All You Need to Know About Slimline Cards (With Project Ideas!)

Slimline cards are all the rage in the paper crafting world! But what exactly are slimline cards, and how do you make a slimline card base? 

If you love making cards but don't want to make the usual A2 greeting card, then slimline cards are perfect for you! This post will teach you everything you need to know about making these cards and provide some project ideas to get you started. So, whether you're a beginner or experienced card-maker, read on for some helpful tips and project inspiration. You'll be creating stylish and slim cards in no time!

In this blog post:

1. What Are Slimline Cards?
1. What Are Mini Slimline Cards?
2. What Size Are Slimline Cards?
1. Slimline Card Sizes
3. What Envelopes Do You Need For Slimline Cards?
1. Slimline Envelope Sizes
4. Why Are Slimline Cards So Popular?
5. What Supplies Do I Need For Slimline Cards?
6. Easy Slimline Card Ideas

embossed slimline card

What Are Slimline Cards?

Slimline cards are one of the latest card making crazes that everyone and their mother seem to be into these days. These cards are vertically tall and slender or horizontally skinny and long. The most important feature of these cards is they fit a standard #10 envelope or a letter-size envelope. There is a variety of sizes, but the most common slimline card sizes are 3 ½” x 8 ½” and 3 ⅝” x 8 ⅝” and 4” x 9”. For reference, an a2 greeting card size is 4 ¼” x 5 ½”.  

For veteran card-makers, slimline cards aren’t really new. This card shape and size have been around for decades, back when envelopes only came in two sizes (letter size and A2). For new card-makers, slim cards provide a fun and exciting challenge since these will make them rethink the layout and design of their cards. One thing is for sure. With crafting companies coming up with new slimline products every month, card makers of all levels are definitely enticed to bring their creativity to the next level.

birthday slimline card with slimline dies

What Are Mini Slimline Cards?

As the name suggests, mini slimline cards are a smaller and shorter version of popular slimline cards. The standard mini slimline card size is 3 ½” x 6” and fits 3 ⅝” x 6 ½” envelopes. These tall and slender cards have gained popularity immediately after the slimline card craze started.

Fun Fact! Did you know that there is a Greeting Card Association in the US? The Greeting Card Association is a US trade organization representing the interests of greeting card and stationery manufacturers.

What Size Are Slimline Cards?

Slimline card sizes vary slightly from card to card, but the common denominator is it needs to fit a #10 envelope, which measures 4 ⅛” x 9 ½”. To fit a letter-size envelope, traditional slimline cards should measure around 3 ½” x 8 ½”.

SLIMLINE CARD SIZES

According to Jennifer McGuire, here are some popular slimline card sizes:

Slimline Cards	Slimline Card Size	How to Cut Your Cardstock
Traditional Slimline	3 ⅝” x 8 ⅝”	Cut your cardstock to 8 ⅝” x 7 ¼” and score at 3 ⅝”
Popular Slimline	3 ½” x 8 ½”	Cut your cardstock to 8 ½” x 7” and score at 3 ½”
Big Slimline	4″ x 9″	Cut your cardstock to 8″ x 9” and score at 4″
Mini Slimline Cards	3 ½” x 6″	Cut your cardstock to 7″ x 6” and score at 3 ½”

As you can see, there are some slight differences when it comes to the cardstock sizes. For convenience or personal preference, most card-makers round this up to 3 ½” x 8 ½” or 4” x 9”. It doesn’t really matter as long as it fits in your slimline envelope.

DIY Slimline card and envelope

What Envelopes Do You Need For Slimline Cards?

We’ve established that slimline envelopes are the very common #10 or letter-size envelopes. However, a few envelope sizes fit the different slimline card sizes. 

SLIMLINE ENVELOPE SIZES

Here are some standard slimline envelope sizes according to Jennifer McGuire:

Slimline Envelopes	Slimline Envelope Size
Big Slimline Envelopes (also known as the #10 or letter size envelope)	4 ⅛” x 9 ½”
Traditional Slimline Envelopes (also known as #9 envelope)	3 ⅞” x 8 ⅞”
Mini Slimline Envelopes	3 ⅝” x 6 ½”

slimline thank you card

Why Are Slimline Cards So Popular?

Why is it so trendy? Cardmakers are always looking for new, stylish, and imaginative ways to design their handmade cards. Of course, classic A2-sized cards are still remarkable and a go-to for most, but there are more creative possibilities with slimline cards. There’s more space to create vast landscapes and sceneries such as mountains, oceans, and skies. Creating slim cards pushes your creativity, whether you use it vertically or horizontally. Plus, you get to look at your existing crafting supplies in a whole new light. The best thing about it? There’s lots of extra space for design but no added postage when you send out your cards.

With crafting companies releasing beautiful and unique slimline products such as stamps, dies, and stencils, this trendy card size isn’t going anywhere soon.

What Supplies Do I Need For Slimline Cards?

Craft companies have come to the aid of slim card enthusiasts by releasing a plethora of slimline products. The most popular products in this range are slimline dies, stamps, stencils, and embossing folders. Of course, you can still use your basic and regular crafting supplies on slimline cards. You can even mix old supplies with specially designed slimline card products.

Here are our top picks of slimline dies, stamps, stencils, and embossing folders.

Slim card idea using slimline dies

1. Nesting Slim Rectangles Die Set

These are the perfect slimline dies! This set of dies includes six versatile rectangles with an embossed inner line for added interest. They are sized to work perfectly for popular slimline cards, but can also be used for scrapbooks, tags on gifts, and more!

Die Dimensions: 

• 3.5" x 8.5"
• 2.75" x 6.75"
• 2" x 6"
• 1.2" x 5.2"
• 0.4" x 4.25"
• 0.8" x 2.75"

Slimline dies - sentiments

2. Slim Sentiments Die Set

Some sentiment dies are too tiny or too big for your beloved slimline cards. We have designed these slimline dies to be long and thin - just perfect for slim cards. These versatile sentiment dies can also be adhered diagonally or cut into separate pieces to be used on your A2 greeting card and other DIY projects!

Slimline deco cover die for slimline cards

3. Slim Deco Cover Die Set

This set of dies features a design reminiscent of mid-century art deco linework and is sure to give your paper crafting projects a bit of retro glamor. The larger die is sized at 2.75" x 6.75", making it a lovely cover die for mini slimline cards. However, it would also look fabulous on a traditional slimline card size! The second die in the set is 1.7" x 4.5", which will ideally suit an A2-sized project.

Die Dimensions: 

• 2.75" x 6.75"
• 1.7" x 4.5"

Scrapbook journal with slimline 3D embossing folder

4. Classic Pinecones Slim 3D Embossing Folder

This beautiful 3D embossing folder features pine branches with scattered pinecones. It has been designed to work perfectly on traditional and mini slimline cards, but it can be used on any crafting project.

rainbow birthday card with slimline stencil

5. Double Rainbow Slim Stencil

This stencil features two large rainbows on a 3 ½” x 8 ½” canvas so you can add cheerful colors to your next handcrafted project. We have cleverly included the positive pieces for each stripe of the spectrum (7 pieces in total) to allow for easier inking.

Mini slimline card idea with slim dies

6. Abstract Seascape Slim Cover Die

Reminiscent of a bold stained glass design, this fun slimline die will help you create a lovely seascape of brisk waves on a sunny day. The die is positioned in portrait orientation and designed in popular slimline card sizes. However, portions of the design can be used on any size project, and utilizing only the fallout pieces will result in yet another amazing look. How versatile is this fun die?!

Easy Slimline Card Ideas

Are you in need of fresh and fun slimline card ideas? Or do you simply want to learn the basics of making these sleek and stylish cards? We’ve got you covered with a few slimline card ideas that you can easily recreate in your craft room! Get out those slimline dies, stamps, etc., and start crafting!

Slimline card on black cardstock

1. Try using black cardstock and metallic watercolors to make your next card stand out! Check out Therese’s fun slim card idea here.

Popular and mini slimline cards with floral dies

2. Two cards, one style! Norine challenged herself in this blog post by creating a traditional and mini slimline card with the same style (clean and simple), but with different cardstock sizes and designs.

ink blending on a slimline card

3. The beauty of Lydia’s breathtaking sunset scenery is that you can create it vertically or horizontally on slimline cards (or A2 cards)! 

Black slimline card idea

4. In her unique slim card, guest designer Jessie utilized a combination of stamps, stencils, watercolors, embossing powder, and even wax seal stamps and beads! How cool is that? 

Mini slimline card ideas with embossing folders

5. For those looking to create simple yet elegant mini slimline cards, Emily’s card projects might inspire you! Nothing like white-on-white embossing to create a classy look!

Scenic slim card idea

6. Svitlana showcased the versatility of our 3-in-1 stamp, die, and coloring stencil sets by creating 3 different-sized card projects! How incredible is that?

black and white slimline card idea

7. Like Svitlana, Laurie opted to use one versatile stamp set to create her A2 greeting cards and a traditional slimline card. If you’re into CAS, then this idea is perfect for you!

holiday slimline card with slim 3D embossing folder

It is easy to see why slimline cards have taken the card making world by storm. They are fun and exciting to create and push the boundaries of a cardmaker’s creativity. It is great for both beginners practicing techniques and seasoned cardmakers looking to level up their skill. With the variety of slimline card sizes and products, you will never run out card making ideas to try! We hope this post has helped you better understand this card making trend and inspired you to start making your own traditional or mini slimline cards soon!

Drop by our All About Crafting page for more paper crafting tips, fun facts, and ideas!