The Basics of Card Making

Combine Card Making Techniques With Desktop Publishing
To Make Your Own Invitations

There's a lot to think about and decide when considering making your own invitations and cards. Which papers and materials to choose? What will be your overall theme? Where should you start?

I want to share some tips of how I go about the creative process, and some things you may want to think about before you get started.

My intention is to share with you all that you need to know to make cards and invitations from scratch to end up with a product that your guests would think you bought at a boutique or from an artist. I want to provide ideas and instructions, (as well as a few tips and techniques) suited to those who want something quick and simple to create, as well as those who like to get as creative and elaborate with their designs as possible.

Therein lies the beauty! When you make your own invitations you get exactly what you want!

STEP 1: Choose your theme!

This step begins with whatever the specific event may be. It is also the easiest step. In most cases your party already has a theme. So of course this is the same theme you will go with for your invitation theme.

Step 2: Choose your paper!

So many papers to choose from! Card stock, cotton stationery, decorative papers. My personal favorite for card making is scrapbooking paper. Choosing paper can be a daunting and difficult task. My advice? Shop around. Buy just 1 piece of the papers that you like the best, and then play around with them until you find what works for you.

STEP 3: Writing the wording!

This one doesn't always come easy. Especially for a wedding invitation! Check out my section on invitation wording to help get you started. You can use my wording exactly as it is, or mix and match to create exactly what you are looking for! When writing the wording for your invitations just remember to make sure it is coming from the heart. Don't forget to include the most important details, like the date, time, and location, of course!

STEP 4: Getting the words on the paper! (desktop publishing)

For me this is a very important step to card making. I much prefer the crisp look of printed words to my own messy handwriting. There are many ways to go about this step of the process. The best way would be to use desktop publishing software. If you do not have desktop publishing software, or would rather not download or buy it, try making your invitation template manually! You can even order a printable template through our site at the Custom Printables page.

Print your invitations 2 to a page or four to a page to save time and money
Cut your invitation papers down to size and print straight onto them
Print onto blank invitations

However you plan to get the words onto your invitations you can use this site as a guide to help you along the way!

STEP 5: Choose a card format!

A card making basic step that will shape the entire process. Do you want this card to be the traditional open and close kind of format? What size will it be? Or do you want them to be postcard invitations?Again there are lots of choices to consider here. Card making can be as creative and elaborate, or simple and easy as you want!

Need some hints for your format?

* Make a traditional style card format

* 2-up invitations format

* postcard invitations or (4-up)

* How to set-up the text layout for 2-up and 4-up invitations using Adobe Pagemaker

* Make invitations using blank cards

STEP 6: The Finishing Touches!

Finishing Touches could be anywhere from taking a trip to your local copy shop for copying and cutting, adding your final embellishments and creativity, to merely slapping a stamp on it and in the mail it goes!

* visiting your local copy shop

* Cutting and folding your invitations

* Using paper crafts and scrapbook supplies

* Which types of glue to use?

* Using paper punches

* Using photos in your invitations

* Making invitations with ribbon

* Using scrapbook paper backgrounds

* Papers for making baby shower invitations

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