How to Get Started with Card Making for Under $100
Have you ever received a handmade card and thought — I wish I could make something like that? The good news is, you absolutely can. And you do not need a craft room full of expensive supplies to do it. Getting started with card making is more accessible than ever, and with the right tools in your hands, you can be making beautiful, handmade cards for the people you love for under $100.
Here is everything you need to know to get started — no overwhelm, no guesswork, just a clear and simple path from complete beginner to confident card maker.
What Do You Actually Need to Get Started?
This is the question most beginners ask — and the answer is simpler than you think. At its core, card making requires just a few essential tools:
- A card base and envelope
- Cardstock and/or patterned paper
- A way to cut shapes and layers — this is where die cutting comes in
- Adhesive to hold everything together (glue and tape runners)
- A few basic finishing tools (the fun stuff - gems, bling, sequins, and more)
That is really it. You do not need stamps, ink pads, embossing powder, or a shelf full of dies on day one. Start simple, learn the basics, and build from there.
To make it even easier, we put together a free Basic Tool Kit Supply List that walks you through exactly what you need as a beginner — download it here. Print it out, take it to the craft store, and shop with confidence!
Why Die Cutting Is the Game Changer for Beginners
If there is one thing that will elevate your cards from homemade to handcrafted, it is die cutting. A die cutting machine uses thin metal dies — shaped templates — to cut precise, beautiful shapes out of cardstock, patterned paper, and more. No scissors, no wobbly edges, no frustration. Just clean, professional looking cuts every single time.
Die cutting is what makes your cards look like they came from a boutique shop — even when you are just getting started. And the best part? You do not need a big, expensive machine to get those results.
The Most Affordable Way to Start Die Cutting
Meet the Spellbinders Platinum Scout Die Cutting Machine — the perfect entry point for anyone new to die cutting. The Scout is compact, lightweight, and incredibly easy to use. It sits beautifully on any craft table without taking over your space, and it delivers clean, consistent cuts that will make your cards shine.
What makes the Scout especially exciting for beginners is the price point — it significantly lowers the barrier to getting started with die cutting without sacrificing quality. You get a professional result without a professional price tag.
The Scout also comes with an exclusive die set and embossing folder right in the box — so you can start creating the moment it arrives. No extra purchases needed to make your first card!
A die cutting is not a requirement, but sure does add dimension, layers, and focal points to cards.
Your Complete Starter Bundle — Everything in One Place
We know that figuring out what to buy can feel overwhelming when you are just starting out. That is exactly why we created the Get Started — Card Making Starter Tools & Supply Bundle at Crafts on the Move.
For $84 you get a carefully curated collection of the essential tools and supplies you need to start making cards right away — no hunting around multiple websites, no wondering if you are buying the right thing, no wasted money on supplies you will never use.
Everything in the bundle has been hand picked and tested so that you can sit down, open the box, and start creating with total confidence. That is the Crafts on the Move difference — we do not just sell supplies, we set you up for success and use the products we recommend.
What About the Pre-work?
Here is something most card kit companies do not tell you — some of the most beautiful card elements like embossed panels and foiled pieces require extra equipment and technique to create. For a beginner that can feel really intimidating, expensive, and overwhelming.
At Crafts on the Move we handle that pre-work for you. Our card kits come with the hard technical pieces already done — so you focus on the fun part, the die cutting, the assembling, the layering, the finishing touches. You get the satisfaction of making a beautiful handmade card without the frustration of figuring out techniques you are not ready for yet.
That is not just a kit. This is a whole new way to experience card making. 🎀
Ready to Start?
Getting started with card making does not have to be complicated or expensive. With the right tools, a little guidance, and a community cheering you on, you will be making cards you are proud of faster than you think. Our Zoom workshops are a great way to start creating cards too. Our crafty community is kind, knowledgeable, and supportive.
Here is your action plan:
- Download the free Basic Tool Kit Supply List — know exactly what you need before you shop
- Shop the Get Started Bundle — everything you need in one place for $84
- Add the Spellbinders Platinum Scout — your die cutting machine and the heart of the Scout Approved program
- Start creating — your first handmade card is closer than you think!
Not Ready for a Die Cutting Machine, Yet? Start Here!
If you are brand new to card making and not quite ready to invest in a die cutting machine, we have the perfect place to begin — our Level 1 Card Kits collection!
These beautifully curated kits are designed for the complete beginner and require just two things you probably already have at home — scissors and adhesive. That is it! No machines, no special tools, no overwhelm. Just open the kit, follow along, and create something gorgeous.
Our Level 1 kits are sourced from trusted manufacturers and are a fabulous introduction to the art of card making. Everything you need to make a stunning handmade card is right inside the box — beautiful papers, die cut pieces, embellishments, and step by step instructions to guide you through every single step.
And here is the best part — these kits are incredibly easy to level up as your skills and confidence grow! Add a few ink pads, some stamps, or a die cutting machine down the road and suddenly your cards have even more dimension, texture, and personality. The foundation stays the same — you just keep building on it! 🎀
Ready to try your first card making kit? Shop Level 1 Card Kits here
Have questions about getting started? Drop them in the comments below — we would love to help!
Happy crafting! Andrea Crafts on the Move 🎀