Tips on choosing a blank card for your projects

There are a thousand and one plus blank cards out there for you to choose from for your card making projects.  This choice can be so overwhelming that it's often difficult to know where to start.  A few tried and tested pointers on how to go about it will have you selecting the very best card to show off your skills, every time.

1.  Do you choose a card first – or make your project and then choose a card to fit. It's an age old dilemma. If you are definite that your project needs to be a particular size then you'll want to choose a card to suit.  If not, choose a card blank that you think will work best for what you have in mind and work with that.

Of course these decisions will be obvious if your project is based around the size of your card opening or aperture.

2.  Blank cards give you infinite options and come in a multitude of colors, finishes and textures. If you choose your card first, then the size of your  front design is pretty much governed by the size of the card base. You can then build up your card front within any borders or edge finishes.

3. Three fold cards add an extra dimension. Made with 3 equal sections, the center panel has a cut away aperture.  This can be any shape – heart, oval, circled, rectangle and any multitude of shapes i.e .bell, angel. You can of course make up your own card in the same way from a sheet of blank card. 

Once chosen, front the right side, the right flap is folded and glued behind the central aperture section to give a double backed card opening.  The 3rd panel now lies behind to form the back of the card. Your design is built up within the central front aperture section.

3 fold cards really give you a wider option in what to do – and how to do it, but they are more expensive than blank cards.  They usually come in sets, together with envelopes. When making up a 3 fold card design you'll need to think whether the standard accompanying envelope is man-enough for the job.  If your design is 'deep' then you may need a box or padded envelope to protect your card. Paper.com and Dick Blick can supply you will all your card supplies.

4. Think about envelopes at the same time as your cards.  If you are making up your own cards, plan to make these to fit any envelopes you have – or make your own from a standard envelope template. Make sure you follow knife safety guidelines in the process.  You can undo an envelope and use it as a pattern, adjusting the size to fit your card project.

For a special card envelope take a look at foil lined envelopes. 

Once you've decided what type of blank card you want, the fun can begin. 

Written by Geraldine Jozefiak
Craft Expert and Demonstrator

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