How To Start Card Making For Complete Beginners
Learn how to start card making the easy and simple way.
My tried and true method on how to start card making for complete beginners. It’s not as difficult as you may think! I will show you how to make handmade cards for every occasion. Using watercolor, stamping, or marker coloring, you can create one-of-a-kind cards.
Starting a new hobby can be fun and exciting. It can also be overwhelming to know where to start and what exactly you need. Although, this guide is the perfect starting point that provides you with everything you need to know, including this card making supplies list.
A Step By Step Guide On How To Start Card Making
Card making is the perfect activity for being creative and sending sweet, heartfelt messages to friends and family.
There may be different reasons for why someone would want to start making cards. Some start as a creative outlet to be artistic and to have fun. Others enjoy the act of gifting something handmade during birthdays and holidays. I enjoy both of these aspects. Depending on your reason, you’ll want to find inspiration that fits your objectives.
1. Find Card Making Ideas And Inspiration
Before you buy any sort of supplies, find ideas on what kinds of cards you want to create.
If you are making cards for a specific holiday or event, look at different themed card examples. I recommend looking for ideas on Pinterest, Facebook groups, and YouTube. Don’t forget to also check out more handmade card making ideas on my blog!
Once you filter through different ideas, you should have a good idea on what type of cards you like best. What do they all have in common? Are they using stamps, patterned paper, or watercolor?
Once you have found card making ideas that you love, the next step is to think about what materials you will need in order to create them.
2. Card Making Materials List For Everything You Need
Supplies:
There are certain card making supplies you will need no matter what style of card you are creating. For example, every card will use paper and adhesive. However, some materials you will get to decide if you want to use.
Depending on your preferred style of cards you will need a type of coloring tool. I enjoy painting with watercolor, but there is also colored markers, pencils, and paint.
Also, think about how you will design the card. Do you plan on using stamps, patterned paper, or hand drawing the image?
I understand it can be overwhelming knowing which supplies to purchase. Therefore, I created this list of the most used supplies if you are learning how to start card making from scratch.
This is a great resource to checkoff items that you already have, and to plan for what you want to buy.
Depending on your preferred style, you will need
3. Card Making Rules On How To Size Your Card
Supplies:
After you have a good idea of what kind of card you want to create, and gathered the supplies to make it, it’s time to start constructing the base.
A popular size for cards, and the size I make mine, is 4.25 by 5.5 inches. To save money, I just cut it out from regular cardstock. (Just remember to cut the paper 4.25 by 11 inches to fold it over.)
Use a paper trimmer to ensure that you had crisp lines around all edges.
You can also experiment and play with different shapes for cards. Try rectangle, heart, or even pop-up cards.
4. How To Start Card Making At Home
Supplies:
Designing the card is probably the most fun part about card making in my opinion!
First, choose the theme of the card based on who/ what you’re making it for. Some theme ideas are birthdays, holidays, thank-you cards, and sentimental cards.
At this point, you should have all the necessary supplies for making the cards. Play around with the different tools you have on hand, and see what all can be made. Try out different shapes, textures, and colors for each element.
I find it easiest to use inspiration pictures as a guide for card making. Obviously, you want each card to have your own unique touch to it. However, inspiration photos are a great starting point for making the base of any card. You can later add any personalization to make it unique.
Also, think of ways to make cards in bulk. If I have a lot of birthdays coming up, I tend to make all the birthday cards at once. It is easy to set up a process for making multiple cards at the same time, almost like an assembly line.
5. Gifting
Watching someone receive and appreciate your handmade gift is so special!
It is also nice to know that you have a variety of cards on hand for when you need a card last minute. No more rushing to the store and buying one.
If you plan on sending your cards through the mail, make sure the envelope is thick and sturdy to protect your artwork. Also, if you have 3D elements attached, consider the extra cost for stamps you may need.
Friends and family will cherish the cards they receive and be excited for each one to keep.
How To Learn Card Making?
My best advice for those learning how to make cards is to just start! To be honest, the first card you make will probably not be your best. In order to become good at something, you will need to do it multiple times. Practice makes perfect!
You can learn card making through trial and error, which takes both time and patience. You can also learn the basic techniques through tutorials. This is my preferred way to learn!
Whether from blog articles or YouTube videos, there is so much to take away! It is also fun to learn from other creators for unique tips they have come up with (Source: “How To Get Started Making Cards“)
This post will teach you how to start card making
Please Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links. Read the full disclaimer here.
