Card Making Basics: Scoring

Creations Galore offers three new cards each week for customers to create. We've handed kits to a variety of people over the years - beginner card makers, advanced paper crafters, and even a few wanna-be-crafty men. One of the most commonly asked questions we receive, after "Where do you get your ideas," is "How do I score a card?" Well we're here today with pictures and a video to walk you through the basics of card bases, including how to cut and score them. 

The most common size of a homemade card is the A2 card and measures 4.25" x 5.5". You can create this size easily by cutting an 8.5" x 11" piece of cardstock in half, and then folding it in half. 

Now let's talk about scoring. A score line is an indentation in the cardstock that allows it to fold more easily, as well as keeps the cardstock from cracking. To create a score line, use a score board or ruler with a bone folder along the cardstock center. It's really that easy. 

Here are a few examples of an A2 card, including where to cut and score:

Nicole put together a quick video to show just how quick and easy it can be. Watch the video here:

The A2 cards you've now created slip right into A2 envelopes, measuring 4.37" x 5.75". You can even make your own envelopes with the Envelope Punch Board from We R Memory Keepers.  

For additional help and ideas, visit Creations Galore at 3164 Coronet Way in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Happy Card Making!

We Recommend: The Scor-Pal

At Creations Galore, we create a lot of cards. Which means we SCORE a lot of cards. That led us to this week's product recommendation: THE SCOR-PAL. It's the perfect tool for straight and diagonal line embossing on cards...and scrapbook pages too!

The latest version of the Scor-Pal scoring board has a slightly textured 12x12 scoring surface, with a raised fence at the top and on the left and right sides. Colored ruler marking on the fences are easy to see. This aligns your paper for perfect scoring. No more crooked cards!

Grooves are across the board at different intervals. The specialty grooves make card making simple:  at 4 1/4" for normal A2 cards; at 2 1/8" and 6 3/8" for gate fold cards and at 3.666" and 7.333" for brochure folding (divides 11" paper into equal thirds). In addition, there are grooves every 1/4" across the board. Between the  0 to 1" mark and 11" to 12" mark there are 1/8" grooves. By proper paper placement this will allow you to score 1/8 " increments such as 1 7/8".

When you place your card stock on the scoring surface, you are able to do multiple scores without moving the paper. Grid cards, accordion folds, boxes etc are scored in seconds. The score lines result in crisp, accurate folds!

The included scoring tool snaps into place at the top of the unit to ensure it is always at hand. It has been specially designed to fit the grooves so the the cardstock cannot be torn while scoring. Don't forget about the handy magnetized area next to the Scor-Tool storage area to hold metal brads or other items. 

Want to see it in action? Check out this great video below...

You can also check out some great tips and techniques on the Scor-Pal blog. We just can't get enough of this essential tool. Have you tried out the new Scor-Pal yet?