Make Photo Greeting Cards

I love to make photo greeting cards. It combines two of my greatest pleasures...photography and writing. Well, make that three pleasures. It is also a way to connect with family and friends by sending a little gift of myself.

Would you like to make photo greeting cards? I know you already have some dynamite photographs, so lets get started.

Here are some simple methods:

Down and Dirty Method #l:

• Get yourself some envelopes and card stock at your local office supply store.

• Cut the card stock so when it is folded, it fits nicely in the envelope.

• Glue your photo on the front of the card with an acid free glue stick.

Clean and Classy Method #2:

• Buy blank note card or invitation stationary with same sized envelopes. These cards come scored in the middle for a neat fold. You can buy small amounts of these at the same office supply store, or get economical and buy a box of 200 at your local printer or online. (You'll be glad you did, because your cards will be in demand!)

• You can, of course, glue your photo on the card and be done with it, but this is the clean and classy method, so let's show off that artwork with a simple frame. I use Greeting Card software and choose a thin double line border. It is amazing how this simple step gives your photo greeting card a professional look.

• Next, give credit where credit is due. Print the back of the card with information about you, the photo and where they can get more. Again, I use Greeting card software by clicking on "View" and "back of card."

• Now you can glue your photo into the border you printed on the front.
  

Alternate Avenue Method #3:

• Print your photos directly onto ink jet note card paper. These photo papers are specially cut and pre-scored for easy folding. Glossy or matte note cards enable you to print photo quality images directly onto your card stock, saving you the time and expense of first printing the photo, then gluing it onto a separate note card.
  
• If you still like the look of the framed border, you can add this as you are editing your photo.
• Don't forget the back. Use your Greeting Card software or your Photo Editing software to create text and perhaps your own logo for the back side of the photo greeting card.

Last but not Least Method #4:

• Not the least expensive, but certainly the easiest method to make photo greeting cards is to buy note card paper that comes with cut out openings for your photographs. These also come pre-scored for folding.
• Your photo is placed into a sleeve on the front of the card and is held in place by peeling off an adhesive strip. This gives your photo a finished matted look.
• One of these products also comes with "Original Photo By" printed on the back with lines for you to add your name, website, e-mail, etc.

Hopefully, you can find a method above that suits you. Who knows? You might get so good at it that people will want to buy them. And that is the subject for another blog.....