Printing greeting cards

[apasskey]

When you print a greeting card image you make in PSE, do you move the photo file over to a different program and print the card from there? I can't figure out how to set up the specialized printing format from PSE. Is that because you can't do that in PSE?

If you move the image to a different program, does it have to be saved in a different file format? - If so, which format would be the best all around one to use?

Thanks for your help. Anne

[Shari]

Anne, if I am printing the photo right on the greeting card I import the photo into my print shop because print shop has the right format and size. But since getting elements I prefer to print my photos and stick them onto the front of the card. I print the back of the card in Print Shop so I can put my name etc. or what the photo on the front is. I got a small paper cutter and I either cut down a 4 x 6 or I find if I print at 3.5 x 5 it is the right side for note card size. I get two sided stickers from Michaels and the cards look great. Right away I found that PSE does not have a card format where you can print what you would like on the front and back. At first I was disappointed but I find the way I am doing it now looks more professional.
Shari

[apasskey]

Hi Shari - Do you save the picture as a jpeg or does your photo shop read print shop files? I used to use Microsoft Picture-It or Publisher for cards. I haven't taken the time to fiddle with them lately but since I can't do cards from Elements, I guess now is the time. Thanks for your suggestions. Anne

[Shari]

Hi Anne, I just checked. Here is the path I use to get the photo into Print Shop when I want to. Import - Look in: My pictures/Adobe/Digital Camera photos - find photo and click on it and it should appear on the front of your card. I would suggest you do the editing in PSE3 first. Good luck.
Shari

[malcom]

Forgive my ignorance but is "Print shop" an epson application or a third party printing application..!!!

[ATR]

apasskey

As you probably know by now, Elements Organizer Create offers a card (4 fold type) and a photo greeting card (a postcard like type). I have Elements 3.0, and here is how it works. It is probably very similar, if not the same, for 4.0.

Photo Greeting Card (Postcard Type)

When you get to SAVE, name the Creation, check off “Show these photos in my Photo Browser”, then press done. This will bring up your choices:
Create a PDF
Print
E-Mail
Order Online

Your Creation only exists in and is saved in the Organizer. You assured that my checking off “Show these photos in my Photo Browser” and pressing done. So whenever you want to go back to the Creation, you click on this Photo Card image in the Organizer. Always check to make sure that you are in the show all photos mode. Important to remember is the Creation cannot be opened in Standard Edit.

Create a PDF choice. Save wherever you like (maybe Documents or Pictures….). But, remember, you can print the PDF from wherever you saved it, but you cannot change the file type there from PDF to jpeg (unless you have something besides the standard Adobe Reader). What I recommend you look at is this. Open this PDF in Elements. Initially you will get a “Rasterize Generic PDF format” dialog. Here first uncheck Constrain Proportions, and then set your dimensions, OK. Then print from Elements. You can now Save As “jpeg” if you want.

Print Choice. You can print from here, but I prefer the PDF route.

Card (4 Fold Type)

Essentially the same as above, but here you do not have to worry as much about sizing, since your output is going to be 8.5 x 11.

Check it out to make sure I have all my facts straight, and please contact me if any questions.

ATR

[Shari]

ATR, thanks for the explanation. I find the problem with making notecards with Elements is that you cannot use the nice note card size paper in creams and heavier quality and a pre-scored fold. You must use 81/2 x 11 paper that will fold easily. I found it complicated to figure out how to print on the back - I like to print in small font - photography & design by ---. I also like to say what is on the front if it is an interesting flower from someone's garden or whatever. Print shop has the format for printing on the back of note size cards. I just put them in and click on back and write what I want in whatever font I want.

Malcom - Print Shop is a Broderbund Software programme that I used to use for making my cards. Luckily I left it in my computer.
Shari

[ATR]

Shari,

Just our secret. Although I feel comfortable using "card" and "photo greeting care" in the Organizer Create, I seldom use them. What I prefer to do is open a new 8.5 x 11 document in Elements and start by creating the front of the card on the 5.5 x 11 portion. Then I take it from there for the Half-Fold cards. It takes time, but you can plan out a 4-Fold card this way also.

My printer supports "print with white borders" as well as "borderless". So, I usually go to borderless. I think the effect is more striking. If I am in between my holidays and have not done one of these greeting cards in a while, I have to try and remember which end of the sheet to insert when doing the back. I always promise myself to leave a note on the printer, but forget to.

I still have Print Shop. It is a great program that was THE program for doing the cards before Elements. It and my old Lexmark (without borderless) did a wonderful job, and I still use them, but not as often.

From what I have seen you have a very creative spirit that is reflected in your work. Keep up the good work.

ATR

[Shari]

Thank you for that comment ATR. I am trying to work with that creative spirit right at this very moment to make a card for my great-nephew who just broke his leg.
Shari

[thosmith]

I print 4x6 photos, attach them to Stamping Cards (from Blick) with Sticker Squares (from Walgreens), put them in cello envelopes and sell them for $3.25 in our two retail stores.
Be assured I am not getting very rich very quickly but they are selling, which is a good feeling.
Just another way to skin the cat.

[JRR]

You all sound so creative! Can you share a sample or two for us?

[Shari]

Tom, where do you get the cello envelopes? I tried at Michaels and they do not carry them. I have checked the net and can order but wondering where you got yours. Most of the cards sell here for about $4.00 and then 13% tax. I have friends I sell to for $3.00. I just like to get back the money for the ink and paper. The time is my hobby - which I am loving.

I can't really share a sample because I just print out the photos. I have used several of the images that are in my gallery.
Shari

[kayser]

In case any of you missed this thread, I use Ray's earlier suggestions on formating cards:

I must be missing something... otherwise, simply create a new image, choosing the Letter size preset.

Then, set your grid these settings :

http://homepage.mac.com/carbmac/captures/PhotoshopElements093.jpg

Notice the Percent unit, and not pixels.

The line in the middle will be your folding line.

http://homepage.mac.com/carbmac/captures/PhotoshopElements092.jpg

Finally, make your grid visible (View / Grid).

To conclude, when you print, make sure to choose a borderless paper, so that the paper matches your creation.

Ray