Card making is one of the most rewarding and accessible crafts — a handmade card means far more than a shop-bought one, and you need very little to start. Here's everything a beginner needs to know.
The card
Card is the foundation. For cards that fold cleanly and stand up on a mantelpiece, 250–300gsm is ideal. Start with a smooth white or ivory for versatility, then add texture with linen or sparkle with pearlescent as you grow more confident. Not sure about weight? Our GSM guide explains it simply.
The essential tools
- A trimmer or scissors for clean, straight cuts.
- A bone folder or scoring tool for crisp folds that don't crack.
- Adhesive — double-sided tape, glue dots or a fine liquid glue. Browse adhesives.
- Embellishments — the fun part, added last.
Simple techniques to start with
Layering: mount a smaller decorative panel onto a larger base card for instant depth. Stamping: quick, repeatable and beginner-friendly. Die-cutting: once you have a machine, cut clean shapes and letters from card and paper.
Your first card
Fold an A5 base from a sheet of A4, score the fold, layer a slightly smaller printed or patterned panel on top, and finish with a single focal embellishment. Simple, clean and effective — the best cards often are.
A tip before you dive in
Buy a little extra card so you can practise folds and layouts without worrying about waste — bulk packs make this affordable. And keep a few finishes on hand; mixing matt linen with a touch of shimmer looks far more professional than it is difficult.
Ready to begin? Explore the card range and craft papers to build your first kit.
