Exact Index Cardstock, 94 Brightness, 90 lb /163 gsm, 1000 S
✅ PROS
- Genuine 90 lb / 163 gsm weight — thick enough for business cards and invitations without jamming standard printers
- 94 brightness gives crisp, high-contrast prints; colors pop without looking washed out
- 1000-sheet carton works out to serious per-sheet savings versus buying reams at retail
❌ CONS
- Not coated — inkjet photos can bleed slightly; skip this if you need glossy photo output
- Cardstock this heavy can curl if you print double-sided on a low-end inkjet; let it dry flat
- Ships in a soft carton — some buyers report corner damage in transit, though sheets themselves arrive fine
The Verdict
The Heavyweight That Does More Than You’d Expect
Most cardstock under $30 falls into one of two camps: too flimsy for real projects, or so textured it jams every printer you own. The Exact Index Cardstock sits in a sweet spot that’s genuinely rare. At 90 lb / 163 gsm, it’s thick enough to feel like a real product — think business cards, hang tags, or invitation suites — yet stiff enough to feed through a standard laser or inkjet without drama.
What You Actually Get
Open the carton and you’re looking at a full 1000 sheets of bright white (94 brightness) index stock. That’s not a typo — a thousand sheets. The weight translates to about 0.0095 inches per sheet, which puts it right between standard copy paper and true cover stock. You get a smooth, uncoated surface that takes toner beautifully and handles most inkjet inks well, though it’s not engineered for photo-grade output.
The sheets measure a true 8.5 x 11 inches with clean, square cuts. No ragged edges, no weird sizing variance. For a bulk product at this price point, the consistency is notable.
Real-World Performance
I ran this through a Brother laser printer, an HP inkjet, and a Cricut cutting machine. Laser printing? Flawless. Text is sharp, graphics are dense, and there’s zero ghosting or bleed-through even with heavy coverage. The inkjet did well too — colors looked vibrant on the bright white base — but I did notice slight feathering on saturated photo areas. That’s the tradeoff for uncoated stock.
The Cricut cut through it cleanly at standard pressure settings. No tearing, no fuzzy edges. For crafters, that’s the difference between a frustrating afternoon and a productive one.
What Buyers Keep Saying
The 4.6-star average across 229 ratings holds up when you read the actual feedback. One buyer noted, “I’ve bought this three times now. It feeds through my Canon inkjet without jamming, which is more than I can say for the expensive stuff at the office supply store.” Another echoed the value angle: “A thousand sheets for this price — I use it for all my client presentation mockups and it looks professional every time.”
The durability gets consistent praise too. Multiple reviewers mention using it for file folders, index cards, and even lightweight signage that holds up to handling.
Where It Falls Short
Let’s be straight about the downsides. This is uncoated cardstock, so if you’re printing glossy photos or need water-resistant output, look elsewhere. The brightness is good but not blinding — it’s 94, not 98 — so if you’re a graphic designer matching Pantone proofs, you’ll want a premium coated stock instead.
Double-sided printing on budget inkjets can cause minor curl, especially with heavy ink coverage. Let the sheets flatten under a book for an hour and you’re fine, but it’s a real quirk.
The packaging is the other weak point. It ships in a flexible carton, and a few reviewers report dinged corners. The sheets themselves arrive pristine, but if you’re the type who wants a pristine box for storage, set expectations accordingly.
Who Should Buy This
Buy it if: You’re a teacher making flashcards, a small business owner printing your own business cards or hang tags, a crafter running a Cricut or Silhouette, or anyone who burns through cardstock regularly and wants a reliable, budget-friendly workhorse.
Skip it if: You need photo-realistic inkjet output, want a coated or textured surface, or only print occasionally — in that case, a smaller pack of premium stock makes more sense than 1000 sheets.
FAQ
Will this jam my printer? It’s 90 lb, which is within spec for most modern printers. If your printer struggles with heavy media, use the manual feed tray and set your paper type to “cardstock” or “heavy weight.” I had zero jams across three different machines.
Can I use it in a Cricut or Silhouette? Yes. It cuts cleanly at standard pressure. Use a fine-point blade for intricate designs and a deep-point blade for heavy scoring.
Is it double-sided printable? Yes, but be mindful of ink saturation. On inkjets, heavy coverage on both sides can cause slight see-through. Laser printing handles double-sided without issue.
The Verdict
The Exact Index Cardstock delivers exactly what it promises: reliable, thick, bright paper at a price that makes bulk buying actually sensible. It’s not flashy, but it’s the kind of product that disappears into your workflow because it just works. The 4.6/5 rating is earned — not through gimmicks, but through consistent performance across printing, cutting, and crafting applications.
Rating: 4.6/5 — Buy it if you need dependable heavyweight stock in volume. Skip it only if you need coated or photo-grade paper.
Where to Buy
We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — this helps fund more honest reviews.
Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.