It’s never a bad idea to have a stack of construction paper in your home or studio. Heavier than copy paper, these fibrous sheets are tough and come in many colors, making them perfect for turning into cards, seasonal decorations, collages, and other artworks, both ephemeral and lasting. Although most products tend to look the same, construction paper, like copy paper, can vary widely in structure and workability. It’s hard to go wrong when selecting a set, but our picks can help you ensure you choose the best one for your needs.
1. Colorations Construction Paper Pack
Our top pick is this bulk assortment of construction paper from the kid-friendly Colorations brand, a reliable option to keep on hand for whenever creativity strikes. You get 600 sheets in 10 bold colors, and in a smart move, more commonly used colors come in greater quantities. (There are, for instance, 75 blue and 75 yellow sheets but just 30 brown sheets.) This paper has a 50-pound weight—for comparison, standard copy paper is 20-pound—so it’s thick but not ultra-heavy-duty. The sheets fold easily, cut cleanly, tear without strain, and handle markers and paint with little bleed. You can use them for a wide array of projects, and you probably won’t have to replenish this stash for a while.
2. Pacon Lightweight Construction Paper
We recommend this jumbo set of paper for projects that don’t involve a lot of different media or require intricate paper manipulation. The 500 sheets have a 45-pound weight, so they are a little flimsy and feel only slightly thicker than printer paper. However, the paper is of good quality and is easy for even young children to cut, tear, and fold. Its lightness and flexibility might also be advantageous for certain projects, like making paper chains. All in all, this is an excellent and cost-effective option for easygoing crafting.
3. Tru-Ray Assorted Construction Paper
If you like some heft in your construction paper, this product won’t let you down. These sheets are rated at 76 pounds, making them the thickest and sturdiest of our picks. A little lighter than card stock, they have a satisfying stiffness and can withstand complex creasing and curling while still being thin enough to cut without frustration. You can also paint on them without ruining the fibers. This set comes with 144 sheets in 12 bright colors that won’t fade unless kept in direct sunlight over a long period.
4. Pacon SunWorks Construction Paper
If greater surface area is a priority, we recommend this product, which comes in a pack of 18-by-24-inch sheets. This paper has a 58-pound weight, so it’s neither super thick nor annoyingly light. The colors are opaque and bright, and the surface has a slight texture to it that isn’t overwhelmingly fuzzy. This paper also folds with crisp lines and cuts smoothly. You get 10 colors and 100 sheets—a nice assortment that should fulfill the needs of both individual artists and groups.
5. Neenah Astrobrights Colored Cardstock
Although marketed as card stock, Astrobright paper behaves more like construction paper. It actually is lighter than the Tru-Ray paper, with a 65-pound rating, and, like construction paper, has a subtle, pleasing texture. This product stands out for its super-saturated colors, of which you get in a variety of space-themed names like Terra Green, Lunar Blue, and Rocket Red. They aren’t prone to fading, either, so you can hang your art up in sunny areas without worry.Â