How to Choose the Right Paper for Your Papercraft Projects
I’ve been asked a lot, “What type of paper should I use for my papercraft project?” or “What kind of paper is best for this model?”
Today, I’m going to share the types of paper you should use for your papercraft projects.
The type of paper you should use depends on the kind of papercraft you’re making.
For example, if you’re making a figurine type papercraft like anime models, you should use paper that weighs around 180 gsm to 240 gsm.
For anime papercrafts like Kuriyama Mirai, I prefer using standard paper in the range of 180 gsm to 200 gsm.
If you’re making a building papercraft, like Hogwarts Castle, you’ll want a sturdier paper, such as cardstock, in the range of 220 to 350 gsm.
The higher the gsm, the thicker the paper, which means it will be sturdier and better able to withstand damage or handling, making it ideal for models like Hogwarts Castle. However, thicker paper can be harder to fold, so you’ll need some skill when assembling it.
If you’re making something like a train or a tank, I recommend using 200 gsm, as it will help your vehicles be sturdy and durable.
While 220 gsm to 280 gsm is commonly used for papercrafting, it ultimately depends on your preferences for the type of paper you choose.
Different people will have different recommendations, so it’s a good idea to go to a shop and test out how durable and sturdy the paper feels to see if it meets your needs.
Next, you’ll need to choose between regular paper, glossy photo paper, or matte paper.
What is Glossy , Matte and Photo paper?
Glossy paper is an ultra-shiny paper primarily used for flyers, brochures, advertising, and more. It can be a bit pricey for papercrafting, but it looks fantastic with colorful designs, making the colors of your templates really pop.
Photo paper is similar to glossy paper and is sturdy like cardstock, but it’s thinner. As the name suggests, it’s primarily used for printing photos.
While it’s often available in smaller sizes than A4, there are A4 options as well. Photo paper typically has a reflective quality when light shines on it, which is one reason I personally don’t prefer using it.
However, it could look great for models like Gundam papercrafts.
An example of photo paper would be Canon Ink Glossy Photo Paper, which comes in a size of 8.5″ x 11″ and typically includes 100 sheets.
Matte paper has a dull finish and isn’t shiny, which enhances text clarity and color visibility. I prefer matte paper for anime and game papercrafts.
Cardstock is a thicker paper available in plain colors and patterns. It’s great for all kinds of crafts for both kids and adults, including making postcards. Its weight ranges from 135 gsm to 300 gsm, and I prefer using cardstock when making building papercrafts.
Normal inkjet paper is the standard paper you use for printing homework or game walkthroughs. While it’s not specifically designed for papercrafting, it does come in various gsm weights like the others mentioned, with the most common being 70 and 80 gsm.
Brand & Price
What is GSM ?
GSM stands for Grams per Square Metre. Like I said previously, the higher the number the thicker the paper. More thicker – more durable.
Does it matter what gsm paper I use? Can’t I just use normal printing paper of 70 gsm?
You are free to choose any type of paper you want, and this article is just for those looking for more options to make their paper models more durable so they can stand tall and strong on display. Regular printing paper doesn’t hold up for long.
In fact, back in my beginner days of making papercraft, I used standard A4 inkjet paper. While it didn’t last long and crumbled when I tried to assemble it due to its weakness, I still managed to finish the model, even though the paper became gooey and sticky from the glue.
What paper size should I use?
For any kind of paper craft models out there, the normal paper size would be A4. In USA that would be a US letter size (8.27 in x 11.7 in).
There are many other sizes of paper you can use but most templates available on Mypapercraft.Net is made for A4 papers.
Where can I find papercraft templates or PDF templates
You’ve come to the right place! At mypapercraft.net, we have all kinds of papercraft templates available for download. Just click on the category menu and start browsing.
I hope this article answers your questions!
For a related article, Check out what type of glue best for papercraft , How to make papercraft hard like plastic article .
