If you are among the one in six in 10 U.S. individuals who owns a digital camera, chances are you have some nice photos of family and friends tucked away in your computer. Turning your digital photos into a greeting card, either electronic or paper, is easy and economical, and the recipient will appreciate the personal touch. Once you find a card creation method that suits you, you won't need to head to the store every time you need a greeting card.
Create a free e-card using a website such as Smilebox.com
To use Smilebox.com, click "Get Started" on the homepage. Download the Smilebox software and install it on your computer. Next, start the Smilebox software. On the home screen, click on a greeting style; when the greeting preview appears, click "Personalize." On the next screen, click "Get Photos" to add photos to the photo tray, then drag and drop your photos from the photo tray into the template. Click "Save" and type a name for your greeting into the text box.
Next, click "Preview" at the top of the screen, and then click "Share, Print, or DVD." From the pop-up, chose "Send" from the "Email Your Creation" section. Fill out the form with your recipient's email address and add a special message, if desired. Finally, click "Send."
Choose an "add a photo" e-card at a site such as Care2.com
You will have relatively few card templates to choose from, but no account creation or software download is necessary.
At the Care2 homepage, click on "eCards" in the Quick Links menu. Next, from the menu on the left side of your screen, choose "Add-a-Photo" and then choose a card template by clicking on it. Click "Upload a Photo," and on the pop-up screen, click "Choose Files" to find a photo on your computer. Choose "Upload," and once your photo shows up in the card template, use your mouse to drag your photo so it appears properly. Next, click "Continue" and fill out the pop-up form with your information and your recipient's information. Finally, click "Send Now."
Create a paper greeting card using a website such as Shutterfly.com, Snapfish.com or SeeHere.com
Prices are typically comparable to a greeting card that you would purchase at a store.
To create a greeting card at Shutterfly, go to the homepage and then choose "Cards & Stationery" from the menu at the top of the screen. Then click "Sign Up" and fill out the membership form. The next screen will ask you to upload photos; click the "Upload" button and choose photos from your computer. Create an album name by typing in an album name, then click "Upload." Once your photos have completed uploading, click "View Pictures."
The next screen will show you your photos in their album. Click the photo that you want included on your greeting card, and then click the "Cards" button at the top of the screen. Choose a template by clicking on it, then click "Get Started." Choose an alternate layout from the sidebar, if necessary. Drag and drop your photo from the bottom photo tray into your template and click on the text field to edit the text. Click "Save" and type a name into the field; then click "Next" to view a preview of your card. Click "Edit" to make changes, or "Order" to order your card.
Tips
- To create a photo card with extra impact, crop your photo to highlight the main subject and eliminate distracting surroundings.
- Some photo cards, especially those with multiple photos, look best with images that have been uniformly edited to have a certain look, such as black and white or sepia.
Warnings
- Before downloading any software to your computer, confirm that the source is reputable.
- Many websites that send e-cards free of charge also have "pro" memberships that charge a fee. Check to see that you really need fee-based features before purchasing them.
References
"Forrester Research"; US Digital Camera Owners Move Photos Online; J.P. Gownder, et al.; April 2008.
Smilebox Customer Support: Creating a Smilebox.
Care2 Help Center: Help Topics: eCards.
Shutterfly Help Center: Creating a 5 x 7 Photo Greeting Card.
Resources
Smilebox: Send Personalized Greetings
Shutterfly: Cards & Stationery
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