How to Create a Custom Greeting Card in Inkscape

Open a New Document

Firstly we can set up a blank page.

When you openInkscape, a blank document automatically opens.

To check it is the correct size, go toFile > Document Properties.

We’ve selectedLetterfor the size and have also setDefault unitstoinchesand clicked thePortraitradio button.

When the parameters are as you need, end the window.

Before starting, we can prepare the document.

This will represent the fold line of the card.

Now go toLayer > Layers…to open theLayers paletteand click onLayer 1and rename itOutside.

Then poke the+button and name the new layerInside.

Now press the eye button next to theInsidelayer to hide it and press theOutsidelayer to select it.

Go toFile > Importand navigate to your photo and click open.

If you get a dialog asking whether toLink or embed image, selectEmbed.

you’ve got the option to now use the grab handles around the image to resize it.

Remember to hold theCtrlkey to keep it in proportion.

This acts as a frame hiding the rest of the image outside of the frame.

Just select theTexttool and hit the card and throw in in the text.

You could just add your postal address here if nothing else.

Now position them together as you want them and go toObject > Group.

Now choose theInsidelayer and select theTexttool.

It needs to be positioned in the bottom half the page, somewhere below the guideline.

you could now print the inside to complete thecard.

You may find it helps to print a test on scrap paper first.