Staring at a pack labelled “80 lb” and wondering if it will fold into a card? This cardstock weight guide decodes it: pounds and GSM measure weight differently, and cover-weight 80 lb is about 216 GSM.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Lighter cardstock | 65 lb cover, about 176 gsm |
| Most common cardstock | 80 lb cover, about 216 gsm |
| Index weight similar to 80 lb cover | 110 lb index, 199 gsm |
| Index weight similar to 65 lb cover | 90 lb index |
| Light stock thickness | 10 pt |
Figures come from CutCardStock and Smartpress. Suppliers’ charts can change and differ slightly, so check the source before you rely on them.
What GSM and pound weights actually measure
GSM means grams per square metre. It measures weight per unit area, so a higher number means a heavier sheet when comparing sheets of the same size.
Pounds are trickier. The pound figure depends on the paper family, so the same sheet can carry very different numbers depending on whether it is labelled text, cover or index.
That is why a card maker should look for the GSM figure first. It is the one number you can compare across brands and countries.
Text weight vs cover weight
Smartpress describes text weight paper as thin, flexible and lightweight, the kind used for booklet pages and flyers. Cover weight is thicker and sturdier, and cardstock sits in this family.
This is the classic trap: an 80 lb text sheet is far lighter than an 80 lb cover sheet. If a listing does not say “cover”, check the GSM before buying.
- Text weight: flexible, folds easily, suits inner pages.
- Cover weight: rigid, and Smartpress says it should be scored for a cleaner fold.
- Index weight: a third scale, often seen on US-style card packs.
Common cardstock weights and what they suit
CutCardStock lists 65 lb cover, about 176 gsm, as the choice when you want a lighter cardstock. It says punching, die cutting and folding are easy on it.
It calls 80 lb cover, about 216 gsm, its most commonly used cardstock, for card making, scrapbooking, die-cutting and craft projects.
- 65 lb cover (about 176 gsm): lighter cards, layering, punching.
- 80 lb cover (about 216 gsm): card bases, invitations, die-cutting.
In practice, many card makers keep both on the desk. The lighter sheet becomes mats, layers and die-cut shapes, while the heavier sheet becomes the base that holds everything up.
If your card has a lot of embellishment, a sturdier base stops it bowing or drooping under the weight. If it is meant to go in a standard envelope, a lighter base keeps the finished card flexible and easy to post.
Texture and finish also change how a weight feels. A smooth sheet and a linen-embossed sheet of the same gsm can feel quite different in the hand, so the number is a guide, not a promise.
Reading index weight and point thickness
Some packs use index weight instead. CutCardStock says 90 lb index is very similar to 65 lb cover, and 110 lb index, 199 gsm, is similar to 80 lb card stock.
Thickness is sometimes given in points. Smartpress says 10 pt is relatively lightweight, 12 pt is stiffer, and 14 pt to 24 pt stocks have noticeable heft and stiffness.
Because the scales do not line up exactly, treat any conversion as approximate. Two suppliers can print slightly different GSM for the same pound label.
How to check a label before you buy
Online listings are where confusion starts. Sellers may write only a pound number, only a GSM number, or a mix of both with no mention of the paper family.
Look for these clues on a product page:
- The words cover, text or index next to the pound figure.
- A GSM figure, which you can compare directly between listings.
- A point thickness, which tells you how stiff the sheet is likely to feel.
- Any note about finish, such as smooth, linen, glitter or metallic.
If two of these clues disagree, trust the GSM and ask the seller. A low GSM on a listing that claims to be heavy cardstock is a sign the pound figure refers to text weight.
When in doubt, buy a small sample pack first. Folding, scoring and cutting one sheet tells you more than any chart can.
Choosing a weight for cutting, folding and gluing
For folded cards, scoring matters more as weight rises. CutCardStock recommends scoring 80 lb cardstock before folding to avoid cracked edges.
Heavier stock also changes your tools. A sharp paper trimmer copes with most card weights, but thick stock may need several light passes, and the wider range of paper cutting tools is worth a look if you cut a lot of it.
Glue choice matters too: thick card tolerates wetter adhesive better than thin sheets, and our notes on the best glue for paper crafts cover the trade-offs.
Layering is another reason to mix weights. Stacking several heavy layers adds bulk, which can stop a card closing flat or fitting an envelope, so use lighter sheets for the inner layers.
Cutting machines and punches have limits too. Check your tool’s manual for the thickest stock it handles, because forcing heavy card through a small die can dull blades or jam the machine.
Use this short routine whenever you start a new project:
- Check whether the label says text, cover or index.
- Find the GSM and compare it with the table above.
- Pick lighter stock for layering, heavier for card bases.
- Score before folding anything in cover weight.
Common weight mistakes in card making
The most frequent slip is assuming a bigger pound number always means thicker card. Across different families it does not, because each family uses its own base sheet, so only compare pounds within the same family.
The second slip is skipping the score line. Heavy cover stock can crack along the fold when folded without scoring, particularly visibly on dark or coloured sheets with a white core.
A third is ignoring grain direction. Folding along the grain gives a cleaner crease, and many suppliers mark the grain side on the pack, so it is worth checking before you cut your card bases.
- Comparing pounds across text, cover and index labels.
- Folding heavy stock without scoring it first.
- Buying a whole pack without testing one sheet.
- Stacking too many heavy layers on one card front.
Avoiding these keeps your cards crisp and saves money on wasted sheets. A little testing up front is cheap compared with a ruined batch of invitations.
Frequently asked questions
Is cardstock measured in GSM or pounds?
Show answer
Both appear on labels. GSM is the metric measure; pounds depend on whether the stock is text, cover or index.
What GSM is 80 lb cardstock?
Show answer
CutCardStock lists 80 lb cover as about 216 gsm. Another supplier may print a slightly different figure.
Do I need to score cardstock before folding?
Show answer
Smartpress says cover weight paper should be scored for a cleaner fold, and CutCardStock recommends scoring 80 lb stock.
Is 80 lb text the same as 80 lb cover?
Show answer
No. Text weight is thin and flexible, while cover weight is thicker and sturdier, so the same pound number means very different sheets.
