What Supplies Do You Actually Need to Make Cards?
New to card making and not sure what supplies you need? I have been making handmade cards for 26 years. My honest answer is simple. Start. Just start.
But let me back up, because there is a version of starting that sets you up for success and a version that leads to a pile of pretty paper, a drawer full of ink pads, and a project you gave up on after two attempts. Let's talk about the difference.
Start with card making tools, not pretty things
The single biggest mistake new card makers make is skipping straight to paper, stamps, and ink before they have the right tools in their hands. The right tools make every project more enjoyable. The wrong ones make you want to quit.
The first card making tools to own are a paper trimmer with a score board attachment, a refillable tape runner, liquid glue with a fine tip needle, and a good pair of scissors. That is your foundation. The paper trimmer with a score board is compact, affordable, and travels well. It earns its place in your kit from day one.
My personal non-negotiable is my Cutter Bee Scissors. I use them for fussy cutting and reach for a separate non-stick pair any time I am cutting foam or adhesive. A note here: scissors are personal. What works for me may not work for you. Someone with arthritis needs a different fit than someone who prefers a longer blade. It is okay to try a couple of pairs before you land on your favorite. That is not a mistake, that is the process.
A few more card making supplies that tend to get overlooked: tweezers, a ruler, a quality bone folder, a pick-up tool, and a tote to keep everything organized. Unglamorous? Yes. Worth having? Absolutely.
Grab a free Beginners Card Making Basic Tools and Supplies Checklist here. Get started without all the overwhelm, and our Card Making Tools and Supply Bundle is a great investment to get your card making journey started.
On paper and ink.
Paper and ink are the most tempting handmade card making supplies to overbuy. For me paper is a delightful trap. I say that as someone who adores and cherishes paper deeply. A 6x6 paper pad with scattered patterns in a range of colors is the right starting point. Coordinating prints, not scene images. Scenes are hard to work with when you are still learning placement and proportion.
Ink is a world unto itself, and it genuinely deserves its own blog series. For now: do not buy every color in a line. Start with the primary colors, red, yellow, and blue, or choose four to five colors that make you happy and work well together. Purchase one or two pads from different companies so you understand that not all inks are created equal. They were designed for different uses, and knowing the difference matters.
Two simple systems that work well: buy one color per month along with coordinating products, or add one to two new ink pads with each order and slowly build your collection. Track what you have. I built a Google Sheet for the full Distress Ink product line that makes this easy.
The golf analogy that actually applies here.
A new golfer does not walk into a pro shop and buy the most expensive clubs before their first round. They rent, borrow, or grab a starter set. They play, they like it, they keep going, and eventually they know enough about their own game to invest wisely.
Card making works the same way. Start with a beginner card making kit, a good pair of scissors, and some adhesive. Make the cards. See what you love. Let that guide what you add next.
Please, take a class.
Looking to learn more about card making while having fun doing it? Take a class. I am going to say this plainly because I think it is being lost. Stores and brands have drifted away from teaching the basics, and card makers are struggling because of it. Learning the fundamentals is not optional if you want to progress in this craft.
A local class, whether in person or virtual, is worth every dollar. You will learn about products, techniques, tips, and tricks from both the instructor and the other people in the room. That kind of learning is irreplaceable.
If cost is a concern, consider this: a one-hour class costs less than a movie ticket, and you leave with a finished card and real skills. That is entertainment and education with something tangible to show for it.
Be kind to yourself while you are learning. Every crafter, at every level, has a pile of experiments that did not go as planned. That is not failure. That is the craft teaching you something.
Start simple. Build smart. Take the class.
Pro Tip: Adhesives are important, familiarize yourself with the basics, start here.
Happy Card Making - Andrea