Handmade cards are the gateway craft for a lot of us. Grab a pack of cardstock and some adhesive and you can make a birthday card tonight. Stamps, dies and embossing folders can come later, once you know what style you like.
Most American card makers work from 8.5 x 11 inch letter-size cardstock. Cut one sheet in half and fold each piece and you get two A2 cards (4.25 x 5.5 inches folded), the most common size for handmade cards. They fit standard A2 envelopes.
Supplies worth knowing about
Letter-size cardstock
Sold by pound weight. Around 80 lb to 110 lb "cover" stock makes a sturdy card base; lighter weights are easier for layering, die cutting and printing.
A2 & A7 envelopes
A2 envelopes fit 4.25 x 5.5 inch cards; A7 envelopes fit 5 x 7 inch cards. Card-and-envelope sets save measuring.
Paper trimmers & score boards
Straight cuts and crisp folds make cards look store-bought. A score board helps heavy cardstock fold without cracking.
Die cutting & embossing machines
A manual machine that presses metal dies and embossing folders through paper. Check its platform width and which dies it works with.
Clear stamps & ink
Clear photopolymer stamps sit on an acrylic block so you can line them up exactly. Pick a set that includes greetings.
Tape runners & foam squares
A tape runner is fast and mess-free; foam squares add pop-up dimension; a liquid glue pen handles tiny pieces.
Pro tip: Batch your cards. Cut and score ten bases at once, then decorate them over the week. You'll always have a card ready for last-minute birthdays.
Know before you buy
What does "lb" mean on cardstock?
US paper is labeled by basis weight in pounds. "Cover" stock (for cards) and "text" stock (for printing and layering) use different scales, so 65 lb cover is thicker than 65 lb text. Many packs also list gsm for easier comparison.
Will my handmade card need extra postage?
It can. USPS charges a nonmachinable surcharge on some letter-size mail, including square envelopes and cards that are rigid, lumpy or unusually thick. Check the current USPS rules before mailing a stack of chunky cards.
Die cutter or electronic cutter?
Manual die cutters are simple and need no computer; electronic cutters cut any design you can upload. See our Cricut & cutting machines department.