Paper types
Paper Types: compare 17 materials for your next craft. Typical gsm, folding and cutting notes. Find sheets for flowers, cards and boxes.
Compare paper at a glance
Weights below describe the products in each guide. “Score first” means making a shallow groove with a blunt tool before folding.
| Paper | Gsm | Folds well | Cuts well | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Origami paper | 60–80 | Yes | Yes | Layered origami |
| Cardstock | 176–297 | Score first | Yes | Cards and box nets |
| Crepe paper | 112–144 | Soft pleats | Yes | Shaped flower petals |
| Construction paper | 130 | Simple folds | Yes | Cut-outs and chains |
| Tissue paper | 20 | Soft pleats | Support stack | Layered flowers and flags |
| Scrapbook paper | 80–270 | Depends on weight | Yes | Decorated cards and boxes |
| Tracing paper | 40–115 | Few folds | Yes | Tracing templates |
| Vellum paper | 90–180 | Score gently | Yes | Translucent overlays |
| Kraft paper | 70–120 | Thin grades | Yes | Wrapping and practice |
| Washi | 46 | Choose smooth | Sharp scissors | Textured folding and decoration |
| Foil paper | 40 | Holds creases | Yes | Metallic models |
| Mulberry paper | 25–46 | Choose smooth | Sharp scissors | Fibrous decoration |
| Newsprint | 40–48.8 | Large folds | Yes | Large hats and practice |
| Printer and copy paper | 75–120 | Yes | Yes | Airplanes and templates |
| Watercolour paper | 185–640 | Score first | Single sheet | Painted cards and cut-outs |
| Butcher paper | 65.1 | Large folds | Yes | Large templates and banners |
| Graph paper | 75–90 | Yes | Yes | Measured layouts |
Folding
Start with thin, smooth paper when several layers meet at a point.
Origami paper
Best for Layered origami.
70–120 gsm · Thin gradesKraft paper
Best for Wrapping and practice.
46 gsm · Choose smoothWashi
Best for Textured folding and decoration.
40 gsm · Holds creasesFoil paper
Best for Metallic models.
25–46 gsm · Choose smoothMulberry paper
Best for Fibrous decoration.
40–48.8 gsm · Large foldsNewsprint
Best for Large hats and practice.
75–120 gsm · YesPrinter and copy paper
Best for Airplanes and templates.
65.1 gsm · Large foldsButcher paper
Best for Large templates and banners.
75–90 gsm · YesGraph paper
Best for Measured layouts.
Cutting
Thin paper is easier to cut in folded stacks; firm paper supports single-sheet silhouettes.
Origami paper
Best for Layered origami.
176–297 gsm · Score firstCardstock
Best for Cards and box nets.
130 gsm · Simple foldsConstruction paper
Best for Cut-outs and chains.
20 gsm · Soft pleatsTissue paper
Best for Layered flowers and flags.
80–270 gsm · Depends on weightScrapbook paper
Best for Decorated cards and boxes.
40–115 gsm · Few foldsTracing paper
Best for Tracing templates.
90–180 gsm · Score gentlyVellum paper
Best for Translucent overlays.
40 gsm · Holds creasesFoil paper
Best for Metallic models.
40–48.8 gsm · Large foldsNewsprint
Best for Large hats and practice.
75–120 gsm · YesPrinter and copy paper
Best for Airplanes and templates.
185–640 gsm · Score firstWatercolour paper
Best for Painted cards and cut-outs.
65.1 gsm · Large foldsButcher paper
Best for Large templates and banners.
75–90 gsm · YesGraph paper
Best for Measured layouts.
Flowers
Tissue opens into light layers. Crepe stretches into individually shaped petals.
Cards and boxes
Choose a firm sheet and score its fold lines before assembly.
Cardstock
Best for Cards and box nets.
130 gsm · Simple foldsConstruction paper
Best for Cut-outs and chains.
80–270 gsm · Depends on weightScrapbook paper
Best for Decorated cards and boxes.
90–180 gsm · Score gentlyVellum paper
Best for Translucent overlays.
70–120 gsm · Thin gradesKraft paper
Best for Wrapping and practice.
46 gsm · Choose smoothWashi
Best for Textured folding and decoration.
25–46 gsm · Choose smoothMulberry paper
Best for Fibrous decoration.
185–640 gsm · Score firstWatercolour paper
Best for Painted cards and cut-outs.
Printing and templates
Match the paper weight and finish to your printer, then check the printed scale.
Cardstock
Best for Cards and box nets.
40–115 gsm · Few foldsTracing paper
Best for Tracing templates.
90–180 gsm · Score gentlyVellum paper
Best for Translucent overlays.
75–120 gsm · YesPrinter and copy paper
Best for Airplanes and templates.
65.1 gsm · Large foldsButcher paper
Best for Large templates and banners.
75–90 gsm · YesGraph paper
Best for Measured layouts.
Bristol, chipboard and corrugated cardboard
Bristol is stiff art or printing stock; “vellum bristol” names an opaque paper surface. Chipboard is recycled board used for backing, while corrugated board supports folded displays. Choose boards for backing and structure rather than layered origami.
Sticker, transfer, carbon and photo paper
These sheets add a coating, adhesive or transfer layer for a particular job. For folding or gluing, choose plain paper unless the project needs that extra layer.
Poster board and foam board
Choose these for display backing rather than layered folding. Poster board dimensions and foam board sizes are in the size chart.