Unique Handmade Birthday Cards? Quick Answer

This article was co-authored by wikiHow contributor Hannah Madden. Hannah Madden is a writer, editor, and artist currently based in Portland, Oregon. In 2018, she graduated from Portland State University with a B.S. in environmental studies. Hannah enjoys writing articles about conservation, sustainability and eco-friendly products. When she’s not writing, Hannah works on hand embroidery projects and listens to music. This article has been viewed 317,012 times.

Article overview

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To make your own greeting card, gather paper, scissors, glue and any decorations you want to use. Start by folding a piece of colored construction paper in half, then add some decorations like paper shapes or stickers to the front of your card. You can also add text to match the occasion, like “Happy Birthday!” or “Congratulations!” After decorating the front of the card, add a personal note to the inside and put it in an envelope before giving it to someone. If you want to learn how to cut a window on the front of your card, keep reading the article!

question

How can I try different fonts?

Community Response

The best way to try writing in different fonts is to just do it. Go to Pinterest or another similar platform and find some fonts you want to try. Start with the alphabet in upper and lower case, then move on to sentences. “The nimble brown fox jumps over the lazy dog” is a good sentence because you can use it to practice each letter. If you need other writing supplies, try without them until YOU think you’re ready to make progress.

Selling Handmade Cards – Don’t forget to include your contact details!

Posted on November 27th, 2012 by Papermilldirect

Filed under How to sell handmade cards

How to pack handmade cards: contact details

One of the great things about selling your handmade cards is you know the buyer will be passing them on to a loved one, friend or family member – to share your work. For a craftsman or artist, it’s like someone personally recommending their work. Take full advantage by making sure your company contact details are clearly visible on the back of the card.

What to write on the back of a handmade card?

contact details

If you want to keep it short on the back, it’s best to have a web address – an email address isn’t necessary then, as anyone interested in your cards can quickly find out everything there is to know. A simple sticker will suffice and this can be printed easily and relatively inexpensively.

A brief artist biography

When you turn over a card there is often a small brief biography of the artist/designer. Not only is it a great way to get the recipient of a card with your name on it, it’s also at a trade show or market when a person can pick up a card and read the little blurb on the back about you. Those little details can really make all the difference when someone chooses a greeting card or a pack of Christmas cards. When printing it out yourself, make sure that the text is legible and not too long. Look at the back of store-bought art cards for ideas.

logo

The back of the card often has the designer’s logo on it – again you can print this or use stickers. This is a great way to give your cards a branded feel and tie them to your website and social media marketing.

This is how the map is made

You can also add a few details about the materials used, e.g. B. If made on Papermilldirect card you can add that the card was made in the UK. Or if you used recycled materials, you can add a little line to it. These details also add context to the card and the recipient may be curious to learn more about your work online. All of these ideas are regularly used on the back of greeting cards, but make sure the information is clear. Also consider the additional time it will take you to add this information and the cost of printing. While marketing is a great idea, it has to be within your budget – a simple mailing label sticker can do the trick!

Card inserts – another marketing opportunity

Cellophane wrapping a card not only allows you to add a branded sticker, but also gives you the option to add a simple printed insert. It could be a business card or just a small flyer to tell the buyer more about your handmade card business and encourage future sales. You could even include some good pictures of your other designs along with your web address prominently. If you don’t have a website, adding a Facebook fan page address would work just as well – just make sure you’ve filled out all your profile information so they know how to get in touch and order more cards.

What do you write or print on the back of your handmade greeting cards?

How to print your own greeting cards

Printable greeting cards

Below we offer step-by-step instructions on how to print your own cards at home, but if you decide you’re not ready after all, we also offer card printing services! Just select a card, send us your file and we’ll do the rest!

Order printed cards and envelopes

Because our half-fold cards are 8 1/2 x 11 before folding, they’re perfect for printable greeting cards. And because they’re pre-scored, they’re easy to hand fold to 5 1/2 x 8 1/2. Use these half folds for wedding invitations, programs, handmade greeting cards or anything you can think of. Print on the front, back, inside left and/or right or any combination of the card panels. It’s all up to you!

We print together step by step

You will learn how to create a personalized birthday card for a child using your computer with Microsoft Word and your printer. You can use what we show you to print any type of semi-fold card you may want to print in the future, whether you print on just the front or any combination of their panels.

If you have Microsoft Word, you can create a print template

You can certainly download one of our free pre-made print templates to help print your card, but watch this video to learn how to create your own template using Microsoft Word.

The screenshots may differ from what you see in Word or in your printer driver, but poke around the interface and you’ll find the common settings we’re using.

Step 1: Create a new document, set margins and orientation

Create a new document in Word.

In the Page Setup area, set the Orientation to Landscape instead of Portrait.

Set the top, bottom, left, and right margins to 0.5

Make sure the paper size is now 11 inches wide and 8 1/2 inches high. If it doesn’t, set the paper size to these dimensions (the same size as an 8 ½ x 11 paper turned on its side).

Step 2: Center the text

Click on the center icon. You should find it with the other paragraph formatting buttons.

This way, any text you type into your template will be centered on each side of the half-fold and eventually on each of the printed panels of your card.

Step 3: Make 2 columns for left and right side

Since the paper is scored in the middle to fold it in two equal halves, we’ll create two columns for our wording. These columns match each panel of the half-fold paper. The left column is printed on the left side of the paper and the right column is printed on the right side.

Format > Columns

In the Presets area, click Two.

In the Width and Spacing section, enter 1 for Spacing

Step 4: Create the cover of your card

In the template, use the right page/column to print the cover.

Use the Enter key to move the cursor down the left column one line at a time until the cursor reaches the top of the right column.

Type your text and get creative with wording, font, font size and even font color if you have a color printer.

Once you’re happy with how your cover looks, save your Word document so you can refer to it if you ever want to make changes.

In addition to the text, you may want to bring a photograph, scanned drawing, or other image. In the video we use an image from Microsoft’s clip art collection.

Step 5: Print the cover of the card

You need to understand how scored paper folds to know which side is up and which side is down. We cover this in a separate video, How to fold pre-scored cards, which is definitely worth doing before you delve into scored paper.

Load semi-folded paper into your printer, small edge first, as you would any other 8 ½ x 11 paper

If you are working on a Windows PC, enter your printer driver and change the orientation from portrait to landscape.

Click OK and print the page

On a Mac computer, the orientation is usually set as the document is set, and since the Word template is set to landscape, you shouldn’t need to make any changes.

Step 6: Create the card’s inner greeting

Instead of creating a new template for the inside of the card, use the same template you just printed and overwrite the content with whatever you want to print on the inside right.

Save the document and rename it to distinguish it from the cover sheet.

Step 7: Print the greeting on the inside of the card

When you are ready to print, insert the printed half-fold into the printer so that the print appears on the inside right side of the card.

Follow the format you used in step 5

Until you are sure on which side of the paper and in which direction your printer is printing, you can test the print with regular copy paper. It will become second nature in no time.

Take this knowledge and create!

You just learned how to create a greeting card template from scratch using Microsoft Word. Now you have the confidence to create any type of card and print it on our Half Folds from the comfort of your home using only your computer and printer.

Nothing compares to sending heartfelt and personalized photo cards to friends and family. Learn how to make a photo card at home in four easy steps – choose your favorite photos, choose a theme, personalize and finally print your photo cards. There’s no shortage of sweet sentiments to send by making your own photo cards at home. Perfect for every season and every success. Creating photo cards online to send to loved ones is a great way to let them know you’re thinking of them.

From unique holiday photo cards to wedding thank you cards, the options are endless to customize your card design. With all these options, you’re sure to find or create a photo card theme that best suits your needs and style. Don’t forget to include matching mailing labels to complete your total package. Browse our photo card ideas below to get started with your custom photo card today!

How to make your own photo cards online

Designing a photo card at home is the perfect solo activity or a fun project to tackle with a family member. Options for creating custom photo cards range from Christmas cards and birthday cards to baby shower invitations or birth announcements.

For everyday occasions or more important milestones, you can bring your ideas to life. Get started with these four easy steps!

Step 1: Upload your favorite photos

Choosing your favorite photos to upload is the most exciting part of creating custom cards. It’s the perfect time to relive your fondest memories, from travel adventures to family reunions and more. From zero to four or more photos, you have the freedom to share as many or as few memories with your recipients as you like.

Keep your theme in mind when deciding the number of photos and their orientation. For best results, use the recommended image upload specifications.

Step 2: Choose a map theme

The best photo cards are the ones with inspired designs that show off your personality. First, find the category of card you want to create, whether it’s graduation announcements, wedding appointments, or greeting cards.

Browse through the themes when choosing your design using the card templates provided. Do you prefer minimalist and simple, floral and whimsical or glitter and glamour? Your personal style and preferences are a good starting point for setting the direction of your photo cards. From there you can select your preferred layout. If you prefer to create your own design, you can also upload your own design.

By choosing ahead of time the number of photos you want to include in your photo card, design choices become easier. The more photos you use, the more the overall orientation of your card may change, along with the size of the text and any personalized elements.

Step 3: Personalize your photo card

Consider your trim options – regular, rounded, clip, scalloped edge, or ticket. You can also choose between folded smooth cardstock or pearlescent cardstock for your paper. Composing a warm greeting is another fun way to personalize your photo cards for your recipients. Make a statement with a simple one-liner or share your latest memory.

When your layout is almost complete, add more personalization details to your photo cards. Highlight those memories with personalized foil or glitter to add some extra flair.

If you want to take a closer look at your final design, Shutterfly offers two design review options: basic review for elements like spelling and grammar, print legibility and photo resolution, or plus review, which includes all the basic features plus photo retouching.

Step 4: Order your photo cards

After following these steps, you can almost print your photo cards with just a few simple clicks. Depending on the number of people you want to send cards to, decide the quantity and whether you need envelopes. If you want to save time, you can order pre-addressed envelopes or have Shutterfly postage and mail the cards for you.

View your final product in Preview mode for an accurate representation of how your design will print. Double check your design and save the project. Once you’re happy with your design, it’s time to order your stunning personalized photo cards!

types of photo cards

You can print your greeting cards as a folded photo card or as a flat photo card. For easy photo card making, decide which orientation is right for the design when you start making photo cards. Choose between landscape or portrait orientation for your photos before proceeding to choose the layout, card size, and subject.

Folded photo cards

For an elegant option, print cards like your christening thank you photo cards, custom holiday photo cards, or Easter photo cards on a folded design. You can further personalize your folded photo cards by customizing the layout, orientation, size and theme.

Layouts: Decide whether you want your folded card to have a single fold, a tri-fold, or a window fold.

: Decide whether you want your folded card to have a single fold, a triple fold, or a window fold. Map Sizes: Choose between a 5×5, 5×7, or 6×8 map.

: Choose between a 5×5, 5×7 or 6×8 map. Themes: Add an elegant touch with a floral, minimal, or monogrammed theme. Keep it natural with a botanical, tropical, or outdoor theme. To give your photo cards a special flair, choose a theme like sparkle and shine.

Flat photo cards

Save the date photo cards, happy new year photo cards, and graduation photo cards are great options for a flat card. Make your flat photo card your own by personalizing your keepsake with a specific layout, orientation, size and theme.

Layouts: The orientation of your map size determines the layout of your design.

: The orientation of your map size determines the layout of your design. Map Sizes: Choose between a 4×8, 5×5, 5×7, or 6×8 map.

: Choose between a 4×8, 5×5, 5×7 or 6×8 map. Themes: You have endless theme options to make the design your own. Create your Christmas photo cards with Feliz Navidad, first Christmas or merry and happy themes. Or add texture to your Thanksgiving photo cards with rustic wood or plaid patterns.

Additional Resources

A fridge full of unique photo card designs will add a personal touch to any home. Whether you want to create the best holiday photo cards, wedding thank you cards, or Mother’s and Father’s Day cards, designing your own is a unique way to look back on your memories. If you need to change the date of your event or celebration, custom photo cards come with a reprint promise so you can easily update your designs. Browse our additional resources for inspiration on how to create custom photo cards:

If you love card making and want to take your card making a step further, maybe it’s time to start planning a handmade card business. If you’re serious about growing your hobby into a business, take a look at some tips to get you started and create an initial business plan.

The card making business

Making and selling handmade greeting cards offers an opportunity to simply make a few extra dollars or build a substantial income. Most small card companies fall somewhere between these two extremes. Handmade cards are still popular and many people enjoy giving handmade cards as gifts for birthdays and other special occasions. The greeting card market is a $7.5 billion annual industry.

Learn the ropes

If you are new to starting a business there is a wealth of support and information available including online groups. If you plan to sell on Etsy, you can find many tutorials to help you get started. You will also find a wide range of books published on the subject of successfully running a handcrafted business. When looking for books, make sure you find books that are current. The market for selling handmade cards and other products is constantly changing. Another great option is online training and workshops.

Plan before you start

Before you start selling your handmade cards, take some time to plan. You need a business plan. Investing time in planning ahead can help you stay on track, achieve your goals, and avoid unpleasant pitfalls along the way. There are a number of elements that you need to consider during the planning process. Where will you sell? Who is your target audience? What makes you unique? These are just some of the questions you need to answer when developing a roadmap for your business.

Determine where you will sell

One of the first things you need to do is decide where you will physically sell your tickets. Will you be selling online with your own store, on a managed platform like Etsy, or through local businesses and craft fairs? Word of mouth and selling tickets to family and friends will only go so far when it comes to selling tickets. A good research will help to determine the possibilities.

There is a growing number of online craft marketplaces such as Etsy, Amazon’s Handmade, Artfire and many other specialized sites. Selling online is a viable proposition for anyone who has access to the internet. No technical skills are required to set up an online store on these handcrafted online marketplaces. Starting a shop on Etsy is relatively quick and easy. But you’ll need to work hard at taking top-notch photos of your cards, creating great product descriptions, and learning about search engine optimization and keywords to really get your online business off the ground. Don’t worry if that sounds daunting, the Etsy Seller Handbook is a fabulous resource and will help you get started.

Whichever option you choose, your own online presence is key. Setting it up isn’t as difficult as it might seem. Check out a range of affordable courses to get started with your first website.

Who is your target market?

Identifying your target market is key. Your target market is the group of people who will buy your cards. Getting your product out there is your marketing plan. Knowing your target market will help you define your pricing and determine where to market your cards. For example, if you’re selling cards that appeal to hipsters, your target market will be very different than if you’re selling cards for a kid’s birthday party.

If you cover a range of cards and styles, you have a range of target markets and market specific groups of cards to the relevant target market. Knowing your target market will also help you with marketing. If you know who this demographic is, you’re much more likely to be able to target them directly with your marketing efforts.

Social media is a great place to get the word out about your handmade cards. Whether it’s Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram or any other medium, you have a great opportunity to reach a large group of people around the world. Look for Facebook sales groups, these are groups that allow selling to members. Some groups don’t allow sales, and you run the risk of coming across as spam if you post in these groups without permission. Search for Etsy Groups on Facebook. There are many to choose from. Instagram can also be a great place to show off your work, just make sure the link on your profile goes to your store.

What’s your niche?

What makes you different from all the other card manufacturers out there? How will you get noticed? If you look at the successful sellers of handmade cards on sites like Etsy, you’ll see that very often they sell into a narrowly defined niche. This is useful in a crowded market. If you’re worried about competing in a very general market, take a look to see if there’s a niche you can break into. This can make you unique and make you one of the few companies that cater to this segment.

Remember that there are already many handmade greeting cards out there. To be truly successful, you have to offer something different. In many areas, the market is flooded with handmade cards. An example of a niche is a ‘green’ handmade card business where all products used are recycled and sustainably sourced, or a portion of the proceeds benefit ecological projects around the world. When considering a niche, a good place to start is to think about the things that inspire you or make you smile.

Think through your product

Think about the product you are selling. Put together a product development plan that shows how versatile your idea is. can it grow Does this product give rise to other products or ideas that can potentially be sold? While simply making a few maps and offering them for sale might prove successful, you’ll likely need more than the original product. A product development plan helps take the guesswork out of making products that sell.

The most common reasons why a company fails is that the product or market was not researched and there was no product development plan, business plan or marketing plan.

In addition to planning the types of cards to sell, you also need to determine your production calendar. Greeting cards are seasonal, so you need to start planning seasonal cards ahead of time to give you time for pre-season marketing and to give you time to craft and sell the cards in time for the appropriate season.

The presentation of the cards – the packaging – contributes to a successful handmade card business. A card that is neatly presented in a cellophane envelope looks more professional and can fetch a higher price than one that is unwrapped. Displaying cards in some form of packaging prevents cards from getting dirty or dog-eared and also provides an ideal opportunity for further marketing. A label on the back with your phone number or website address could help you solicit more orders. Remember to consider shipping and packaging when factoring in the cost per unit in your pricing formula.

Check the Terms and Conditions for Stamps and Graphics

If you create maps or other products with third-party graphics, be sure to read the artist’s terms. Not all writers, stamp and graphic designers, and other artists allow you to sell work you create using their work. Some of these companies have limitations. These restrictions may include limiting the number of cards that can be made from a stamp in a year, or how the cards may be sold (e.g. only in retail outlets and not online or in markets). Some companies require that the stamping information be placed on the back of the card or that the designer’s name be included.

Before starting a handcrafted card business that uses another designer’s artwork, whether in stamp form or fully printed, check if that artwork comes with a commercial use license or if you need to pay for the licensed image (once or every time , if it is used )? If you have to pay for the image, make sure to factor the cost into your pricing formula when determining the unit cost of your cards.

Set Your Price

You need to set a price for your handcrafted cards and make sure you cover your costs and turn a profit. There is a very simple formula you can use as a basis for pricing your cards that will get you started.

commitment to the business

When you create a business plan that should include all of these planning elements, make sure you have enough time to build and maintain a card manufacturing business. There’s a big difference between creating a few cards for family and friends and running a small business.

Fulfilling orders on time is an important part of building a successful card manufacturing business. Making cards is only part of the time it takes to run a successful card making business.

Marketing and promoting the business, creating new designs, sourcing products and managing are the other aspects of running a business that will take up the time available. You must devote more than half your time to the business side of things. You also need to think about how you’re going to run the business when you decide to take vacations, when you get sick, or when you’re coping with very busy times. Because of this, good planning is essential. This will help you avoid nasty surprises later.

Ms. Venegas has been using origami to make rosettes and medallions since 2003. She shares arts/crafts techniques and ideas online.

10 tips for starting your handmade card business

Would you like to try selling handmade cards?

The business world can open up new areas of interest around your passion for arts or crafts. For the hobbyist, card making is fun! Have you made cards for your own use and are now wondering if you should expand and sell your creations?

10 tips to consider before setting up your store

Should I sell handmade cards? What about niche? How do I save money on consumables? Should I buy in bulk? How should I use crafting tools? What about the packaging? How do I charge my cards? What should I know about state sales tax? How do I keep monthly records? Should I have a website for my business?

1. Should I sell handmade cards?

Working from home sounds easy, but when you overdo it with your spending, it becomes difficult to turn a profit. If you’ve been making cards for a while, the startup costs can be minimal, and the only upfront costs would be fees to show your work to your target buyers. If you see yourself enjoying the card making process over the long term, selling cards can be a great way to keep your passion going.

niche matters

2. What is my niche?

One thing to think about is your artistic style. The market is saturated and competition is fierce, so having a niche market or unique look will help sell your cards. Do you have a drawing, painting, or collage style that makes your work stand out and grab attention?

Some ideas you can try are:

prick paper,

sewing on paper,

pop up cards,

and paper quilling.

Discover your potential for a distinctive look in greeting cards. Make your own style and discover people attracted to your unique creations!

(Note: If you are working with purchased stamps, be sure to read about copyright and Angel policies.)

Pro tip: Don’t overdo it with supplies. Buy only what you want to use now.

3. How do I save money on consumables?

Be careful with buying accessories at retail as the total can really add up. Buy only what you need to build inventory and don’t stock up. When should you start keeping extra supplies? You should do this after getting a small win. Start with pre-packaged blanks and envelopes available at craft stores. Be sure to use a coupon to reduce your business expenses. It’s a good way to see if making maps is something you want to do.

If you live in an area with a Michael’s and Joann store, register online for both retailers’ coupon ads. It seems that the two have coupon offers that compete with each other at some point.

For card making, it is wise to buy envelopes by the box.

4. Should I buy in bulk?

While you shouldn’t stock up on too much inventory, slicing and scoring your own cards opens up color options and saves you money per card. If you want to go this route, hunt down sheet stock of card stock when it’s on sale.

paper

After making some profit, you start buying tons of cardboard paper. The choices to buy in bulk are white linen, ivory, or parchment and textured card stock weighing 80 pounds. The 65 pound and heavier papers are beautifully crisp cards. The cardboard papers are sold online as cover cardboard.

envelopes

Remember to buy envelopes by the box. A good source is Kelly’s Paper. There are two stores near me and I visit both to take advantage of the premium card bonus buys in 25-50 sheet packs. Be persistent and you will find the bargains in your town.

Budget tip:

Don’t buy anything that you think you might use later. It hurts your budget, and those little extras eat away at your bottom line at the end of the month.

Don’t try to overbuy tools

Save money by continuing to use the same paper cutter or tool you bought many years ago. If you need to buy a new one, sell the old one to a friend. You might not even need new scissors. I bought a new pair of scissors, but I still use the old ones the most!

Budget tip:

Stop the urge to buy new tools you see in the store.

6. What about the packaging?

Within a year of selling cards, I decided not to include cello packaging with each card. Two employees of the shop owner never asked me about it. When selling at the farmer’s market, customers did not want individual card protection. Minimal packaging means lower costs for you and the buyers. Packaging is one thing that pisses me off about all modern retailers. So much plastic, cardboard and packaging.

If you want to wrap everything individually, look online for clear 5″ x 7″ cello bags. Go to the seller that offers the best deal and shipping cost.

Budget tip:

Pack small by searching for accessories on Etsy. Artists sell in small batches from their bulk purchases, giving you a chance to make up your mind before stocking up on 1000 cello bags.

Present your individual style

7. How do I calculate my cards?

What is your time worth? All artists and craftsmen want something in return for their time and talent. Most likely, few will make a living wage from creating greeting notes.

Comparing the cost of cards at your local stationery or drug store can guide your pricing strategies. I prefer a lower price than commercial greeting cards. If some designs take more time or contain special elements, the price will increase.

Selling at farmers markets and fairs offers lower overheads. Customers look for bargains at such events. No doubt at many events you will think that you are only supporting the event leaders.

Specialty stores that buy from you in bulk allow you to save on sales tax, overhead and time. The only expense may be your trip to the post office. Profits can be small no matter what pricing decisions you make. So remember that the entire business venture can be your reward.

8. Do I need a seller’s license? What about collecting state sales tax?

If you are selling at a craft fair or farmer’s market in California, you must have a Seller’s Permit. This permit is the record the state uses to collect the taxes you owe on the goods you sell. As of 2010, filing in California is via the Internet at www.boe.ca.gov.

The permit offers a number of advantages:

No sales tax is charged for wholesale.

Selling to a shopkeeper in bulk is wholesale and they charge sales tax to customers who buy from their store.

You get a sales tax rebate for supplies purchased from wholesale stores that offer this service.

9. How should I keep monthly records?

I track the number of cards made instead of each card sold. When selling at trade fairs, it is almost impossible to keep count. Know how much money you start with in the register and count the difference for profit at the end of the day.

A record book should reflect: money spent on all expenses, winnings, and a list of items for sale. The whole process is fun.

Keep records of expenses. Track each month whether the balance is in the red or in the black. Measure the success per year. If the numbers actually show a win at the end, rejoice.

Accounting records are like a scrapbook and can be a reminder of your business trip. A popular part of card design is stocking up on paper and display items. See how the process works with good bookkeeping.

Budget tip:

Slowly build up your pantry inventory. If you overspend on supplies one month, watch your spending next month. At the end of the year, every paper you’ve accumulated is free inventory for the next year.

online presence

10. Should I have a website for my business?

The last element to consider for a small business is a website. Many online platforms offer tools to create your own website. Try a few sites before you give up as they are not all created equal. Your own computer skills make one platform more user-friendly than another.

Consider the audience that will draw your cards or business. If your customers are Gen X or Millennials, a mobile-friendly website would be an essential feature. Young shoppers always have their phones handy and often buy items through their devices.

Two things to keep in mind with a website:

save costs. Accept website construction as a personal challenge and save yourself the costs. It is also a way of creation. To save time. Hire someone to build your website and save time for your true passion.

What are the advantages of a small business?

Clients find your work fascinating or beautiful. What a nice compliment! The small business can help you improve your online skills. You can find new ways to express yourself. You can meet new people interested in art or hobbies. You can meet people trying their hand at the small business world.

Answer questions

Question: Can I sell my maps that I made by watching videos of techniques and ideas?

Answer: Yes, unless you market your card series as your own original designs. If your customers know that they are simply handmade, you can sell all of your handmade cards.

© 2009 Sherry Venegas

Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on March 31, 2016:

I used to make cards for charity, but that was so many years ago. Your tips got me busy again. Your cards are very pretty.

Sherry Venegas (Author) from La Verne, CA on February 8, 2016:

Phyllis, I’m glad the business tips were helpful. I’ve been using article platforms like HP since 2008 and early last year, 2015, I finally created a website for the niche card embellishments I love to make. I thought I was a bit web savvy, but getting started with a website was a learning curve, but no more difficult than HP, just different.

Phyllis Doyle Burns from the high desert of Nevada. on 02/07/2016:

hello sherry Thank you for writing this very informative and interesting hub. Your tips and ideas are fantastic. I’ve bookmarked this hub for future reference. I was looking for this kind of information to help me start card making seriously. I love making cards for Valentine’s Day and have a website that I will eventually open a shop for my crafts (dolls and cards). Thanks again.

Cynthia Sylvestermouse from the United States on May 04, 2014:

You always have the best craft ideas and tutorials! What a great suggestion for a home based business. You have been very generous in sharing your expertise and advice.

Denise McGill of Fresno CA on January 31, 2014:

There is great information here. Many Thanks. The tax thing has always made me squint and kept me from starting a small business.

Sherry Venegas (author) from La Verne, CA on January 17, 2014:

@bryan-lynch1: Bryan, I hope you see some success with your new venture. Small compliments are just as rewarding as big success. If Etsy goes broke, try Ebay and local craft fairs. Unless you can share a booth with someone, skip the pricey Chamber of Commerce street scenes.

bryan-lynch1 on January 16, 2014:

I just started a small Etsy based card business. I don’t have the money for a big beefy paper cutter, but Joann and Michael’s shops are right around the corner from me, so I have an opportunity. I really appreciated this advice and will seriously consider it 😀

Barbara Tremblay Cipak from Toronto, Canada on January 14, 2014:

excellent site 🙂 – I usually buy a card making kit (or used to when the boys were young) so they could make a card as a craft, but these days I use an online program to send cards (just easier for me). ) – Making cards is such a fun project to do with kids

Ruthi on July 16, 2013:

Great tips for those interested in creating and selling their own greeting cards. I appreciate that you mentioned the importance of records and corporate tax information.

oddobjective on November 26, 2012:

I love maps and I think people have really lost the sense of maps. I’ve bookmarked this page as I’ve made quite a few maps in the past and am always looking for more information.

Sherry Venegas (Author) from La Verne, CA on October 23, 2012:

@anonymous: Hi Kitz,

I use background papers for many of my cards. A lot of the embellishments go on top of the background and then I put the background with the embellishments on top of the card with the photo splits. A box of 850 splits lasts a long time with 5 splits per card. I have a friend who enjoys using the Zots.

Gluing small objects to the cardboard I just use a dab of white sticky glue and spread it flat with my finger and pick up any excess glue leaving just a sticky amount. You won’t have a lump to squeeze out the sides. You will be surprised how a small dab goes a long way. Cardboard weighing 80 pounds and heavier holds up well. While I’m working on the next card, the card I’ve just finished is pressed with a heavy punch or some other object hanging around the desk.

I’m happy to help, Sherry

anonymous on October 22, 2012:

Thank you for sharing. I have a question, what kind of glue do you use for letters or small embellishments with paper? I have several issues with white glue because the slime or paper will wrinkle and look unappealing to the eye. Thanks very much!

KayeSI on May 20, 2012:

Very interesting! My grandkids and I love making handmade greeting cards for various holidays, but nothing quite like this one. Thank you for the nice ideas.

lesliesinclair on November 21, 2011:

Thank you for the information. I have the same cutter as shown above. You mention using sandpaper with it. how to use it The idea of ​​also using an accounting book is helpful because there’s nothing quite like seeing the numbers in black and white.

Cheryl Wright on October 01, 2011:

I love that you included budget ideas. I sell my cards to a local gift shop and also make them (mostly) for friends and family. A lot of craft products are very expensive, so I keep checking $2 stores. In such stores you can often find high-quality items. Also keep an eye out for special offers where you usually buy your craft supplies.

gypsyman27 lm on Aug 05, 2011:

Just wanted to say that this is a comprehensive collection of tips and practical solutions for small businesses. This was a wonderful topic to share. See you in the galaxy…

sousababy on July 30, 2011:

Oh, that’s really great (I’m not the smartest though). I love the creativity behind it and your detailed instructions are so explanatory. Very inspiring. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Sincerely Rose

Fiona from South Africa on June 23, 2011:

I am a terrible hoarder – got this for my grandma – keep wrapping paper I received if I like it. I have a box of these and now I know what to use them for. Thank you – creating cards for customers is a great and inexpensive way to make them feel valued.

anonymous on May 01, 2010:

Many art supply stores have large sheets of beautiful paper. These sheets are more expensive ($3.99 to $7.99), but you can get lots and lots of tiles from one sheet, and the paper is pretty enough to be worth a little extra effort, especially if you have a reason to produce many identical items.

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After much brainstorming, you’ve come up with a unique card game idea that you just know is going to be flying off the shelves. But how do you get from the concept to the (real or virtual) shopping cart?

Mixed Ink

has provided you with five effective steps to creating a successful custom deck.

STEP 1: Narrow down your topic

Whether your custom card game idea involves a fun twist on learning about historical wars, a fun game of comparison, or something else entirely, your game needs to break your theme down to the absolute basics. This allows you to properly streamline the concept and then turn your game idea into reality, preventing anyone from becoming confused or disinterested in participating. A big part of narrowing down your topic is researching rules or additional elements to add to your card game idea to bring clarity to your users. Inspiration often comes from existing games, including tabletop games, video games, and other forms of interactive entertainment. So think about why these rules or elements draw you to the game, and see how you can incorporate similar ideas into your own game (without stealing the idea). One of the most important things to remember about your theme is that you want to make sure that the design and rule ideas always match. For example, if your card game has a lot of rules where one card trumps another card (like the card game Coup), you’ll want to make sure you’ve established the rules right away, and maybe create some kind of cheat sheet to help users remember them . If you get stuck, try adding or removing certain parts of your game idea and see if that makes it clearer. How is it changing? What is essential? What was a good idea until it defeated the main goal of the game? How did this element break the flow of the game? Answering these questions will get your brain thinking about the mechanics of your game design and ultimately how well your users are interacting with it.

STEP 2: WRITE IT DOWN

After step one, your game idea is buzzing around in your head. The best way not to forget anything is to write it all down – even if you throw it in the trash later. Everything from rules and setting specs to card design and other aesthetic aspects should be written down or drawn. With these elements you can start to tweak, eliminate, add variations, simplify or beautify your game. By solidifying how your game is played, you narrow the concept so that it’s actually playable. Here are some questions to ask yourself as you narrow down the logistics of your game:

What should the player do?

How can they win the game?

What are the rules?

Are there exceptions to the rules?

How many people can play at the same time?

What is the minimum and maximum number of players?

Is it for teams or single players?

Can there be a tie?

Is the game timed?

How does the game work (turn-based or rounds)?

How will players interact?

STEP 3: DEVELOP AND TEST THE PROTOTYPE

After you’ve written down a solid idea of ​​your game, you then want to move on to the next step (and arguably the most important step) – prototyping and testing. No one wants to make the investment of mass producing a custom game only to have it backfire with bugs in the rules, lack of coherence in the story, or other functionality issues. And while it’s easy to get family and friends to test it, it’s also very important to get unbiased parties to test it as well, preferably people of different ages and experience levels. This will help you set up your game for the best possible chance of success. To recap this step, you must first create a fully functional, fully designed prototype that includes all parts of the game. Then you have to test it on real people. Not sure where to find them? Try posting your game in a playtest section of some popular gaming forums. In your post on the forums, share how you will deliver the game to them, how and when you need it back, and how you can send feedback. Here are some great resources for discovering playtesters:

Other options include submitting your game to playtesting companies such as:

One thing to note: Be open to feedback, criticism, and compliments, and note what’s right, what’s wrong, and what people respond positively/negatively to. Find answers through user feedback to questions like: Are there rules that are confusing? Does the overall goal make sense for your test group? What is the most difficult thing for the group to understand? Do you have any suggestions? What was your favorite component of the game?

STEP 4: PERFECT YOUR DESIGN

After getting all the helpful feedback you can get, you want to transition your prototype to Prototype 2.0 (or 3.0 or 4.0 depending on how many rounds of changes are required). Design each card by hand or digitally. You want to create a logo for your game title to identify your game through the instructions and packaging. Branding is very important to keep everything consistent across the entire packaging and game pieces of your game! Decide on fonts, a color palette, design style, characters, etc. and create a branding guideline pack that you can refer to later (for possible expansion packs or other related items).

If you don’t want to design the game yourself, there’s no shame in letting someone do it for you! Just make sure they are focused on your goals and vision.

STEP 5: PRINT AND PUBLISH

Now you are finally ready to make your individual card game dreams come true. Once your designs are complete, it’s time to print and publish your game. With experienced and professional playing card and board game makers like Shuffled Ink, this is the easy part. It’s easy and hassle-free to upload your designs online, choose the materials from which to make your game, select your preferred custom packaging, and enjoy our ultra-fast turnaround – all at a highly competitive price.

Are you interested in turning your individual card game idea into reality? Request a free quote today and learn how Shuffled Ink can help.

To receive free samples of our card products, enter your shipping address and phone number in your custom quote request form.