used for a host of different things. You can use it to line gift bags, add some texture to your paintings, or you can also use it for different collage-making projects. Tissue paper is also great for making lightweight decorations for different occasions.
#10 - Decoupage Paper
Decoupage has become a very popular craft in recent years and is the art of gluing different cut pieces of paper onto any object of your choice. Decoupage paper is meant to assist you in doing just that. This paper has a glossy finish and a very thin presence. These types of craft paper come with different pictures and patterns on them which make decoupage a lot more fun.
#11 - Vellum Paper
Vellum paper is a very thin translucent paper that has a rough surface to it. This type of paper is usually used as a liner in invitation cards, as a minimal new-age greeting card, or in scrapbooking as well. The best part about this type of paper is that it can go through the printer so you can easily print whatever you want on top of it at home. Glassine paper is another type of similar craft paper which even thinner and very see-through.
#12 - Washi Paper
A type of craft paper that is made in Japan and has the most stunning patterns designs, Washi paper can be found very easily in any craft store around you. The cost of this paper is a little bit more compared to others in the market, but the uniqueness makes it all worth it. You can these papers for origami crafts, card making, scrapbooking, or any other crafts that require fancy paper.
#13 - Poster Board
If you're looking for types of craft paper that have more body to it, a poster board is exactly what you need. Poster boards are thick and can stand on their own. They are available in different sizes and you can choose thinner poster boards for costumes or thicker ones for school projects or signs.
#14 - Printer Paper
The simplest type of paper that has surprisingly great craft uses, Printer paper comes in many types. These types depend on the type of printer you have and most printer papers are acid-free and matte. You can use these papers to paint, make floral arrangements, or make different shapes for décor around your home.
#15 - Watercolor Paper
Watercolor paper is made from wood pulp and has a slightly coarse texture to it. It has a thicker feel and works great with water-based paints and dyes. You can use these types of craft paper for many different crafts and it is easy to find as sheets or in pad form.
Type of Craft Paper – Use Chart
Now that we've been through the details of each type of craft paper, here is an easy chart that will help you differentiate between them easily.
| Types of Craft Paper | Texture | Thickness | Uses |
| Construction Paper | Rough | Light to Medium | School Crafts Projects, Kid’s Projects |
| Crepe Paper | Wrinkled/Rough | Thin | Party Décor, Floral Arrangements, Pinatas |
| Cardstock | Smooth | Thick | Business Cards, Greeting Cards, Scrapbooking, Printed Projects |
| Kraft Paper | Coarse | Thick | Wrapping, Recycled Projects, Kids’ Crafts |
| Newsprint | Coarse | Medium | Decoupage, Paper Mache Projects, Practice Projects |
| Mulberry Paper | Coarse | Light | Scrapbooking, Collage Work |
| Scrapbook Paper | Smooth | Medium to Thick | Scrapbooking, Bookmarks, Cards, Simple Card Crafts |
| Origami Paper | Soft | Thin | Origami Projects, Decoupage, Puppet Crafts |
| Tissue Paper | Soft | Thin | Decoupage, Paper Mache Projects, Décor, Sun Catcher Crafts |
| Decoupage Paper | Glossy/Smooth | Thin | Decoupage Projects, |
| Vellum Paper | Soft | Thin | Liners for Invitations, Greeting Cards, Printed Projects |
| Washi Paper | Smooth | Thin to Medium | Card Making, Scrapbooking, Origami, Wallpaper |
| Poster Board | Smooth | Thin to Thick | Costumes, Signs, School Projects |
| Printer Paper | Smooth | Thin | Folding Projects, Paper Flowers, Chain Crafts |
| Watercolor Paper | Coarse | Medium to Thick | Watercolor Paintings, Floral Décor, Simple Origami |
Types of Craft Paper – In Conclusion
Understanding the different types of craft papers and what they can do for you is the key to ensuring your craft projects are always a success. Some craft papers are made with specific crafts in mind, while some have many versatile uses. You can make any type of craft paperwork for you but why go through the hassle when you have the handy chart in this post to help with your next project. Happy Crafting!
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