Whether you make cards or scrapbook, you need card stock, and lots of it! No matter how you store it, you need to make sure it stays straight so it doesn’t warp or get bent corners. Did you know you should also keep it out of direct light so it doesn’t fade?
If you have the space, horizontal storage is best, as it keeps your cardstock flat no matter how much you have. Wouldn’t it be nice to have the angled paper trays hanging on the wall like they have in stores? A mail sorter would also work well. I use something similar, but much less expensive. Plastic-coated wire cubes, but instead of making them all into cubes, I made three and then used the remaining pieces to make shelves that are attached with zip ties.
This way I have multiple shelves so I can separate the colors of cardstock. Then when I want a piece of a certain color, I only have a few stacked up on a shelf, rather than having to dig through a big stack. My cardstock is arranged by color families, just like in the Stampin’ Up! Idea Book & Catalog. I do keep Whisper White and Very Vanilla on the top shelf because I use them the most. The big stack on the bottom is extra full packs that I don’t have room for on their shelf.
When I first started with Stampin’ Up!, card stock came in cello bags, so that’s what I’ve always kept mine in. They keep the card stock together and dust free. They aren’t in the catalog, but I can order them as a supply item if you are interested. They come in two sizes: 9 x 14 (pack of 50) and 14 x 14 (pack of 25) and are $8.95 each.
I store my 12 x 12 cardstock and Designer Series Papers in snap top carrying cases that fit in a cart. I didn’t put the wheels on the bottom of my cart though, as I have no reason to move it. This particular cart holds 6 of the cases, so I have one for card stock, one for current DSP, one for retired DSP, one for miscellaneous scrapbooking embellishments that I hope to find a use for someday, one has the wheels for the cart and extra plates for my Big Shot, and the last one is empty, just in case! And my Big Shot sits on top so it’s easy to get to!
Another option for storing your paper is vertically, in paper holders that look like magazine files. The ones Stampin’ Up! carries are on page 193 of the Idea Book & Catalog. They are made of sturdy plastic and are a “frosted” white color. They come flat and you just tuck some flaps in on the bottom to create the holders. Set them on a shelf and you’re ready to organize your card stock! These also come in two sizes: 8 ½ x 11 and 12 x 12 and hold up to 200 sheets. There are also dividers to separate colors or patterns.
Or you can store your card stock in hanging files. Use a piece of the card stock as the label so you know what color is in which file. They can be kept in a desk drawer or a separate cart designed just for hanging files. Smaller pieces can be kept in a plastic bag in each file.
I keep my larger pieces of cardstock in the cello bags with the full size sheets. Smaller pieces are kept in a small plastic box that Chase wanted when he was little to store his Hot Wheels in, but he quickly outgrew it. There are four sections in the front where I keep my scraps from the four color collections, and two sections in back where I keep white and vanilla scraps and miscellaneous scraps.
I always go to the scrap box first when I need a small piece of cardstock, rather than cutting up a new sheet. I waste a lot less card stock this way!
Next month: Punches!
