skip to main content

Computer Crafts

What paper is best for greeting cards/postcards?

21 years ago

I'd like to use some of my own pictures to make greeting cards and postcards, but I don't know if there is better paper than cardstock to use. What would you recommend?

Comments (7)

jillzey
21 years ago
Generally photos look best on photo paper. We like the glossy photo cardstock and buy Office Depot brand in the 100 piece box when they have it on sale. Only drawback is that you can't print on the back (matte finish) side - the ink never dries! :( So for greeting cards I use a seperate piece of paper with the inside message printed on it and glue it inside.
You can also get prescored cardstock in glossy and matte finish for cards. What I used had a "peel and stick" strip for attaching the message sheet.
Brochure paper might be another option for greeting cards. Heavier than regular paper and can be printed both sides, it comes in glossy and matte finish.
Your printer and its settings will determine the outcome so you will need to experiment with different papers and settings to see which work best on your printer.

Jill
creativemom
21 years ago
I like to use a buff colored card stock. Wal-Mart carries different card stock in reams of 150. They have pastels, all white, and natural (buff, cream, light sage green, light blue) I prefer to attach the picture using a layering method. I pick a color of cardstock (such as a dark green, if there is grass or trees in the photo) and cut it 1/4" larger than the photo and layer them. It really looks nice that way. You can buy "mat Stacks" at scrapbook stores. It is a book of matting paper. This works great.

Here is a link that might be useful: mat stacks
Related Discussions
Best sealant for pressed flower greeting cards
Q
Comments (12)
I have been making greeting cards for years! I was using Perfect Paper Adhesive but here in Hawaii, unbenounced to me, there are little tiny almost invisible to the eye, BUGS! And, they ”continue to eat the flowers once sealed with PPA!“ I have found my best bet and failure free ”Mod Podge” is the BEST sealant! I use the matte, not the glossy and I must say my cards turn out beautiful and best of all, they last a lifetime! I have done a lot of experimenting with varios glues, adhesives and I always return to Mod Podge! As far as pressing flowers, try to use those that have the same thickness. This allows for even drying. The larger flowers with big, bulky centers, i.e,. cosmos cosmos, I take the centers out, press the petals and save the seeds to grow more cosmo’s. I am also a huge fan of placing the flowers beteen 2 pieces of Bounty paper towel. This is the only paper towel I can find that doesn’t have a design with depth to it. I am also a die-hard put my flowers in a big heavy book followed by several other heavy books then and I wait 4-5 days to check on them. I think the biggest thrill for me to this day is peeking under the paper towel to see how they’ve dried! Seriously, my heart flutters with joy when I first set look at them! I get giggly just before opening the book! As an added note, I seem to always use too much Mod Podge which nearly always makes me press the finished card back into the large book and stacking several more heavy books on top of them! This pressed flower card making has saved my life!! I have been suffering from debilitating fibromyalgia for over 15 years now and this is one thing that gets my mind off of the pain I feel every day! And, if I might be so bold, I have gotten better and better as the years go by! I hope any of the information I have shared will help or inspire anyone to make flowers which are already beautiful into a life-lasting treasure by turning them into something someone you love can have as a memory for life! Aloha * Liz
...See More
Paper Napkin Becomes a Greeting Card...
Q
Comments (4)
The napkin had two layers... the printed color layer, kinda bonded to a plain white layer so it had more substance than some paper napkins. I left the layers together. The glue I used was Elmer's Washable School Glue 'No Run Gel' - the light blue stuff. I ran a thin bead all around the edges of the backside of the picture, and made a few squiggles in the center area, then used a soft flat paintbrush to smear/paint the glue to the edges and moosh it around in the middle. The glue did NOT grab immediately, giving me some leeway in ooching the design into place. I had thought of using spray-on adhesive, but with that type of glue, once you drop the picture in place, that is where it STAYS! No room for error with most of it. Glad you liked the card. I hope it inspires you to look at your stash of pretty napkins and make a card, too!
...See More
Homemade Greeting Card Makers
Q
Comments (17)
Stephenei: What got me hooked was a section on home made cards in a Feb issue of either MM or CK magazine. And I REALLY got hooked! Card making has replaced (for the time being) scraping. As for ideas, I got some from the aforementioned magazine, some from looking at cards in card shops, and some from my own imagination. ItÂs amazing what creative creatures we can be when doing something we enjoy! One idea for an Easter card came from a quote I found onlineÂÂGive hugs, if you carrot at all!Â My sonÂs best friend calls me ÂAunt Carront,Â so I made a little card out of lime green card stock. I made three little carrots out of orange and brown card stock and cut thin strips of dark green card stock for grass. I attached the grass and the carrots to the front of the card with pop dots (for the 3D effect) and outlined the edges of the front of the card with thin strips of orange card stock. I made one large carrot for the inside to hold the latter part of the quote. It turned out to be a cute card and the idea came after seeing the quote. Other ideas come from looking through my materials and Âplaying with them,Âi.e., seeing what goes together. IÂve never scanned anything for use on the computer, but if you like, IÂd be happy to try and scan and post-to-you some of the cards I made to help you get started with ideas. I know what itÂs like to feel like...where do the ideas come from?!Â And once you get started, believe me, thereÂs no stopping!!!!!!! Also, some others have posted about tea-bag/paper folding which I have tried yet. As Sally said, when your scraping and stamping, the ideas just seem to flow. p.s. there are also books on card making and paper projects. My husband gave me one for a present and one was referenced in the magazine that I have been looking for but have yet to find. Hope this helps. karen
...See More
Greeting card sentiment ????
Q
Comments (10)
Here are a few I found and saved, Tami: Until the sun comes out again for you, my umbrella is big enough for two. "If I had a flower for everytime I thought of you, I would walk forever in my garden" I think about you constantly, whether it's with my mind or my heart. Sometimes we just need to know that people care. If this is one of those times, I'm one of those people! I don't doubt that you can get through it alone, but why should you have to? I'm here for you just as you've always been there for me. And some quotes: What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson "What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly." ~ Richard Bach "When it is dark enough, you can see the stars." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson "The soul would have no rainbow had the eyes no tears." ~John Vance Cheney "If the future seems overwhelming, remember that it comes one moment at a time." ~Beth Mende Conny "Mishaps are like knives, that either serve us or cut us, as we grasp them by the blade or the handle." ~James Russell Lowell, "Cambridge Thirty Years Ago," Literary Essays "A bend in the road is not the end of the road... unless you fail to make the turn. " "When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on." ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt "I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!" ~ Dr. Seuss
...See More
june_nd
20 years ago
Have you tried Georgia-Pacific Coated Card Stock? I use this with pictures and it works great. You can print on both sides too.
I cut each sheet in half and make 2 cards out of it like the boughten cards.
Dixiespell
20 years ago
My favorite is "hp brochure and flyer paper, gloss, 44 lb."
Can be printed on both sides and produces crisp, clean photos. Quite affordable.
jackie (hueytown,al)
Gramof3
20 years ago
I love Iridescent Paper by Gartner Studios, Inc. I get it in Staples or Office Max. The colors are beautiful & the iridescent quality of the paper allows the ink that you printed in appear iredescent too. You'll see what I mean when you print something on it. It comes in 40 sheet packs, usually near the stationery papers.I've been lucky enough to find it on sale for as little as $3, but have paid full price up to $6 for the same pack. Either way, it's worth it. I have never found any paper that I like better at any price. Let us know how you make out.
petersteeler
9 years ago
I suggest Glama Natural Recycled Paper.. That's perfect for greeting cards/postcard

Here is a link that might be useful: Glama Natural Recycled Paper
petersteeler
9 years ago
I suggest Glama Natural Recycled Paper.. That's perfect for greeting cards/postcard

Here is a link that might be useful: Glama Natural Recycled Paper

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

Houzz Call: Show Us Your Original Holiday Card

By Vanessa Brunner

Calling all designers! We want to see your original Christmas and Hanukkah card designs

DIY PROJECTS 14 Fun and Easy DIY Projects With Paper

By Jess McBride

Look at the abundant and affordable material in a whole new way with these stylish creations

LIFE Simple Pleasures: Put Pen to Paper

By Laura Gaskill

Note writing a lost art? Not when you have a nice selection of papers, a dedicated spot and the right frame of mind

Guest Picks: Relaxing Holiday Gift Wrapping

By Justine Hand

When the holiday season gets stressful, retreat to an hour or two of thoughtful gift wrapping with these papers, ribbons and more

HOLIDAYS My Houzz: A Home Comes Alive With Day of the Dead Decor

By Sarah Greenman

Sugared skulls and bright paper flowers keep a Texas home's macabre decorating style on the lighter side

FUN HOUZZ Houzz Call: What’s on Your Refrigerator?

By Becky Harris

Magnets, menus, children’s art, coupons, perfect-attendance certificates, song lyrics — what is fridge-worthy in your house?

ORGANIZING Storage Tricks for Those Who Love Their Stuff

By Lara Sargent

Get ideas for clearing the decks without getting rid of all the lovely things you want to keep around

CITY GUIDES Travel Guide: Kyoto, Japan, for Design Lovers

By Ramona Flume

Experience ancient traditions and modern expressions in this design-minded roundup of sights, hotels, shops and restaurants

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Design a Family Photo Wall

By Mary Jo Bowling

New project for a new year: Display your favorite images of loved ones for the most personal gallery wall of all

MOST POPULAR 4 Obstacles to Decluttering — and How to Beat Them

By Alison Hodgson

Letting go can be hard, but it puts you more in control of your home's stuff and style. See if any of these notions are holding you back

Sponsored

1 Review

Industry Leading General Contractors in Columbus