Why Print Cards at Home?
Shop-bought greeting cards are expensive. Printing your own at home gives you something far more personal at a fraction of the cost. All you need is a printer, a sheet of paper, and a few minutes on GotFreeCards.com.
What You Need
- A printer — any inkjet or laser printer works. Inkjet printers produce richer colours for photo-heavy and watercolour designs.
- Paper — standard 80gsm copy paper is fine. 100 to 120gsm card stock gives a noticeably more premium result.
- Scissors — for trimming if needed, though most cards are designed to print full-page without any cutting.
Choosing the Right Paper
- 80gsm — standard copy paper. Slightly thin for folded cards but works perfectly well for a quick print.
- 100 to 120gsm — the sweet spot. Sturdy enough to fold crisply and feel like a proper card in your hands.
- 160gsm and above — a luxurious, premium feel. Check your printer can handle it; most home inkjets can.
Printer Settings That Make a Difference
- Quality: Set to Best or High, especially for cards with photos or detailed artwork.
- Paper size: A4 or US Letter. Our cards are designed to fit standard sizes perfectly.
- Scale to fit: Enable this so nothing gets cropped at the edges.
- Colour: Leave colour management on automatic unless you have a calibrated display.
Folding Your Card
For a crisp, professional fold, score the fold line first with the back of a butter knife or a bone folder, running along a ruler. This prevents the paper from cracking along the fold — especially important with heavier card stock. Always fold away from the printed side so the design faces outward.
Final Tips
Let the card rest for 30 seconds after printing before you handle it — ink needs a moment to set. If your printer has a borderless option, use it for designs with background colour that extends to the edge. And always print a test page on plain paper before committing your good card stock.
Ready to get started? Browse our full collection at GotFreeCards.com and personalise a card in minutes.