More crafters than ever want their materials to tread lightly — and the good news is that sustainable card no longer means compromising on quality. Here's how to choose eco-friendly cardstock, and what the labels actually mean.

What makes card eco-friendly?

A few things to look for: recycled content (card made from reclaimed material rather than virgin fibre), FSC certification (fibre from responsibly managed forests), and recyclability at end of life. Acid-free and chlorine-free production are gentler on the environment too — and better for archival projects.

Recycled card, reinvented

Recycled card used to mean a flat grey-brown sheet. Not any more. Papers like Extract are made from recycled paper coffee cups and come in contemporary colours with a lovely feel — proof that sustainable can be beautiful. It's ideal for cards, invitation layers and eco-conscious packaging.

Choosing the right eco card for your project

For rustic and botanical themes, natural recycled tones pair beautifully with twine and foliage. For modern designs, coloured recycled stock like Extract keeps things clean and current. Test-print first, as coloured and recycled surfaces can affect how ink appears.

Small choices, real impact

You don't have to overhaul everything at once. Switching your base card, envelopes or packaging inserts to recycled options is an easy first step that adds up across a whole project — or a whole year of making.

Browse our craft papers to find recycled and specialty options, and read our GSM guide to match weight to project.