Craft stores sell blank, plain cards for this purpose. [2] X Research source These are already folded and creased, making them easiest and fastest to use. The blank cards come in boundless varieties. If you really love making handmade cards, definitely pick up a pack of blank cards (or cardstock) next time you’re at the craft store. That way it’s on hand and ready for you at a moment’s notice! You can use any kind of paper you want, but the best choice is a durable paper that has some weight to it. The most popular choice is cardstock, which is a nice heavy paper made specifically for card making. All craft stores carry cardstock and the variety is usually vast. Your base card choice can be as simple as plain white paper! Paper that is any color of the rainbow and patterned paper are both great options as well. If applicable, consider upcycling your child’s artwork for the base card, or even your own artwork! This is an even better idea if you need to make the card at the last minute and don’t have a lot of craft supplies on hand at the time.
With your paper horizontal in front of you, take a ruler and measure the horizontal center of the card in two places – near the top and near the bottom. Mark the center lightly with a pencil dot in both places, and then use the ruler to connect those dots with a straight line, from the bottom to the top of the page. Use the pencil with a very light touch.
Line your ruler up next to the center line you’ve just drawn and take the butter knife to score the card along that line. Scoring means to push firmly into the paper so that a visible indention occurs. Be sure not to push too hard! Once scored along the drawn line, lightly erase your pencil marks.
Using the spine of a book would be a simple solution if you don’t have a bone folder. You should now have a crisply folded piece of paper that looks almost exactly like a store bought card!
Calligraphy pens work best for this, but in a pinch you could use a Sharpie or even a regular marker.
You could also use double sided tape, but a glue stick is much more preferable.
You can write on the inside only, or on the inside and outside front cover, it’s entirely up to you. Relax so that your hands won’t shake while lettering the card. Imagine you are writing a simple note to yourself (except make sure it’s legible!) if you feel yourself starting to get nervous.
If you’re lettering on both the front and inside of the card, you’ll want to letter the front first and allow it to dry completely before moving on to the inside lettering.
Make sure your final ribbon placement won’t conceal any of your writing before gluing it down. Cut your ribbon (if necessary) to fit the dimensions of your card before gluing it down.
Decide on placement and glue them down carefully. Allow these elements to dry completely, as well.
Carefully slip the card into the envelope and seal it as you normally would. Write the recipient’s name on the front of the envelope, if desired.
