The Ultimate Guide to Cricut Cardstock: Best Paper, Cut Settings, Weights & Pro Tips (2026)

Why the Right Cardstock Matters for Cutting Machines

Not all paper is created equal, and this is especially true when it comes to cardstock for Cricut cutting. Some cardstock is too fibrous, causing the blade to catch and tear, while other papers are made from compressed layers which peel when cut and lifted off the mat. For the cleanest results, you want cardstock designed specifically for the unique way that cutting machines work.

At 12x12 Cardstock Shop, we focus on cardstock and we have over 4000 different paper products in our online craft store. That means we're paper experts. It was this expertise that lead us to develop our own line of cardstock specifically for Cricut and Silhouette cutting.

Our Top Pick: We developed our 80# Encore Textured Cardstock specifically for crafters using Cricut and Silhouette machines. It has a beautiful canvas texture and a solid core, meaning your projects look professional from every angle without white edges showing through. It’s dense enough to hold together on intricate cuts and peel off the mat cleanly, but flexible enough to fold without cracking or be shaped and molded for paper flowers. 

Shop all 160 Colors of Encore Textured Cardstock Here

We have a handy guide to cutting Encore Textured Cardstock available here, with Cricut cardstock cut settings and cut settings for many other electronic cutting machines.

Best Cardstock Weight For Cricut Cardstock Crafts

Your Cricut machine can cut a variety of paper weights. The trick is just to make sure you have your cut settings dialed in. From vellum to chipboard, you CAN cut it all. However, we have a few recommendations for the best cardstock weight for the most common papercraft uses. Of course, you can always branch out beyond this, but if you are a beginner Cricut crafter, you may find these starting points helpful. 

• 65 lb (176 gsm) – lightweight layering
• 80 lb (216 gsm) – best all-purpose Cricut cardstock, paper flowers, scrapbook titles
• 100 lb + (270 gsm +) – card bases, boxes, party favors, structural designs
  

Pro Tips for Cutting Cardstock on Cricut & Silhouette

Even with the best paper, a few machine "hacks" can make a world of difference. Here are our top tips for a perfect cut every time:

• Make Sure Your Mat is Clean: Your Cricut mat can last a while, but it's important that it is clean. Even small bits of paper left behind can cause your die cuts to not cut cleanly, so make sure to use a mat scraper to get all the small pieces off the mat after every cut. 
• The "Sticky" Test: If your paper is lifting or slipping while cutting, your mat might be dirty. Mats do eventually lose their stickiness and need to be replaced or cleaned. There are lots of YouTube videos about how to clean your mat to revive it if you don't want to buy a new one. 
• How To Condition A New Mat: You would think a new mat would be the peak cutting experience, but sometimes brand new mats can be a bit too sticky. The result is that your diecut can be rally hard to peel off the mat (which might cause tearing), or the remaining uncut paper can be so covered in adhesive that it is ruined. Head to our YouTube channel to learn how to condition a new Cricut mat. 
• Use a Brayer To Apply Paper to the Mat: After placing the paper on the mat, use a brayer all over the paper to help get an even application. This helps keep your paper from sliding around during cutting.
• Do Small Tests to Dial In Your Cut Settings: We have a whole video on YouTube about how to determine Cricut cut settings for cardstock, but the main idea is that you should do small test cuts when cutting a new to you cardstock. This allows you to make small adjustments while you are figuring out your cut settings without ruining an entire sheet of cardstock. Choose the material type that most closely resembles your paper type and do a small test, then use the "More Pressure" and "Less Pressure" settings to test again.
• Flip the Mat to Peel: Instead of pulling the paper off the mat (which can cause curling), flip the mat over and peel the mat away from the paper. This tends to give you better results especially when working with a stickier mat.
• You can watch some of these Cricut cutting tips in action over on this Instagram post.

Understanding Blades and Settings

One of the most common questions we get is, "Which blade should I use?"

• Premium Fine Point Blade: This is your workhorse for 65 lb to 120 lb cardstock.
• Deep Point Blade: Use this for extra-thick specialty cardstock (like chipboard, heavier acetate and materials that are thick)
• The "Double Cut" Trick: If you are working with a very intricate SVG, set your machine to "2x pass". This is our go-to trick for clean cuts. If there are any spots that don't cut through the first time, the second pass will catch them.

Must-Have Tools for the Ultimate Cardstock Crafting Kit

While your Cricut or Silhouette machine does the heavy lifting, these essential tools will make the whole process so much easier!  If you’re serious about cardstock crafts, these are the Cricut supplies we recommend for papercrafting with your Cricut machine.

• If you only buy one extra tool, make it this one! Rolling a brayer over your cardstock ensures it is 100% adhered to the mat. This prevents the paper from lifting mid-cut, which is the leading cause of ruined paper
• Scoring Stylus vs. Scoring Wheel: For clean, crisp folds on cards and boxes, you need a scoring tool. Wondering what the difference is between a Cricut Scoring Stylus and a Cricut Scoring Tool? The scoring stylus fits in your pen tool slot (CLAMP A) and draws score lines. It's great for 65 lb - 80 lb paper but has a harder time with heavier papers. The scoring wheel works great for all paper weights as it is able to apply heavier pressure. It fits in CLAMP B, and if you have score lines designated in your project your software will prompt you when you need to add the scoring tool. 
• Precision Spatula: Don't use your fingernails! If you've done this you know how bad small cuts feel under your fingernail - yikes! The Spatula helps you slide under delicate cardstock designs to lift them off the mat without curling and is especially handy on intricate or small cuts.
• XL Mat Scraper: Paper crafting leaves behind lots of tiny "paper confetti" on your mat. The XL scraper allows you to clear your mat in one quick swipe so you're ready for the next sheet of cardstock immediately.
• Quality Cardstock: We've covered this already, but make sure you start with quality cardstock made for Cricut cutting. Encore Textured Cardstock is our top recommendation.
• Fine Tip Applicator Glue: Because you are able to make such intricate cardstock cuts on a Cricut you need an adhesive that can apply glue in very small portions. We love Bearly Art Glue for adhering small pieces as it has a very fine tip and you have complete control over your glue. 

Trending Cardstock Crafts for 2026

Looking for inspiration? According to Pinterest trend data and crafting search growth, layered paper art and junk journaling continue to grow in popularity. Here's a few trends we are seeing in papercrafting...

1. Layered Shadow Boxes

Paper crafting is becoming more art-driven. We're seeing lots of intricate, multi-layered shadow boxes that look like museum pieces. By stacking 80 lb cardstock with foam squares, you create incredible depth and cool shadow effects. Pro Tip: Use Solid Core cardstock like our Encore Textured Cardstock line so the edges of your layers match the surface perfectly.

2. Lifelike 3D Paper Flowers

From giant wall flowers to delicate "forever" bouquets, paper florals are a staple of 2026 crafting. Paper flowers are always in bloom and can be made in the exact colors you want. They are great for party decor like giant paper flower backdrops, or table decor, but they also make great gifts. Make mom a paper flower bouquet for Mother's Day and it stays fresh forever. Get cardstock recommendations for paper flowers here. 

A major trend right now is combining cardstock with other materials. Think cardstock invitations with vellum overlays, wax seals, and torn edges for a "vintage Bridgerton-inspired" feel. Your Cricut machine can cut so many different materials like vellum, acetate, and found items like old books and more. 

4. Junk Journaling

Junk Journaling is scrapbooking reimagined. Junk Journalers often grab a blank notebook and start filling it with found, recycled and repurposed items. Some junk journals have a theme like travel or food, and some junk journals are simply scraps and reminders from everyday life. Use your electronic cutting machine to cut cool titles, shaped designs and even make your own custom stickers with our sticker paper. 

Comprehensive Cardstock FAQ

What is Cricut Cardstock?

Cricut cardstock refers to cardstock and paper (typically 65–110 lb or 176–300 gsm) designed to be cut on electronic die-cutting machines like the Cricut Explore, Cricut Maker, and Silhouette Cameo.

What weight cardstock is best for Cricut?

For general die-cutting, 80 lb (216 gsm) is the "Goldilocks" weight—it’s sturdy enough for most projects but still easy for the machine to cut. For structural items like card bases or gift boxes, we recommend 100 lb+ for maximum stability since they need to be more sturdy to hold extra cardstock layers or hold treats inside a gift box.

Why is my cardstock tearing or "shredding" when lifted off the mat?

Tearing usually happens if your blade is dull, your mat has lost its stickiness (causing the paper to shift), or if the cardstock has too many loose fibers. We recommend a clean blade and high-quality, dense cardstock like Encore for the best results.

Should I use textured or smooth cardstock for my Cricut?

Both work great, but so it really is a personal preference! Whether you choose smooth or textured cardstock, just make sure you are choosing a quality brand, like Encore Paper. 

How do I stop cardstock from curling when I remove it from the mat?

Always flip your mat face down on your work surface and peel the mat away from the paper while keeping the cardstock flat. This prevents the fibers from being pulled into a permanent curl. And if you are using a brand new mat, be sure to condition your new Cricut mat so that it is not too sticky. 

Can I cut Glitter Cardstock on a Cricut?

Yes! Just be sure to use a "Glitter Cardstock" setting and consider a dedicated blade, as glitter can be abrasive. Our Glitter Luxe line is specifically designed for die-cutting machines and offers a much smoother cutting experience than traditional glitter papers.

What is the difference between Solid Core and White Core?

Solid Core means the color goes all the way through the paper. If you tear or cut it, the edge is the same color. White Core is colored on the outside but white on the inside. For Cricut crafts, Solid Core is almost always preferred so you don't see white edges on your designs. We cover this exact topic in great detail in this white core vs color comparison post.