Pam Strobel Creates

Five Reasons Why I Love Designer Series Paper

Five Reasons Why I Love Designer Series Paper

In this article, I will be discussing the main reasons why I am a fan of Stampin' Up!'s Designer Series Paper (DSP). It has been absolutely essential when creating many of my projects and I am convinced you could experience the same satisfaction. Lets jump into it!

1) Color Coordination

When I decide to design and create a handmade card, I first think about my color options. The second thing I look for is the ability to dress up the card with a patterned design. As an example, think of a solid sofa with patterned pillows. Those patterns on the pillows give a more interesting look to your sofa and patterned paper does the exact same for your cards. Most of the time those fabric patterns are filled with multiple colors. Stampin’ Up!’s Designer Series Paper is no different.

The designers at Stampin’ Up! create patterns and multiple colors in them that are specifically designed to match Stampin’ Up!’s solid paper. This is huge advantage for someone like me who always strives to have the perfect color match. And Stampin’ Up! makes it so easy to match the colors because all of the colors in the Designer Series Paper are listed on the back of the package.

What does that mean? It means I don’t need to stress or obsess about what colors I will need and neither do you. We can go to our card stock supply and match up card stock color, ink, and other accessories knowing that they will coordinate perfectly.

This easy color coordination is a serious time saver but still gives us that perfectly matched look so many of us are striving for.

Countryside Inn


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Fresh as a Daisy


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2) Quick Cards

Sometimes I want to be able to make a quick, no fuss card. In other words, I don’t want to think about the design process slowing me down. By using a full piece of 5 1/4” x 4” of Designer Series Paper, I can quickly fill up the front of a card with a sleek design and vibrant color. This easy step means I suddenly have an interesting design and color variation with zero fuss. As I often say, “Let the Designer Series Paper do the work for you.”

Once that patterned layer is in place on the front of my card, all I have to do it add a sentiment to express my thoughts. I often need “Thank You” cards so I make sure I have multiple font choices in my stamping supplies. Whether it’s a font with a block look or a swirly script, it gives me the freedom to create a new look with the same message. Some of my favorite “Thank You” sets are: Good Feelings, Go to Greetings, and Layering Leaves.

Good Feelings

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Go to Greetings

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Layering Leaves

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3) Quality and Pattern Designs on Both Sides

I appreciate quality and value in the card making products I purchase. Afterall, one high-quality card has more personal and sentimental value then five lower quality ones. Personally, I think that the Designer Series Paper delivers both quality and value.

First of all, I find that the double-sided patterned paper is thicker and that, along with the world class designs, translates into a feeling and look of superior quality. Secondly, since there are two different designs per sheet, you get a great value because you have multiple designs to choose from.

The patterned design opens up so many possibilities for us as card creators. For example, I like the ability to fold over an edge or corner on one on the panels. This allows me to feature both sides of the paper from just one cut piece! Using this technique is usually an eye catcher, as people try to figure out how I was able to get two designs showing.

Now, is it possible you will not like all of the designs in a particular Designer Series Paper set? Yes, of course that is possible. I will be the first to admit I do not like every design! However, I do appreciate that Stampin’ Up! makes a conscience effort to provide bold designs as well as everyday neutral small patterns. A small red design for Christmas could easily transition over to my Valentine designs later on. The possibilities are endless!

Glorius Gingham


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Zoo Crew


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4) Envelope Coordination

I mentioned earlier that I really enjoy creating matched and coordinated card designs. Often, I attempt to take it one step further, and try to coordinate the card envelope with the card design as well. When I create a decorated envelope that matches my card it really stands out; people notice it. “Oh wow! The envelope matches the card!” a statement that is always rewarding to hear from fellow stampers and receivers of my cards.

In my experience, this extra effort of coordinating the card and the envelope makes the card look like a beautiful mini gift in the mailbox. See some examples below! And if you’re sending it by mail then don’t worry, I’ve found that the quality of the designer paper on the envelopes will withstand the journey through the postal service.

5) Different Paper Sizes

Most veteran stampers know that the standard paper size at Stampin’ Up! is 8.5” x 11”. Even though we can create some fantastic projects with this standard paper, one major advantage of the Designer Series Paper is that they come in different sizes. As of this writing, many of the Designer Series Paper is cut to 6” x 6” or 12” x 12”.

So, what does that mean for us? Simply speaking, sometimes we just need larger or smaller paper sizes for our projects. As an example, I prefer using the larger page format to accommodate projects like journals, books, or 3D boxes. I also use the large format papers to made gift bags embellished with matching tags, flowers, and ribbons. By using the Designer Series Paper these projects often become the “Wow!” projects that I am most proud of. Naturally, I love the look on people’s faces when they see that I went the extra mile to make something so special for them.

Generally, the design advantages of the different sized Designer Series Papers are endless. I’ve used them to make oversized cards and matching envelopes, accordion type folds, 10”x10” books with pinch rings, and a whole lot more. Of course, I save any scraps for further projects because I try to be as low waste as possible.

6x6 Brights


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Inked Botanicals


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Concluding Thoughts

As you can see, there are plenty of benefits that the Designer Series Paper offers us. Different paper sizes, color coordination options, and double-sided designs deliver both quality and value for stampers. I have used them for years and will continue to do so because they are so much fun to use.

If you are interested in the Designer Series Paper then you can check them all out at the Stampin Up! website. For easier shopping, you can see my Designer Series Paper page, where I make it easy to purchase coordinated papers.

That is it from my side! Thanks for joining me on my discussion of Designer Series Paper. Please check out my Articles page for more great insights. And take time to visit more areas of this website, such as the Quick Color Shop, the Mini Store, the Quick Order feature, and naturally my Tutorials section.

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