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All About Card Blanks & Blank Cards

What are Blank Cards? What are Card Blanks?
Blank cards are, as the name suggests, blank card paper that is folded, or is pre-scored to be folded. They are more commonly known in the carding world as Card Blanks. They come in different shapes, sizes, textured finishes and weights. They are used for making professional-looking greeting cards at home. Usually large packs of card blanks are sold unfolded. They are flat with a score made in the middle for you to fold along the score. Both folded and unfolded packs of card blanks usually come with envelopes in the matching size.



What does Paper Weight mean when describing Card Blanks?
Paper quality is determined by it’s weight. Usually, the heavier the paper, the higher the cost. At one end of the scale is photo-copy paper which is normally between 60 and 80gsm. And a professional shop bought card is usually up to or more than 300gsm. For home use a card blank of 120gsm in weight usually represents the best value for your money. s a photo, then the card should be at least 1 inch or 2.5cm larger than the photo (this gives it a nice frame). Id recommend using the smallest size card that will fit your design. Small designs look lost on large cards. t as easy as it sounds for heavy card). Remember if you buy the flat unfolded card blanks, then their folded size will be half of what they are in the box/package.

How Heavy does a Card Blank need to be?
A card needs to be heavier than normal writing paper in order for it to be able to stand upright when folded once. If you are planning on sticking heavy gems and buttons on the card it needs to be strong enough to hold the items without forcing the card to fall over. The sticking-device you use (foam pads, paper paste or sticky tape) will add to the weight that you are putting on the card.

What Size Card bank should I use?
This depends on what you are planning on applying to the card - if its a photo, then the card should be at least 1 inch or 2.5cm larger than the photo (this gives it a nice frame). Id recommend using the smallest size card that will fit your design. Small designs look lost on large cards.

Should I Buy Folded or Unfolded Card Blanks?
Blank cards can be bought pre-folded. This will save you the trouble of folding it yourself (a process which isnt as easy as it sounds for heavy card). Remember if you buy the flat unfolded card blanks, then their folded size will be half of what they are in the box/package.


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