DIY Greeting Card Design

Greeting Cards are pieces of folded paper having images or text on the front (cover) and a message inside. Though these cards are available with different variations and designs, but they usually follow similar layout plan. They have 3 parts or elements - a front side, a back side and inside. For designing these cards, one has to take care of each of these elements.

1. Front Side - When designing front side of the card, one can use an image or text or a mixture of images and text. The card maker software library has a plethora of images to be selected for designing greetings. One can select suitable images to set the desired tone of the card, like serious, funny, playful or romantic, depending upon the occasion. The front side has to be designed with due care, since it is the first to grab the attention of the viewer.

2. Inside - The inside of the card can be kept blank for one's own message or can be designed with images or a simple message (like Happy Birthday, Happy Anniversary) can be given. There can also be some poem, some quotation or any punch line for a joke included inside the card.

Extra Inside Panels - Some cards have many panels, instead of having only one fold. They may have gate folds or accordion folds, in order to include a large amount of photos and text.

Extra Inside Pages - Some cards can look like small booklets in order to tell a story or an extensive message.
3. Back Side - When the cards are bought from the market, their back side contains the name of the manufacturer of the card, copyright notice, and logo and contact details. However, when one designs a card for his or her own use with a greeting card software, the back side can be left blank or can be decorated according to one's own wish.

Optional Elements of Greeting Cards

Embellishments - The cards made by hand or with the help of software can be embellished with charms, ribbons, glitter and other items to make them more beautiful and personalized.

Sound - These days, some greetings also incorporate sound.

Tabs or Pop-ups - The greetings may also have tabs or pop-ups which the receiver pulls to read the message. These are generally included in kids' cards or romantic cards.