How to Create Your Own Post Cards

Create your own post cards using card stock and personal photos.

Sending post cards is not only economical, but it is a fast and simple way to keep in contact with friends and family. Because the message area of a post card is small, you can quickly pen your message and send it off in the mail. With the plentiful array of card stock now available for scrapbooking, find card stock you like and use it to create your own post cards.

Things You'll Need

• Card stock
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Photographs
• Photo paper (optional)
• Color printer (optional)
• Glue stick
• Gel pens
• Ink pads
• Scrapbooking stamps

Instructions

1. Draw the outline of your post cards onto the card stock with the ruler and pencil. According to the United States Postal Service, post cards must have dimensions of at least 3.5 inches (height) by 5 inches (width) and post cards cannot exceed 4.25 inches (height) by 6 inches (width).

2. Cut along the outlines to create individual post cards.

3. Use photographs to embellish the front of your post cards. You can use family photos, vacation photos or other personal photos, depending on the occasion. If your photos are in digital format, print them out with a color printer onto photo paper. Make the photos approximately a half-inch smaller in width and length than the post cards.

4. Attach the photo to the post card. Apply an even coat of glue to the backside of the photograph with the glue stick. Attach the photograph to the front of the card stock. If your card stock has a pattern or design on it, decide whether you want to place the photograph on the patterned side of the card stock or the plain side. Adjust the photograph on the card stock to make sure you center it and it is straight. Make sure you glue all corners and edges down securely.

5. Turn each post card over so the backside is facing up. Find the center point of the post card and draw a vertical line from the top to the bottom with a gel pen. This line will separate the message side of the post card from the address side.

6. Add any small stamp embellishments to the backside of the post card. Do not place so many stampings on the post cards that there isn't sufficient room for writing. Make these stamps small and complementary to the post cards. Allow the stamping to dry completely before you proceed.

7. Write your message on the left side of the post card. Place a stamp in the upper right corner of the post card. Write the address of the recipient on the right side of the post card approximately 2 inches below the stamp.

References

• USPS: First Class Cards