What Kind of Paper is Used for Paper Quilling? 2 Best Options to choose from

While Quilling this question might arise in our mind, What kind of paper is used for paper quilling? You can either purchase pre-cut paper strips or cut the strips by yourself. We get a variety of paper quilling pre-cut strips readily available in the market. These strips come in various sizes and also in various colors. I am quilling for many years now and I always select the paper strips depending upon the sizes, colors, types as well as the quality of paper I am using in my project.

So, What kind of paper is used for paper quilling? Well, Quilling is all about paper. Selecting the right paper for a quilling project is important. Paper quilling is done with strips made from text weight paper which is somewhere around 75 to 90 gsm. These papers are good for quilling as it rolls smoothly and does not tear or bend. In this post, I am sharing the types of papers you can use for quilling. However, every quillers has their own opinion on this topic and this is my opinion. 

Paper quilling art involves the use of paper strips that are rolled, shaped, and bend to create amazing beautiful patterns. Today, we get paper quilling pre-cut strips easily in local stores as well as online stores. You can also cut your own strips by yourself. Both include the pros and cons of using them. I will be sharing the types of papers, types of strips, and pros and cons of pre-cut strips and cutting your own strips.

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What Kind of Paper is Used for Paper Quilling?

One of the important factors of paper is, its GSM. GSM is “grams per square meter” this is a term which is used to measure the weight of paper. Actually it is the thickness of paper, higher the GSM thicker the paper. Standard GSM of paper is 80GSM. Weight of paper makes difference as thinner and thicker paper rolls differently, For quilling, the standard GSM paper is good as it is not very thin and not very thick to roll. Let’s have a look at the characteristic of paper used for paper quilling.

text weight paper is used, a paper which is around 75-90 gms. Also, some paper are acid-free and some are not, these are few important things to keep in mind while selecting a paper for a quilling project.

Text Weight: 

Text weight paper is not very heavy not very light paper, its GSM varies around 75 to 90 GSM, These papers are usually good for quilling as they don tear up quilling and give a good roll to the coil.

Writing weight:

Writing weight papers are generally lightweight papers. It is similar to the weight of the paper used for writing or printing. These paper are thin and thus it can tear easily while quilling. If you want to work on a delicate quilling design then you can go with this kind of paper.

Card Stock

These are heavier weight papers. These papers are difficult to roll as it tends to bend and not roll due to its thickness. However card stock is good for Quilling outlines and typography projects. These are thick hence it can bend gently into a curve line and give a perfect outline to quilling project.

Acid-free:

Most of the pre-cut paper strips mention on their labels that paper is acid-free or not. If you are making quilling cards or tags then any quilling stips will be okay to use and it will not last too long. But if you are planning to create a quilling frame which you want to last long then you should select acid-free paper strips as these strips don’t change the color of stirps, don’t turns yellowish or getting spotty over time.

This is important if you are making things to last longer as you always them to stay in good condition. Some brands mention on their label that the paper strips are acid-free or not and mostly bigger companies strips are acid-free. Local companies don’t mention anything on paper strips maybe they are not acid-free. If you are selecting paper to cut on your own you can get an acid-free paper and later you can cut them into strips.

Pre-Cut Paper Quilling Strips

You will find a variety of options to select from pre-cut quilling strips which are easily available in local craft stores as well as online stores. Pre-cut strips are available in different sizes like 3mm, 5mm, and 10mm and are also available in various colors. The length of strips might differ from different brands, generally, it is around 17 inches, but you can also get from 15inches to 18 inches.

Also, the thickness of strips can vary from brand to brand, as a coil made by using one strip can be smaller or bigger from the coil made from one strip of some other company.

Pros of buying pre-cut strips

• It is the most easy and convenient way of getting strips of desire size and color.
• As stated earlier, it is longer in length. Generally, Pre-cut strips are 17 inches long.
• Most brands offer acid-free strips.
• They are even in width.
• Pre-cut strips are of perfect thickness.
• They have smoother edges.
• Strips come in individual packages, this helps to store them crumple free.

Cons of buying pre-cut strips

• Limitation in a width of the paper, if you want to create a delicate quilling flower and for that, it is hard to get 1mm quilling strips in the market. Pre-cut strips generally come in 3mm, 5mm and 10mm wide.
• It is expensive, price may differ from brand to brand.
• Limitations of colors, Some times the color of your choice is unavailable or out of stock. You may not find all color strips.

Cutting your own Quilling stips

You can cut your own quilling strips at home, this option is great if you want to quilling from a patterned paper or cardstock paper of your choice. There is limitations in pre-cut paper strips, selecting a good paper of desire color which is best for your quilling project, then you can proceed with cutting this paper on your own.

There are 3 options to cut your own paper strips.

Using Paper Shredder:

Manual Paper shredder is available in 2 sizes A5 and A4 paper sizes. These are small plastic kinds that come with a handle.  Generally, the width of paper it shreds is 3mm

Using Paper Trimmer

It comes with a marked base and a ruler with grid lines and measurement. It has a transparent ruler which helps hold the paper firmly in place while trimming.

Cutting paper manually:

For this, you need a cutting mat, pencil, cutter, ruler, and paper.

Place the paper on the mat and mark it on both sides.

Join both side markings.

Grab cutter and cut it carefully.

Pros of Cutting your own strips:

• It is less expensive
• No need to store access strips, as you can cut your own strips when needed.
• You get the freedom to cut the paper of any width of your choice. You can cut 1mm, 2mm, 7mm, 9mm etc. as these sizes are not available in pre-cut strips.
• You can select any color paper for your project, no need to be stuck at colors available of pre-cut strips.

Cons of Cutting your own strips:

• It is time-consuming
• You need to be accurate and careful while cutting as you can end up cutting uneven strips or may have rough edges after cutting.
• It can be expensive if you are planning to buy paper shredder.
• If you cut the strips in large numbers, you need to figure out the way to store them without crumping.
• Strips are as long as the paper you selected to cut, mostly A4 size paper is used and it is around 11 inches.

You can check out my post on “What do I need to start paper quilling“.

Other Characteristics of Paper Used for Paper Quilling

Metallic Paper Strips

Metallic paper strips look very attractive and most kinds are available in text weight. You can find pre-cut metallic strips in stores. these strips are mostly used in detailed and vintage design quilling work.

One-Sided paper strips

These strips have printed on one side and the other is blank. It means it’s only one edge of the paper that shows. It is good for outlining shapes and is not good for coils or other shapes.

Vat-Dyed Color Strips

Color papers add beauty and color to quilling. It is easy to cut, its edges are smooth, easy to roll, and also you can find it easily. Make sure to select the acid-free paper for quilling, if you want your quilling project to the last long and nice.

How do you store your quilling paper?

For storing quilling paper strips I use clear sheets. I insert the strips flat in clear sheets. Stock all colors in each sheet and place the sheet colorwise. This helps me to store the strips crimple free and is flat. File clear sheets colorwise and thus it is easy to find the stips colorwise.

Another way is, using a plastic flat box. Use a box of around 2 inches in height. place the bundle of strips in it. Thus the strips will not crimple and will be easy to store.

Pre-cut strips come in individual packing, you can simply store these with their packets in drawer or box.