Handmade Cards With Printable Scrapbook Paper

Printable scrapbook paper is a cardmaker’s shortcut: one pack gives you coordinating patterns for card fronts, mats, envelope liners and inside panels, and you print only the pieces you need. Here are card designs that work well with printed paper, with sizes for each.

Card sizes and how to cut them

Card	Base (unfolded)	Printed panel	Per Letter sheet
A2 (4.25 x 5.5 in)	8.5 x 5.5 in	4 x 5.25 in	4 panels
A7 (5 x 7 in)	10 x 7 in	4.75 x 6.75 in	2 panels
Square (5.5 x 5.5 in)	11 x 5.5 in	5.25 x 5.25 in	2 panels
Square (6 x 6 in)	12 x 6 in	Use the 6 x 6 mini PDF	1 per page, with crop marks

Print panels on 65 lb cardstock and use 80 lb or heavier plain cardstock for the base. A printed card base works too, but heavy cardstock is often too thick for home printers, and a plain base frames the pattern.

Five card designs that use printed paper

1. The simple mat

A printed panel on a plain card base with a small greeting stamp or sticker. Leaving 1/8 in of the base color around the panel makes the pattern look finished. Busy florals and plaids are ideal.

2. Two-paper split

Cut two coordinating papers to the same width, about 2/3 and 1/3 of the card height. Join them with a strip of ribbon, lace or a thin paper border over the seam.

3. Window card

Cut a circle, heart or rectangle from a plain front and let a printed paper show through from the inside. It works beautifully with small all-over motifs.

4. Envelope liner

Line a plain envelope with a printed paper: trace the envelope flap onto the paper, trim 1/4 in inside the line, and glue it under the flap. Print liners on text weight paper so the envelope still closes.

5. Die cut or punched shapes

Cut hearts, trees, stars or flowers from printed paper and layer them with foam tape for dimension. A cutting machine makes this fast, see our Cricut guide.

Matching papers to occasions

• Christmas cards: vintage poinsettias, candy canes, folk villages. More in Christmas paper ideas.
• Valentine and anniversary cards: hearts, roses, envelopes. See Valentine ideas.
• Birthday cards: confetti, candles, party hats. See birthday ideas.
• Thank you and everyday cards: florals, bees, botanicals and gingham from our everyday packs.

Making cards to sell

If you sell handmade cards, our Personal license covers up to 500 cards per design, and Commercial is unlimited. Photograph your finished cards for your listings, not the paper previews. Details in can you sell crafts made with digital paper.