What to Write on the Back of a Handmade Card? | Cardmaking Tips

Handmade cards are a labor of love. Whether it’s for a birthday, anniversary, holiday, or just because, a handmade card transforms a simple greeting into a heartfelt message. While we often focus on the front of the card and the inside message, the back of a handmade card offers a unique opportunity to add a final touch of personality, creativity, and flair.

If you're wondering what to write on the back of your handmade card, you’re in the right place! We’ll explore creative ideas to make the back of your cards just as special as the front and discuss how Altenew’s sentiment stamps and dies and alphabet stamps and dies can help you achieve stunning results.

Why Add Details to the Back of Your Handmade Card?

The back of your card is the perfect place to add a signature touch. Think of it as your "artist's signature"—a way to connect with the recipient and remind them that their card is a one-of-a-kind creation. Here are a few reasons why decorating the back of your card matters.

• Showcase your craftsmanship. A small detail on the back reminds the recipient of the time, love, and effort you put into creating their card.
• Personal branding. If you frequently make cards, adding a custom design or message to the back can become part of your unique cardmaking style.
• Add a meaningful finishing touch. Including a short note, sentiment, or embellishment on the back creates a sense of completeness.

Whether you're adding a small signature, a thoughtful quote, or some fun designs, the back of your handmade card is a blank canvas waiting to be personalized!

Are you also in need of ideas on what to write inside handmade cards? Check out our FREE Card Messages page! 

1. Add Your Handmade Signature

One of the simplest and most personal ways to decorate the back of your card is by adding your name or initials. You can use Altenew's alphabet stamps and alphabet dies to create a custom signature that represents your style.

• Use an alphabet stamp set to spell out “Handmade by [Your Name].” Altenew’s versatile Tall Alpha Stamp Set, Block Alpha Stamp Set, and Linear Pathway Alpha Dies are perfect for creating a clean, modern look. 

• Customize it! We gifted some of our loyal fans a custom stamp with their names on it, making it easy for them to personalize their handmade creations. If you received these, we hope you’re putting them to good use! 
• For a polished finish, heat emboss your stamped name in metallic shades like gold or silver.

Pro Tip: If you sell handmade cards, you can create a small “Designed by [Your Name]” or “Handmade by” label using our alphabet stamps for a professional touch!

2. Use Sentiment Stamps for a Sweet Message

Adding a heartfelt sentiment to the back of your card is a simple way to share an extra dose of love. Altenew offers an amazing selection of sentiment stamps that are perfect for this purpose.

Here are a few ideas:

• Use a stamp that says “Made with Love” or “Handcrafted Especially for You.” Our Sentiment Strips Stamp Set offers plenty of options for small, thoughtful phrases, while the oldie-but-goodie Crafty Friends Stamp Set includes fun and inspiring phrases paired with sentiments of encouragement and companionship in a trendy mix of fonts.

• Add a humorous touch with a quirky sentiment, like “Imperfectly Perfect” or “One of a Kind.”

• Opt for an elegant script sentiment, such as “Created with Love.” The Holiday Seals Stamp Set by The Stamping Village is packed with beautifully designed messages from various crafting companies.

By choosing a sentiment that matches the tone of your card, you can make the back of your card even more meaningful.

3. Decorate with Stamped Patterns or Icons

If you love experimenting with handmade card decoration ideas, don’t stop at the front of the card! Add stamped patterns, icons, or small embellishments to the back for a cohesive design.

• Use small floral stamps or geometric shapes to create a subtle border around your signature or sentiment. The Mini Delight series is a great source of inspiration for small, intricate designs.
• Add fun icons like hearts, stars, or leaves to create a playful vibe.

• For added texture, hot foil a sentiment from Everyday Sentiments, die cut it, and adhere it to the back of your handmade card. It’s these small details that will make your handmade card truly unforgettable!

4. Incorporate a QR Code or Social Media Handle

If you’re a cardmaker who shares your designs online, the back of your card is a great place to include your social media handle, blog link, or even a QR code leading to your online portfolio. Our alphabet dies can help you create stylish and consistent branding on all your cards.

Not a fan of tech? Keep it simple by stamping your Instagram handle or Etsy shop name in the corner using the Tall Alpha Lowercase Stamp Set along with a short and sweet message from the Label Love Stamp Set or Bold Sentiments Stamp Set.

5. Write a Small Note or Quote

If you enjoy decorating inside of handmade cards, why not extend that thoughtfulness to the back as well? Write a short note or a meaningful quote on the back to surprise and delight your recipient.

• For a personal touch, handwrite the note with a fine-tip pen.

• For a more polished look, use the Calligraphy Alpha Stamp Set or Simple Alpha Die Set to spell out a beautiful quote, such as “The best gifts are made with love.” You can even use this set to stamp the name(s) of the recipient!
• Use sentiment dies to cut out a word or phrase like “Thank You” or “Love” and adhere it to the back of your card. With the One-Go Sentiments Stamp and Die Set, you can stamp and die cut in one go and create multiple sentiments instantly.    

Pro Tip: Jaycee’s DIY greeting cards below show a couple of ways to decorate the inside of your card. However, you can easily try this hack on the back of your handmade card too!

 

6. Create a Miniature Design Element

Turn the back of your card into a mini-design masterpiece by adding a small stamped image or die-cut embellishment.

• For a floral-themed card, use Altenew’s Build-A-Garden sets to stamp a mini bouquet in the corner.

• For festive cards, add a tiny stamped tree, snowflake, or ornament. Our holiday-themed stamp sets are perfect for these occasions.
• By mirroring the theme of the front of your card, you’ll create a cohesive and polished design that ties everything together.

Get Creative with Your Handmade Cards!

The back of a handmade card might seem like a small detail, but it’s an opportunity to add personality and make your creation even more memorable. Whether you’re adding a signature, stamping a heartfelt sentiment, or decorating with fun and cute patterns, the back of your card is the perfect place to let your creativity shine.

Using Altenew’s sentiment stamps and dies and alphabet stamps and dies, you can elevate your cardmaking and ensure that every inch of your card is as beautiful and thoughtful as the front. So, the next time you’re working on a handmade card, don’t forget about the back—it’s the cherry on top of your crafting masterpiece!

See you In the Craft Room for more unique and fun handmade card ideas, tips, and tricks!