Single fold, correct orientation
The front design is printed rotated so that one fold across the short edge puts it upright on the front of the card. Most free card templates print the design flat and leave you to work out why the tree is sideways, which is a small thing that wastes a lot of card.
A quarter fold version is also available, which gives a smaller card from the same sheet and needs two folds. It is the one to use if you are posting in a standard small envelope.
Six fronts
A geometric tree, a wreath outline, a row of baubles on a line, a snowflake, a plain star and a typographic front with the word Christmas set across it. All line art, so they print well in black on coloured card as well as in colour on white.
The inside is blank by default. There is a printed greeting option with four short greetings, which is useful for a batch of cards for a school class or a business, where writing fifty by hand is a real cost.
Card weight and the fold
160gsm to 200gsm. Lighter and the card will not stand on a mantelpiece. Heavier and the single fold needs scoring, which is worth doing on anything above 180gsm anyway. Score with a dry ballpoint against a ruler, fold away from the score.
If you are posting, weigh one finished card with its envelope before buying stamps. A 200gsm A5 card plus envelope can cross a postage threshold, which is an annoying thing to find out at the post office.
Questions
- What size card does the template make?
- An A5 card from one A4 sheet, or a half-Letter card from one Letter sheet, with a single fold. A quarter fold version makes a smaller card with two folds.
- Will the front design be the right way up?
- Yes. The design is printed rotated so that one fold across the short edge puts it upright on the front, which is the thing most free card templates get wrong.
- Is the inside blank?
- Blank by default. There is an option to print one of four short greetings inside, which saves time on a batch for a class or a business.
- What card weight should I use?
- 160gsm to 200gsm. Lighter cards will not stand on a mantelpiece, and anything above 180gsm should be scored before folding.