The right paper makes all the difference—adding that polished, professional feel to your party labels. Whether you’re printing food signs, drink menus, or favor tags, here’s how to pick the best paper for the job.
On this page:
- Best Paper Type: Cardstock
- Recommended Weight for Home Printers
- Finish Options
- Paper Recommendation
- Printing Tips
- Recommended: Use a Paper Cutter
✨ Best Paper Type: Cardstock
Cardstock is thicker and sturdier than regular printer paper, which helps your labels stand upright on a table and hold their shape.
Recommended Weight for Home Printers
Look for cardstock in the 65 lb to 80 lb range (176–216 gsm). This weight is sturdy enough for most party needs but still feeds smoothly through most inkjet and laser printers.
- 65 lb (176 gsm): Light and flexible, good for layering or small tent labels.
- 80 lb (216 gsm): Ideal balance of sturdiness and printer compatibility.
- Avoid 100+ lb (270+ gsm) cardstock unless you’re using a high-end printer or feeding manually.
- Check your printer's manual for it's compatible paper weights.
🎨 Finish Options
- Matte: Easy to print on, clean and elegant. Great for food labels.
- Satin or smooth: Slight sheen, still printable at home (make sure you do a test print).
- Glossy: Looks fancy but not ideal if you're in a brightly lit room because it can cause a glare. And double-check that your printer ink fully dries by doing a test print.
🛒 Paper Recommendation
If you're looking for a clean, white cardstock, this is a fav at Party Labels and widely compatible with home printers: Astrobrights/Neenah, 65 lb Cardstock.
🖨️ Printing Tips
- Always print a test page on regular paper first to check alignment.
- If your printer has a rear feed tray, use it—it handles thicker paper better.
- Let ink fully dry before handling or cutting your labels.
💡 Pro Tip: Want something more elevated? Look for linen or textured cardstock for that soft, upscale look—just make sure your printer can handle the finish and paper weight.
✂️ Recommended: Use a Paper Cutter for Clean, Crisp Labels
If you don’t already own a paper cutter, now’s the perfect time to add one to your party toolkit! While scissors work in a pinch, a paper cutter makes trimming your labels faster, cleaner, and way more satisfying.
Why a Paper Cutter Is Worth It:
- Perfectly straight cuts every time—no shaky lines
- Faster trimming when you're making lots of labels
- Saves time and stress for last-minute prep
- Great for menus, food labels, drink signs, and favor tags
A Few We Recommend:
- Firbon Paper Cutter (12"): Lightweight, accurate, and perfect for most DIY needs.
- Amazon Basics Portable Trimmer (12"): Budget-friendly and gets the job done if you want a guillotine-style cutter.
🛠️ Pro Tip: Use the dotted cut lines option in the print settings on your print preview page to make trimming even easier and more precise.
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