How to Fold Handmade Cards

Greeting cards are expensive. Stacks of the same card with the same greeting are sold to several people in one location. Creating interesting, one-of-a-kind greeting cards from paper and cardstock can be time consuming, but your handmade card will show individuality and a personal feeling to the message. A card must be folded correctly with a crisp straight line to give it a proper finished look. Folding techniques are also used to create decorative cards and envelopes. It is important to score straight lines when preparing to fold a greeting card.

Things You'll Need

• Ruler or straight edge
• Bone folder or stylus

Instructions

1. 

   Card stock is a main component in hand-made greeting cards.

   Place card material on a flat work surface. The card may be blank or a completed piece of artwork.

2. 

   Score paper first for an easy fold.

   Measure the card to determine the half way point of the piece. Lightly mark the center point with a pencil.

3. Place a straightedge or a ruler over the center of the card. Line it up to maintain a straight edge on the paper or card stock.

4. Place the pointed end of a bone folder or stylus at one end of the straightedge. Run the scoring tool down the entire length making an indentation in the paper. Score once again.

5. Bend the card material at the scored line. Run the large end of the bone folder or a craft stick over the edge to smoothly press the fold down.

Tips & Warnings

• Some paper cutting tools have a feature for scoring paper.

References

• The Artful Crafter: Greeting Card Folding Technique
• Greeting Card Resource: Basic Cutting and Folding Techniques

Resources

• Cards and Crafts: Iris Folding Instructions