Monday, May 12, 2008
I Like To Keep Things Personal
It’s rare that I go to the card section in the store because most cards don’t quite say what I want to say or the ones that do have a horrible image on the front. I like cards that can be personalized and while I know that can be done with e-cards, I still think it’s neat to get a real card in the mail.
In the past I had wanted to send out invitations to some of my friends for a “Happy Break Up Welcome To My New Home” party. Where are you going to find that kind of card in a store? You’re not. You have to make them yourself. The last time I made a card I was in the 2nd grade and there was glue and macaroni involved. I’d like my friends to think I’ve evolved a bit since then.
Now I have found a place where I can make Photo Card Invitations and it’s actually pretty easy to use and fairly inexpensive.
The first step is to pick a design for your card. You can either choose from the plethora of designs offered or you can make it very personal and have a photo of yourself or your cat or whatever you want on the front of the card. Just because some of the cards say, “Happy Birthday” or “Merry Christmas” does not mean you are bound to those words. You can customize your card to fit what you want it to say.
Because I want a personal image on the front of my card, I would choose the Borderless Full Color Photo Card.
I click on the link and am taken to a screen that allows me to choose the quantity. I can have 25 as my minimum so that is what I am choosing.
Once I’ve updated my quantity, I’m taken to a screen with a few more steps that will complete my card. You can always change your mind about the quantity, say, you’re now giddy with excitement at inviting people over to celebrate your freedom from that no good louse and your happy new home with you and the cats, that you’ve decided that maybe you would like to share the joy with some acquaintances as well. Perhaps the mail lady would like to come over for free drinks and food. Or the checker you see all the time at the grocery store. Maybe your hairdresser. Besides, they probably all have really great stories of their own.
Anyway, once you’ve decided on your quantity, you may choose if you want your card to be horizontal or vertical, depending on the photo you will be using. In my case I think it would be vertical so I click on the drop down menu under “Product Options” and click on “vertical”. Once that is updated, it’s time to upload your art. The above shows the photo option from the company but I think I would be choosing something of my own, something personal...say, a view of me doing a cartwheel in front of the ocean and beach through a champagne glass that is sitting on my dining room table.
You may then either choose from the many verses the company offers, write your own or you can even leave it blank and make each and every card very personal depending on the recipient. I have chosen to customize my greeting so the next step is to write the words that will be seen on the inside of the card. Once I’ve written my message, I can choose the color of ink, the font type and size. Further, you can personalize it by adding a logo or signature to the end, if you please. In this instance, the inside of my card with message may look like this:
Beyond that, if you want return envelopes or any other special instructions, you may customize those as well before placing your order. Once you have completed your card and any other personalizations, it is time to submit your order by clicking on the “add to cart” button. At this stage you have been given the price, shipping and handling and shipping days for your order. On the next screen you have a final chance to edit, enter any promotional codes for savings, update your total amount and proceed to checkout.
So, kids, the next time you have some invites or greetings of any sort to send out, instead of browsing around in the store for a card that almost says what you want it to say, try personalizing it. It’s fun and I don’t know one person on earth who doesn’t like to feel special; a personalized card makes anyone feel special.
