13 Card Making Tips and Tricks

A Tip to Help You Determine Your Card's Background Color.

Many times beginners don't have a clue determining which colors to use. A simple way to get excellent results is to pick a color from the image you are using and make that your cardstock background color. Use one or two more colors from the picture to add similar colored embellishments and accents to your card.

Reuse Your Leftover Paper Scraps.

Beautiful papers are not cheap. Make sure to repurpose your saved paper scraps. You can always use your punches and die cut machine to cut simple shapes from the scrap paper. Use those paper shapes to embellish your cards. Who doesn't want to save money?

Look Beyond the Normal Sources for Your Paper Supplies.

Did you ever go to the card section of the store and noticed the beautiful gift bags and wrapping papers available for sale? Who says you can't use unconventional paper sources for cardmaking? Gift bags are often made from a heavier weight of paper that is just the right weight for card making. All you have to do is unfold the bags and cut out the shapes you need, making sure to avoid the creased lines.

Wrapping paper is a bit thin, so you may have to reinforce it with some heavier paper as a backer. You may have to do a little more work with these papers, but they will be a beautiful addition to your card design. Just use spray adhesive to attach wrapping paper to card stock. Make sure to lay the wrapping paper down carefully onto the sprayed cardstock, then flatten down with your finger or a bone folder so that you do not get creases or air bubbles in the wrapping paper.

Use a White Polymer Eraser.

When laying out cut paper shapes onto a card people will often use a pencil to make light marks as a placement guide. After adhering your embellishments, the pencil marks need to be erased. Make sure only to use a white polymer eraser. Pink erasers and worse yet pencil erasers will leave dark spots and smudges on your card.

Round Corners Instead of Square

Use some corner punches to give your card interest and a professional look. A simple 10mm corner punch will give you great results. You can also use the punch to give your photos and business cards an updated look.

Use Foam Tape Squares and Dots to add Dimension to Your Cards.

Part of the fun of making cards is that you can quickly take them one step further from retail cards by adding elements with dimension. Foam tape and dots give just enough space between the items on the face of your card project to make them pop.

How to Make Permanent Tape Less Permanent

Sometimes you want to attach elements to your cards to determine placement. You might wish to test various designs before choosing the final layout. Tape can be weakened by placing it on cloth and ripping it off several times. Your card background will be not be damaged from the distressed tape.

Keep Your Stamps Clean

 If you are using water soluble ink,  spray a bit of cold water (no soap) onto your stamp and dab it dry with a paper towel or clean cloth. Do not scrub your stamp because you may damage the surface of the stamp and render it useless. Proper care will help your stamps last a long time.

Keep Some Generic Cards on Hand

Make some cards that are simple in design and use them for multiple occasions. When the need for a card arises, and you are short on time, all you have to do is stamp the appropriate sentiment onto the card, and you are finished. Easy peasy!

A Card Box Can Be Useful

Have a storage box with file folders for each month of the year. Make your cards ahead of time and store them in the appropriate month's file folder. At the beginning of each month, pull out the cards and mail them. Never be rushed to make a card again!

A Ribbon Hack

Ribbons are a beautiful touch to card design, but sometimes you will find that the ends will fray. An easy fix to this problem is applying a bit of clear nail polish to the ends. No more fraying!

Foam Tape Trick

Are you in the middle of making a card and find that you have run out of foam tape or dots? You don't have to fret. A quick fix is to cut a piece of foam board into the desired shape and use glue to attach to the card background. Instant dimension!

Card Folding Techniques

Learn how to make cards using different folding techniques. Your cards will be exciting and fun.

Beccy Muir, a card maker from Australia gives 129 examples and tutorials for card folding and design. What an inspiring source! Make sure to check out her blog. You will be spurred to get creative and start making those cards!