Card base
The card base is the main element you start from when making a card: the naked folded piece of (white or otherwise) paper.
Paper weight
Make sure your card base is sturdy enough so your card will stand upright. Ideally, your paper weight is between 250 GSM and 300 GSM.
Color
Using a white card base is the cheapest and easiest option. However, you can use a colored card base if you're going for a different look. Keep in mind that if you use a very dark cardstock, you should glue a light colored piece of (lightweight) paper inside so a message can be written inside with a regular pen.
Size
Aside from specialty card sizes, the easiest way to pick the size for your card is by cutting a piece of standard paper size (either ISO A4 or US Letter) in half in either direction.
Cutting your paper in half either gives you
- top-folding portrait or side-folding landscape
- side-folding portrait or top-folding landscape
