Forget plain white copy paper. You can use a copy machine to print exquisite line art on clear overlay film and pair it with elegant paper in soft pastels. This combination maximizes modern technology without sacrificing the elegant look and sophistication of traditional note cards.

YOU WILL NEED:
Self-healing mat
Medium-weight paper in pastel colour
Straight-edge ruler
Pencil
X-Acto knife
Clear overlay film
Copyright-free line art, as desired
Double-stick tape

Note: You will need access to a photocopy machine


INSTRUCTIONS:

1 On self-healing mat, measure, mark and cut one 10-inch-by-5-inch rectangle from medium-weight paper, using ruler, pencil and X-Acto knife.

2 Fold rectangle in half crosswise, then open flat in horizontal position, wrong side facing up.

3 On center of left panel, measure, mark and cut a 2-inch square, using ruler, pencil and X-Acto knife. Note: Window is marked and cut on interior of card to avoid marring front right panel, which is display side.

4 Read instructions on package of clear overlay film, then take card, art and overlay film to copy store.

5 Copy line art on plain white paper, enlarging or reducing the image as necessary, so that it fits inside the cutout window.

6 Hand feed overlay film into top paper tray of copier as directed by manufacturer's instructions and lay sized art, image side down, on top of glass. Print art on film, allowing ink to dry completely.

7 Center film image over cutout window and trim film so that it measures 3 inches square.

8 Open card flat, wrong side up.

9 Lay film image over cutout window, using short lengths of double-stick tape to secure.

Excerpted from Instant Gratification Cards: Fast and Fabulous Projects by Carol Endler Sterbenz and Genevieve A. Sterbenz. Copyright 2000 by Chronicle Books. Excerpted with permission by Chronicle Books. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.