DIY Greeting Cards

Melia Dicker

by Melia Dicker
September 16, 2009

Take a moment to think about this: How many greeting cards do you buy in a year? Birthdays, holidays, thank-yous, blank cards just to say hey...I'll bet that you buy dozens. The greeting card business is a multi-billion dollar industry that most of us support throughout the year, and throughout our lives. Individual cards can cost anywhere from $2 to $5 each, and packs aren't much cheaper per card.

I decided that I'd rather not spend a bunch of money on something I could make myself. The challenge was getting in the habit of doing it. I'd been meaning to for a while, but I found myself at a crossroads the other day at the office supply store. I had a clear choice: for $10, I could buy a pack of blank, pre-designed notecards with envelopes, or I could buy a pack of 100 invitation envelopes and make my own cards at home (I had all the other materials I needed around the house). It was a crucial "to DIY or not to DIY" moment. I decided to save money and challenge my creativity by choosing the DIY path.

I was surprised at how easy it was to make my own cards, and how a simple design could impress people so easily. Even better, I was able to give my friends a one-of-a-kind card instead of something that millions of other people also receive.

I made this card for the seventh birthday of The Jackson Free Press. Happy birthday, JFP, and here's to many more.

Materials:
• 8 in. by 11 in. heavy cardstock in the color of your choice; I prefer white or ivory ($11-$17 for ream of 250 sheets) OR jumbo notecards ($10 for pack of 100)
• An assortment of magazines with a lot of photos, graphics, or ads. Pick up free magazines around town. (variable cost)
• Optional: photos ($0.10-$0.19 per print)
• Heavy glue stick, like Elmer's Craft Bond, preferably glue that dries clear ($2)
• Invitation envelopes, size A2, 4 3/8 in. by 5 in. ($7-$10 for box of 100)
• Fine-tipped rollerball or gel pen ($2-$5)
• Scissors ($5-$15, though you'll likely have a pair on hand)
• Paper trimmer, optional but recommended; guillotine style is cleanest ($15-$35)


1. Cut the cards to size.

I recommend doing cards in batches, to make the setup and cleanup time investment worthwhile, and to make extra blank cards that you can keep on hand. Before you start, make sure your hands are clean.

Fold a piece of cardstock in half lengthwise. Press down firmly along the folded edge in a continuous motion, to make a smooth crease. With the paper trimmer or scissors, cut the sheet exactly in half, at the 5.5 inch mark. You'll end up with two blank cards per sheet. (You can skip this step if you buy pre-cut blank notecards, but you'll get less for your money.)


2. Cut out images to suit your concept.

Page through magazines to find colorful images. (I prefer not to cut out words and letters, lest the card look like a chain letter or teenage collage). For general cards, look for nature scenes and ad backgrounds with interesting patterns. Because this card had a birthday theme, I thought up a message—"Like a fine wine..you just get better with age. Happy birthday"—and found a couple of wine and vineyard images to illustrate it.

I like to tear images out of magazines so the edges have a rough, do-it-yourself look. I usually leave a couple of the sides that way and cut the other sides with the paper trimmer for a variety of textures.

You can also cut up photographs. I print mine by uploading them online to a drugstore like Walgreens, and picking them up an hour later.


3. Arrange and glue images down.

The size of your images will determine whether your card is horizontal or vertical. Make sure the fold is in the correct place before you glue anything, so the card opens in the right direction.

Arrange the images to your liking, leaving plenty of room for your message (you can write it over the top of the images if you like). Consider overlapping the images or placing them at tilted angles.

Glue images down one by one, trying not to leave any chunks of glue stick that will cause bumps below the surface. Smooth out any air bubbles by pressing firmly with your fingers. To make sure that the edges of the image don't detach from the cardstock, pass the glue stick over the top of them lightly, and spread the glue evenly with your fingertips.


4. Write your message.

With a fine-tipped pen, in the handwriting of your choice, write your message. Consider breaking up the message so a teaser is on the outside and the "punchline" is on the inside. Make sure the ink on the front has dried before you write inside. If you have messy handwriting, ask someone to write for you or print out the text from your computer and glue it down.


5. Personalize and seal up the card.

Using another pen, ideally another color than the one you used for the message, write a personal note. If you like, make your mark on the back of the card (e.g. "Your Name Productions"). Put your card into an invitation envelope, seal it up, and you're done.