There are many options available to paper crafters, and creating cards is among the most popular and important crafts. Crafting cards is a great way to make a handmade, customised gift for someone. That means that in addition to producing lovely artwork, this activity encourages giving gifts and the development of unique interpersonal ties. Both sender and recipient feel happy when they make and share a card.
If you’re a beginner crafter, you may wonder which card-making supplies you’ll need to start engaging in this meaningful activity, and the many materials and tools available don’t make it any less challenging.
What Do I Need to Start Card Making?
Crafters with different experience levels use various crafting techniques and products, bringing their creative twist to card-making art. You don’t have to be great at drawing and painting; you can instead use die-cutting, stamping, heat-embossing and other methods.
These tiny works of art can also be made with the same tools and techniques typically used for scrapbooking, making card creation frequently to combine creatively and enjoyably with other paper crafting interests. Here are all the essential card-making supplies along with some interesting nice-to-haves for an amazing right-away start.
Paper and Cardstock
Paper and cardstock must be at the top of your cardmaking supplies because, as with any other art or craft, you need a base or blank canvas and paper is exactly that – the foundation of your creative work. The best paper for making cards is cardboard, as it’s heavier, thicker, and more durable than regular or standard paper. It comes in various sizes, colours and finishes, such as smooth, metallic, glossy or textured. It also comes in different thicknesses, with 220 to 280gsm being the most popular and ideal for greeting cards.
Remember that you don’t always need enormous scrapbooking-sized pieces of cardstock to produce your masterpiece when it comes to gorgeous patterns and solid-coloured cardstock. Mini stacks are the ideal paper for cardmaking; they’re smaller, more attractive versions of the standard scrapbooking supplies. Measuring in a large range, they’re almost always far less expensive than a stack of cardstock the size of a scrapbook.
Cards and Envelopes
Specialised craft and art stores frequently sell packs of pre-cut cards and envelopes. These take the inconvenience of measuring and cutting out of the process, especially helpful for beginners who want to save time. They’re available in paper of different thicknesses and colours so you can choose what works best for your crafting needs.
You can also find card-making kits with cards, envelopes, and essential embellishments – enough product to create six to eight layouts and four to six cards with other bits and pieces left over. A card-making kit contains everything you need to construct a certain card, which is a fantastic option if you’re just starting and don’t know where to begin. I love blank card kits that include an aperture, an envelope and a plastic dome in different shapes, as they’re the perfect canvas for making 3-dimensional cards that make the most thoughtful gifts ever.
Washi Tape
The secret ingredient for card makers is washi tape. It works well for borders, embellishments, and even creating images. The best washi tape is truly a matter of taste, although the more expensive varieties are of higher quality.
The most amazing designs to start with when choosing washi tape are simple lines, vibrant colour blocks, and floral motifs as these themes are adaptable and work well with various card types. Get some seasonal themes, like Christmas and character recordings, when you want to add to your collection later. Character washi tapes are fantastic; you can cut them separately and use them as stickers or glue them onto a scrap piece of cardstock for a more substantial accent.
Embellishments
A jar full of vibrantly-coloured buttons, wooden letters, adhesive gems, or any other small bits and pieces you might gather to adorn your cards are all considered embellishments. You can also use colouring books for kids, especially those with more complex designs aimed at adults, which feature wonderful imagery. These patterns make fantastic card-making embellishments. All you have to do is use a craft knife to cut them out after colouring them in.
Sticker and Die Cuts
Stickers are such an enjoyable way to add design to your cards. There are glossy, matte, glittery, holographic, puffy, and more! Stickers for journaling also work well. Die-cut decorations are just as essential for card-making as stickers! They’re the best crafts savings if you don’t already have a die-cut machine. A Christmas kit with die cuts of poinsettia, mistletoe, snowmen, and reindeer—now that’s a card I could make all year long!
Stamps
In addition to being a great way to elevate your card-making, stamping is oddly pleasant. Rubber stamps are ideal for creating cards, and although they cost more than acrylic stamps, they last a lot longer. Squeezing this type of stamp against the paper feels more pleasurable! Although various shapes, letters, and themes are available for stamps, an alphabet and number set would be the best to start. That’s because, while you are unlikely to do this with a particular image, you will use them again for letters on your card.