10 Tips To Making a Card

1) Start with the purpose

• Birthday, thank you, sympathy, wedding, new baby, encouragement, etc.

• Who it’s for (friend vs. coworker vs. client) changes the vibe fast.

2) Pick one clear style direction

Choose one and commit:

• cute / playful

• elegant / minimal

• modern / bold

• vintage / rustic

• floral / romantic

When you mix too many styles, it looks busy.

3) Keep the layout simple

A great rule: one focal point + supporting details.

• Leave white space (blank areas) on purpose.

• Use an easy layout like: centered, left aligned, or top image + bottom sentiment.

4) Limit your color palette

Pick 2–3 main colors + maybe 1 accent (like gold/black).

This is one of the fastest ways to make cards look professional.

5) Choose a focal element

One star of the show:

• a die-cut shape

• a stamped image

• a big sentiment

• a photo

• florals/foliage cluster

Then everything else supports it.

6) Use strong contrast

Make sure the message is readable:

• dark text on light background (or vice versa)

• if the background is patterned, put the sentiment on a solid label/banner.

7) Texture beats clutter

If you want the card to feel “fancy,” add texture, not extra stuff:

• embossing (dry or heat)

• foam tape dimension

• ribbon/twine

• vellum

• tiny gems (a few, not a million)

8) Typography matters

• Use 1–2 fonts max.

• Don’t make sentiments too small.

• If handwriting: write slower, or stamp/print the main message and handwrite just the name.

9) Make it sturdy and clean

• Use good cardstock (thicker feels premium).

• Cut straight, glue clean (no smears).

• Align things (a ruler or grid mat helps a lot).

10) Repeat what works

When you find a design you love, make it into a “recipe”:

• same layout

• same colors

• swap the sentiment for different occasions

This saves time and makes your work look consistent.