Card Setup Tutorial

There are many ways to set up and print a greeting card using Photoshop. This tutorial offers the basics of how to turn an image into a greeting card using Red River Paper's line of pre-scored inkjet papers.

STEP 1 - OPEN AND RESIZE YOUR IMAGE

Start by opening the image you wish to use with your card. Resize the image using the chart below. When you are done with that, move to the next step.

To the right is an image example, opened in Photoshop and resized based on these rules:

Card Size	Max Image Size
7x10	4.75" w x 6.75" h
6.25x9	4.25" w x 6" h
5.5x8.5	4" w x 5.25" h
8x9 Pano	3.75" w x 8.75" h

STEP 2 - CANVAS RESIZE PART 1

Now, go to Image > Resize > Canvas Size

NOTE! Set your background color to white.
Click here if you need help.

In this step, you will establish a border around your image, making the space the same size as your folded card.

Use this table to set your canvas size:

Card Size	Canvas Size
7x10	5" w x 7" h
6.25x9	4.5" w x 6.25" h
5.5x8.5	4.25" w x 5.5" h
8x9 Pano	4" w x 9" h

Click the OK button

Notice how your image now has a white border. The screenshot at left is what the front of your card will look like when folded.

STEP 2 - CANVAS RESIZE PART 2

Go back to Image > Resize > Canvas Size again.
Set width and height according to this chart:

Paper Size	New Canvas Size
7x10	10" w x 7" h
6.25x9	9" w x 6.25" h
5.5x8.5	8.5" w x 5.5" h
8x9 Pano	8" w x 9" h

IMPORTANT! Look at the Anchor boxes right below the canvas size. This tool anchors your current canvas to a particular side of the new canvas. For the landscape card layout, always click the middle right box.

Click OK

Your new canvas will look like this:

The screenshot at left now looks like the outside of your card before it is folded.

The blue line is to illustrate where the paper will fold.

If you wish, you can add text to either side of the card using the text tool. For more detailed customization, see our advanced card tutorial.

Next step:

Epson printing

Canon printing