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I realized that there is just not enough room for me to work in the A2 format. Does anyone else have a larger favorite size that they work in regularly? I'm trying to figure out some larger go-to dimensions that use 8.5x11 or 12x12 paper most efficiently� and that you can find ready-made envelopes for! I just don't want to make envelopes every single time.
Or, maybe it's more efficient to use premade cards with matching envelopes? I'm trying to get away from all of the cutting and folding to get started, which is taking away from my happy buzz at the craft table
I do A2 almost exclusively, but do 8.5 x 5.5 for Christmas and wedding cards. No waste with either size, and I can get envelopes at the office supply store.
If I don't make my card A2, then I usually make it 8.5 x 5.5 size as this size envelope (invitation) is easily found. I have to say I don't like the larger size cards. I am contemplating getting some 5x7 mat stacks and experimenting with 3.5 x 5 size cards. I've seen envelopes for that size as well. I guess I'm the opposite - I have a hard time filling up the space. If you use 12x12 papers, I suppose 6x6 cards would be a good option as well. The mailing dimension rules are different here in Canada, so I don't know if that size would mean extra postage for you though.
My DH hates the A2 size cards! He always says "why are your cards so small"? His feeling is when you purchase a card they don't usually come that small. I then say "but I can get two cards from one piece of card stock". Which he then says "you will never run out of card stock with all that paper you have"! LoL
I do agree with him, and it gives me more space to embellish. I prefer the 4 1/2 x 6 1/4 size card. I use a A-6 size envelope which is readily available.
I sometimes make 4.25 x5 or 4.50 x 5.25. Don't know if those are actual card sizes, but that is what works for me.
I make bigger cards if I hand deliver them, so I don't spend a ton on postage.
__________________ 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
When I have a bigger surface to embellish, postage goes up. :p
This past summer I actually had an A2 card cost me $2.95 to send 4 hours away. Because I put 3 small decorative buttons on the card. It was to thick so post person said it had to go parcel.
__________________ 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
My DH hates the A2 size cards! He always says "why are your cards so small"? His feeling is when you purchase a card they don't usually come that small. I then say "but I can get two cards from one piece of card stock". Which he then says "you will never run out of card stock with all that paper you have"! LoL
I do agree with him, and it gives me more space to embellish. I prefer the 4 1/2 x 6 1/4 size card. I use a A-6 size envelope which is readily available.
Now, when I order more paper he can't complain!
This sounds like my family. They always used to ask why the card was so small, as well as why the inside was blank! Now they are used to it.
I make a lot of 5 x 7 cards. There is some waste of card stock but I save the strips and use them for borders and 5 x 7 envelopes are readily available. I too find A2 cards too small for a lot of what I want to do. I also make some 8 1/2 x 5 1.2 cards and can find that size envelope easily too.
So funny � after posting this, I started a Valentine card and just folded a 8.5x11 sheet of card stock in half...and it ended up being too big for my design LOL I think I really like 5.5x7, so I trimmed it down and the design was even better as the proportions are more compact. Now, a visit to Paper and More so I can find both card stock and envelopes to match! I have so much, but nothing seems to fit together�
I find that most of my stamps are the right scale for A2, but many of my dies can work on the larger cards. Last time M's had Recollections stuff 50%off I bought some premade cards and envies in a bigger size (they're like 5x 6.5 I think) and have had some fun playing around with those.
I'm another "opposite girl" - I like small things in general, and have a hard time filling up large spaces. I often make A2, but I have more fun with smaller sizes and other shapes (square, long and thin, scraplings, etc.). There are several posters here on SCS that almost exclusively make 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" cards, so you're not alone - I'm just not going to join you any time soon... ;)
I do mostly A6 cards. This is 4 5/8" X 6 1/4" size. I find that generally my cards feel more balanced in that size. Envelopes for this size are fairly easy to find, Staples usually carries them. I will occasionally do a 5" X 7" size card and fairly frequently I will do 5" square cards. I have mostly stopped marking A2 cards. I sell my cards at a local shop and the A6 size is just better received by customers.
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I very rarely make an A-2 sized card because, there just is not enough room.
you can find A-6, A-7, and envelopes ready made for squares if you go to paper source type places to shop.
say clear bags dot com. or Neenah papers. or any of the other paper mfg. my mind has gone blank, the catch is you know paper is heavy to ship. so, if you live in a place where there is a store that sells their papers by the reams and by the box for envelopes that looks like a warehouse inside. drive there and stock up.
I don't think it is a waste of cardstock to make cards the size you enjoy. I almost always make A2, but a few recipients asked me why my cards were so small.
I prefer A6, but so many stamps are designed for A2....Now I am rethinking!
__________________ Dear Paperlicious is my blog...with a series on how I'm learning to improve my cardmaking by studying others.
I seem to make a lot of 5 3/4" square. I like squares, and it's not extra postage for me. Occasionally I make 7x5 but I like a smaller canvas better. Interestingly, I had a discussion about card size with my SIL over Christmas. I said I thought the A2 would be too small to sell well compared with what's available commercially (not that I am interested in selling, just now I certainly don't have time to fuss and worry about angel policies, and I mix stamps from different companies all the time), and she said definitely not, for her. She would be very happy to give (and receive) a handmade A2 card.
At the end of the day, it's whatever makes you happy that you should go with!
I have folded cardstock up and down (vertical) instead of across (horizontal) to create a 4 1/4 x 11 sized card on a few occasions. That fold makes them "legal envelope" size, sorry don't know the number. I know some don't like working on that size and even I don't use it all the time but for some designs it can actually work well.
I make a lot of 5 x 7 cards. There is some waste of card stock but I save the strips and use them for borders and 5 x 7 envelopes are readily available. I too find A2 cards too small for a lot of what I want to do. I also make some 8 1/2 x 5 1.2 cards and can find that size envelope easily too.
This sounds like my family. They always used to ask why the card was so small, as well as why the inside was blank! Now they are used to it.
The fun of making a card is "doing up" the inside of a card.
I always put a sentiment, either stamped or computer generated. Matt the sentiment, put matching pattern paper or stamped images inside.
A blank card seems so naked to me;)
__________________ 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
6x6 works well and you can get two from a 12 x 12. Much bigger palette. I like A2 a lot but I have done the 6x6 for my mom who thinks that amount of love is determined by how big the card is. LOL
__________________ Be polite to those who are rude to you. Not because they are nice, but because you are.
Owner- Gina K. Designs
I mainly use the 8.5x5.5 if I don't use a pre made card base. I make a lot of group cards for work. So the 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 is best for everyone to sign. I also thing that it lends itself to be a bigger and better front.
I do mainly A2, but I got to tell you, lately, I've been thinking about upsizing. I can make a great little card in A2 BUT Spellbinders has the most beautiful A7 Card Creator layer dies I have ever seen!
There is no way to cut them down to A2, so is I want to use them I have to start thinking BIG.
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I usually always make an A2 card, but when I need (or want) to make a larger card, I'll go with 5x7. I just save the strips that are cut off from the cardstock and throw them in my scrap bin.
I rarely make anything smaller than an A4 sheet folded- A5. Thats my 'default' size for cards. I do have a load of pre folded blanks, mainly square, 6x6 and 8x8, as over here there is no postage difference with square to oblong. I use that size, because if I was buying cards for people, I would be going for that sort of size. The only time I go smaller is batch made Christmas cards.
I always make bigger cards. I fold an 8 1/2 by 11 in half of heavy weight card stock as the base. I don't have any trouble finding the envelopes to fit them. I always send my cards nonmachinable with the post office. It cost a little extra but worth to protect all the work I have done for that card. I have a lot of dies and embossing folders. So I don't have trouble decorating the card front. I love doing pop ups inside so that gives me extra room to work with. I never knew card making could be an obsession.
Thank you for asking this question! I darn near exclusively do A2, but lately I've been wanting to try something a little bigger, as I feel like A2 isn't enough sometimes for my layer-y style! I'm thinking of trying A7/5"x7" since so many of my Anna Griffin embossing folders are A7 sized.
I have to say I think my favourite card size is 5.75" square (that's the biggest we can get from our a4 sized card which is 8.25"x11.75")
I also make a5 cards which are a sheet of a4 folded in half which you could also do with your 8.5x11 cardstock.
for an in-between size, I also make 5"x7" cards occasionally.
Being British its metric sizes for me A4 halved is A5 halved is A6 etc so A6 is my usual card size 10.5 cm x 15cm . That's just over 4"X 6" But I love to make square cards.
I can say I make A2 & A6 sizes equally. I like making square cards too, but usually make those when I know I'm going to hand deliver the card, as those take extra postage here in the USA. One trick I found when mailing A2 or A6 cards that are a bit thick or blinged up a bit is to mail them in a standard 5 3/4 by 8 3/4 size envelope. They will go through the sorting machine and 1 stamp will do the trick. By having the envelope much larger than the card, it gives the card room to float in the envelope and go through the sorting machine with no issues. If the card is delitcate, like with vellum or something, just wrapped some tissue paper around it first and then put it in that larger envelope. I just sent my girlfriend a birthday card with vellum popped up butterflies and I wrapped it in tissue paper. She phoned me and told me they came through the mail with no damage. So I have first hand testimonial that it works
__________________ Mary ~~ QFTD #152, FS#514CC Guest Design Team 2012, 2013, 2017 & 2022 2014 CAS Spring Design Team MemberSC Guest Design Team 2015 & 2022 SU Consultant "Life's greatest adventure is finding your place in the Circle of Life" - Lion King
Square cards in square envelopes are more expensive to mail in the states...unless you put it in a larger rectangular envelope.
I love making pop-n-cuts and pop-it-ups Love Karen Burniston!
But it is a thought that I can add more stuff to my pop ups if I use a larger card. Hmmm. I am seeing possibilities!!!
__________________ Consultant for Fun Stamping Journeys!
Member of: AHF, FFRF, ACS Relay for Life
As I tend to have whatever pre made cards I get on deep discount, I have several sizes around. My GF just gave me a large batch of squares in different colors she isnt using. I will make A2s as well from cardstock.
I would have to say the most common up size from A2 for me would be A6 and A7.
I actually started out at A7 and came down to A2 because that was how the samples were made in my LSS and as Joan said, a lot of stamps seem scaled to A2. Plus OWH likes A2 size (though not mandatory) I am open to making anything. I'm still a beginner so I havent committed to anything yet.
That's odd to me that they handled that button card as a parcel instead of like a square where they just charge you more b/c it wont go through the meter.
I perfer 5 X 7, more room. But I also like 5 X 5 and 6 X 6 - both are common enough to have envelopes available, and both sizes work with punch around the page designs (Martha Stewart punches)! The 6 X 6 may require additional postage.
I would like to make bigger cards but if you're making a 5x7 card, what do you fill it with? Like someone said, most stamp set are geared for the smaller cards. Do you buy only larger stamps? I know you can do circles or squares of DSP but what else?
Don't forget - square cards require extra postage!
The only time I make A2 cards is for a thank you note. Otherwise I use the Hobby Lobby 5 x 6.5" pre-folded cards (with envelopes) as bases. I understand the concept of saving paper, but the A2 cards are too small for me.
Yes, most stamps and embossing folders are made for A2 cards, but I don't mind leaving white space, or colored cardstock, and layering. You can also use embellishments to fill in the spaces.
__________________ Debbie "Make it work, people." - Tim Gunn My Gallery
I do mostly A6 cards. This is 4 5/8" X 6 1/4" size. I find that generally my cards feel more balanced in that size. Envelopes for this size are fairly easy to find, Staples usually carries them. I will occasionally do a 5" X 7" size card and fairly frequently I will do 5" square cards. I have mostly stopped marking A2 cards. I sell my cards at a local shop and the A6 size is just better received by customers.
I'm wondering Kathy what paper you use for the A 6 cards? If they're 6 1/4 in length, you would need a 12 1/2" sheet of cardstock. Does any come in that size? If so, where do you get it? Or do you buy premade A 6 size cards? The problem I have with premade cards at the box stores is my cardstock at home doesn't accurately match the color of the card for layering and with a bigger space you need to layer some (unless you use only white or black A 6 cards.) I'd appreciate info on this - thanks!!!
On most design team member blogs, I see cards folded at top - tent fold. I like that. What would the CS dimensions be to cut with fold at top? I never see this fold in pre-made blank cards
True Confession: I dislike A2 :)
What paper do you use for A6?
