I’ve dithered about this post for a while, because there are obvious copywrite issues surrounding licensed characters. However, children can be a demanding bunch and it is nice to surprise them with a handmade card with their favourite character on. I want to start by saying that I only make these cards as gifts (and being a mum, auntie, godmother and ‘auntie’ to friend’s children, I make quite a lot!)
Character cards can be tricky, because you don’t normally just see kits for making a Paw Patrol (or Lego, or whatever!) card in the shops, so you have to turn to your stash and your creativity. Because I make so many, I’ve explored a few different ways to create them over the years, and I thought I’d share them.
Do your research
What do the characters look like? Does the recipient of the card have a favourite? Is there a symbol associated with those characters? What about the font used on their logo? Which colour(s) will you need to use? I often look on Pinterest and Google images to see what the characters look like if I’m not sure.
Check your stash
Have you already got the right colours hanging around in a box or cupboard? Can you use your Cricut machine/die cutter/hand drawn template to create part of it? When I made my Shopkins card, the apple on my Doodlecharms cartridge was the perfect starting point, then all I had to do was paper piece and hand draw the finishing touches to make it look like the character.
The same goes for the Captain America shield card which I made using only two Cricut cartridges and some coloured card from my stash.
Use free printables
It only takes a quick search to locate printables related to the character(s) you are using. It is wise to be careful what you click on, as some sites are decidedly ‘dodgy’. There are plenty of free printables about, which I either print directly (if in PDF format) or copy into Microsoft Word and resize. At this point you can assess the quality of the image before printing, as some are very low resolution. If I am using Word, I also type and format a greeting to go with the card. (Top tip-copy and paste the greeting in several different sizes and print them all, then decide which size suits your card the best. You’ll still only be printing one page.) When I am printing onto paper, I use spray glue to mount it on card to make a sturdier topper.
Think outside the box
Once you have exhausted the stash and free printable options, it’s time to go shopping. If the character is a popular one, you will probably find wrapping paper and children’s sticker sets with them on. In the UK, shops like Poundland and B&M are very handy for purchasing these cheaply and easily. I used stickers for the Paw Patrol card pictured above, as well as the free printable shield.
When making this Minions card, I mounted wrapping paper onto card and then die cut a selected image. This is a particularly useful method as you can then make a coordinating gift tag and wrap the present in the remaining wrapping paper!
When I wanted to make a Lego card, I actually made my own Lego brick emboassing plate, It worked surprisingly well, and was quite a frugal way of crafting.
I’m going to finish with one final photo, to show what happens when you let a 3 year old loose with a pack of Paw Patrol stickers to make a card for her cousin. (She had a method, and was very definite in her design choices, from the base card colour to the greeting-which she insisted was ‘just plain red’ despite my offer of shiny red!)
I do enjoy the challenge of making these kinds of cards: they really make me think through the whole design process. Have any of these tips given you ideas for future projects? Do you have any other tips for creating character cards?
These are all so wonderful! Any child would be delighted:)
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Thank you 😊
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Love your creative spirit on this. Mrs. Craft!! These cards are all wonderful!
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Thank you, that means a lot coming from you as a professional cardmaker 😊
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Oh, you are sweet! I would call you a professional cardmaker! I struggle with the licensed themes, too…only for personal use.
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Lol, thank you. That is the only thing with them, but it is nice to make them for family and friends. 😊
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Your cards are amazing! I particularly like the Capt. America card.
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Thank you, it was the easiest of the lot!
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My goodness…you are smart and looks like there is one following right behind.
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Thank you, she’s always trying to raid my stash!
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These are wonderful!! My grandkids would love the Captain America card and the legos! I may have to see what I can do for their next birthdays. I am going to have to look for My Little Pony and Frozen printables for my granddaughter. Great ideas!!
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Thank you, I made a my little pony card but I couldn’t find a photo of it, there are some free printables for them definitely. Have fun making 😊
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Sounds great! Thank you.
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Character cards are on such tricky ground. I read a post from someone who had made Tatty Ted cards and posted them and hen received all manner of nasty emails threatening all sorts. My Grrandson loves Minecraft, so I designed my own minecraft cross stitch, but when I shared it I was so careful about using the word mine craft! I have used wrapping paper as back ground, I love your idea of mounting smaller pieces on card, thanks for sharing!
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Oh gosh that’s awful, were they selling them? I’ve seen loads of tatty teddy cardmaking kits and items. You do have to be so careful, but since I only gift mine I shall not worry top much. 😊
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INCREDIBLE MAKES!
Naturally … the last one is the real star of the show. 😀
LOVE the lego making idea. I’ve been and seen (and left a message) how you made it and I think it’s INSPIRED!! You clever girl. I love how your mind works. You don’t just think out of the box, you jump out of it and run around with crayons and scissors (did no one warn you about running with scissors, young lady?)
There was one question though … I don’t remember you asking me if you could use my ‘early on Sunday morning’ photograph of me for the Minion card?!
[laughing]
GREAT makes Mrs.C. Love them.
Squidges ~ Cobs. xxx
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Lol, thank you. I must learn to be more careful with scissors! What lovely comments though, thank you again x
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These are great. Really love the captain America and the Lego 😃
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Thank you 🙂
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Beautiful cards! You really capture the style of the character, I’m sure these have made a lot of people very happy!
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Thank you, I think they have gone down well 🙂
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These are great.
My kiddos love that I make custom cards for them to give. If I don’t have an appropriate stamp set/punch/die I usually do a google image search and am generally lucky to find something that way.
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Thank you, it’s amazing what you can find online.
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Mrs. Craft! Those cards are so cute!!!! and fun! I am sure your cards are a hit. !!! =) ❤ Any child would be lucky to get such fun cards!
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Thank you 🙂
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Popular Images (especially with little girls) are certain Princesses, and cute animal characters from films they like. Try searching for free colouring pages of these characters. If you are not comfy with colouring them yourself you can either leave them as a colouring picture for the child who receives them to colour in or you can trace their outlines and cut the dresses etc out of pretty paper and then glue them on top of the printed image. I think you will only hit copyright issues if you post pictures of them on line or try to sell them. I cannot see anyone being that interested if you are just making them for your children and their friends.
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Thank you, I like the idea of a ‘colour your own’ card.
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These are adorable! My daughter would love the Shopkins card!
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Thank you, it went down very well at the time!
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These were all beautiful cards, and so topical, any child would be delighted to get one.. Wonderful tips too.. xxx
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Thank you, I enjoy making cards like this. x
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