Some CARD basics - The Size

Hi friends!  Its Katie here today to welcome you to another glorious week and another happy Tuesday.  I hope you had a great weekend.  With today's post, I wanted to go over something that is very basic to the cardmaker which is the card itself.  What size do I make my cards?  Can I mail them?  How much does it cost?  Do I cut my own?  Do I buy pre-cut?

Well basically, the answer is you can make your card sizes whatever you want, but there are some limitations and I'll tell you why in a moment.  If you buy cards at your stationary store or at the craft stores then you are set because all the work is done for you, but if you want to cut your own then I've got some basics to share with you.

Generally, the easiest and quickest with no waste comes from your standard piece of 8 1/2" x 11" piece of cardstock.  There are a couple of ways to cut and fold the cardstock depending on how you want your card to look.  The cards that you get from this size cardstock are known as A2 sized cards and envelopes for this size card are easy to find at your craft store or stationary store.  These are also known as 5 Bar.  envelopes as well.

I've labeled the cards with a common way of describing the layout of the card.

Now, if you cut in basically the opposite way from the above picture this is what you'll get (below), but same size cards and same size envelopes will result.

You can also start with a 12 x12 piece of cardstock for the least amount of waste as well.  But, your envelopes can be a bit harder to find and you might have to go online to do so.  But are still out there.

• For your 6x6 card you would just cut 2 pieces that measure 6 x 12 (2 cards per sheet)
• For your 5x5 card you would cut 2" off 2 sides of your 12x12 and then cut 2 pieces measuring 5x10 ( 2 cards per sheet)
• For your 4x4 card you would cut 4" off one side and cut 3 pieces measuring 4x8.  Then cut that extra piece down to 4x8 (4 cards per sheet)
• For your 3x3 card you would cut your cardstock into 2 pieces measuring 6x12 and then cut each section into pieces measuring 3x6 (8 cards per sheet) *** these aren't mailable unless you put them in a larger sized envelope, but they make super cute little note/gift cards
• For your 4x6 card you would cut your cardstock into 3 pieces measuring 4x12 (3 cards per sheet)

These are some of the basic sizes and since I had all these cards cut I thought I would share what they looked like if they were stamped on.  Even though the sizes vary, they are all so easy to stamp with just one stamp set.  I decided to use one of my favorite called Soil of Prayer.  This set is perfect because it has a variety images in a variety of sizes.

Here are the set of cards I created using this very stamp set.  As you can see it doesn't really matter the size of the cards, you can still get a great design all of of them.  I went with fall type colors since it definitely feels like fall in Washington State.  If you are interested in some basics about Random Stamping or creating your own stamped backgrounds click HERE.

 

I also wanted to add a little bit of tidbit information about mailing your cards.  I read questions all the time about thicknesses, weight, and size concerning the cards that we want to mail through the USPS. 

I got this great sturdy plastic tool at my local post office.  I try to do as much mailing as I possibly can from home so this is a great tool.  Plus I have my own scale at home too.  If you don't have a postal scale you can use a cooking scale as well and then I put in my information right on the USPS website.

See that slot in the middle right?  If you envelope fits through there then you are good and won't need to pay for a surcharge, unless your card is over the 1 oz weight.  

Plus this neat little tool has all the dimensions that you need for the sizes of cards that you can mail and what will need surcharges.

Unfortunately, it does appear that each and every postal office seems to have their own policies so I can't help your there. (I'll share a little anecdote with you)

I was sent something in the mail from a post office from across the country and it was clear that the postage had been figured out by machine at the post office.  Well, my postman was kind enough to pay for the extra charge that apparently the post office from afar had somehow miscalculated. 

It is important to note though that all square envelopes always require an extra charge.

 

 

I touched on some basics, but there are other sizes of cards and envelopes that are out there ready for purchase and of course you can really make whatever size you'd like.

Thanks for coming to visit and spending some time with us.  I hope you have a fabulous Tuesday!

This is Katie signing off for Clearly iStamp.

Comments

[Kimberly]

Thanks Katie,
I am always wondering about sizes, and this will truley help me. Thanks a million for doing this tutorial for us. Greatly appreicated. God Bless.

[Sophia]

I didn't know about that template, either, but I'll be asking the next time I'm in the post office! Thanks for the helpful information!

[Amber]

I sell Clear envelopes and it also varies from post office to post office weather or not you get a surcharge for these. I use the standard 1/4 fold size cards all the time in clear envelopes and have only twice had them returned for the additonal postage. In both instances I just peeled off the additional postage sticker and popped them back in my mailbox. They arrived at their destinations the second time with no issues. I kills me how not only each post office but each postal PERSON can be different in their interpretations of what is the proper amount of postage on a card...NUTS!

[rebecca]

what a great resource, especially for new stampers. Thanks so much for putting this together...a quick tip I share with my stampers is to always score first, cut once...you save a step by scoring first!!

[Linda Bandow]

Katie, you a a WONDER! Thanks so much for this info which I am printing out and hanging next to my paper cutter. I am one of those sad souls who is measurement challenged so every little bit helps. I enjoy your work. TFS

[Karyn]

Excellent post on the basics! Great for new stampers to refer to. I swear each post office has it's own little rules and regulations too about how thick thin if it lays flat if it is lumpy and so on that they then charge rates from - gets annoying at times, I stick the stamp on and pray it makes it to it's destination sometimes! LOL!

[Shawna]

OH, Katie, thanks so much for sharing this information. Invaluable!!! Love the DP you made with the stamps!!!!!

[samara]

What a fantatic post Katie! I am in love with Charlie and gal pal, however I need to order this stamp set seeing what you have done with it. That being a sidebar, I've never seen such a thorough explanation for novice stamper and experienced stamper alike. This is for keeping on hand when measurements slip my mind, paper gets wasted and time is of the essence. Brilliant Katie - as are your stamps!!! xox

[Silli]

The Bg is very pretty. Thanks! Happy day Silke

[cindy]

Your stamped backgrounds here are fabulous!!

[Candyf]

This is a lot of awesome information. Never knew there was a template available with mailing sizes/procedures. I'll have to check for one the next time I'm at the post office. The cards -- I love how you showed the background using one stamp set for all of the different card sizes.