Printing gift cards at home has become increasingly popular in recent years. With the rise of e-commerce and digital gift cards, many people are looking for ways to create personalized, physical gift cards without having to purchase pre-made ones from stores. The good news is that there are a few easy methods for printing gift cards at home using free templates, software programs, and photo printing services.
Benefits of Printing Gift Cards Online
Here are some of the main benefits of designing and printing gift cards online:
- Customization – You can customize every aspect of the card including the design, text, images, colors, and more. This allows you to add a personal touch.
- Convenience – No need to go out and shop for a physical gift card. You can access templates and print from the comfort of home.
- Cost savings – Printing at home is cheaper than buying pre-made gift cards from retailers.
- Quick turnaround – You can print a card almost instantly after designing it rather than waiting for an ordered card to be shipped to you.
Methods for Printing Gift Cards at Home
There are a few different options for how to go about printing DIY gift cards at home:
1. Using gift card templates
There are many free gift card templates online that provide a quick and easy way to print gift cards. Many sites offer templates in common sizes like business card size or Avery printable sizes that are compatible with standard printers. Some key steps are:
- Browse the web to find a gift card template in the desired size and design.
- Download and customize the template by adding your own text, images, colors, and personal touches.
- Print the template onto thick cardstock paper.
- Cut out the printed gift card.
Popular sites for free gift card templates include www.canva.com, www.greetingsisland.com, and www.printablepaper.net.
2. Using software programs
For more customization options, you can design your own gift cards using software programs like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or Microsoft Publisher. These tools allow you complete creative control over the card’s appearance. Main steps include:
- Open a blank page or template in your software of choice.
- Add desired images, colors, text, and other decorative elements.
- Select a gift card size and orientation.
- Print onto cardstock.
- Cut to size.
The advantage of using software is you can tweak every element and font to create a truly one-of-a-kind card.
3. Using online printing services
Another option is to design your gift card and then order prints from an online printing company like Vistaprint, GotPrint, or Zazzle. These sites allow you to customize and upload your own design that they’ll print professionally onto cardstock and mail to you. This gives you the benefit of not having to own any special design software or printer. Simply:
- Go to the website and select their gift card printing option.
- Upload your own pre-designed card or use their templates and customization tools.
- Enter your order quantity and details.
- Pay for the order.
- The printed cards will be shipped to your address.
This is a convenient way to get high quality, customized gift cards without any fuss. However, you’ll have to pay for printing and wait for shipping.
Tips for Designing Gift Cards
Here are some tips for coming up with a great DIY gift card design:
- Include the occasion or holiday if it’s a themed gift card, like “Happy Birthday” or “Merry Christmas.”
- Incorporate some of the gift recipient’s interests or personality into the design like their favorite flower or animal.
- Use high quality graphics and fonts – don’t just use basic clipart.
- Make sure to include a space for the gift card value and terms of use.
- Use bright, cheerful colors and whimsical elements to make it festive.
- Keep necessary text short, simple, and clearly legible.
- Add decorative touches like borders, patterns, ribbons, and shapes.
What Should Be Included on a Gift Card?
While you have creative freedom when designing DIY gift cards, there are a few key elements that should always be included:
Gift Card Value
There should be a clearly designated space to write or print the monetary value being loaded onto the gift card. This amount is what the recipient can spend.
Gift Card Number
You’ll need to generate and assign a unique number to each gift card you print. Consecutive numbering works well (ex. #001, #002, #003, etc.)
Barcode or QR Code
While optional, adding a barcode or QR code linked to the gift card number adds an extra layer of legitimacy and security. The retailer can then easily scan and verify the card.
Expiration Date
Gift cards should have an expiration date, generally a few years out from the print date. This gives the recipient enough time to use the full value.
Terms & Conditions
You should detail the terms and conditions on the back of the card or an attached document. Common terms include: expiration rules, fees, usage policies, and more.
Store Name & Logo
Customizing the card with the retailer’s branding elements makes it look more realistic. Include their name, logo, images, colors, and overall style.
Where to Buy Gift Card Stock
The quality of the cardstock you print onto makes a big difference in how professional your finished gift cards will look. Here are some places to buy nice gift card stock:
Online Retailers
There are many online stores that sell specialty papers designed specifically for printing gift cards and other cards. Two popular options are:
- Neenah Brights® Creme Gift Card Stock – A premium cardstock with a smooth texture and bright white color.
- Simon Say Stamp Gift Card Stock – Available in white and kraft brown colors perfect for gift cards.
Office Supply Stores
Major office supply stores like Staples or Office Depot sell packs of cardstock that work well for gift cards. Look for options described as “cover card stock” with weights of 80lb or higher. Avoid flimsy copy paper.
Craft & Hobby Shops
Stores like Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, and Joann Fabric offer many specialty cardstock types you can browse in person. Look for durable selections like double thick or vellum Bristol.
Online Print Shops
Some online custom print shops sell pre-cut gift card stock ready for printing like CardsDirect and PrintPlace. You can also order sample packs to find a paper you like.
What Kind of Printer Do You Need to Print Gift Cards?
You don’t need an expensive specialty printer to print great looking gift cards at home. Many common household printers are up for the job. Here are some options:
Inkjet Printers
Most modern inkjet printers from brands like HP, Epson, and Canon can handle printing gift cards with no problem. Just use cardstock paper and high quality print settings. Inkjets are affordable and provide vivid image printing.
Laser Printers
Laser printers offer crisp, precise printing ideal for text-heavy designs. Models from Brother, HP, and Xerox have the capability to feed thicker cardstock paper. Toner also creates more durable prints.
All-in-One Printers
For convenience, you can use a multi-function printer with copy, scan, fax, and print capabilities to create and duplicate gift cards as needed. Brands like HP and Brother make combinations models.
Photo Printers
Photo-centric printers like the Canon Selphy produce great photographic prints if you want high resolution images on your gift cards. The ink is also extremely smudge and water resistant.
As long as you have a printer that will accommodate cardstock paper up to 110lb weight, you should achieve good results printing gift cards at home no matter the brand or budget.
How to Print a Gift Card at Home
If you designed your own gift card graphics or found templates online, follow these simple steps to print them out:
Supplies Needed
- Gift card graphics file
- Printer capable of printing cardstock
- Cardstock or other heavy paper
- Scissors or paper cutter
Printing Steps
- Open up the gift card artwork file on your computer.
- Load cardstock into your printer feed.
- Set your printer settings to use high quality paper and graphics mode.
- Select print. Choose to print just 1 copy for starters in case adjustments are needed.
- Carefully review the printed gift card test print.
- Make any alignment or setting tweaks necessary for best quality.
- Print the desired quantity of final gift cards onto the full cardstock sheets.
- Use a paper cutter or sharp scissors to neatly cut out each printed gift card.
- Carefully write in or print the card value, number, terms, etc.
- The customized gift cards are now ready to be gifted!
Printing Tips
- Use fresh ink and high quality cardstock for best looking prints.
- Select the highest print settings and enable any photo enhancers.
- Handle printed cards carefully while the ink is still drying.
- Use an alignment guide when trimming cards to cut accurately.
- Print a few extras in case of any mistakes down the line.
Can You Upload Your Own Design to Print?
If you don’t want to fuss with designing your own gift card images, many online printing services allow you to easily upload and print a custom creation. Here’s an overview:
Online Printing Services
Popular online print shops like Vistaprint, Zazzle, and GotPrint all offer gift card printing services where you can upload a pre-made design. Most will have template layouts and editing tools as well. You’ll pay a small fee per printed card.
Retailer Gift Card Websites
Some major retailers allow you to visit their egift card websites and upload artwork to print out physical gift cards. Stores like Home Depot, Gap, and Starbucks provide customization portals for this purpose.
Design Requirements
The online service will provide specifications like size, orientation, and optimal resolution for the uploaded design. Most require print-ready, high resolution PDF, JPEG, or PNG files.
Editing Capabilities
Basic customization tools are often provided to add/edit text, crop images, and make color adjustments without needing design software. You can preview changes in real time before downloading the prints.
Overall, it’s a user-friendly process that opens up gift card customization to anyone without specialized graphic design skills.
How Much Does It Cost to Print Gift Cards?
Printing customized gift cards at home is very affordable. Here’s an overview of typical costs:
DIY Home Printing
If you print gift cards yourself using your own printer, paper and ink, the only major costs are:
- High quality cardstock – $10-$20 for pack of 25 sheets
- Ink cartridges – $30-$60 for full color cartridge set
Each card costs just pennies in materials to print at home. The only other expense would be any graphics software if not using free templates.
Online Printing Services
Online print shops offer convenience at slightly higher prices. Average costs are:
Print Quantity | Cost per Card |
25 | $1 – $2 |
50 | $0.50 – $1 |
100+ | $0.25 – $0.75 |
Shipping costs may also apply if under order minimums. Overall, still very affordable for quick and easy personalized gift cards.
Retailer Custom Cards
Major retailers like Starbucks price custom printed gift cards close to face value:
- $5 card – $5.95
- $10 card – $10.95
- $25 card – $26.95
So you’ll pay a small premium over pre-loaded cards for the custom design ability. Well worth it for some.
Does Print Quality Matter for Gift Cards?
You can definitely print functional gift cards at home on an average consumer printer. However, considering it’s a special keepsake, aiming for high print quality is ideal. Here are some factors that affect quality:
Resolution
Designing cards at 300dpi or higher will produce sharper image and text printing. Avoid pixelated stretches or blurry logos.
Ink/Toner
Using name brand, fresh ink or toner formulated for photos and graphics will give vibrant, professional results. Don’t skimp on off-brand supplies.
Paper Weight
Thicker cardstock around 80-110lb prevents gift cards feeling flimsy. It also holds up better to handling and facilitates crisper printing.
Print Settings
Use the highest quality print mode to maximize resolution. Enable options like bleed control, photo enhancers, and edge smoothing for optimal prints.
Finishing
Cutting cards cleanly and evenly, using quality envelopes, and embossing for texture demonstrate extra care.
Investing a little more into design and materials pays off with gift cards recipients can’t wait to receive and redeem.
Are Printed Gift Cards Secure?
For authenticity and security, DIY printed gift cards include some key features:
Numbers & Barcodes
Sequential serial numbers and scannable barcodes help secure the value associated with a particular gift card in a retailer’s system.
Tamper-Evident Materials
Specialty cardstock with embedded security features like watermarks help identify tampered or fraudulent cards.
Complex Designs
Using multiple colors, high resolution graphics, and other complex printing techniques make duplication difficult for would-be scammers.
Embossed Seals
Embossing a branded seal or emblem into the cardstock adds a layer of depth and authenticity hard to copy.
Secure Printing
Methods like microprinting and QR codes store data in hard to replicate formats providing enhanced security.
While home printed cards can’t offer the same level of security as credit card technology, following best practices allows you to create gift cards that offer sufficient protection from misuse and forgery.
Conclusion
Printing customizable gift cards at home is easy and affordable using online templates, software tools, and basic consumer printers. While it requires an initial time investment into attractive design and quality printing, it pays off with gift cards recipients will be thrilled to receive. With a few best practices, DIY gift cards can also offer sufficient security and durability. So don’t be afraid to tap into your creativity and print some personalized gift cards online for upcoming holidays and special occasions.