The Inky Flamingo | Stamp with Jen Vitek

Card bases are the foundation to your card, and come in a variety of sizes.  The most common sizes for card making are A2, which measures 4.25 x 5.50 inches, and A7, which is 5.125 x 7 inches.  Note cards are a little smaller; the A1 size measures 3.5 x 4.875 inches.

To make all three sizes of card bases, you will need a paper trimmer, a bone folder or scoring blade for your paper trimmer, and paper.  I recommend a trimmer with an extendable ruler as it makes it easier to cut, and it usually comes with a scoring blade which makes it super easy to score.

A note on the paper you use:  you want to aim for a heavyweight cardstock. This provides a quality base for your card.   It doesn’t matter what brand you use- by all means, use up your current stock.  If you are looking to invest in quality paper, with a variety of color options, I highly recommend the paper products that Stampin’ Up! offers.  It has a nice solid feel to it, and the ink is infused all the way through the paper, so you won’t see any white when you cut through it.  An added bonus is that you can purchase ink pads and markers (called Stampin’ Blends) that match the paper exactly which helps to provide a nice, finished look.

A1 Card Base

Let’s look at how to make a card base for an A1 card base.  As noted above, the true size of an A1 card is 3.5 x 4.875 inches.  I’m sure all of us could handle cutting 3.5″ no problem, but cutting 4.875 inches consistently may prove more of a challenge.  For that reason, you’ll find it easier to cut 3.5 x 5, and in fact, Stampin’ Up! sells blank notecards in this adjusted size.

1.  Start with a piece of paper, 8.5″ x 11″, horizontally on the trimmer at the 10″ mark as shown below.  Trim off the end- your paper will now measure 10″ across.

2.  Flip the paper into the vertical position, and place at the 7″ mark and trim.

3.  Place paper lengthwise into the trimmer at the 5″ mark and cut; this will give you         notecards that just need to be scored.

4.  Place your note card at the 3.5″ point, and use the light gray scoring blade to score a   line down the middle.  This gives you a nice crease line to fold it.

You may also use a bone folder if you don’t have a scoring blade for your trimmer.  Simply measure out 3.5″, place a ruler down the card, and using the pointy end of the bone folder, draw a line down the card.  You can then fold on the crease line that provides.

A nice benefit with making your own card bases is that you can match your card bases to your ink color to your stamps!  Stampin’ Up! does offer premade notecards and envelopes if you simply want the convenience of having them ready to stamp.

A2 Card Base

An A2 card base is the size most commonly used by card makers.  The card base will measure 4.25 x 5.5 inches.  An 8.5 x 11 inch sheet of paper will yield 2 A2 card bases.

1.  Start with a piece of paper, 8.5″ x 11″, lengthwise on the trimmer at the 5.5″ mark.       Run the blade down the paper; this will give you 2 card bases.

2.  For each card base, turn horizontally and place at the 4.25″ mark.  Use the light gray  scoring blade to create a fold line down the middle of the card base.

That’s it!  You can use your card bases either vertically or horizontally, it’s up to you.

A7 Card Base

3.  Turn horizontally again, place at 5″, and use the light gray scoring blade to indent it for folding.

I hope this explains what card bases are and how to make them!  Feel free to drop any questions or comments.