This image shows a custom greeting card made with purple glitter cardstock, with hearts cut out with light pink hearts inside the cutout hearts, with the words "Live, Love, Chill" written in cursive font, along with pink and blue cardstock flowers. It also features a Loklik Crafter Cutting machine in the background. The text on the image reads, "Bring art to life."

Want to add a personal touch to your greetings? In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of designing your own greeting cards using a digital art app and then bringing them to life with a Loklik Crafter cutting machine. Get ready to unleash your creativity!

First things first, you'll need a digital art app. There are many options available, both free and paid. Popular choices include Procreate (iPad), Adobe Fresco (iPad/Windows), Clip Studio Paint (30-day free trial available, 6-month for first-time Samsung users who download from the Samsung Store), Autodesk Sketchbook (Free, various platforms), and Krita (Free, desktop). For this guide, the steps will be generalized for any app with layer support, and the content can be adjusted depending on your chosen app.

Step 1: Set Up Your Canvas

• Open your chosen digital art app.
• Create a new canvas. A common size for greeting cards is 5x7 inches (1500 x 2100 pixels at 300 DPI for printing). If you intend to print it larger, you might need a bigger size.
• Set the background color to white or a light color. This will be your card base. You can change it later if you want, but it's helpful to start with a base.

Step 2: Design Your Card

• Layers are your friend! Use separate layers for different elements of your design. This allows you to easily edit and rearrange things without affecting other parts of your card.
• Sketch your idea: Lightly sketch out your design on one layer. This will act as your guide. Lower the opacity of this layer so it doesn't interfere with your final artwork.
• Add your artwork: Create new layers for your main artwork, text, and any embellishments. Experiment with different brushes, colors, and textures.
• Consider the fold: Remember that your card will be folded. Leave enough space in the center of your design for the fold line. This is particularly important if you're adding text or intricate designs that shouldn't be creased. If your cutting machine has a scoring function, be sure to add a dashed line as your scoring layer, and place those on your design where the fold(s) should be.

Step 3: Adding Text (Optional)

• Use the text tool in your app to add your greeting. Experiment with different fonts, sizes, and colors. Make sure the text is legible and complements your design.
• Kerning is key: Pay attention to the spacing between your letters (kerning). Adjust it as needed to ensure a visually pleasing result.

Step 4: Export Your Design

• Once you're happy with your design, export it as a high-resolution PNG or JPEG file. PNG is generally preferred for images with text and graphics, as it preserves sharpness. Exporting as a SVG will allow you to cut the design in the cutting software in part 2.

Now that you have your digital design, it's time to bring it to life with your Loklik Crafter.

Step 1: Prepare Your Materials

• Gather your cardstock, cutting mat, and any other materials you plan to use (e.g., adhesive, embellishments).
• Choose a cardstock color and weight that complements your design. A heavier cardstock is recommended for a sturdier card. The Loklik cuts up to 230 gsm.

Step 2: Import and Prepare Your Design in Loklik Studio

• Open Loklik Studio, the software that's compatible with your Loklik Crafter.
• Import your SVG file.
• Resize your design if necessary to fit your cardstock. Remember to account for the fold line. For example, if you're making a 5x7 inch card, your design should be no larger than 10x7 inches before folding.
• Set your cut settings: In Loklik Studio, choose the appropriate cut settings for your cardstock, or select the Recommended settings to use Loklik's recommended settings.Test cuts are always a good idea!
• Add cut lines (if needed): If your design includes intricate details or multiple layers, you may need to add cut lines to specify where the machine should cut. Use the shapes and tools in Loklik Studio to add these lines around the design.
• If you exported a JPEG/PNG you need to 'trace' the image in Loklik studio.
  • Select the image, and use the trace image function.
  • This will generate the cut lines based on the image.
  • Check the cut lines are what you want, and edit them if they are not.

Step 3: Cut Your Card

• Place your cardstock on the cutting mat, making sure it's securely adhered.
• Load the cutting mat into your Loklik Crafter.
• Send the design to your Loklik Crafter and start the cutting process.
• Watch the magic happen! Keep an eye on the machine to ensure everything is cutting smoothly.

Step 4: Assemble Your Card

• Once the cutting is complete, carefully remove the card from the cutting mat.
• Fold the card along the center line.
• Add any additional embellishments, such as glitter, ribbons, or stickers.

Tips and Tricks

• Test cuts are your friend: Before cutting your final design, always do a test cut on a scrap piece of cardstock to ensure your settings are correct.
• Weeding tools are essential: Use weeding tools to remove small or intricate pieces of cardstock from your design.
• Experiment with different materials: Don't be afraid to try cutting other materials besides cardstock, such as vinyl or paper.
• Use adhesive sparingly: When adding embellishments, use adhesive sparingly to avoid creating a bulky card.
• Get inspired! Browse online for greeting card designs and ideas to spark your creativity.

Now that you know how to design and cut your own greeting cards, it's time to get creative! Experiment with different designs, materials, and embellishments to create unique and personalized cards for every occasion. Happy crafting!