msliz
Drama Llama
The Procrastinator
Posts: 6,419
Jun 26, 2014 21:32:34 GMT
|
Post by msliz on Mar 17, 2018 13:26:26 GMT
I was doing a little bit of online window shopping this morning, and wanted to get the RefuPeas opinions. Most of the "designer" papers I've purchased are a couple of single sided AC varieties from Joanns, and I'm pretty sure they're of a lesser quality than the double sided variety available at the LSSs and online. And honestly, when on rare occasion I can get to my LSS, I'm so overwhelmed by the patterns that I don't even think about comparing the quality of the papers. So, if you have some nicer papers in your stash, answer me this:
Which brands do you feel are consistently producing the nicest quality papers? Not the pattern design, but the paper quality. A nice weight, a nice finish, good inks (like a black that's really black.) Whatever those qualities are that you appreciate. Tell me your top 3 favorites and why!
|
|
|
|
Post by mikklynn on Mar 17, 2018 13:36:04 GMT
Carta Bella and Crate Paper have wonderful quality, especially if you like thicker papers.
The irony of the Crate Paper line is I HATE their cardstock embellishments. They are always warped, at least in my experience.
|
|
|
|
Post by joblackford on Mar 17, 2018 16:54:26 GMT
The AC papers from Joann's are VERY thin and light. More like copy paper than anything else. The same papers purchased as double-sided sheets are luxurious in comparison. I always take a plastic folder with a couple of sheets of thicker cardboard inside when I buy paper at Joann's, just so I can get it home without crumpling it. Unfortunately my LSS has seemingly never heard of American Crafts (?!?) so I end up having to buy from Scrapbook.com if I like an AC paper and want the better quality.
I don't know specifically about comparing other brands, but literally *anything* I've ever bought has been better quality than the open stock papers at Joann's.
ETA: it's not exactly paper, but the kits from Feed Your Craft have the silkest, smoothest, most substantial feel of anything around.
|
|
hutchfan
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,158 
|
Post by hutchfan on Mar 17, 2018 16:59:46 GMT
Carta Bella
Authentique
Crate Paper are my top 3. Nice colors and very sturdy paper.
|
|
msliz
Drama Llama
The Procrastinator
Posts: 6,419
Jun 26, 2014 21:32:34 GMT
|
Post by msliz on Mar 17, 2018 21:05:24 GMT
Thanks for the replies. I've had a few sheets of Carta Bella (Welcome Home and Our Family) in and out of my cart all day along with some Crate Paper (Maggie Holmes' Flourish.) I don't know if I'll be buying them - I'm supposed to be in the refrigerator, but I'll admit to being very tempted. Nice to know you think they're good quality.
Anyone else want to share your favorites?
|
|
|
|
Post by stinkerbelle on Mar 17, 2018 22:13:33 GMT
pinkfresh studio and jillibean soup have the thickest, in my opinion. like you think you've holding 2 sheets but it's only one.
i like the texture of carta bella and authentique. fancy pants also has nice texture but is not as heavy-weight.
anything under the AC umbrella is ok too.
|
|
camcas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,976
|
Post by camcas on Mar 18, 2018 2:08:23 GMT
I like pink fresh as well...I’ve bought most of 2 recent lines and been very happy with the quality
|
|
msliz
Drama Llama
The Procrastinator
Posts: 6,419
Jun 26, 2014 21:32:34 GMT
|
Post by msliz on Mar 18, 2018 2:35:42 GMT
I added some Pinkfresh and Jillibean Soup to my cart per your recommendations. I still haven't hit purchase, but I'm close. ~~~ ETA. Bought the cart, a little of everything. Thanks everyone for enabling me  |
|
|
|
Post by cupcakepeddler on Mar 18, 2018 11:00:37 GMT
Crate Paper, Authentique and Carta Bella are the ones that I have found to have the nicest weight and feel to them.
|
|
|
|
Post by mikklynn on Mar 18, 2018 12:15:44 GMT
Usually anything bought in a collection is pretty good. It's when I go to a paper pad that it gets "iffy". I've stopped buy them. There are some exceptions, of course, but when I buy online, I won't buy the pads.
|
|
|
|
Post by Patter on Mar 19, 2018 10:14:19 GMT
Blue Fern Studios hands down. |
|
|
|
Post by papersilly on Mar 19, 2018 18:02:11 GMT
i love printed cardstock so i love:
-Authentique
-Carta Bella
-Graphic 45
-Websters Pages (miss them but glad i hoarded a ton of their paper)
-Prima Marketing (again, glad i hoarded)
|
|
PrettyInPeank
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,691
|
Post by PrettyInPeank on Mar 20, 2018 6:28:56 GMT
Echo Park is nice, too.
|
|
stephhowell
Junior Member
Posts: 56
|
Post by stephhowell on Mar 22, 2018 16:30:08 GMT
Crate Paper is always my favorite!
|
|
msliz
Drama Llama
The Procrastinator
Posts: 6,419
Jun 26, 2014 21:32:34 GMT
|
Post by msliz on Mar 22, 2018 17:22:48 GMT
I unpacked my order last night, and overall I'm really happy with what I bought. The Carta Bella papers are such a wonderful weight and texture. I'm very happy with them. The second nicest for weight are the PinkFresh and Jillibean Soup, although I was just a little disappointed that the colors on the PinkFresh weren't quite as vibrant as they looked online. The Photoplay and FancyPants looked to be the same weight and ink quality as the American Crafts papers, nice but what I expected for the price.
I bought a few sheets of Amy Tangerine for the B sides, and I was pleasantly surprised that the brights on the A sides aren't so bright as to be unusable. I think they look horrible online but very nice in person.
The only papers that really disappointed me were a couple of Anna Griffin that I threw in the cart because the prints looked pretty (not because any of you recommended them.) For the price, the paper quality is terrible. It's the same kind of thin stuff that I just bought from M's at 7/$1.
Can't wait to try more of your recommendations next time around. Thanks everyone!
Keep shouting out your favorites.
|
|
|
|
Post by scrapaddict702 on Mar 22, 2018 17:26:39 GMT
I don't know, but what I can tell you is that the core'dinations white that I bought all the time for things like stamp pocket inserts is NO LONGER WHITE. It's an off-white and doesn't even come close to matching the few sheets I found searching my office after trying 2 stores to get the right white. Same packaging, totally different color. Going to have to suffer with more waste and try out some letter paper for my inserts...just ordered a lower end Neenah with a whiteness rating on it from Amazon. If I like it, the next time the 250 sheet ream is on prime, I'm going to grab myself a couple because I can't stand it being so dingy! So much for 'great white'!!! Sucks that you can't even count on cardstock being consistent over time anymore.  |
|
msliz
Drama Llama
The Procrastinator
Posts: 6,419
Jun 26, 2014 21:32:34 GMT
|
Post by msliz on Mar 22, 2018 19:29:03 GMT
I don't know, but what I can tell you is that the core'dinations white that I bought all the time for things like stamp pocket inserts is NO LONGER WHITE. It's an off-white and doesn't even come close to matching the few sheets I found searching my office after trying 2 stores to get the right white. Same packaging, totally different color. Going to have to suffer with more waste and try out some letter paper for my inserts...just ordered a lower end Neenah with a whiteness rating on it from Amazon. If I like it, the next time the 250 sheet ream is on prime, I'm going to grab myself a couple because I can't stand it being so dingy! So much for 'great white'!!! Sucks that you can't even count on cardstock being consistent over time anymore.  Oh, that's upsetting. I'm glad for the review though. I've been using a lot of the core'dinations white, so I'll have to watch to see what happens with it over time. I'm hoping you just got a bad batch, but if they're all just aging badly then it's going to be my problem too. |
|
|
|
Post by auroraborealis on Mar 26, 2018 16:01:24 GMT
I am late to this, but recently ordered from 2 places and wanted to give a current review. But one order isn't coming until tues. so I am just going with what I have so far.
Best:
Carta Bella--this was hands down the best!!! Lovely heavy weight, great texture, and vibrant, vivid true colors.
In the middle:
Echo Park, Pink Paislee
Lowest:
Crate Paper (so sad to say this!) "Here + There" (new line) was clearly a lower-grade than last year from other AC lines--like Glitter Girl/Shimelle or even 6x6 pads or StarShine and Dear Lizzy/Star Gazer. What happened? These 12x12s were thinner weight with dulled colors--not what I expected from stand-alone 12x12 Crate Paper sheets.
Simple Stories, only got one line from them but it was also muted (not the style for this line--should have been bright) and thinner paper. Not sure if this is their norm.
|
|
|
|
Post by twillerbee on Mar 26, 2018 17:39:48 GMT
My favorite would be carta bella. Not a fan of their designs but their paper is really nice.
My next favorite is Pinkfresh. I ordered all 3 lines and thought that A case of the blahs and be you were more vibrant in person. Their Let your heart decide was a bit more muted in person.
I got some of Shimelle papers and crate paper and their quality is no where close to nice or what it used to be. I like to use alot of water colors on my project and I don't think AC papers can handle any mixed media. I need to order some Vicki boutin. I hope that has a little better as her collections are targeting mixed media customers.
|
|
|
|
Post by angel97701 on Mar 27, 2018 3:24:36 GMT
Full disclosure here, I am on the Quick Quotes DT BUT their papers are great quality! Heavy weight with nice designs on both sides. A collection can give you 2 and sometimes 3 very distinct schemes to work with. If you check out my post from the latest Club Q alternate layouts post from this Club Q kit that looked like this  and one last layout that will go live on my blog on Wednesday. I also like Carta Bella and Echo Park and of course Crate Paper! ![]() ![]() <img src=" !["March]() " alt="" style="max-width:100%;"> |
|
