Cardmaking 101: Creating Cardbases

Every card needs a base and that is the topic I want to cover in today’s Cardmaking 101 post. In the video I share how to create an A2, A7, A9 and 4-Bar Sized Card bases. You watch the video for the full tutorial or see the photos below for the diagrams!

And if you want to take these diagrams into your craft room for easy reference I now have a free download for you! This PDF gives you all the information in this post, just in printable form!!

Making Card Bases FREEBIE Download

ENJOY!!

The first card size I want to share with you is most definitely my favorite size card to make. An A2 sized card is the perfect size to make because you can make two card bases from one sheet of 8 1/2″ x 11″ cardstock without any leftover pieces of paper.

You can make either side folding or top folding A2 cards from an 8 1/2″ x 11″ sheet of cardstock. Here are the diagram instructions for both.

The diagram pretty well sums up the process but for a top folding A2 card the process is:

Cut the sheet of cardstock in half at 4 1/4″, making sure you’re cutting on the shorter side of the paper. You should be left with two sheets of cardstock that measure 4 1/4″ x 11″
Fold each sheet in half at 5 1/2″. You can also use a scoring tool to score at 5 1/2″ and then fold, but I don’t bother. I just use my bone folder to make the crease nice and sharp.

Cut your cardstock on the longer side at 5 1/2″. You should be left with two pieces of cardstock that measure 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″.
Fold each sheet in half at 4 1/4″. You should now have two card bases that measure 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″

4-Bar Notecards are a great sized card for a child. I make these most often for birthday parties my son attends. You end up using less product so it doesn’t bother me if these cards are just tossed aside (it doesn’t really bother me at all with “regular” or larger cards either, but this may help if it bothers you!). 4-Bar cards are just perfect for small kiddos hands too! You can make two side folding or top folding cards from a sheet of 8 1/2″ x 11″ cardstock with a few pieces leftover.

4-bar-notecards-top-folding-instructions

Trim Cardstock to 7″ x 9 3/4″
Cut on the 7″ side at 3 1/2″. You should have two pieces of cardstock measuring 3 1/2″ x 9 3/4″ and two leftover strips. You can save the leftovers for sentiments strips, scrap paper, etc.
Fold each piece of cardstock in half at 4 7/8″. Use your bone folder to make the crease sharp.

4-bar-notecards-side-folding-instructions

Trim cardstock to 7″ x 9 3/4″. You can set the two leftover strips aside.
On the longer side trim in half at 4 7/8″. You should be left with two sheets of cardstock that measure 4 7/8″ x 7″.
Fold each sheet in half at 3 1/2″. Use your bone folder to sharpen the crease. You should now have two side folding card bases that measure 3 1/2″ x 4 7/8″.

When I looked up the measurements for card bases I found two different ones for an A7 card base. I am using the 5″ x 7″ measurements for my card base diagram. You can only make one side folding A7 card base from a sheet of 8 1/2″ x 11″, you can not make a top folding A7 card base from this size of cardstock.

Cut cardstock to 7″ x 10″. You will have two leftover strips which you can set aside.
Fold your piece of cardstock in half on the 10″ side. You should now have a side foling 5″ x 7″ card base. Use your bone folder to sharpen the crease.

An A9 card base is the largest size you can make from a sheet of 8 1/2″ x 11″ cardstock. There is no cutting involved, which is great, but it is quite large. I could see this being used for a child’s entire class to send an ill/recovering teacher or for a coworker. Any card you need a lot of space for signatures, this would be the size you want. Again, you can only make a side folding card of this size with an 8 1/2″ x 11″ piece of cardstock

Fold your sheet of 8 1/2″ x 11″ cardstock in half on the 11″ side. You should now have a 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ side folding card base.

The card base sizes I shared with you today are not the only sizes you can make. Your options are, quite literally, limitless. Once you figure out the basic math (which is so simple) of making card bases you can whip them up in no time.

When I first started cardmaking I found myself sticking with A2 sized card because that was the only sized envelope I had. I do want to link one more tool below that has changed that for me, The Envelope Punch Board. It is very simple to use and can be used for so many other things than creating envelopes, but that is mainly what I use it for. As I said I am linking it below, however, do not buy it from my link. If you have a Michael’s or Hobby Lobby near you, buy it from there and use your coupon. Joann’s may even carry it in the store, but I’m not 100% sure on that. You can also find it much cheaper other places online. I just wanted to leave the link below so you can see the product. I’ve also linked up a paper trimmer and bone folder below, both were included in my basic supply list earlier in the series. You can find the rest of the series under the Cardmaking 101 tab above as well as the all the videos on my YouTube Cardmaking 101 Playlist.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Happy Crafting!!