Card Design

• 1). Scan or upload a family picture onto your computer.
  
  
• 2). Open a new document in photo editing or graphic design software. For this example, we used Adobe Illustrator. Set dimensions to 6 inches by 8 inches with CMYK color mode.
  
  
• 3). Select a background color from Swatches. For this example, we used a shade similar to pine green.
  
  
• 4). Draw a box to fill the entire space of the document. Following our example, your page should now be completely green.
  
  
• 5). Decorate your background with design elements, if you choose. This step is optional. For example, drawing three red circles and a single green leaf resembles holly berries. Select the circles and leaf, click Object, click Group from the drop-down menu, change opacity to 40 percent, then make multiple copies of the semi-transparent holly berries by copying and pasting your selection throughout the green background.
  
  
• 6). Insert your picture by clicking File, then Place from the drop-down menu. Once the picture is placed, move and resize it to be centered on the bottom of the page. Looking at your document, visualize what the printed card will look like. Once printed, the document will be folded in half to make your card. The top half of your document will be the back of your folded card. The bottom half of your document will be the front of your folded card. With this in mind, center your photo on the bottom half of your document so that it will appear centered on the front of your printed card.
  
  
• 7). Write a greeting. To do this, use the Text Box tool to draw a box directly above the picture where you want your text to be placed. Type in a greeting, such as "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays". Adjust the font size and color to make the card more aesthetically pleasing. Center the font and set it for red ink.
  
  
• 8). Print your card. For a glossy or matte finish, use photo paper instead of regular computer paper.
  
  
• 9). Cut off excess white paper around the printed document.
  
  
• 10
  
  Fold card in half, with white inside.
  
  
• 11
  
  Write your message inside. While the outside of the card should look professional, handwriting the inside message makes the card more personalized.