Craft supplies for UK makers · Sizes in mm, gsm and A-series · Browse by craft, then shop with trusted retailers
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Craft guide

Paper & cardmaking supplies

Handmade cards are still one of the nicest things to land on a British doormat. Here is the kit that makes them look polished, and the paper sizes that make posting them painless.

Cardmaking is one of the easiest crafts to start and one of the hardest to stop. A few sheets of good card, a trimmer and some double-sided tape will take you a long way; stamps, dies and embossing folders come later, once you know which style of card you enjoy making.

In the UK almost everything is sold in A-series sizes. An A4 sheet folded in half gives an A5 card; an A5 sheet folded gives an A6 card, which slips into a C6 envelope. Square cards are popular too, but check the envelope size before you commit to a batch.

Supplies to look for

A4 cardstock

Card is sold by weight in gsm (grams per square metre). Around 250–300gsm is a common choice for card bases; lighter weights suit layering and die-cutting.

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C6 & C5 envelopes

C6 envelopes fit A6 cards, and C5 fits A5. Buying card blanks and envelopes as matched packs saves a lot of measuring.

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Trimmers & scoring boards

A trimmer gives you straight edges every time, and a scoring board makes crisp folds that don't crack, especially on heavier card.

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Die-cutting & embossing machines

A manual machine that presses metal dies or embossing folders through card. Check which die brands and sizes it accepts before you buy.

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Clear stamps & ink pads

Clear stamps sit on an acrylic block so you can see exactly where you're stamping. Dye inks are quick-drying; pigment inks are richer and suit heat embossing.

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Double-sided tape & glue

Tape runners are quick and tidy, foam pads add dimension, and a precision glue pen handles tiny die-cut pieces.

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Buying tips

  1. Buy card in the colour you use most (usually white or ivory) in bulk, and brighter colours in smaller mixed packs.
  2. Check the gsm on every pack. Printer-friendly card is usually lighter than card sold for bases, so check your printer's limit if you plan to print verses.
  3. If you're choosing between a die-cutting machine and a digital cutter, see our cutting machines guide: they suit quite different styles.
  4. A basic starter set of stamps with a sentiment ("Happy Birthday", "Thinking of you") gets used far more than a set of pretty images with no words.
  5. Keep a stash of plain kraft card and envelopes for quick thank-you notes.

Good to know in the UK

Posting your cards: Royal Mail prices are based on size and weight. A standard Letter must be no bigger than 240 × 165mm, no thicker than 5mm and weigh up to 100g, which an A6 card in a C6 envelope fits comfortably. Thick embellishments, buttons or 3D toppers can push a card over 5mm and into the Large Letter price band, so check thickness before you stick a stamp on. Always check Royal Mail's current guidance before a big Christmas posting.

Explore more crafts

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Just starting out? Read the beginners' guide or pick a weekend project.