The crafter’s guide to paper types.

Posted on 22nd September 2026 by Papermill Direct
Filed under Card Making Ideas

For crafters, having a well-stocked collection of paper and card means you’re always ready when inspiration strikes. But with so many weights, textures and finishes to choose from, knowing which one is right for your project can be tricky, especially when purchasing online.

As specialists in paper and card, we’ve put together this guide to not only introduce you to our range but help you understand the benefits of each paper type and there best uses.

From textured to smooth, glitter to hologram, we’ll look at what makes each type of paper and card different and the projects they’re best suited to. Whether you’re replenishing your scrapbooking supplies or starting handmaking your wedding invitations, you’ll have all the info you need to pick the right materials for the job. You might just discover your new favourite along the way.

So, let’s look at the range

Papermill Direct card and paper types

Smooth

Our smooth paper and card is a versatile choice for all kinds of paper crafting projects and a staple for the art cupboard. With a clean, even surface, it’s easy to print, write, stamp, cut and fold, keeping crisp lines and clean imagery, making it a great all-rounder for both beginners and experienced crafters.

Choose lighter-weight smooth papers for stationery, inserts, origami and printed designs, or move up to heavier card for card bases, toppers, die cutting, scrapbooking and 3D projects.

Our smooth finishes are available in a wide range of standard sizes, including A1 sheets ideal for posters and displays, as well as a huge variety of colours with even patterned finishes on offer.

Best suited for:

• Poster making
• Scrapbooking supplies
• Printing
• Stamping

Patterned

Our range of patterned paper and card add personality and fun to your creations. From gift tags to decorations, a patterned sheet can instantly bring your project to life in a polished way without the need for lots of extra embellishments.

If you’re a scrapbooker, having a selection of patterned papers, such as our assorted gingham selection, to hand is a game changer. Available in 12”x 12” sheets, they’re a quick and easy fit for many standard scrapbook albums and are an easy way to add interest to backgrounds, borders and help to create a cohesive theme.

Best suited for:

• Scrapbooking supplies
• Cardmaking
• Themed invites

Glitter and sparkle

If you want to add an extra bit of shimmer to your project, our glitter and sparkle cards are great choices. Available in a variety of colours, sizes and with single or double-sided finishes, these cards are brilliant for children’s crafts and accent details. Although these materials share a similar finish, they are very different types of paper.

Glitter card has a more noticeable, textured glitter finish as if you’ve upturned a glitter shaker all over your paper, making it ideal when you want the sparkle to be a feature of your project. It works particularly well for Christmas cards, celebrations, decorations, die-cut shapes, and other projects where you want a bold, eye-catching finish.

Sparkle card gives a much softer effect. Rather than individual glitter particles, it has a subtler shimmer that catches the light as you move the card. This makes it a great choice for projects where you want a touch of elegance without the stronger glitter effect such as invitations and more romantic designs.

As a simple rule, choose glitter when you want bold glimmer and sparkle when you want a softer shimmer.

Best suited for:

• Borders and frames
• Embellishments
• Christmas crafts
• Dramatic designs

Pearlised and metallic

Metallic finish cardstocks such a pearlised are a great way to add an elegant sheen to your project, in a subtle way. Their smooth, lustrous finishes catch the light and can give your projects a beautiful, premium look.

Available in a huge range of colours, from soft pastels and classic ice white to rich jewel tones, metallic shades and more, we have a shade to match every theme, occasion and celebration.

Metallic finishes are particularly effective when you want to add a touch of luxury without using glitter. They can be used on their own or combined with other types of paper and card to create contrast, dimension and eye-catching details.

Best suited for:

• Cards for her
• Engagement cards
• Anniversary Cards
• Die cutting

Mirror

Mirror cards and a stylish, reflective finish to your project. With its smooth, highly reflective surface, it catches the light and adds a striking, polished look to your designs.

Mirror card is particularly useful for cardmaking, Christmas decorations, die-cutting, borders and accent details. It’s available in a wide range of colours, including classics such as silver and gold as well as black, blue, pink, purple, red, green and rose gold. There are also holographic options ideal for eye catching invites.

Best suited for:

• Party invitations
• Christmas decorations
• Children’s crafts
• Die cutting

Textured

Textured cards are a favourite for handmade wedding invitations as they elevate a project, adding interest, dimension and elegance to your design. Unlike smooth paper and card, textured finishes, such as hammered and linen, give the surface a tactile quality that can add depth to your invitation.

Available in a variety of colours and weights, textured paper and card can be used for a range of applications. Lighter textured papers such as Ivory Linen Paper are ideal for stationery, and printed certificates, while heavier textured card works well for card bases, ornamental frames and other projects where you want the texture to be part of the finished look.

When working with textured card, remember that the surface can affect the performance of ink-stamps and printers.

Best suited for:

• Wedding invitations
• Cardmaking
• Certificates
• Menus
• Scrapbooking supplies

Choosing the right type of paper for your project

With so many types of paper and card to choose from, the trick to selecting the right one is to think about your design goals. What finished aesthetic are you aiming for, and what tools do you plan to use?

We’ve put together a handy comparison table to help you see how our papers perform with common crafting methods.

The joy of trying something new

One of the best things about creating with paper is that no two projects are identical. There’s always something new to try, from different colour combinations and textures to weights and finishes. Sometimes the best ideas come from simply experimenting and seeing where the paper takes you.

Our pick and mix boxes are a great way to explore our different paper types and keep your craft room well stocked with plenty of creative possibilities. Choose a selection of colours, patterned papers, textures and weights, and you’ll always have something to hand when inspiration strikes.

Whether you’re creating a thoughtful handmade card, journaling memories or simply making something for the joy of it, papercraft is all about slowing down, experimenting and putting a little piece of yourself into what you make.

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