I have recently started scratch-building. Many of the scenery and hobby sources I’ve consulted refer to cardstock but don’t define it (or at least define it in a way that is useful to me).
What is cardstock?
Where can I purchase it?
Can you photocopy onto it?
I’m building lobster traps and will try to use it to make cut-out lettering for signage as well as other, more standard applications. My impression is that it is either heavy paper or light cardboard. One reference said, “photocopy the lettering onto cardstock and cut out with a hobby knife.” I can’t run cardboard through my printer.
When I ask for “cardstock” is there only one choice or does it come in different weights or thicknesses? I suppose I could look this up in my printer manual, but is there a maximum thickness that can be printed on?
Maximum weight depends on your printer, check your documentation. Many printers also have a door in the back that you can open to feed stiff paper/card stock straight through, usually 1 sheet at a time but large printers sometimes have a small feed tray for it.
Cardstock comes in a variety of weights and thicknesses. The lighter ones will be described by their weight (in pounds), type (vellum, vellum bristol, index, cover), and whether or not there is a coating (either gloss or matte). The heavier stocks might be listed by thickness (in points). Some cardstocks will be available in colors, and a variety of sizes. The heaviest will be mat boards, normally used in framing, and chipboards, normally used as a backer on padded forms.
The cardstocks that are less stiff can be fed through some household copiers or printers. As Paul said, check you documentation. Heavier grades may only be printable on industrial grade equipment. Coating and texture of the stock will effect appearance. Color copies look best on a glossy, bright white stock. One possible approach might be to copy your patterns onto paper, and the glue the paper to an heavier stock.
Cardstocks suitable for model building purposes, especially the thicker grades, can be found at craft and art supply dealers. Mat boards can also be had at picture framing shops. Some lighter cardstocks might be found at office supply dealers.
Strathmore bristol board was a popular material for model making in the early days of the hobby. I recall seeing articles on structure and car construction using this material as late as the 1970s.
My first scratchbuiling project was a Milwaukee Road station made from Strathmore on a basswood frame. Unfortunately, the walls and the roof began to sag between the supports. If I ever try that again, I will probably use st
One method I have used effectively is to use my printer to make a printout on good quality paper (so that it doesn’t run), then glue it to heavy cardstock, or even cereal box cardboard. If you’re using an inkjet printer, be careful not to use too much glue (spray adhesive works well, too), so that you don’t make the colors run. Decal fixing spray also works to keep an inkjet printout from running when you glue it.
My picture framer throws out mat boards and foamcore on a regular basis. If you can find a friendly framer you stand a very good chance of getting these discarded bits at no cost. It doesn’t hurt to ask.
I use cardstock in my HP 5360 printer all the time. I print signs for my HO layout and also clock faces for custom clocks I sell on ebay. The stuff I use is 110lb cardstock and is available in white and cream color at Staples and sometimes at Walmart. I think the term ‘cardstock’ is from the weight of index cards, the 3x5 file cards used for recipies and other filed data. I used to use them for rolling stock inventory before the PC came along (not that I am that old?). It is not thick/heavy enough for use as building walls but could be used for trim and other ‘built-up’ laminations like doors and panels on a building.