Crafting can require very little materials to get something wonderful in return. Sometimes, the simplest projects can have the most awesome rewards. Paper crafting can easily be one of those activities. But, with so many types of paper for art and crafts available, it’s hard to choose which is right for your project.
Paper crafts have been around for centuries, and knowing the best types of paper for art and crafts and how to choose the right one can save you money and hassle. There are a lot of choices out there, and some are actually better than others for certain projects.
A little paper crafting history and background
History traces paper crafting way back to ancient folk art. Over time, the types of paper that artists use for their arts and crafts projects have evolved. Handmade art paper was the norm before the crafting industry was born.
Now, we have choices with almost every aspect of our art and crafts paper, like color, texture, pattern, and so much more. You can even upcycle old newspapers and magazines to add eco-friendly flair and interesting prints and textures to your projects.
Once you have the basics down with the different types of paper for art and crafts projects, a little creativity and innovation with your craft paper will help you create incredible and unique crafts.
Creating paper flowers, snowflakes, origami, or colorful paper baskets out of craft papers and other art materials doesn’t just allow you to explore your creativity but can also promote long-term health benefits. Doing crafts like these with others helps improve social skills and can combat stress and anxiety.
Most Common Types of Paper for Art and Crafts
There are many types of craft paper to choose from. You can mix and match a couple of these craft papers to create embellishments or functional pieces.
To get started with paper arts and crafts, all you need is some inspiration and the right type of craft paper.
1. Card Stock
Stronger than plain paper with a smooth surface, card stock is great for many projects.
Card stock is a thick, heavy paper that is primarily used in making greeting cards. There are card stocks available in plain or solid colors, as well as one with patterns. Card stock holds up well to cutting and applications of glue. It is the ideal base for many projects.
Some common card stock projects are: greeting cards, scrapbooking, paper garlands, paper photo frames.
- Colorful
- Variety of patterns
- Heavy weight: 200gsm and up
- Cheap to mid-price
- Common
- Easy crafts
Please note, “gsm” is a measurement of paper thickness.
2. Washi Paper
Washi paper is one of our favorites for its great hand-feel.
Washi paper is a Japanese paper made out of mulberry trees and other natural tree fibers, which gives it a unique, veined texture. The paper contains traces of stems and leaves, which create a very organic and fresh vibe for your projects. It also has long fibers which can be used for embossing.
Some common washi paper projects are: washi tape scrapbooking, decoupage eggs, paper cards.
- Natural colors
- Medium weight: 50-75gsm
- Mid-price
- Uncommon
- Easy crafts
Please note, when we say a paper is “uncommon”, we mean you will need to look online.
3. Tissue Paper
Of course, we’re not talking about the kind that comes in a box, infused with aloe.
Tissue paper is thin, opaque paper used primarily for decorative projects and is iconic with birthday parties because it’s often used as filler for gift bags. Since it is incredibly thin and lightweight, not to mention porous, it has a lot of applications for making dreamy designs cheaply.
Some tissue paper projects are: decoupage, party streamers, carnations, “stained glass” effects, paper mache.
- Colorful
- Light weight: 10-35gsm
- Cheap
- Common
- Easy crafts
Read our guides on doing decoupage projects and how to make paper mache projects for more tissue paper inspiration.
4. Origami Paper
Origami paper, also called kami paper, is of Japanese origin, with “oru” that means “to fold” and “kami” for “paper.” The classic origami design is the crane, which symbolizes peace.
Origami paper is ideal for paper folding projects since it was designed with folding crafts in mind. Typically, it is colorful on one side and blank on the other. Origami has a medium weight and is flexible enough to hold up to repeated folding. You can find a variety of designs online.
Origami is a difficult craft since it takes patience and skill to complete complicated folds. Classic origami designs are animals since Japanese arts traditionally focus on nature. Some common origami paper projects are: crane, jumping frog, elephant, butterfly, rabbit.
- Colorful
- Variety of designs
- Medium weight: 20-50gsm
- Mid-price
- Uncommon
- Difficult crafts
5. Construction Paper
Construction paper has one of the most colorful histories on this list. It used to be used to package sugar, which is why it used to be known as “sugar paper”, and was also popular in animation studios.
Construction paper is the most iconic of the craft papers. It is heavy, has a soft, grainy texture, and comes in a wide variety of colors. It’s easily cut with scissors and even easier on your budget, making it perfect for kids and beginners. You’ll find construction paper in most stores.
Some common construction paper projects are: flowers, hats, classroom door decorations, woven paper baskets, paper mosaics.
- Colorful
- Heavy weight: 100-150gsm
- Cheap
- Common
- Easy crafts
6. Shopping Bags
When you come back from the store, don’t throw your single-use paper or plastic shopping bag away. Raid your “bag of bags” for some essential, upcycled crafting supplies.
Shopping bags have a variety of crafting uses. They are made commonly of paper, cellophane, vellum, and glassine, which, when styled by a creative maker, can produce stunning, functional, upcycled arts and crafts. Even canvas tote bags can be given new life this way if you no longer want to use them.
Some common shopping bags include: book covers, woven paper baskets, folded leaves and flowers, hand puppets.
- Few colors: brown, white.
- Medium to heavy-weight: 30-150gsm
- Cheap, often free
- Common
- Easy crafts
7. Newsprint and Magazines
The ultimate paper for arts and crafts in terms of price, accessibility, and versatility, you do not want to miss out on the possibilities of newsprint.
Newsprint and magazines make wonderful crafting supplies. They can be most commonly used in sculpting projects, like paper mache, and in decoupage, scrapbooking, and folding crafts. Since people tend to stockpile this paper, using newsprint in crafts is the ideal way to upcycle and recycle.
Check out our article on upcycling and recycled craft projects for more inspiration. National Geographic is a great magazine for sourcing eye-catching prints, as are fashion magazines.
Some common projects using newsprint and magazines are: paper mache bowls, scrapbooking, paper flowers, paper beads, origami, woven mosaics.
Newsprint
- Black and white
- Medium weight: 40-60gsm
- Incredible porous and textured
- Cheap, often free
- Common
- Easy crafts
Magazines
- Endless print options
- Medium to heavy weight: 80-90gsm
- Coated pages
- Cheap, often free
- Common
- Easy crafts
8. Glassine Paper
Now, this is a really interesting one. Many people have never even heard of glassine paper, but it can be an incredible asset to your crafting toolkit.
Glassine paper is a translucent paper that is treated to create a smooth, waterproof surface. It is food-safe, biodegradable, and easily sterilized, meaning it can be reused. It can most commonly be found as packaging for some breakfast cereals. Crafters enjoy using it to protect their pieces.
Some common uses for glassine paper include: decorative envelopes, gift bags, journal or scrapbook page protectors.
- Translucent
- Medium weight: 40gsm
- Mid-price
- Uncommon
- Easy crafts
9. Vellum Paper
Vellum is the cousin of glassine, but the two have their differences.
Vellum paper is translucent paper. It is matte in appearance and heavier than other papers, which makes it less flexible and prone to cracking when folded. It was traditionally made with animal skins but now uses plant fibers. Many crafters like using vellum in their home printers.
Some common uses for vellum paper are: tracing, invitations, scrapbooking, garlands, “stained glass” crafts.
- Translucent
- Medium to heavy weight: 50-100gsm
- Cheap
- Uncommon
- Easy crafts
10. Crepe Paper
If glassine and vellum are cousins, then crepe is tissue paper’s younger brother.
Crepe paper is a lightweight crafting paper made from tissue paper that has been treated and coated with a glue-like substance. This gives crepe paper stiffness and a unique, crinkled texture. It is also commonly treated to be fire-resistant. Party streamers are a common example of crepe paper.
Some common crepe paper projects are: paper flowers, applique, tassels and garlands, pinatas.
- Colorful
- Light weight: 30gsm
- Cheap
- Common
- Easy to medium crafts
11. Quilling Paper
As the name implies, quilling paper is a specialty item. Since paper quilling crafts require flexibility, you can’t just use anything.
Quilling paper is a medium-weight paper cut into uniform strips. Often, this paper will be sold pre-cut in stores, but if you decide to make your own quilling paper, select one, like washi, with a weight between 70 and 90 gsm. That’s a bit lighter than printer paper but heavier than origami paper.
Some common paper quilling projects are paper quilling flowers and decorative greeting cards. Check out our complete guide to paper quilling for more inspiration.
- Colorful
- Medium weight: 70-90gsm
- Cheap to mid-price
- Common
- All skill levels
The Best Types of Paper for Art and Crafts Projects – Final Thoughts
Having the right paper is important. Otherwise, your project may frustrate you instead of bringing joy. Exploring your creative side is easy if you have the right paper for arts and crafts to get you started.
Keep craft paper on your shopping list, and stockpile as many interesting papers as you can find. Let us know anything we might have missed in the comments.