Cover Stock Paper, often referred to as cardstock, provides a sturdy and professional foundation for a variety of projects, including invitations, business cards, report covers, and craft applications. Its increased thickness and durability compared to standard printer paper make it ideal for items requiring a more substantial feel. Products were evaluated based on weight, brightness, finish, sustainability, user reviews, and feature analysis.
Hammermill Cardstock, Premium Color Copy, 80 lb, 8.5 x 11 - 1 Pack (250 Sheets) - 100 Bright, Made in the USA Card Stock
$16.29
This Hammermill 80 lb cover stock offers a high 100 brightness and premium finish, making it exceptionally versatile for demanding color printing and professional applications.
Search on AmazonAmazon Basics Cardstock Paper, 8.5" x 11", 65 lb/176 gsm, 96 Bright White, 250 Sheets
$12.60
Amazon Basics 65 lb cardstock provides a practical and cost-effective option for everyday projects that require a sturdier paper weight without compromising on print quality.
Search on AmazonWhite Cardstock 8.5 x 11, 230gsm Cover Cardstock Paper, 85 Lb Heavy Card Stock for Printer, Card Stock Paper for Invitations, Scrapbooking, Crafts, Diy Cards, Decoration, Drawing (30 Sheets)
$5.99
Joyberg's 85 lb (230 GSM) cover stock with its double-sided matte finish delivers a luxurious, smooth feel, ideal for high-end invitations and intricate craft designs.
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- [HIGH QUALITY]: Our white cardstock 8.5 x 11 is made from heavyweight 85 lb (230 GSM) offset paper with a smooth matte finish, and even ink absorption and measures 11 inches x 8.5 inches, Cardstock paper is perfect for writing, drawing, doodling and...
- [Excellent design]: This 8.5 x 11 white cardstock has an Double sided matte design, with a smooth feel and smooth pen strokes, suitable for a wide range of pens (markers, pens, pencils, crayons, etc.). The card is perfect for creating eye-catching posters...
- [Production & Printing] 11 x 8.5 Cardstock Ideal for book covers, body copy, inserts, illustrations, maps, posters, colorful packaging, and more. Both the front and back of the card stock for a printer can be printed on multifunction printers and...
- [MULTIFUNCTIONAL APPLICATIONS] Cardstock paper is thick and strong, rendering it ideal for personal use, office and school supplies, art projects, business communications, posters, printed documents, and more. The cardstock paper holds ink well and...
- [Package] You will receive 30 sheets of white cardstock 8.5 X 11 to ensure you have enough paper for multiple projects.
- Acid- and lignin-free
- Ideal for business cards, direct mail, announcements, signage and paper crafting
- Acid-Free and lignin-free
- Tough enough to withstand the wear and tear of frequent use
- Premium Medium Weight Smooth Cardstock, White, 80lb, 176gsm, 8.5” x 11” – Ideal for Invitations, Menus, Business Cards - Printer Paper
- Cranium Press offers thick, white card stock paper with a high bright-white shade and smooth finish. This premium medium cardstock paper ensures excellent printability, proper ink holdout, and minimal show-through, resulting in vibrant prints.
- Our medium weight cardstock paper presents a thick, white option boasting a high bright-white shade and a smooth finish. This premium cardstock paper guarantees outstanding printability, effective ink holdout, and minimal show-through, ensuring vibrant...
- Perfect for printing at home, school, or the office, this premium cardstock printer paper enhances colors, making them bolder, brighter, and more realistic. Additionally, it offers superior strength, making it ideal for die-cutting, scoring, and folding...
- Derived from sustainable sources, our papers are entirely made in the USA and hold Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. Purchasing our cardstock paper contributes to forest replenishment efforts and sustains forestry jobs for American...
- NEENAH INDEX WHITE CARDSTOCK: The smooth texture and crisp white color of our 90 lb cardstock produces high resolution images and prints for attention-getting and professional documents
- LIGHTWEIGHT CARDSTOCK: This is 90 lb. INDEX cardstock, which is measured differently than COVER cardstock. For a weight comparison, it’s heavier than 67 lb. Bristol cardstock, yet lighter than 65 lb. COVER cardstock
- LETTER SIZE CARDSTOCK: This 8.5" x 11" white cardstock comes in a pack of 300, so you always have enough on hand
- IDEAL FOR EVERYDAY PROJECTS This smooth cardstock is ideal for documents, flyers, brochures, calligraphy hand lettering, and crafting!
- PRINTER COMPATIBLE: Works well with printers including inkjet and laser for jam-free every day printing Plus, it's crafted to be lignin and acid-free for long-lasting results
- UNIVERSAL USES: You will be amazed at everything you can do with this cardstock featuring a clean, bright white smooth finish that makes text, photos, and graphics pop
- WORKS GREAT WITH OTHER NEENAH PRODUCTS: Mix and match Neenah Cardstocks or pair it with Astrobrights Color Paper or Astrobrights Colored Cardstock for bold and vibrant impact
- Extra Thick Cardstock perfect for invitations, post cards, covers, and business cards OR as a sturdy backing for your project
- Made from 120lb Cover (325 gsm) Stock with a Smooth Matte finish
- Works on Inkjet & Laser Printers (Copiers too) - Will not work on most home printers due to thickness. Please consult your printer manual before ordering to make sure it can handle 120lb Cover (325 gsm) cardstock
- Measures Letter Size 8 1/2" x 11" - Made in the USA
- NOTE: This stock is VERY thick. It will not fold smoothly without scoring first. It will not print on most home printers. Please consult your printer manual before ordering to make sure it can handle 120lb Cover (325 gsm) cardstock
- Sold as 250/Pack.
- Cover stock paper for signs, posters, notices, and other uses
- 8.5"W x 11"L for standard-size printing
- Paper weight: 67 lbs.
- Pastel paper with a 100 brightness rating
- PREMIUM COLOR COPY COVER PAPER – Hammermill 8.5” x 11” 80lb Premium Color Cardstock Paper provides a durable, cover weight sheet that’s specifically designed to produce consistently reliable results for color copiers and color laser printers.
- 99.99% JAM-FREE GUARANTEE – We guarantee that you will not experience more than one jam in 10,000 sheets of this thick paper on high-speed digital equipment or we’ll replace your Hammermill paper purchase. You can trust Hammermill quality, guaranteed.
- SUPER BRIGHT FINISH – At 100 brightness, this copying paper is super bright for excellent image contrast and true color reproduction. The super smooth paper surface can take the heat and heavy application of toner while producing photos.
- SUSTAINABLY MADE IN THE USA – Hammermill paper is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified which means it is made with renewable resources from third-party certified, sustainably managed forests.
- ACID-FREE PAPER FOR COLOR PRINTING – Premium Color Copy Cover Paper is ideal for double-sided printing, photographic reproductions, full-color presentations, design proposals, direct mail, menus & more. It’s acid-free to prevent yellowing over time.
- PREMIUM QUALITY: Heavy-weight card stock paper perfect for professional printing, crafting, and DIY projects
- VERSATILE USE: Ideal for creating invitations, greeting cards, scrapbooking materials, decorative items, and artistic drawings
- PRINTER COMPATIBLE: Works seamlessly with most inkjet and laser printers for crisp, clear results
- STURDY CONSTRUCTION: Thick, durable paper that maintains its shape and resists bending or folding, Standard letter size (8.5 x 11 inches) sheets that are easy to cut and customize for various projects
- NOTE: This stock is very thick. Please consult your printer manual before ordering to make sure it can handle 110lb Cover (300 gsm) cardstock
- EXTRA HEAVY DUTY 130LB COVER CARDSTOCK: Ultra thick bright white cardstock ideal for invitations, greeting cards, postcards, business cards, presentation covers, scrapbooking, and professional craft projects requiring maximum rigidity.
- ULTRA THICK 17PT (350GSM) PREMIUM STOCK: Heavyweight 130lb Cover (350gsm / 0.45mm) cardstock delivers exceptional stiffness and durability with a smooth matte finish for crisp printing, clean cutting, and premium presentation quality.
- IMPORTANT PRINTER COMPATIBILITY NOTICE: Compatible with select inkjet and laser printers that support heavy media. This ultra-thick 130lb Cover (350gsm) cardstock is significantly heavier than standard cardstock and may not feed through many home...
- STANDARD LETTER SIZE 8.5" x 11": Full-size sheets ideal for invitations, covers, inserts, menus, signage, certificates, photo mounting, and professional design projects requiring thick cardstock support.
- FREE TEMPLATES & ONLINE DESIGNER: Includes downloadable templates plus access to the Desktop Publishing Supplies online template designer to easily create invitations, greeting cards, business cards, flyers, covers, and custom print projects.
- TRUSTED QUALITY, MADE IN THE USA: Manufactured by Desktop Publishing Supplies, a family-owned company with over 30 years of experience producing premium heavyweight cardstock and paper products.
- WHAT YOU RECEIVE: Pack includes 40 sheets of extra heavy duty bright white 130lb Cover cardstock ready for professional printing, crafting, and presentation use.
- Paper Dimension: Each package includes 100 sheets of white cardstock paper, measuring 11 x 17 inches in ledger size, 230 grams in weight with full 98 brightness, and made of FSC-Certified paper
- Printer Friendly: Sturdy and versatile, our thick cover stock paper is compatible with most types of inkjet, laser printers and photocopy machines ; Please check your printer manually to be sure your printer can handle their size and weight
- Premium Quality: This bright white card stock works well with acrylic paint, pencil, sharpie, pen, and you could also use it for water colors ; Colors print out vibrantly with no distortions or off coloring. Holds up well to glue without soak through
- Elite Design: Both side of these heavyweight cover stock have texture ; They are matte, but have a smooth finish ; Securely packaged in a box to ensure you get your heavy card stock in perfect condition and for your convenience to store your white ledger...
- All Occasion Cards: Great for art and crafts, restaurant menus, business communications, posters, printing documents, business cards and so many more ; Also excellent for drawing, scrapbook, booklet, poster and brochure
This article is part of our complete guide Stationery & Supplies — browse all our comparisons and buying guides.
Last update on 2026-07-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
How to Choose the Best Cover Stock Paper
Understanding Paper Weight and Type (lb vs. GSM)
The weight of cover stock paper is a critical factor, directly impacting its rigidity and feel. Paper weight is typically measured in pounds (lb) or grams per square meter (GSM). For instance, products like the Hammermill Cardstock are rated at 80 lb, indicating a substantial thickness suitable for report covers and durable invitations. It's crucial to differentiate between 'cover' weight and 'index' weight; Neenah Index Cardstock, at 90 lb, is lighter than a comparable 90 lb cover stock, as index paper is measured differently. Users report that for standard printer compatibility, 65 lb options like the Neenah Bright White or Amazon Basics cardstock often feed through printers more reliably than heavier stocks, which can sometimes cause jamming in less robust machines.
Brightness and Finish for Optimal Print Results
The brightness level, typically measured on a scale of 0-100, significantly influences how colors appear on the page. A higher brightness, such as the 100 brightness found in Hammermill's Premium Color Copy cardstock, ensures excellent image contrast and true color reproduction, which is particularly beneficial for photographic prints and vibrant graphics. In contrast, options like Neenah's 94 or 96 brightness cardstock still offer crisp results for text and general color work. The paper's finish also plays a role; the Joyberg 85 lb cardstock features a double-sided matte design for a smooth feel and pen glide, whereas a premium color copy stock from Hammermill is engineered to enhance toner adhesion for sharp, vibrant images.
Archival Quality and Sustainability
For projects requiring longevity, such as scrapbooking, certificates, or important documents, the archival quality of the cover stock is paramount. Acid-free and lignin-free papers, as seen in some Neenah Bright White Card Stock products, resist yellowing and degradation over time, preserving the integrity of your work. In practice, this means your creations will last for years without becoming brittle or discolored. Additionally, environmental considerations are increasingly important. Hammermill paper, for example, is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified, indicating that it is made with responsibly sourced wood fiber. Opting for sustainably made paper supports responsible forestry and minimizes environmental impact.
Pros & Cons
Hammermill Cardstock, Premium Color Copy, 80 lb, 8.5 x 11 - 1 Pack (250 Sheets) - 100 Bright, Made in the USA Card Stock
Pros
- High 80 lb weight provides significant durability and a premium feel for professional documents.
- Exceptional 100 brightness ensures vivid color reproduction and sharp image contrast.
- FSC certified, indicating a commitment to sustainable forestry practices.
Cons
- The 80 lb weight might be too thick for some standard home printers, potentially leading to feed issues.
- May be considered a higher-end option, which could be a factor for large-volume, cost-sensitive projects.
Neenah Index Cardstock, 8.5" x 11", 90 lb./163 gsm, White, 300 Sheets, Lightweight, 94 Brightness - EXTRA SHEETS, MORE VALUE! (91437)
Pros
- 90 lb Index cardstock offers a lightweight yet sturdy option, often easier for printers to handle than heavier cover stocks.
- Smooth texture and crisp white color produce high-resolution prints.
- Comes in a larger pack of 300 sheets, providing more value for frequent use.
Cons
- Being 'Index' cardstock, its actual thickness is less than a 'Cover' stock of the same stated weight, which can be misleading.
- 94 brightness is good, but not as vibrant as 100 brightness options for demanding color fidelity.
White Cardstock 8.5 x 11, 230gsm Cover Cardstock Paper, 85 Lb Heavy Card Stock for Printer, Card Stock Paper for Invitations, Scrapbooking, Crafts, Diy Cards, Decoration, Drawing (30 Sheets)
Pros
- Heavyweight 85 lb (230 GSM) offset paper provides a very substantial and durable feel.
- Double-sided matte finish offers a smooth texture, ideal for writing and specific aesthetic preferences.
- Versatile for various applications including book covers, invitations, scrapbooking, and drawing.
Cons
- Only comes in a pack of 30 sheets, which might be insufficient for larger projects.
- The specific 230 GSM weight may pose feeding challenges for certain standard desktop printers.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Misinterpreting Paper Weight: Index vs. Cover Stock
A common pitfall is misunderstanding paper weight terminology, particularly the difference between 'Index' and 'Cover' stock. For example, the Neenah Index Cardstock at 90 lb (B07D4YF3K4) is measured differently than 'Cover' stock. In practice, a 90 lb Index paper is typically thinner and more flexible than a 90 lb Cover stock. Users expecting the rigidity of a true cover stock might be surprised by the lighter feel of index paper, which can impact the desired outcome for projects like stiff invitations or durable report covers.
Overlooking Brightness for Color Reproduction
Many users focus solely on paper weight and overlook the brightness rating. Products like the Hammermill Cardstock with 100 brightness (B000J0C47S) are specifically engineered for superior color copy. Opting for a lower brightness cardstock, such as 94 or 96 bright options, for projects demanding vibrant, true-to-life colors can result in muted or less impactful prints. The subtle difference in brightness can significantly alter the perceived quality of photographic images or graphic designs.
Ignoring Finish for Specific Applications
The paper's finish, whether smooth, matte, or textured, plays a crucial role in the final look and feel of a project. The Joyberg White Cardstock (B0CJX2153R) explicitly highlights its 'double-sided matte design' for a smooth feel and pen glide. Choosing a paper with a finish unsuitable for the intended purpose, such as using a highly textured stock for detailed photo printing or a very glossy stock for projects requiring easy writing, can lead to unsatisfactory results. The finish affects ink absorption, drying time, and the overall tactile experience.
