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If you have one Cricut machine Then you need to familiarize yourself with many different materials – including cardboard. Cardstock projects are fun, inexpensive and so versatile. Check out our complete instructions about everything you need to know Cardboard box for your Cricut Maker machine.
I don’t know about you, but I love using cardboard with my Cricut machine for different projects. But over the years we’ve definitely found that not all boxes are made equally. Fortunately, we did the research so you don’t have to go through trial and error like us!
Not all cardboard boxes are the same. If you enjoy creating projects with a cutting machine, you want the best printer paper available to ensure your projects are top notch and high quality.
There are so many projects you can do with your Cricut machine from a wide variety of materials. But using card stock is one way to make projects quick, easy, and inexpensive.
How to choose the right box
Deciding what type of paper materials to buy may seem overwhelming as there is no shortage of options. Especially if this is your first time working with cardboard.
There are some great ways to narrow down your search to make sure you get the best results. Many people consider the following factors when choosing between all of the different types of paper.
Finished
Cardboard is either smooth or textured and it’s entirely up to you and what you prefer. If you have something specific and are unfamiliar with the various terms you may want to go to JoAnn’s or Michaels to check the paper in person.
If you prefer a smooth cardboard box, stay away from a textured material.
If you are using textured paper and want to write on the rough side with your Cricut pen, you may notice some breaks in your flow pattern. It can skip textured paper, but write on smooth card stock with a smooth flow. You should always do a little test project whenever you’re working with new cardstock that you haven’t used in the past to make sure everything cuts the way it should.
With finer cuts of paper, you may find that the layers on textured cardboard are a little more difficult to peel off.
Vein
You have the choice between a white core and a solid core. Simply put, white core means the paper is colored on both sides and the inside is white – not colored.
With this type of light-colored card stock, you will most likely see more imperfections or nicks. White core paperboard is also believed to be of lower quality than solid core because it is cheaper to manufacture.
Solid core means that each colored sheet emphasizes its hue without white showing through, even when folded. because everything merges more into a firm core cardboard, small imperfections are not so noticeable.
Fiber quality
The fiber quality determines how it cuts in a Cricut machine. Cardboard with shorter and weaker fibers does not always cut all the way through and can tear off the sticky mat.
It is best to choose a good quality cardboard with long fine fibers that are tightly packed to ensure a crisp and clean cut.
You should always do a test cut before diving into your project – just to be on the safe side, to make sure it works properly.
colour
Cardboard comes in many different colors. It really comes down to what you prefer and what you plan to use the box for. You should make sure the color is on both sides of the paper.
There is also glitter card stock, which is sometimes made of thicker materials, that you should also consider. It really comes down to what you like and what you want your final project to look like.
Weight
Most cardboard boxes or other types of specialty or even plain paper, such as scrapbook paper, are sold by weight.
The weight of the box can vary between 65 and 110 lb. Usually a box around the 80 lb. mark makes a good thick box for Cricut because it’s not too thick or thin – it’s just right.
If you buy the Cricut branded box it is 80 lb. which should tell you exactly that it is the ideal box weight. You can expect your Cricut to produce a clean cut with no problems, and to be able to use it for many different projects.
If you choose a lighter weight as opposed to a heavier carton, it may be too thin – and if you opt for a heavier 100 lb. decide, it will most likely be too fat for most projects.
However, the Cricut can process the different weights independently. One of the best ways to find out your sweet spot is to play around with the different weights and see which one delivers the best quality.
What kind of projects can you do with Cardstock?
You can do so many projects with cardboard.
Just a few that come to mind are:
- Business Cards
- Gift tags
- Paper flowers
- 3D flowers
- Wedding birthday anniversary cards
- Cake topper
- Party decorations
- decorated envelopes
Find even more inspiration for Cricut projects here.
Where can I buy cardboard paper?
You can find regular card stock at most major craft stores such as:
- Hobby lobby
- Michaels
- JoAnns
Most retailers carry the brand of paper you are looking for, although specialty craft stores usually have a wide selection. I love going to JoAnns to pace up and down her cardboard aisle to pick the perfect cardboard for my projects.
You can also find some of the best cardboard boxes on Amazon. There are often great bargains. Just read the reviews!
What are the best cardboard brands?
Now that you know what to look for, it’s time to start collecting cardboard. Having a nice supply of paper on hand is definitely useful, and it’s nice to always have something on hand when you need it!
Often times the box you choose is purely preference-based, so play around a bit and choose which box works best for yourself!
American Crafts AC Cardstock
American Crafts Cardstock is widely known as the best cardstock for Cricut. It’s high quality and the paper cuts nicely. They are available in 60-sheet packs of 12 × 12 white textured paper. It comes in the 80lb size that we’ve already determined to be the best weight for Cricut.
It is acid-free and archive-safe. It is the preferred choice for die cutting because the paper fibers in AC Cardstock are designed to produce wonderful results in die cutting machines without fraying. This paper is not only ideal for punching, but also for embossing, card making, scrapbooking, etc.
Aside from the beautiful vanilla white color, they also come in a variety of different colors.
You can find the white AC cardstock on Amazon for around $ 19
American Crafts Primary Color Package
If you’re looking for something a little more vibrant and colorful, check out the AC Cardstock packs.
This one maintains the same high quality as the premium white card stock and you will find that it cuts just as brilliantly.
With this package you receive 48 12 × 12 sheets on 80 lb. smooth cardboard in a block. The panels are available in 12 bright colors, which are colored with a solid core on both sides. Not only that, but it’s archival, which means it’s acid-free and guaranteed to be durable and won’t get brittle over time.
You can find this package on Amazon for around $ 29
Memories card stock
This package contains 200 pages of 20 colors on acid-free sheets of 8 1 2 X 11 format. It comes in the 65 lb. weight range which is a popular weight for many Cricut projects.
To avoid cracking, use the lightweight adhesive mat and make sure to set the settings on a thin card stock as it is not as sturdy as the 80 lb. This is a great option because it comes with so many papers. 200 sheets of paper will take you a long way in crafting and you can try out a lot of different projects with your Cricut.
The colors are bold and come as described and are smooth and matte.
You can find this package on Amazon for around $ 18.
Best paper greetings glitter cardboard
Glitter cardboard definitely has its place. People love to use glittery card stock for cards or envelopes, and if you are looking for something high quality and beautiful then you will love this gold glitter card stock.
This package comes with 24 8 × 12 sheets and will not leave any traces of glitter. It folds and bends easily, and can slide through your Cricut with ease. A grippy Cricut mat may be needed to prevent repositioning, but otherwise this shimmery paper cuts easily without fraying and creates neat cut lines.
You can buy this bundle on Amazon for around $ 14
Die-cut parts with a view of premium cardboard
This is a pack of brightly colored 12 × 12 pages that are acid free and have a white core, which makes them ideal for sanding, tearing or de-stressing. It’s a textured woven material that is perfect for all of your Cricut needs.
The quality is relatively high, and while the weight is not listed, it is 65 pounds heavier than normal copy paper. You may be comfortable using this cardboard box as it is known to cut flawlessly with your Cricut.
You can buy this bundle for around $ 21 on Amazon
Cricut card stock
You can’t go wrong buying and using card stock direct from Cricut.
This paper is designed to work on a Cricut, and you can guarantee a nice, clean cut almost every time. Most of their standard papers are 12 × 12 in size and are acid-free, lignin-free, and buffered.
Cricut Cardstock is available in a variety of colors, patterns, and sizes at different prices. You can find all the options on their website.
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