Printing Greeting Cards

[LauraE]

I know how to create a greeting card. However, I do not know how to print it so I can fold it (like the ones you buy in the stores). Any advice?

[Diana]

Hi Laura,

Here's another thread with a discussion on setting up & printing cards that may help:

http://www.elementsvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10401

Diana

[cats4jan]

Laura - when I went from my Greeting Card program to Elements for making/printing cards, I had difficulty until I made samples to follow.

I took a sheet of paper - folded it in half - then labeled the parts.

I then made a tempate on the computer - printed it - and labeled how the sheet came out of my printer. Using my handwritten sample helped me figure out how to reinsert the sheet into my printer to do the inside.

The visual of how the things "fell" on the page really helped.

I know this sounds lame, but it was the only way I could figure out how what I saw on the screen related to what I saw on the printed page.

[LauraE]

I finally figure it out. I hope I will remember how I did it the next time I have to do a card.

Janice, I did save my instructions and a printed copy of the card for future use.

Thanks again.

[frank abramonte]

Laura:
The easiest and least expensive way of printing your own cards is as follows.

1. Buy a standard size envelope about the size you would like your card to be.
Your finished card should measure 1/4” less then the width of the envelope and 1/8” less then the height.
2. Buy a package of 8 1/2 x 11 65# bright white uncoated cover stock.
3. If you have Word or similar word processing program use it. It will make for cleaner crispier type. You can input all your reading matter in Word and then import your photos. If not, use Elements.
4. Create your card and center it on a 8 1/2 x 11 document at 200 or 300 dpi. Make sure the card is centered both left to right and top to bottom.
5. Draw small black rules in each corner which will guide you as to where to trim the printed card. Or you can draw a thin box completely around the card, just outside your finished size, which you can trim away when done.
6. Put your text and photo as shown on my sample.
7. Print one side (page 1) of the sheet. Then turn the sheet left to right in the printer and print the other side (page 2).
You can try this with regular paper and dummy type in position to save paper and ink.
8. When complete score your card using a paper clip and a ruler lined up to the rules at the fold. Trim the card with a single edge razor blade using the corner rules, fold and mail.
Before trimming the card you may want to connect the rules with a light pencil line so that you don’t loose the cutting guides once you’ve trimmed one side.
Or you can fold the card and trim it while folded.
Keep the template and substitute any type and photo you wish.
This looks a lot more complicated than what it really is. Once you have done this a few times it will be easy and simple.
If you need additional clarification post back.

Be carful of your finger when trimming with the razor blade.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1mBUpcfoV14Yx9djz6Chmov4smm7JX1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1mBUpcfoV14Yx9djz6Chmov4smm7JX1)


http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1OaI1mp3bofgcpAk4dmaeJUe2arbUG_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1OaI1mp3bofgcpAk4dmaeJUe2arbUG)

[cats4jan]

Frank - that's a great technique, but once I struggled and learned how to make and print cards of different sizes - using already cut-to-size cardstock, life got easier.

Half fold cards are easy to make in any size.

First and foremost - I agree with Frank about the card size.

You really need to find out what size envelopes are readily available and make your cards in the size that will fit into the envelopes. The quarter inch less he mentioned is a great starting point.

If you are ready to experiment learning how to print on different sized card stock - you could try this:

Let's make a card the finished size of 7 x 5 - because I know there are 7.25 x 5.25 envelopes readily available.

In Elements, Let's create a card front in 7 wide and 5 high.

Open a new blank project/canvas 7 w x 5 h - This is your card front -

When you are done with the card front, increase your canvas size to
7 wide and 10 high - because you will need to have 10 inches height for folding over.

To increase your canvas size,
image> resize> canvas size

On that screen - you will see some "new size" boxes - increase the height to 10 leave the width at 7

See the squares under the new size boxes? That's where your project will land after you increase your canvas size - so click on the bottom center - because that's where you want your project to end up.

Click OK

You will now have a canvas with an empty top (which is the back of your card) and a bottom which has your creation.

Cut a sheet of cardstock to 7 wide by 10 high -

To print this card, you will need to change your printer properties
from 8.5 x 11 to 7 x 10

Put the 7 where the 8.5 is - put the 10 where the 11 is.

Try printing on your precut cardstock.

The secret to learning how to print on different size cardstock is to watch each menu that comes up and anytime there is a mention of size - you need to change your size.

Element and my printer have "user defined" as an option for paper size. I use "user defined" until the final screen where I then change from 8.5 x 11 to 7 x 10.

Learning how to work with different sized cardstock in conjunction with Elements isn't hard - learning how to set your printer is the hard part.

If your printer has a "preview" function - checkmark that. I have saved so much paper since I set my printer on "preview" - on the preview screen that pops up right before you hit the final "print" button - you will see how the project fits on the paper. If it doesn't look right - trust that - because it's never wrong. If it looks wrong it is wrong - if it looks right - it will print correctly.

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p103/cats4jan/150-card-sample-1.jpg

[LauraE]

Thanks again for your suggestions. I have printed them and will try them soon.

[GaryK]

Laura

I use the prefolded cards you can get at Staples. They usually come with envelopes as well. The ones I use are two per page.

A few things though..

I made a template more or less as Frank has.
I haven't tried boarderless printing .. I always leave a margin/border.. I'd be too picky and get mad if it didn't print correctly so I am saving myself the frustration.
My printer has duplex printing so I can do both sides (two templates).

[cats4jan]

I'm with Gary - I don't print borderless - in fact, I usually take my front cover creation and push it in so there's and eighth inch around it - and I also print with a border - so I have a substantial margin around my front cover design. I actually prefer that look and I also don't have to worry about whether the print covers the entire front of my cover.

[frank abramonte]

What I outlined is the commercial way printing is done.
There is an advantage in buying packaged cards and envelopes but it costs more than what I suggested.
I guess the important thing is that you get what you want with the least effort.
Please post some of your card creations.

[Ric Cisson]

Red River Paper has most everything you need to get started including instructions. Have a look here: http://www.redrivercatalog.com/cardshop/

[ljameso1]

I used Red River's card for my xmas cards this year. Was very easy.

[heysly]

Frustrated here too, worked a long time getting just the right layout for an anniversary card and couldn't figure out the printing process so I just saved the layout as jpg and used "Pictured It" to finish the inside and print and it worked great. I'm with whoever said keep it simple and the blood pressure will stay down! Sharon:o