The perfect canvas

The sheen of glossy ink. The crisp tearing of the envelope as you reveal what’s inside. The silky softness of the card, accented by subtle ridges of an embossed design.

The paper you choose for your stationery touches every sense. It precedes your message, conveying care and luxury long before the recipient reads the greeting.

The quality and finish of your paper can transform any thank you note or invitation, elevating it from an everyday message to a treasured memory that will be kept for years to come.

At Crane, we combine time-honored traditions and meticulous craftsmanship to create products ranging from premium business papers to high-end stationery. Our signature paper is crafted from 100 percent cotton for softness and texture, making it the perfect canvas for a variety of printing techniques—or your own handwriting.

Ultimately, our core paper types, available in a multitude of sizes, format, colors, and weights, are carefully handcrafted by us to be hand-made by you.

Paper Types And Finishes

Choosing a paper finish is like buying a briefcase or bag that you hope will last a lifetime: Materials and craftsmanship matter. Just as a quality, hand-stitched leather satchel will outlast a synthetic, mass-produced bag, a well-made paper will more beautifully showcase design details and personalizations.

crane kid finish

Our ultimate 100 percent cotton paper, Crane’s Kid Finish feels silky and smooth to the touch with just the right amount of texture to provide a receptive canvas for a range of printing techniques. Compared to wood-pulp papers, cotton papers look brighter and crisper, and their soft fibers allow a clear, precise imprint of even intricate designs. Ultimately, that means a design that stands out and quality you can see and feel.

Crane Lettra

Crafted intentionally for letterpress, Crane’s Lettra paper takes on beautiful, deep impressions. The instant you run your fingers across the surface, you’ll feel its soft cotton fibers, which connect this special paper with its origins and produce a fluffy, feathery texture. Its handmade feel, durability, and quality make it the paper of choice for letterpress companies around the world.

crane kid finish

Crane Lettra

Paper weights

Our paper weight is measured in pounds. Essentially, weight can convey the elevation and sturdiness of a paper. Crane’s lighter weight papers work best for personal notes or letters, while thicker, heavier weight papers match the significance of wedding invitations or professional correspondence. Crane’s 100 percent cotton papers are available in a wide range of weights, so you can find the option that’s perfect for your individual project.

Light weight paper:

Also referred to as text weight paper, lighter weight paper may range from 20 to 74 pounds. It’s ideal for printed and typed letters, so it’s often preferred for general correspondence.

Medium weight paper:

Typically ranging from 64 to 80 pounds, medium weight paper is typically used for notes and cards. It tends to feel more luxurious than light weight paper and holds up well to engraving.

Heavy weight paper:

Generally, any paper product rated above 80 pounds is considered heavy weight. Most correspondence cards are printed on heavy weight paper, so it’s also considered standard card weight. This paper type is also often a preferred choice for letterhead paper and professional stationery.

Premium weight paper:

Reserved for the most special occasions, premium weight paper may be used, for example, in elegant edge treatments on wedding invitations.

Light weight paper:

Also referred to as text weight paper, lighter weight paper may range from 20 to 74 pounds. It’s ideal for printed and typed letters, so it’s often preferred for general correspondence.

Medium weight paper:

Typically ranging from 64 to 80 pounds, medium weight paper is typically used for notes and cards. It tends to feel more luxurious than light weight paper and holds up well to engraving.

Heavy weight paper:

Premium weight paper:

Reserved for the most special occasions, premium weight paper may be used, for example, in elegant edge treatments on wedding invitations.

Paper Colors

There’s nothing plain about white. Subtle differences in shades can make a significant impact on the look and feel of your correspondence. Ecru, for example, comes from the French word for “natural”—so, fittingly, shades of ecru showcase the innate linen or fawn tones of a paper’s fibers. Alternatively, pearl white highlights cooler tones, evocative of the opalescent nature of the gemstone. Fluorescent white, our brightest option, provides a crisp canvas for cards or notes that feature photos. No matter the occasion, we’ll help you find the backdrop for your message.

In addition to those foundational shades of white, we also offer paper in a range of colors, including greys, blues, and pinks, giving you the options you need to create a modern classic.

Paper Sizes and Formats

Beyond personalizing how you want your stationery to look, the nature and length of your sentiment will determine the best format for your message. For a thank you note, you may choose a small folded card, while a personal letter would be better suited for a larger flat sheet of paper. Whatever your message, Crane’s range of paper sizes and formats can help you elevate your thoughts and feelings.

Paper Sizes and Formats

Stationery

Folded notes:

Generally starting at 3” x 5”, folded cards are standard for general correspondence and thank-you notes.

Flat cards:

Usually sized 4” x 6” and larger, flat cards can be used for any number of occasions, from holiday greetings to birth announcements.

Letter SheetS

Half sheets:

Generally about 6” x 8”, these were originally called half sheets because they were half the size of formal letter sheets. Now, these single sheets of paper fold in half to fit in an envelope.

Monarch sheets:

Measuring 7 ¼” x 10 ½”, these larger sheets can be folded twice to fit in an envelope, similar to traditional letterhead. These are used for both social and professional writing.

Letterhead:

The standard 8 ½” x 11” sheet, these are usually used for business correspondence.

Letter SheetS

Half sheets:

Generally about 6” x 8”, these were originally called half sheets because they were half the size of formal letter sheets. Now, these single sheets of paper fold in half to fit in an envelope.

Monarch sheets:

Measuring 7 ¼” x 10 ½”, these larger sheets can be folded twice to fit in an envelope, similar to traditional letterhead. These are used for both social and professional writing.

Letterhead:

The standard 8 ½” x 11” sheet, these are usually used for business correspondence.

Business and Calling Cards

Business cards:

measure 2” x 3 ½’. Traditionally, these cards include your company name, title, position, and contact information. However, they’re often used today even outside of a business context: You can also design cards of this size with your name, email address, and social media handles and hand them out them socially.

Calling cards:

Measure 2 7/16” x 3 ½”. This size card was historically used socially to “call” on friends and neighbors. Now, this larger format can be used for traditional business purposes and creative uses alike.

Invitations

Royalty:

6 3/16” x 8 ⅞”, this classic size invitation is perfect for the most formal affairs.

Embassy:

5 ½” x 7 ½”, this invitation size offers versatility, accommodating both modern styles and traditional formats.

Marquis:

A square 6 ¾” x 6 ¾”, this size offers a contemporary look for invitations that stand apart from the crowd—and the rest of the letters in the mailbox.

Invitations

Royalty:

6 3/16” x 8 ⅞”, this classic size invitation is perfect for the most formal affairs.

Embassy:

5 ½” x 7 ½”, this invitation size offers versatility, accommodating both modern styles and traditional formats.

Marquis:

A square 6 ¾” x 6 ¾”, this size offers a contemporary look for invitations that stand apart from the crowd—and the rest of the letters in the mailbox.

A Guide to Paper Choices

Authentically expressing yourself goes beyond choosing the design for the front of your correspondence—selecting the right paper finish, size, and color is equally as important. The texture, form, and weight of your paper activates the senses to give a deliberate tangibility to your words. Our concierge services can help you choose the combination that feels uniquely yours.

Bulk Paper Options

Whether you are printing a small batch of invitations for an intimate wedding or you’re a calligrapher who hand letters thousands of cards and envelopes a year, we want to give you the experience of Crane stationery. Our bulk paper options are available to those who have in-house printing available or simply need a generous supply of paper. Contact us to learn more about bulk paper purchasing options.