Getting Started with Card Making

You occasionally want to give your loved ones something a little more meaningful in today’s increasingly digital world. What could be more special than a card that was lovingly made by hand?

Making cards is a challenging, enjoyable hobby that can be used for many different occasions. Learn all about the fundamentals of card making with this helpful beginner’s guide, which is sure to charm the socks off anyone in your life.

What is Card making?

Making cards entails manually creating greeting cards. They can be created from scratch, with the aid of a kit or template. Additionally, you can use a variety of decorative elements to completely personalize your card, which is something that store-bought cards lack. Making your cards has an infinite number of uses, from commemorating a life event to expressing condolences, or mailing out invitations and birthday cards. Greeting card making is not a new craft; it has been practiced for hundreds of years. However, thanks to modern technology, cards are now more intricate and detailed than ever. 

a cropped image of the artist holding a template for scrapbooking handmade postcard

What Tools are Needed for Card Making?

scrapbook background. Card and tools with decoration

1. Card Stock

Cardstock, which is what you’ll use as the foundation of your design and is available in hundreds of different colors and patterns, is crucial. Depending on your preferences and the level of detail you’ll be adding to it, cardstock comes in a variety of colors and thicknesses. You can select a sheet and cut it to size yourself, or you can choose pre-made blank cards that you can customize however you like.

2. Adhesives

To adhere your designs and embellishments to your card, you’ll need adhesives like glue and tape pens, foam pads, and decorative washi tape. Finding your favorite adhesive may require some trial and error because there are so many different types to pick from.

3. Cutting Tools

Cutting tools come in a variety of varieties, just like adhesives. For your card bases, you can get a nice, straight edge by using scissors and guillotines. You can cut delicate and intricate decorative elements with the aid of craft knives and fine-tipped scissors. You may want to experiment with a few different types of cutting tools since they will all depend on your personal preferences! If you’re going to use craft knives or want to protect your surface, be sure to buy a cutting mat.

4. Die-cutting Machines

Die-cutting machines make it quick and simple to cut out complex patterns, words, and shapes that would otherwise take hours to make by hand. A great next step in your card making journey is to use a die-cutting machine to give homemade card creations a personalized and expert finish.

Designing your Card

The ability to design, embellish, and make your personalized card for any occasion is unquestionably the best part of making cards. To accomplish this, you can pick up a variety of crafting tools. You can make a lovely card centerpiece using a variety of tools, including stamps and inks to create eye-catching messages and designs, stencils to create lovely repeating patterns, and markers in a variety of colors and effects. There are countless embellishments available as well, ranging from ribbon and glitter to 3D flowers and stick-on gems, to give your decorated card the ideal finishing touch. 

How Do you Make a Card for Beginners?

There are a plethora of different tools and techniques available for you to try in the world of card making, which is incredibly versatile. We understand that having so many options can be a bit overwhelming for beginners. So don’t worry, we’ll show you how to make the most lovely and heartfelt cards using just some cardstock, stamps, ink, and pens to get you started.

Closeup of a senior woman making homemade greeting cards with stamps and cardstock

Step 1: The Occasion

Choosing the occasion is the first step in creating a card. Do you need it for a birthday or are you making Christmas cards? The occasion might determine the color of cardstock you want to use, the pictures and text you want to include, as well as the design of your card.

Step 2: The Layout

You need to choose the layout and design after you’ve selected your theme, your color scheme, and your cardstock. Whether you’re starting with a flat piece of cardstock, a kit to make cards, or a pack of blank cards, deciding how your card will look in advance is a crucial step that will help you avoid mistakes later. 

Decide whether your card will be landscape or portrait-oriented before gathering your materials and planning the components you want to use. Before committing and gluing anything down, layer up any multiple elements, such as frames, paper pieces, and embellishments, in the rough design you want.

Step 3: Creating your Card Design

Using a stamp and ink is one of the simplest options for a total beginner when making your card’s focal point. Stamping supplies are available in a wide variety of styles and are the ideal, multipurpose way to start your card-making journey. You don’t need to buy a ton of different colors just yet unless you want to; even plain black ink can be used to create a lovely design.

Simply stamp your image and text onto your card to complete the project. A stamping platform is a fantastic tool for crafters who are just starting. Any clear acrylic stamp can be used with this simple and affordable tool. For a flawless, smudge-free finish, simply align your stamp using the grid and press down onto your card. After the ink has dried, you can finish your card by coloring your design with markers or colored pencils.

Stamping your sentiment or design onto a different, colored piece of card or paper before cutting it out and adhering it to the card is a quick and simple way to give a card more interest. This has the added advantage of letting you experiment with various stamps and designs without having to commit or worry about making mistakes, in addition to looking neat and professional.

Step 4: The Finishing Touches

If you enjoy crafting, you may already have a supply of supplies you can use to embellish your card. You can get creative with materials like tissue and decorative paper, fabric, sequins, buttons, and other odds and ends you’ve used for other projects. There are so many embellishments to try, like adding some shimmer with glitter and sequins or going wild with 3D decorations like fluffy pom poms, tassels, or ribbon bows.

Conclusion

Send a special message to that special someone on their occasion by letting your creative side show. Get started with this guide as you start making your cards!