How to Make Cards From Cardstock? | Fold, Score, Decorate

Make cards from cardstock by cutting a sheet in half, scoring a center fold, and decorating the front with layered paper.

Handmade cards carry more weight than anything store-bought, and the process is simpler than most people expect. With one sheet of cardstock, a scoring tool, and basic adhesive, you can produce a polished card base in about five minutes. The standard approach yields an A2-sized card measuring 4 1/4 by 5 1/2 inches—the same size as most store-bought greeting cards—from a single 8 1/2 by 11 inch sheet.

What follows is the exact method, the supplies worth having, and the mistakes that separate crisp professional-looking cards from flimsy ones.

What Supplies Do You Need For Cardstock Cards?

Beginner card making needs surprisingly few tools. The essentials are cardstock, a ruler, scissors or a paper trimmer, a scoring tool or bone folder, and adhesive.

• Cardstock — the base; heavier stock makes a sturdier card.
• Ruler and scissors or paper trimmer — for clean, straight cuts.
• Scoring tool or bone folder — creates the fold line before bending.
• Adhesive — tape runners or paper-safe glue; avoid wet glue that warps paper.
• Optional — stamps, ink, decorative paper, and embellishments for the front.

Paper weight matters more than most beginners realize. Cardstock generally ranges from 65 to 90 lb cover weight, and that range suits most card projects. A 90 lb white card stock, like the letter-size pack from Exact, gives a firm base that holds its shape. Lighter 65 lb cover stock, such as Southworth’s cotton blend, prints easily through laser printers, inkjet printers, and copiers, but feels less substantial in hand. For those who prefer thick paper, 110 lb cardstock (about 199 gsm) offers a notably sturdier base.

How To Cut, Score, And Fold The Card Base

Cutting, scoring, and folding follow a strict order: cut first, then score, then fold. Skipping the scoring step is the most common beginner mistake—an unscored fold comes out rough and weak.

1. Cut the sheet. Cut an 8 1/2 x 11 inch cardstock sheet in half lengthwise to create two card bases, each measuring 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches.
2. Mark the midpoint. Measure and mark the center of the long side at 4 1/4 inches.
3. Score the fold line. Run a scoring tool or the tip of a bone folder along the ruler at the 4 1/4 inch mark. This compresses the paper fibers so the fold comes out crisp.
4. Fold and press. Fold the cardstock along the score line, then press the crease flat with a bone folder or the back of a spoon.

The finished base measures 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches—a standard A2-style card. Cut and fold in either direction to make portrait or landscape cards; both use the same finished size.

Layering And Decorating The Card Front

Once the base is folded, the decoration is where a card goes from plain to personal. The most reliable technique is layering: cut decorative paper panels slightly smaller than the card front, then attach them with adhesive.

Interior or front panels are commonly cut 1/4 inch smaller on each side than the base front to leave an even border. On an A2 card front measuring 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches, a layered panel would be about 4 x 5 1/4 inches. Attach layers with a tape runner or other paper-safe adhesive, then add a stamped sentiment, handwritten message, or embellishments. Matching the envelope size to the finished card matters—A2 envelopes (4.375 x 5.75 inches) fit standard A2 cards and mail easily.

For more help choosing the right paper, see our roundup of the best cardstock for card making, which covers weight, texture, and printability across popular brands.