6 Types of Paper for Children's Party Favors

Quick summary: If you want to know which paper to use to make personalized boxes I recommend using the 180g glossy photo paper, or 180g matte, offset, and Opaline paper. In this article I explain when to choose photographic and when to choose Matte.

Transparency with the reader: This post contains affiliate links. I can receive commission for purchases made through them, at no extra cost to you

Choosing the right paper makes all the difference to the outcome of your souvenir. It influences you:

• The firmness of the piece,
• The quality of the print,
• The brightness of the colors and
• The perceived value of the product.

If you're just starting out and want to know which are the best souvenir papers this article will simplify your choice.

Here you will understand what the main roles are for making the personalized boxes, when to use each one, which grammage goes best with each product and which best printer for souvenirs use.

The idea is to help you, who are looking for information on how to work with Personalized Stationery for children's parties, get the paper right, avoid waste and produce more beautiful, professional and easy-to-sell pieces.

Which paper to use to make personalized boxes?

It is important to know that there is no single “best role” for all projects. The ideal role changes depending on the project:

• The type of souvenir,
• The finish you want,
• The type of printer you are going to use and
• The taste of the mother or her

In practical terms, the glossy photo paper (with gloss) or matte (matte) 180g are usually the most popular choice for personalized boxes because they deliver shine, vivid colors and a more elegant look.

To find out which Souvenir paper doesn't smudge or fade, I made this post to explain

Most popular types of paper for souvenirs in 2026

Glossy photo paper

It has a glossy finish and usually enhances the colors of the artwork. It is often used on milk boxes, pyramid boxes, candy boxes and other models where the look needs to attract attention.

Matte photo paper

This is the matte version of photo paper. Maintains good print quality, but with a smoother appearance and no glare

Offset paper or Opaline paper

Matte paper has good rigidity and is also widely used for personalized boxes and tags.

Coated paper

It has a smooth surface and can deliver great visual results, but can only be used on laser printers.

Kraft paper

It's perfect for souvenirs with a rustic or handmade look. It appears a lot in parties with a nature theme, farms and more minimalist proposals.

Special papers

These are more robust and distinctive options, suitable for projects that require cutting machines, like Offcut, as they are more rigid. Glittered, holographic, metallic and textured papers are also available.

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Ideal weight for each type of souvenir

The weight of the paper influences the firmness of the product. In general, the higher the weight, the more full-bodied the piece tends to be. This table will help you understand how this question of paper works:

REMINDER	GRAMMAR	PAPER	PRACTICAL NOTE
Milk box, pyramid and all the boxes	180g	Photo Glossy, Matte, Offset or Opaline	It is one of the most balanced weights for most boxes.
Firmer cake toppers and tags	230g	Photo Glossy or Matte	Helps to give more support to decorative items.
Stickers and labels	90 to 130g	Photo Glossy or Matte	The exact choice depends on the type of end use.
Invitations, cards and premium items	200g	Special glitter, holographic, metallic and textured papers.	Ideal when the perception of finish is a priority.

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Souvenir papers and the right printer

As I said before, in addition to the type of paper you use, the printer is important so that the souvenir comes out with quality, doesn't smudge and doesn't crack when you crease the personalized box. But this table below will help guide you when buying your printer.

Paper	Printer	Brand
Glossy photo paper	Inkjet	Epson Ecotank L3250
Matte Photo Paper	Inkjet	Epson Ecotank L3250
Offset or Opaline paper	inkjet	Epson Ecotank L3250
Couché paper	Laser	Konica Minolta
Kraft paper	Inkjet	Canon G4111

In the video below I go into even more detail about why you should choose the right paper when printing your children's party favors

Before buying souvenir papers, Check that your printer accepts that type of material and that weight. This step avoids jams, printing failures and waste.

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My Experience with Party Favor Paper

I've been working with personalized party favors since 2012, and when I first started, I used coated paper because I had my prints done at a quick-print shop, and they used a laser printer.

Over time, I bought my Epson printer inkjet printer and started printing at home. With this printer, I could use both glossy photo paper and matte paper.

So I chose photo paper precisely because I like my party favors to sparkle.

After processing hundreds of orders, I recommend using Off Paper brand 180g photo paper for your personalized boxes. For labels, use 115g to 130g adhesive paper—they turn out great. But if you’re planning to make a cake topper, use 250g photo paper.

Common mistakes when choosing paper for souvenirs

1. - Buy only for the price and ignore the finish.
2. - Choosing a weight that is incompatible with the structure of the garment.
3. - Use beautiful paper, but it's not suitable for the printer you already have.
4. - Don't test the print before making a larger purchase.
5. - Mixing different papers without thinking about the visual effect of the whole.

Most popular brands of souvenir paper

Now I've been working in this field for more than 12 years and I've tested various types and brands of paper and that's why I have indicate the brands of paper that I use and like the most due to the quality are the OFFPAPER , MASTERPRINT and JOJO

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Transparency with the reader: This post contains affiliate links. I can receive commission for purchases made through them, at no extra cost to you

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Which paper to use in the cutting machine?

Credits: Souvenirs made by Ana Claudia, see more on Instagram @instadaanaclaudia

If you intend to use Cutting Machine to make your souvenirs, you need to know that these machines usually cut more than just souvenir papers. They also cut fabric, vinyl, magnets and a wide variety of special papers

Some souvenir papers that are cut by cutting machines.

• 1. Photographic paper
• 2. Scrapbook paper
• 3. Metallized paper or lamicote
• 4. Holographic paper
• 5. Glitter paper

Party Favor Course for Beginners: Free and with a Certificate.

If you want to working professionally making and selling personalized souvenirs without leaving home, I prepared a Free "100%" Personalized Party Favors Course, where I teach everything from materials to pricing.

For over 12 years, I've been teaching women how to make party favors, and if you'd like to learn from me, I suggest you start today with this one PERSONALIZED SOUVENIRS Course where, in the end, you put it together your first Party Kit with 4 products.

Conclusion

Getting it right souvenir papers is an essential step in creating more beautiful, resistant and professional products. Once you understand the difference between types of paper and weights, it's much easier to choose the right material for each project and avoid wastage.

If you're just starting out, a safe strategy is test the 180g photo paper first in 2 or 3 boxes and put together an initial portfolio. (Learn how to put together a souvenir portfolio)

Save this article and have it as a guide to refer to whenever you produce new pieces

With the right paper and quality printing, your personalized stationery productsThey will stand out and impress their customers.

Now it's time to put that knowledge into practice and create amazing personalized stationery products. That's why Download CUSTOM BOX TEMPLATES to practice with the exercises you've learned here.

If you enjoyed this content, I'd like to invite you to join the MY WHATSAPP VIP GROUP to receive more tips and information about this market and to follow me on @instadaanaclaudia

Frequently asked questions about souvenir paper

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