About Tent-Fold Greeting Cards

Tent-fold greeting cards derive their name from a graphics arts term referring to a printed sheet used to communicate with the reader on both sides of the folded sheet. Used in advertising, tent-folds are set on a tabletop or counter to be read or viewed from both sides. Tent-fold greeting cards, folded in the same manner, feature graphics or script on the front and a verse or message on the inside when flipped open.

Features

Tent-fold cards come in a variety of sizes and consist of a single sheet of paper, generally card or index stock. When placed in the envelope, the graphics side faces the seal so that when opened and removed the card is ready to read.

Homemade

Children can easily make tent-fold greeting card for any occasion by folding a sheet of paper or index stock in half. Grasp the shorter side of an 8 1/2-x-11-inch sheet of paper and fold so the edge meets the opposing 8 1/2-inch side. Crease the card. You will have a 4 1/4-by-5 1/2-inch card that can be displayed on a tabletop.

Outside

Graphics or images drawn on the facing fold create an invitation to open the card. Part of verse that continues on the inside of the card is common. Sometimes, a question posed on the front is answered on the inner page.

Inside

Unfolding the card reveals the main message, which often takes the form of verse but may contain additional graphics or a hand written message. The sender signs the card indicating that the message is from him directing the message to the recipient.

Printing

Making tent fold cards on the computer involves selecting a card-making program and choosing tent fold in the options. Add the graphics and verse desired on the card. Select "print." The card prints in two pages. Print the first page. Remove the print from the printer. Turn the page over and insert it back into the printer. Print the second page on the back of the first. Remove from the printer and fold in half to create a tent-fold greeting card.

Uses

The majority of Christmas cards are tent-fold cards. Other cards may follow the same folding procedure, with the exception of creating a fold on the left instead of at the top. Although not technically a tent fold, these cards function in primarily the same way. Tent-fold greeting cards provide a quick and easy way to create a card for any occasion without the worry of complicated folding techniques.