Package
your cards!
Aunt Annie's Crafts
Card Class 2: Tutorial #7 - Card Storage Idea
Pocket Folder for Greeting Cards
What we will be making:
This tutorial shows how to make a pocket folder for storing, packaging and presenting your handmade greeting cards. This two pocket folder made from a single sheet of cardstock (and some scraps) holds four cards (4¼″ by 5½″) and four envelopes.
This simple folder is prefect for storing your handmade cards and with multiple folders you can arrange the cards by theme or occasion. When selling or giving your cards as a set, make a folder to match your handmade cards.
All the greeting cards in the original Greeting Card Class set of tutorials and the Greeting Card Class 2 tutorials fit inside this two pocket card folder. If you are new to card making, follow along with these tutorials to make a wide assortment of cards and learn card making techniques.
Related craft: For another way to store greeting cards, see the Greeting Card Case craft project.
Here's what you need:
- White or colored cardstock, 8½" by 11" sheet and scraps for pockets
- Glue
- Pencil and eraser
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Craft knife and cutting mat or paper trimmer
- Bone folder or empty ballpoint pen
- Optional: Rubber stamps, punches or die cuts, photo corners
This is a Greeting Card Class 2 tutorial and is rated EASY to do.
How to Make Pocket Folders for Greeting Cards
Read through the tutorial before starting.
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Step 1: Select Colors The card folder can be made from white, colored or printed cardstock. Select a color that best suits the greeting cards that will be stored inside. If you plan to decorate the card folder with rubber stamps, white or a light color of cardstock works best. Medium to dark colors of cardstock look very nice when decorated with simple strips of coordinating cardstock.
You can make your own patterned cardstock for card folders by printing digital papers, like Aunt Annie's ePapers, onto plain white or colored cardstock.
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Step 2: Cut Cardstock
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To make the card folder you will need a 7½" by 11" piece of cardstock and two pocket flaps. Using the craft knife and ruler, cut a 1" strip off the cardstock sheet, along one of the long edges.
To make the pocket flaps, print the
pocket pattern and cut out the
pocket flap template. Trace the
template twice on scraps of cardstock that match or coordinate
with the folder's cardstock. Cut out the pocket flaps. Erase any
visible pencil lines.Tip: If you are using patterned or double-sided cardstock, be sure to flip the template over before tracing the second flap, so you that have right and left facing pocket flaps.
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Step 3: Fold -
Fold the cardstock in half, matching the short sides, then unfold. Fold over all four edges of the cardstock—¾" on the long sides and ½" on the short sides, then unfold.
Tip: Before making the folds, score along the fold lines using a bone folder or empty ballpoint pen run along the edge of the ruler.
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Step 4: Trim Corners -
Cut away each corner making cuts on a slight angle that starts just outside of the fold line and ends where the two fold lines meet. Cut a V-shape away from the middle of the long folded edges at the centerfold.
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Step 5: Glue Pocket Flaps -
With the card folder and pocket flaps face down, glue the pocket flaps to the side edge folds. Align the top of the pocket flap with the edge fold, apply glue along the edge fold and place the pocket flap even with the fold. Rub along the edge fold to ensure a secure hold.
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Tip: Test the top and bottom folds before gluing. If the pocket flap is too long and interferes with the folds, trim a tiny bit off the pocket flap and test again.
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Step 6: Complete Pockets -
With both pocket flaps folded over, fold the top and bottom edge folds and glue in place on top of the pocket flaps. Rub to ensure a good hold. Free the pocket tops and bottoms by snipping through the folded edges.
After the glue is dry, place cards and envelopes in the pockets
of the folder and fold closed. - Step 7: Decorate Front (optional)
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If you like, decorate the front of the card folder. Keep the decorations simple so that they complement the cards. You can use rubber stamps, stencils, paper punches or die cuts. A simple strip of cardstock and/or a matted image are nice additions.
Before you start a tutorial:
- Make a place to work.
- Read through the tutorial.
- Think about what you plan to make. Imagine how you can add your own creative touch.
- Gather the materials you will need.
Get ready, and get started!!!
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Tip: Use these printable paper ribbons to decorate a
Pocket Folder. Download and print Aunt Annie's
Spring Dots Paper Ribbon ePaper for three colors of polka dot ribbons
that coordinate with the
Spring Polka Dots
ePapers.
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Tip: Decorate the Pocket Folder with Aunt Annie's
Spring Dots Paper Ribbon.
Cut out the pocket flap templates. Trace the templates on cardstock and cut out.
Tip: Inside of tracing the template onto cardstock scraps, the pattern may be printed on the reverse side of cardstock and cut out.
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Tip: Decorate the Pocket Folder to coordinate with the
greeting cards stored inside.
See how to make this card in Aunt Annie's Cutout Edge Cards tutorial.
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Tip: Make the Pocket Folder from patterned cardstock
then decorate with a solid colored strip.
This card features Aunt Annie's Light blue dots ePaper printed on pale green cardstock.
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Tip: Use photo-corners to display a greeting card on
front of the Pocket Folder.
Share images of your Pocket Folders to the Greeting Card Class Flickr group or on Aunt Annie's Facebook wall.