Ultimate Guide: Sell Greetings Cards on Etsy with Canva in 2022

Ultimate Guide: Sell Greetings Cards on Etsy with Canva in 2022

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Creating Your Own Greeting Cards 2.1 Paper Trimmer 2.2 Card Scoring Board 2.3 Measuring and Cutting the Cards
3. Buying Pre-Made Blanks 3.1 Benefits of Pre-Made Blanks 3.2 Where to Buy Pre-Made Blanks
4. Designing Your Card with Canva 4.1 Using Canva for Designing 4.2 Using Clip Art 4.3 Commercial Licensing Rules 4.4 Resizing and Positioning Elements 4.5 Adding Text and Fonts 4.6 Using Colors from Images
5. Creating a Card Template 5.1 Benefits of Using a Template 5.2 Adding Logo and Shop Name 5.3 Positioning the Spine 5.4 Removing Center Line 5.5 Saving and Printing the Template
6. Printing Your Card 6.1 Selecting Print Settings 6.2 Recommended Printer 6.3 Adjusting Print Resolution
7. Finalizing and Packaging Your Cards 7.1 Folding and Packaging Cards 7.2 Ensuring Card Safety in Transit 7.3 Using Do Not Bend Envelopes

How to Make and Sell Greeting Cards: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction:

If you're passionate about crafts and want to turn your creativity into a profitable venture, making and selling greeting cards is a great option. Whether you prefer to create your own cards from scratch or use pre-made blanks, this guide will walk you through the process of designing, printing, and packaging your cards for sale. From selecting the right tools and materials to mastering the art of card design, you'll learn everything you need to know to start your own greeting card business.

Creating Your Own Greeting Cards:

One of the most cost-effective ways to make greeting cards is to create them yourself. By following a few simple steps, you can produce professional-looking cards that stand out. Here's what you'll need:

2.1 Paper Trimmer: A paper trimmer is an essential tool for cutting the cardstock to the correct dimensions. Investing in a quality paper trimmer, such as the one available on Amazon, ensures precise and clean cuts.

2.2 Card Scoring Board: To achieve a professional spine in the center of your card, a card scoring board is a must-have. It allows you to score down the center, making folding easier and creating a polished look. You can find a suitable card scoring board on Amazon.

2.3 Measuring and Cutting the Cards: Using the paper trimmer, measure out your card to the desired dimensions. Cut the cardstock accordingly. Once cut, use the card scoring board to score down the center, ensuring a clean fold.

Buying Pre-Made Blanks:

If you prefer a quicker and more streamlined approach, buying pre-made blanks is a viable option. Here are some advantages:

3.1 Benefits of Pre-Made Blanks: Using pre-made blanks saves time and effort in cutting and scoring cards. It allows you to focus more on the design aspect, speeding up the production process.

3.2 Where to Buy Pre-Made Blanks: You can find packs of pre-made blanks on platforms like Amazon. Look for packs that offer good quality and value for money, such as packs of 50 for around 10 pounds.

Designing Your Card with Canva:

Canva is a popular graphic design tool that can aid in creating beautiful card designs. Whether you're an artist or prefer using clip art, Canva offers various features to enhance your creativity.

4.1 Using Canva for Designing: Canva provides a user-friendly interface and a wide range of design options. Begin by creating a 2000 by 2000 pixel square canvas. This size makes it easier to work with templates and positioning elements.

4.2 Using Clip Art: If you're not an artist, Canva offers a vast collection of clip art options for commercial use. You can also explore platforms like Etsy for unique clip art designs. However, make sure to review the commercial licensing rules to avoid any copyright issues.

4.3 Resizing and Positioning Elements: Play around with resizing and positioning the elements of your design until you're satisfied with the final result. Canva allows for easy adjustments to achieve the desired layout.

4.4 Adding Text and Fonts: Canva offers numerous text combinations and fonts to choose from. Experiment with different fonts, wording, and colors to create visually appealing text elements for your card.

4.5 Using Colors from Images: Take advantage of Canva's ability to pull color codes from the images you use. Start by selecting colors that complement your design elements. Adjust the tones if necessary to maintain a cohesive look.

4.6 Review and Adjustments: After positioning all elements and finalizing the design, group them together to ensure they move as one. Paste the design onto your card template, which can be created with the correct measurements in Canva.

Creating a Card Template:

Having a card template saves time and effort in future designs. Follow these steps to create a reusable template:

5.1 Benefits of Using a Template: With a template, you don't have to worry about resizing elements or positioning them correctly each time. It provides consistency and a professional look to your cards.

5.2 Adding Logo and Shop Name: Include your Etsy shop logo and name on the card template, just like established card brands do. This branding adds credibility and makes your cards more recognizable to customers.

5.3 Positioning the Spine: Create guidelines for the spine on your template. This helps prevent design elements from overlapping the folding area, ensuring that your cards look neat and professional.

5.4 Removing Center Line: Once you're happy with the positioning, remove the center line from the template so that it doesn't print. This feature is only for visual reference.

5.5 Saving and Printing the Template: Save the template and make a copy to retain the original. By doing this, you can reuse the template for future designs without having to recreate it each time. Print the template using the recommended print settings for the highest resolution.

Printing Your Card:

Printing your cards accurately is crucial to maintain the quality of your designs. Follow these steps:

6.1 Selecting Print Settings: Before printing, open the system dialog and select custom sizing based on your card's measurements. This ensures that the design fits perfectly on the card blank.

6.2 Recommended Printer: The Canon ip8750 is a printer suitable for printing on thick cardstock up to 300 gsm. This printer offers good print quality without the need for expensive commercial-grade printers.

6.3 Adjusting Print Resolution: Ensure that you adjust all individual print settings to achieve the highest possible resolution. The better the print quality, the more professional your cards will look.

Finalizing and Packaging Your Cards:

After printing, it's important to package your cards neatly to protect them during transit. Follow these steps:

7.1 Folding and Packaging Cards: Fold the printed cards along the scored center line. Place each card inside a cellophane bag to keep them clean and protected. Then, insert them into do not bend envelopes to minimize the risk of damage during shipping.

7.2 Ensuring Card Safety in Transit: Using white envelopes and protective packaging materials, such as do not bend envelopes, ensures that your cards arrive in perfect condition. This enhances customer satisfaction and helps build a positive reputation for your business.

7.3 Adding Personal Touch: Consider including a handwritten thank-you note or a small freebie in the packaging to add a personal touch and make your customers feel appreciated.

FAQ Q&A:

Q: Can I use my own designs instead of clip art? A: Absolutely! If you're an artist or have your own designs, you can create unique cards using your artwork.

Q: Can I sell the cards I make commercially? A: Yes, but make sure to read and understand the commercial licensing rules when using clip art from platforms like Canva and Etsy. Some artists may have restrictions on commercial use.

Q: Do I need a specific printer for printing on cardstock? A: While most printers aren't designed to handle thick cardstock, the Canon ip8750 is an affordable option that can print on cardstock up to 300 gsm.

Q: How can I make my cards more professional-looking? A: Utilize a card scoring board for a crisp fold, include your shop logo and name on the card template, and package cards in protective materials such as cellophane bags and do not bend envelopes.

Q: Can I customize the size of my cards? A: Yes, you can customize the size of your cards by adjusting the measurements in Canva and selecting the appropriate printing settings.

Q: How can I market and sell my greeting cards online? A: Platforms like Etsy provide a great marketplace for selling handmade cards. Utilize social media and SEO strategies to promote and market your products to a wider audience.