Have you ever gone to the stationery department of your local department store for a birthday card, only to find that nothing is really exactly what you are looking for? Some have the ideal front but inside the sentiments aren’t what you’d like to express. Other times, the inside is perfect, but the cover is horrible. Wouldn’t it be great if you could pick and choose what elements you’d like inside and out? Actually, you can! If you want to choose and write the perfect birthday card, all you need is a computer, Internet access, and a printer. Here are some steps to follow and you’ll have the perfect birthday card each and every time you need one.
What Is Your Relationship?
Now, think again to the card aisle you usually browse through. There are a number of ways in which those cards are laid out. Some are by age, others are by relationship and others yet are by theme or style. The first thing you need to think about is your relationship to the card recipient. If you are a close friend or family member, your choices are easier. However, if it’s a boss or casual acquaintance, you may need to be a little more selective on how you design your personalized card.
Choose the Sentiment You’d Like to Express
One of the most popular kinds of birthday cards are those hilarious cards that start with a leading statement on the front but get even funnier on the inside. For these, memes make the perfect cover. Check out some of the whacky ones on lolhit.com and you’ll find a ton of funny catchphrases and memes you can use that lead up to what they’ll find inside. Some can be shared with co-workers, bosses, and friends, but unless you know their sense of humor, be careful what you use. What is funny to you and your friends, may not be funny to others.
Find an Online Template
If you have the Office Suite with Publisher, you can find templates for layouts within your program. However, if you prefer fillable boxes with preset places for images, you can find online templates which are easy to use and can be printed from the screen or downloaded if you prefer to save your work for additional or last-minute edits. Most people, however, prefer to customize it online and print right from the website.
Cardstock Is a Must for Printing Cards
Most stores have an assortment of cardstock you can choose from. However, if you are printing a full page folded in quarters, you’ll want paper which is heavier than conventional copy paper but not quite as heavy as cardstock. It is best to use templates based on a half-sheet size, which you can easily cut with a cheap paper cutter; or you can buy that size as well. If you are going to make your own cards throughout the year, it might be best to buy a package of 5 ½ X 8 ½ card paper precut by Avery. Even Walmart often carries this in stock.
Never choose a ‘second-best’ sentiment for a birthday card again. Create and write your own to express exactly what you want to say. It’s fun, easy, and your friend or family member will truly appreciate the fact that you thought them special enough to deserve their very own custom card.
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