Chipboard – Thickness, Types, and Crafting Tips

Chipboard is a pressed paperboard (non-corrugated cardboard). It's made by gluing fragments and layers of recycled paper together. The adhesive is applied using pressure and heat and ends up being smooth and rigid. The thickness of chipboard varies from very thick to very thin, but it is always heavier than cardstock.  Chipboard is popular for scrapbooking, card making, rubber stamp projects and more. It can be painted, inked, distressed, cut and glued.  You can also buy chipboard shapes that are pre-cut, such as witches' hats, birds, and snowflakes.  Adhesive chipboard can look similar to a sticker with dimension, and comes in a variety of themes and shapes.  Chipboard also comes in a variety of colors.  It is sold by the sheet, but can come in bulk packages from 2 to 25 sheets.

Chipboard Sizes

• 12" x 12"
• 8.5" x 11"
• 6" x 6"
• 4" x 4"
• 10" x 16"
• Other sizes are available for different uses, and pre-cut shapes come in a variety of sizes

Thickness

Chipboard thickness is measured by a point system. Each point is 1/1000th of an inch.

• Light - 24 pt or 1/42nd of an inch, about the thickness of a cereal box.
• Extra Heavy - 50 pt or 1/20th of an inch, about the thickness of a penny.

Types and Shapes

Chipboard can come in many different styles. You can get it plain and decorate it with glitter, fabric, paint, or mod podge. It comes pre decorated as well in many differenty shapes and sizes. Some shapes are also embossed, so no matter how you decorate them, the design shows through.

Letters

Come in many different sizes and every letter of the alphabet, so you can use them for many of your scrapbooking or home decor projects. They come pre decorated, as stickers, or plain to decorate yourself.

Shapes

Almost any shape and size imaginable can be found in chipboard. Choose from laser cut 3D shapes, tags, flowers, and more.

Albums

Lightweight and durable scrapbooking album covers.

Sheets

Typically square shaped pieces that can be cut into shapes, used as scrapbook pages and album covers, cut into frames, made into boxes, and more.

Adhesive

Shapes with an adhesive backing. Adhesive chipboard can be used like stickers.

Popular Manufacturers

• Paper Accents
• We R Memory Keepers
• Best Creation
• Bazzill
• K & Company

Project Ideas

• Album covers
• Die cutting
• Alphabet letters and shapes
• Scrapbooking - letters, numbers, titles, shapes, embellishments, etc.
• Notebook or note pad backing
• Backing in frames
• Guides for stenciling
• Create/add thickness in scrapbooking embellishments or monogrammed letters
• Add rub-on letters or stickers to create embellishments
• Gift tags (can be bought pre-cut)
• Labels
• Certificate/award embellishments (add dimension)
• Pennants
• Boxes for small gifts or storage (jewelry, etc.)
• Use adhesive chipboard that is pre-cut: like stickers with dimension!

 

Check out the various projects made with chipboard at our Think Crafts Blog.