A folded greeting card is just one sheet printed on one or both sides, then scored and folded in half. Get the page layout, card stock and fold line right and your homemade cards will look crisp.
Plan the Layout
Most single-fold cards use a landscape page divided into two panels. The right half becomes the front, and the left half is the back when folded. If you want a message inside, the inner spread uses the second side of the sheet.
- Front: image or title on the right-hand panel.
- Back: small credit or blank on the left-hand panel.
- Inside: greeting on one or both panels of the reverse side.
Keep important text away from the fold and the outer edges, since home printers leave small unprintable margins.
Choose Your Stock
Standard paper is too floppy for most cards. Look for medium-weight card stock in a weight your printer supports; the maker’s guide lists the range. Smooth, coated card often takes colour well, while textured card gives a handmade feel but may feed less smoothly.
Print and Fold
- Create the page in a design or word processing tool at the sheet size you will use.
- Print a draft on plain paper and fold it to check orientation.
- Load card stock using the rear or manual feed if your printer has one.
- Print the outside first, then reload the sheet carefully for the inside, following the diagram for your printer’s feed direction.
- Let the ink dry fully.
- Score along the fold line with a ruler and a blunt tool, then fold and crease with a flat edge.
Envelopes
Buy envelopes to match the folded size, or make your own from a template. Check envelope size against your card before printing a full batch.
Add personality with small touches: a hand-written line inside, a pressed strip of coloured paper on the front or a simple ribbon through a punched hole. Keep any added items flat enough for the card to fit in its envelope and for postal handling if you mail it.
If you plan to make cards often, save the layout as a template with placeholder text. Change the picture and the greeting, then print. A tidy folder of seasonal designs makes it easy to produce a batch when birthdays and holidays cluster together.
FAQ
Why does the inside print upside down?
The sheet was flipped the wrong way on reload. Mark the top of your draft and trace its path through the printer to learn the right orientation.
Can I print on both sides of thick card?
Many printers can, but check the maker’s weight limits and use the thick-media setting if one is offered.
The Short Version
Design two panels per side, use suitable card stock, print a plain-paper draft first and score before folding. Take care over which way the sheet goes in for the second side.