If you'd like to create personalized greeting cards from one of your favorite digital photos, there are a number of Web sites and software programs that you can use. One of the handiest options is offered at the Web site of the United States Postal Service. Here's how to do it: - First, transfer the photo you want to use for your greeting card onto your computer. Save it where it will be easy to locate, such as on your desktop.
- Once you get to the USPS Web site, you'll see some choices listed on their home page. Click on "Online Services" and scroll to the selection "Send Custom Cards."
- This selection will lead you to a log-in page (figure A). If you're a new user, it takes just a few moments to sign in and specify a password. There is no charge for membership at this site
- Once you've logged in, the next interface will provide you with more choices. Click the selection "Design Your Own Cards."
- From the next interface, select a card type and size (e.g., 5x7 folded card or 4x6 postcard).
- Once you've made your selections for size and style of card, an interface will open prompting you to upload your image (figure B). Browse to the folder containing your photo and select the image you want to use (figure C). Then click "Open" and "Continue."
- The next step is to choose a border. The program offers a menu of choices (figure D) in varying themes such as floral, wedding, plain color, etc. In our demonstration, we selected a plain-color border.
- With "Plain Color" selected, the program previews the selected photo in thumbnail images in a variety of border colors (figure E).
- Make your choice, and click "Select." In our example, we chose a blue border. The choice will be displayed onscreen, showing how the finished card will appear (figure F) with the selected border. Once you're happy with your design, you're ready to upload it. Click the "Upload" button to continue.
- Next, you'll decide how you want your cards sent -- e.g., mailed to you boxed, mailed to recipients at a specified future date, mailed to recipients immediately, etc. In our demonstration, we chose the latter selection.
- Since we opted to have our cards sent directly to the recipients, we then entered all of their names and mailing info (figure G). At this screen, you may also select the stamp style you want used. Creating cards online is great for bulk mailings since you input all of your mailing info on the Web site rather than hand-addressing your envelopes. If you opt to have your cards and envelopes sent to you, the envelopes will already be preaddressed with the mailing info you've entered.
- Type in the text of the message you want included on your card. Preview the text as it will appear printed in the "Online Preview" window (figure H). From this screen, you can select from various type styles (fonts), the size of the type and color of the letters.
- There is a cost for this service, so your total cost will be tabulated depending on the design of your card and number of recipients. Once you're happy with the design of your card, and you've typed in your greeting and entered your payment information, simply click "Send," and you're done.
In a few days, your friends and family will receive their greeting card (figure I) complete with your photo and message .
RESOURCES :
Rick Sammon, professional photographer
Web site: www.ricksammon.com
Learn more about photography with Rick Sammon's new e-book on CD. More than 100 tips and photographs from Rick's travels around the world.
And check out Rick's column on Kodak's site:
Web site: www.kodak.com/US/en/corp/magazine/tips/2001_10
Rick Sammon
Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520
Email: RickSammon@aol.com
Website: www.ricksammon.com
Special Thanks for DIY's Digital Photography workshop, episodes 101-105
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