How do you make handmade cards look professional?

Are you tired of your handmade cards looking a bit, well, homemade? Do you wish you could learn some hacks on how to make handmade cards look more “professional”? Of course, we still ADORE a card with “handmade” vibes, but what if, with just a few expert tips and tricks, you can elevate your cardmaking game from amateur hour to professional chic? If you’re in, then keep on reading!

In this blog post, we’ll take a journey into the world of professional card making and explore how to make your handmade cards look like they were created by a pro (even if you’re still a beginner).

The Allure of Handmade Cards

There's something undeniably special about receiving a handmade card. Whether it's a fun birthday greeting, a heartfelt thank you note, or a festive holiday message, a handmade card adds a personal touch that simply can't be replicated by store-bought alternatives. The time, effort, and love of creating each unique piece make handmade cards truly one-of-a-kind.

A professionally crafted card looks impressive and conveys a sense of care and attention to detail. So, how do you strike the perfect balance between a handmade card's heartfelt charm and a professional design's polished finish? Let's find out!

Choose Quality Cardmaking Supplies and Tools

High-quality crafting supplies and tools are the foundation of professional cardmaking. It’s important to invest in basic supplies that will last for a long time, streamline the crafting process, and help you elevate the look and feel of your handmade cards. Here are 5 cardmaking supplies you should invest in:

• Cardstock: Look for options that offer durability, a smooth finish, and the ability to hold various embellishments without losing their shape.
• Inks: Choose vibrant inks that will give a crisp and smooth stamped impression. 
• Adhesives: You don’t want your die-cuts and embellishments falling off even before the recipient receives the card.
• Trimmer and scissors: A good ol’ pair of scissors can go a long way. Since you will cut a lot of cardstock, paper, tape, etc. trimmers are a must too.

Design Principles for Professional-Looking Cards

• Color Theory

Understanding the principles of color theory can help you create visually appealing combinations and palettes for your cards. Experiment with different color schemes to find the perfect balance between harmony and contrast. Here are a few crafty reads and ideas to help you better understand color palettes, theories, combinations, etc.

• How to Create Fall Color Palettes. In this blog post, Jaycee shared must-try tips on how to create your own fall color palettes using colored cardstock.

• Effortless Coloring Techniques. This blog post showcased an easy way to use color theory to add colors to stamped flowers.

• 5 Tips for Easy Card Color Combinations. Therese has not just one or two but FIVE tips for easy card color combinations in this blog post.

Read more on 5 Common Color Mistakes in Paper Crafting!

• Typography

Choosing the right fonts is crucial for ensuring readability and adding aesthetic value to your handmade card designs. Play around with different font styles to find the perfect match for each card's theme and message. Here are some must-try card ideas showcasing how to choose, mix, and match typography on your projects.

• Keep it clean, simple, and compact. Choosing a sentiment with clean and simple aesthetics is a good way to go if you’re unsure about the typography.

• CAS Merry and Bright Card. Bold, block letters always look great with cursive ones!

Brushed Gold, Brushed Silver, Brushed Copper, Brushed Rose Metallic Cardstock

• Combine fancy fonts with simple, serif fonts. This is a fabulous trick, especially if you are looking for ways to use older sentiment stamps and dies. 

• Layout and Composition

Balancing various design elements, such as images, sentiments, and embellishments, is essential for achieving a professional look. Pay attention to the placement of each component to create visually pleasing compositions. These cardmaking projects showcase some must-try tips for perfect layout and composition.

• 3 Simple & Fun Cards with Different Layouts
• Make Your Card Stand Out with These 2 Composition Rules
• 3 Design Tips for Easy Layouts

Techniques to Enhance Your Handmade Card’s Quality

• Layering and Texturing

Adding dimension and texture to your cards can take them from basic to breathtaking. Experiment with layering different materials and textures to create visually captivating designs.

• Blend, emboss, and die-cut! Charlene shared some tips on how to achieve effortless dimensions and layers through these techniques.

• Learn how to add layers and dimensions in 3 easy steps with Jaycee in this blog post.

• You’ll never believe how easy it is to add instant dimension to handmade cards! Click here to find out how Erica did it.

• Finishing Touches

Embellishments like sequins, enamel dots, gems, etc. can add an extra touch of elegance to your handmade cards. However, you don’t want to overwhelm your card’s overall design, so make sure to use them sparingly and strategically. These cardmaking tutorials are packed with tips and tricks on how to add finishing touches to your projects.

• Floral Wreath with a Twist. Find out how Aga added subtle but effective finishing touches to her lovely wreath card above. Click here to read more.

• Add subtle and prominent gold splatters with Metallic Watercolors. Erum blew us away with this little trick that made her handmade card even MORE gorgeous than it already was! 
• Tip: To add shimmer to the card panel, dilute the gold pigment as much as possible. The shimmer will appear as a subtle shimmer instead of a prominent gold splatter.
• Stamp a small sentiment randomly, softly, for a worn, vintage paper effect using Sea Forest Fresh Dye Ink. Use first and second-generation stamping to do this.

• Use Ink Splatters for Final Touches. When in doubt, go for ink splatters. If you have a dark background, white ink splatters can do wonders!

Discover more cardmaking tips you wish you knew when you were starting!

Create a Mess-Free Crafting Space

Maintaining an organized workspace is key to sparking your creative juices without being hindered by clutter and chaos. With a tidy crafting space, you can minimize distractions, streamline the process, and create an air of professionalism. 

Organizational Tools for Crafting

• Clear zipper pouches

Keep small items like sequins, beads, and eyelets organized and easily accessible with clear zipper pouches. Say goodbye to rummaging through cluttered drawers in search of tiny embellishments!

• Plastic storage pouches

Sorting your materials into plastic storage pouches can help maintain order and ensure that everything has its designated place. Plus, clear pouches allow you to see exactly what's inside without having to open each one.

• Sticker labels for inks and other coloring mediums

Labeling your inks, alcohol markers, and ink-blending tools keeps them organized and saves you precious crafting time by allowing for quick and easy identification. No more guessing games when searching for the perfect shade of blue! Plus, having your coloring tools neatly arranged and readily available can inspire spontaneous bursts of creative genius.

Create professional-looking handmade cards that will wow the recipients!

Remember, the beauty of handmade cards lies not just in the materials you use, but in the love and creativity you pour into each piece. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different techniques, colors, and layouts—this is your chance to express yourself! As you embark on this crafting journey, take a moment to organize your workspace too. A tidy environment can spark your creativity and make the process more enjoyable. 

We’d love to hear about your cardmaking adventures! Share your favorite tips in the comments below. If you found this post helpful, please share it with your fellow crafters. Let’s inspire each other to create beautiful, professional-looking handmade cards that delight everyone who receives them. Happy crafting!

Drop by In the Craft Room for more crafting tips and tricks. See you there!