How to Make Picture Greeting Cards

Picture greeting cards can be a great touch to events such as birthdays and holidays, or even for just to send a hello message. You can make your own picture greeting cards even more special by adding pictures of family and friends. With a computer, computer imaging software and some card stock paper, you can easily make this happen. In less than 20 minutes, you can have your own picture greeting cards.

Things You'll Need

• 8.5-by-11-inch white card stock paper

Instructions

1. Open up a photo imaging program such as Photoshop, or any program that allows you to resize an image.

2. Resize your picture to be 5-by-7 inches in size, depending on its orientation. If it is a horizontal picture, you will want it to be 7 inches wide and 5 inches tall. If it is vertical, you will want it to be 5 inches wide and 7 inches tall. This will also leave margins around the photo. If you want no margins at all, consider resizing the image to a variation of 5.5-by-8.5 inches or larger and prompt the program to print without margins.

3. Insert your card stock paper into your printer. White card stock paper works best, as it won't interfere with the photo's colors.

4. Print your photo onto your card stock paper.

5. If you wish to add a message to your greeting card, create a file with an area matching your photo's. For example, if your photo was sized to be 5-by-7 inches, you would create another 5-by-7-inch file. Use the program's text tool, depending on whether you're using Photoshop, InDesign or even Word or OpenOffice, and type your message on the center of the page.

6. Flip your card stock paper in the opposite direction of where the photo was printed on your sheet, and load it so that it will print a message that's legible when you open the folded card. This may vary depending on your printer.

7. Take your card with its newly printed picture and message, and fold it along the edge of the photo.

8. Sign and send your card.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want an even more professional glossy look, several online companies will allow you to submit a photo and message, and then they will print the cards for you. See the Resources below for links.

References

• How to make a greeting card on your computer at IT Acumen Forums

Resources

• Custom photo greeting cards at Shutterfly
• Photo Greeting Cards at Zazzle