About Labels for Handmade Cards

A handmade card

Labels contain important product information. They tell consumers what they're buying and include other facts like price and quantity. Handmade cards are no exception. Card makers should decide what information needs to go on their labels.

Printed on Card

Some cards have the price printed directly on the card. The label should have the price and company information and can include a short description or inventory number. You can do this on any home computer. For mass production, however, use a commercial print shop.

Rubber Stamped

Custom-made rubber stamps are practical if the information doesn't change. When you need a different stamp for each type of card, your costs will go up. Custom-made stamps are easy to use and still give cards that handmade look.

Stickers

Stickers offer a variety of options. You can design logos and company information, print and size them and then affix them to cards. Pre-cut, peel-and-stick labels are also available and you can write on them if no design is necessary.

Removable Tags

Most people take the price tags off what they buy, but most cards already have the price printed on them. A removable price tag solves the problem. Simply make a small tag and place it inside the card. Or tape it on the back with a small piece of re-positionable tape so that it doesn't tear the card or leave a sticky residue when removed.

Bar Codes

According to the American Craft and Hobby Association, bar codes "work in much the same way that Morse Code works. Instead of using dots and dashes to create unique patterns that represent letters or numbers, they use wide and narrow bars and spaces."

Bar codes aren't practical for the card hobbyist but work well for the commercial card maker who mass produces cards. Using a bar coded label decreases data- entry error and helps when tracking inventory.

References

• Craft and Hobby Association: Manufacturers Guide to Bar Code, Common Forms and EC/EDI