Create your own cards - self-made greetings cards

PSA Journal, April, 1996 by Tempa Lou Heidel

Friends and relatives enjoy receiving notes from family members and friends. The note shows thoughtfulness and caring. A telephone call is appreciated, but doesn't leave the personal touch or special memory.

Large beautiful cards from the greeting card counter of the supermarket or card shop serve the purpose well. However, making your own personalized card gives a special touch. Thoughts expressed in your own words have added importance.

For many years, Dan and I have been using our photographs along with blank panel cards to create note cards, Christmas cards, and even postcards. It isn't really an original idea, but does provide originality because it is the sender's design, original photograph, and personal message.

The cost is actually less than commercially made cards. Materials are available through most shops. You can select colors and sizes.

The cards we use are 5-3/4 by 4-1/2 inches, when folded. There is a 3-3/16 by 4-1/2 inch panel inset for placement of the photograph. The blank cards are scored in the center to make folding easy and accurate. Prices may vary with the particular print shop, so shop around. The number you buy and the quality of the paper used will help determine the actual price. Matching envelopes are usually included. Paper weight is usually 110 pound stock, with some variety in texture from which to select. Our art supply store has packages of twenty blanks and envelopes for $9.95 per pack.

Look at the samples the dealer or printer has available. Get a quotation for price and delivery time. When style of blank card and price has been decided, give the dealer a firm order. Our experience is, the printer will usually need to order the size of cards you choose. Delivery has been 2 to 3 days from the distributor to the printer. Then, our printer gives us 2 to 3 day service after receiving the stock cards: he prints on the back the logo or information wanted.

To add a personal touch, the printing shop can print on the bottom of the back of the card your business name, address, phone number, or, if you like, just a brief "Originals by Dan and Tempa." The logo should appear on the bottom of the back to allow maximum space for your written message. Some may want to have a rubber stamp made and stamp the logo or other information on the back. The stamp, however, will not leave a high-quality impression like that of the printer's offset press, or of a good typewriter.

Pictures can be processed through the local supermarket photo department or any quick photo service shop. We take our film to one that provides two prints from each negative: one to put on the card and one to keep for personal remembrances. Each card is different from any of the others. Prints are attached to the cards using an inexpensive glue stick. The title or information about the subject and the name of the photographer is hand-printed or written in fine black ink under the print.

As a special thank you gift for a special occasion, you can package your cards in groups of ten or twelve, along with the envelopes, and give them to friends or relatives for their personal use.

This is another way we add to our satisfaction and enjoyment of photography.