Is cotton paper the same as regular cardstock?

No. Cotton paper and standard cardstock are made from completely different fibers, and it shows in how they feel and hold up. Regular cardstock comes from wood pulp, while cotton paper is made from cotton fibers.

• Texture: cotton is softer with a distinctive grain you can see and feel
• Durability: cotton resists tearing and creasing better than standard stock
• Longevity: cotton fibers resist yellowing, which is why the material is used for currency and archival documents
• Impression: cotton takes embossing and letterpress beautifully for a premium result

If you want a card that feels substantial and ages well, cotton is a step up from ordinary cardstock in both hand-feel and staying power.