Adventures in Scrapbooking

What Paper to Use For a Resume

Paper Sizes

Many of you may think paper sizes are pretty self explanatory and what more can we explain about them. Well, a lot actually. There is a number of paper size standards used throughout the world today. Europe, America, Columbia and Japan all use different standards when measuring paper. However, the two most used paper measurement standards come from the ISO & the ANSI.

International ISO Standard

The first paper standard system is the International ISO Standard 216. This system is mostly used throughout Europe.  There is a lot of math involved when figuring out how the sizes are determined but here is the basic understanding.

• This paper sizing method is all based on a ratio of square root of 2. The purpose of this is that if you divide the paper into two equal halves than you will still have a ratio of. This means you can make folded brochures of any size by using a larger sized piece of paper. For example an A4 sheet of paper can be folded to make the smaller A5 brochures without losing the exact dimensions of an A5 sheet of paper.

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

The second paper measurement standard is the one we use here in the US. The American National Standards Institute or ANSI. This is also in use in Canada & Mexico. Although the ANSI labels the sizes with letters (ANSI A), they are more commonly known as Letter, Legal and Ledger.

• This standard for measuring paper is centered on the “letter” size (8.5 × 11). This concept is similar to the ISO standard of folding a piece of paper in half would create two sheets of paper in the next size down. However, as a result of this formula it causes the paper to have two alternating ratios.

Comparing the Standards

Still feeling overwhelmed by all the math and sizes available? No worries, we created this handy chart below to help you understand the exact ANSI measurements & their ISO counterparts.

Customer Talent Spotlight

An Infographic for Envelope Sizes

What Paper Should I Use for Brochures

Are you starting a new business, informing loyal customers about a new product or service, trying to reach new customers in a new area? Then you are most likely going to use brochure to do so. With all the options out there you probably find yourself asking “what paper should I use for brochures.” We've made the process of making your own brochure easier, by narrowing down the choices for you into four main factors:

Paper Weight

When it comes to the weight of the paper you want to use for the brochure there are two main types: Paper Stock & Card Stock. Each has their own unique style & benefit.

Paper Stock

This is your average computer paper with a thickness of 20-28 lbs.

• Lighter to carry (if you're handing out your brochures personally)


• Inexpensive


• Lightweight and easier to fold


• Easier to mail via envelopes

Card Stock

This paper is thicker than average writing paper but thinner then paperboard. Think of the paper used in scrapbook pages or for postcards.

• Durable & higher quality


• Can be mailed without envelopes


• They can stand upright on a surface to be displayed


• Won't develop crease lines

Finish

Once you have settled on how thick you want your brochure to be, next you need to decide what type of finish it will have. Paper finish refers to the texture of the papers surface. There are two main finishes typically used in brochures: Glossy & Matte.

Glossy

This paper has been coated by a compound to give it a smooth, shinny appearance.

• Best for brochures with a lot of images


• Shinier & high quality finish


• More vibrant colors


• Longer lasting


• Coating seals in images which make for sharper images

Matte
This paper is also coated but without luster or gloss, giving it an untreated look.

• Best for brochures with a lot of text


• Non coating prevents smudges & finger prints


• Less glare making images appear softer


• Used by most professionals

Color

The paper color you choose has to reflect the type of message you are promoting. There is no wrong answer here. Most business brochure are printed on plain white paper. You can use this for a professional and clean look. However, you don't have to shy way from bright hues. If your company has a distinctive color scheme, then incorporating these colors into your brochure is a great way for your clients to remember you. If you have an environmental business, a recycled brown Kraft brochure or earthy green one can accent your motto. With so much promotional material out there, a little creativity can go a long way.

Size

Like paper color, there is no one choice when it comes to the size of your brochure. Within the business industry there are three popular brochure sizes: Letter, Legal & Tabloid. Letter is the most popular.
Letter (8.5″ x 11″)

• Most commonly used for the “tri-fold” brochure


• Easily mailed


• Fits in most brochure racks

Legal (8.5″ x 14″)

• Used  for the “tri-fold” brochure


• Extra 3” in length

Tabloid (11″ x 17″)

• Used as a half-fold brochure or menu

Our Suggestions:

Paper	Weight	Finish	Color	Size
32lb 2-Sided Glossy Paper	Paper Stock	Glossy	White	Letter
80lb 2-Sided Glossy Cover	Card Stock	Glossy	White	Letter

 

Now that you have a better understanding of the basics, you can start to create your impressive brochure. Good luck! You'll never have to ask again..."What paper should I use for brochures?"

How to Make a DIY Embroidered Card

Ah, the age old dilemma of wanting to make a personalized card but not wanting it to look like something a five year old made for Mother’s Day. I feel your pain. As someone who occasionally considers herself an adult, I would really like to have my homemade cards and presents taken seriously. Sadly, I am that unfortunate combination of not an artist and left-handed, so everything I try to draw is unrecognizable and smudged. Anyway...maybe you'll find some inspiration for your own DIY embroidered card!

Fortunately for me and the rest of us mortal, non-artistic people, I’ve found a pretty neat way to personalize any kind of card or letter that will fool people into thinking you’re talented and crafty. Best of all, whomever you’re giving it to will be touched that you spent what would seem like hours and hours slaving away on their card. But don’t worry, this is one of those low risk, high yield type of time investments. You’ll be out of here in a cool twenty minutes with a brand new DIY embroidered card!

What you’ll need:

-          Thick cardstock

-          Cardboard (any leftover cardboard will work)

-          Needle

-          Thumbtack

-          Embroidery thread

-          Scissors

-          Pencil

Step 1: Figure out everything. No pressure.

This is literally the only hard part. You have to figure out what design you want to make and what you want to say in the card. When you’ve got that, draw it out on your cardstock in pencil. I used our blue parchment cardstock. You can make mistakes here. It’s okay. We’re still friends.

Step 2: Punch the holes.

Now that you’ve got your design, figure out how far apart you want your holes to be. Hint: The closer they are together, the more work you’ll have to do. I kept mine about a centimeter apart. Once you’ve got your holes sorted out, take a thumbtack to them. Remember to put your cardboard behind your cardstock or you’ll ruin your new mahogany desk.

Step 3: Embroidery time.

Now we get to the fun part. Pick out the perfect color of embroidery floss, thread your needle, and start embroidering. When you embroider, thread it up through the second hole first, then down through the first hole. Then go up through the third hole and down through the second. Repeat forever until you’re done. Don’t forget to tie knots in the threads at the end, or all your hard work will get unraveled.

Step 4: Admire your work, bask in glow of recipient’s love.

You’re all done! Wasn’t that super easy? Don’t you feel like an actual talented human? I sure do.

Don’t forget to place your finished product in a matching parchment envelope.

You guys, these cards are so great, and not just for birthdays. Use them for anything from thank you cards to summer barbecue invitations. If you have kids, they can make them for you. It makes for a fun summer afternoon activity, and at the end of it, you’ll have your cards all set. Win-win.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s start crafting your own DIY embroidered card!

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