A sheet of standard cardstock can produce a single large card or a variety of smaller cards. Knowing the measurements of cards that can be created from a single sheet of cardstock will help you plan your card making projects in the most cost-effective manner. One sheet of cardstock can be divided into many manners, producing a surprising number of variations!
8.5-by-11-Inch Cardstock
A single sheet of 8.5-inch-by-11-inch cardstock can create any of the following:
1 folded card: 5.5 inches by 8.5 inches1 gatefold card (both edges folded into the middle): 5.5 inches by 8.5 inches2 single-sided cards (postcard style): 5.5 inches by 8.5 inches2 folded cards (ideal for smaller invitations): 4.25 inches by 5.5 inches2 gatefold cards (both edges folded into the middle): 4.25 inches by 5.5 inches2 tall cards (ideal for invitations or checkbook style cards): 2.25 inches by 8.5 inches4 single-sided cards (postcard style): 4.25 inches by 5.5 inches4 small folded cards (suitable for place settings): 2.75 inches by 4.25 inches8 small single-sided cards (suitable for place setting holders): 2.75 inches by 4.25 inches
12-by-12-Inch Cardstock
A single sheet of 12-by-12-inch cardstock can create any of the following:
2 folded cards (ideal for invitations, thank you cards, etc.): 6 inches by 6 inches2 gatefold cards (edges folded into the middle): 6 inches by 6 inches4 single-sided cards (square postcard style): 6 inches by 6 inches4 folded cards (smaller cards): 3 inches by 6 inches4 gatefold cards (edges folded into the middle): 3 inches by 6 inches8 single-sided cards (small square postcard style): 3 inches by 6 inches8 small folded cards (suitable for place settings): 3 inches by 3 inches16 single-sided cards (suitable for place setting holders): 3 inches by 3 inches
How to Pick Card Sizes
Picking the right card sizes are based on the type of project you are making and how you will be using the finished product. Prior to folding your cardstock, determine if the card will need to hold a lot of information on it, if it will be mailed, how it will be decorated, and who will be using it. Bigger card sizes are ideal for birthday cards, special invitations, thank-you cards, and cards where a lot of information is to be included (such as change of address cards) on the front of the card. Consider postcard style cards (unfolded cards) to allow maximum decoration opportunity with the minimum size of the card.
