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It's really the only kind I've ever made, so I guess they don't seem small to me. But I will say I like small-ish designs and white space so maybe that's why I like it.
Here are some reasons I work almost exclusively with A2 size:
* I have always preferred to work "small", even in other art forms I have tried, and feel overwhelmed by so much space to fill
* It's economical--you can get two card bases out of an 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of cardstock, or four card "fronts"
* It is the size that was used most when I was introduced to stamping
* It seems to allow the card to speak for itself--there is room inside for a short printed or stamped sentiment, plus enough room to write a little handwritten note. If I want to say a lot more, I can write a letter.
* Because I can ;)
What is great about making our own cards is that we aren't restricted to any one size. We can make them any size or shape that we want!
They are the same size as the boxed note cards you might buy at Hallmark, and since that's the stationery I cut my teeth on, it's the size I am most familiar with.
Personally I like the A2(5.5 x 4.25) size for myself, I like that I can get two cards from one sheet of cardstock, I do better designing for a smaller card. The larger sized cards are intimidating for me, I feel like there is so much space to cover and that just gives me the willies!!! I think to each is their own!! Do what you like and be happy with it!
This is the size card every SU demo I have had makes for stamp clubs/class.
Plus this envelope size is the easiest to purchase. Bigger size envelopes I have to purchase online or at a Stamping Convention that comes to town only once a year.
__________________ The quickest way for a parent to get a child's attention is to sit down and look comfortable. Practice safe eating always use condiments
I usually make A2 cards for all the reasons already posted. But I recently had to do some wedding cards and I opted to go with 5x7 for those and I really enjoyed working with that size! Mainly because the money inside didn't have to be folded to fit ;) Those envelopes aren't difficult to find, but since I have the envelope punch board, it wouldn't matter.
A few years back I had quite a parade of graduation cards to make, and I made those into long rectangles that fit into a #10 business envelope, again to make it easy to hold money. Sometimes it's just fun to play around with different sizes and dimensions.
I tend to prefer them because they're easiest. Maybe if I made my own envelopes I'd be into other sizes. I just always seem to have A2 envelopes around, so that's the size I make mine.
It's one of the things on my list to try. Branch out, self. ;)
__________________ Ashley
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To me "A2" 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" is a notecard and I use it as such, though it is also quite often the size of my Christmas cards! So I can keep the postage down.
An occasions card, for me is larger or a more unique size. My husband's family (in England) especially would think I am being cheap if they received a small note sized card. In the card shops there, some of the cards are HUGE! Yeah, think posterboard folded. Culturally, there seems to be an implication the more you think of someone the bigger the card.
I work with both and love the larger cards (a sheet of US 8 1/2" x 11" folded - sorry A4 is always 8.27 in � 11.69 in to me) because there is plenty of room to work and repeat patterns. Also those fantastic large patterns from Scrapbook size paper pads always work and I can either make an envelope and use the scraps on the card or make a card and adhere the scraps to the envelopes.
AND FWIW - I have scraps when matting and layering in any of those sizes. So that doesn't make any difference to me.
I started with A2 but now make more 5 x 7. I'm trying to use up my patterned paper and this size helps me do that plus I can use lots more of my dies on this size. It's also easy to find envelopes in this size or make them myself.
I make a lot of 5.5 x 5.5......you can get a lot of "stuff" on it. I like the A2 size, but those are usually my quick cards. I agree that the envelopes are universal and easier to get, though.
I make 99% A2. My second fav is 5.25 x 5.25. I order white envelope by the 4000 or 5000 so I always have what I need in these two sizes. Since I donate most of my cards I try to stick with sizes that I carry the clear envelopes for. My third fav is 6 x 6.
Blessings.
As others have already said, I usually make an A2 card because I can get two cards from one piece of cardstock. Plus, it's habit since that's what I started out making.
I have made some 5x7 cards lately, though, because they were wedding cards for co-workers & I needed more space inside for everyone to sign. Although I found that I like making the larger cards because it is something different, most likely I'll stick to the A2 size for practicality's sake.
Mostly I make A2 sized cards, because of practicality. Nobody that I've sent them to over 15 years, has ever complained about the size!
Lately I do more square cards. A lot of my cards are hand delivered. This week I had a square card that I needed to mail. I had some 65 cent stamps left...took it to the post office, they said postage for the square was now 70 cents. Probably went up a while back, I just never noticed. So the cards I mail will mostly be the A2's now!
I had some 65 cent stamps left...took it to the post office, they said postage for the square was now 70 cents. Probably went up a while back, I just never noticed. So the cards I mail will mostly be the A2's now!
Well, 49 cents for the first class postage plus 21 cents for the non-machinable (square) part=70 cents.
It all depends on the card design. Some designs lend themselves to rectangular, some to square bases. Or it might depend on the stamp or die you want to use. I don't think any two of my cards are the same size. I worry about the envelope afterwards, now I have my envelope punch board I can do whatever size I like!
Just wanted to add that some images can be "made bigger" such as my last card in the gallery
Masking and stamping can create a bigger image whether it is a character or a house. Obviously some images lend themselves to it but just think of Andy Warhol as well. 1 soup can or 6?! One dog,easily an A2 card, 6 + presents and hats, a whole party scene for an 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" card front. And YES there was a lot of masking involved and some isn't quite right but it is still fine!!!
Just wanted to add that some images can be "made bigger" such as my last card in the gallery
Masking and stamping can create a bigger image whether it is a character or a house. Obviously some images lend themselves to it but just think of Andy Warhol as well. 1 soup can or 6?! One dog,easily an A2 card, 6 + presents and hats, a whole party scene for an 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" card front. And YES there was a lot of masking involved and some isn't quite right but it is still fine!!!
I love, love your card, Kristen. Just the cutest ever! I hope the recipient frames it!
__________________ Bugga in OK
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I always thought A-2 was small too. It's also what I learned when I first attended workshops. I just always figured it was because you can get two cards out of one piece of card stock.
__________________ All I want is the chance to prove money won't make me happy!
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I know someone who makes lots of 5"x7". They are just beautiful. For some reason I have no idea where to start on that size and feel lost even considering it.
__________________ All I want is the chance to prove money won't make me happy!
I know someone who makes lots of 5"x7". They are just beautiful. For some reason I have no idea where to start on that size and feel lost even considering it.
Don't feel lost. Play with it. I don't get the getting hung up on getting two cards out of one sheet thing TBH. Especially when I watch die cutting and card making videos on YouTube and cringe at the waste. There are off cuts to any size unless people only make one layer cards without die cuts.
Just spread everything out a bit on the larger cards. If it doesn't look right look at what you can add to make it more. A layer or two, ribbons, embellishments... All the rules are the same but there is just a bit more room to work.
I feel most comfortable with the 5 x 6.5" cards from HL. It's not difficult to fill up a card. You can add a lot of layers. And there's plenty of room for white space. Not every inch has be filled up.
I don't care if there is some waste. In the scheme of things, paper is pretty inexpensive. And all those scraps can be used in another project.
__________________ Debbie "Make it work, people." - Tim Gunn My Gallery
Beautiful card Kristen! 8 1/2 wide though? What are you using for an envelope? A half size manila in white?
I started out bigger...and then over time I realized all the samples at my LSS were A2s. Shifted to that. But I have all different card sizes here up to A7 (5x7) as people give me base cards they dont want anymore. So I could make whatever I feel like.
I have noticed that many "background" stamps are for the A2 card, not counting IO ones. (many actually smaller) Which was 1 reason the LSS gave me about doing A2s.
BTW-avoid the extra postage on a square by popping it into a rectangle envelope. The commercial companies are offering envelopes for their squares for that reason-they usually have a shape punched out of them. I assume to keep people from stealing/taking them. It is always so weird (and annoying) to me if I go to buy a card that so many envelopes are missing! WTH is that about??
Most of my cards are the smaller A2 size. But I do on occasion make 5.5 x5.5, 6x6 , as well as 5.5 x 8.25 (1 sheet of cardstock folded in half).
I have both ivory and white A9 envelopes for the large ones. Got them at the local office supply store.
This actually seems for once that we Brits have way more choice than you guys in the US. We can buy pre cut/prefolded cards in almost any size you can think off, and in a huge number of shapes too. RiverIsis, I loved your comment about England, its true, over here size really does matter,lol. I have seen cards on sale, especially Valentines cards, that stand 3 feet tall! No lies. My favourites to work with are A4 folded to A5, or square, either 6" or 8". I only tend to go smaller when I have a vast number of Christmas cards to make for non-family, then I also go to 2 cards from a sheet of cardstock.A6 to us.
I have noticed that many "background" stamps are for the A2 card, not counting IO ones. (many actually smaller) Which was 1 reason the LSS gave me about doing A2s.
The IO backgrounds (5.75" square) are actually ideal for A2 cards, because the size allows them to be used for a full background either horizontally or vertically.
I like making 5" square cards, and I finally realized that the off-cut gives me a piece that's perfect for an A1 envelope, so I bought some of those too.
Of course you're right Dina-why I love those stamps. You really get full coverage edge to edge on a A2 with them! There seems to be some desire though to leave a border? I might get that with a picture but a background? I dont get that. Like why does Peddler Pack do that? Clearly a background image but never the whole size of an A2 even.
We do have a lot of options open to us here in the states. If you go in the right stores like Paper Source...but also companies sell a lot of pre-folds in many shapes including swings. I just got some tri folds because unless I am willing to have a finished card at 4 inches I cant cut that myself from a 12 x 12. I could do it from a pad of paper that is 17 long, but I only those for watercolors.
You definitely have us beat on the big cards though! I have not seen a 3 foot card in years now-and it was not common then. I am curious-what would those cost over there? B/C here, even a regular card can be 5-9 dollars now. :( I have to think a card that size would be like 15-20? And I guess you have to hand it to the person. I dont see our PO sending that. Does yours?
Of course you're right Dina-why I love those stamps. You really get full coverage edge to edge on a A2 with them! There seems to be some desire though to leave a border? I might get that with a picture but a background? I dont get that. Like why does Peddler Pack do that? Clearly a background image but never the whole size of an A2 even.
We do have a lot of options open to us here in the states. If you go in the right stores like Paper Source...but also companies sell a lot of pre-folds in many shapes including swings. I just got some tri folds because unless I am willing to have a finished card at 4 inches I cant cut that myself from a 12 x 12. I could do it from a pad of paper that is 17 long, but I only those for watercolors.
You definitely have us beat on the big cards though! I have not seen a 3 foot card in years now-and it was not common then. I am curious-what would those cost over there? B/C here, even a regular card can be 5-9 dollars now. :( I have to think a card that size would be like 15-20? And I guess you have to hand it to the person. I dont see our PO sending that. Does yours?
And THAT is what I am up against - the majority of my individual cards go to England.
Just saying that I made a top folded 8 1/2 " x 5 1/2" card (so 17" long) by using patterned paper on the front and "hinge" and on the entire inside.
And just saying that maybe I never went to the right shops but I have never found the card bases here that I found in England. Some of the cardstock was just luxurious and gorgeous.
Last edited by RiverIsis; 09-16-2014 at 10:44 AM..
You may well be right. Stationary is a lost art here...a lot of people never send written notes-cards are hard enough apparently. Weddings seem to be the one time people actually focus on stationary for a fleeting minute in terms of quality paper. I know that companies like Cranes that we associate with quality got pretty expensive.
I make stationary sets as gifts but I think half the people never use them-and the others do and come asking for more. (shrug)
A2 Cards
