How to Make a Masculine Card - DOs and Don'ts

These masculine cards are from our SVG Kit simply called "Guy Cards."  I used paper by BasicGrey called the Oliver Collection Pack and some coordinating AC Cardstock from PumpkinCartCrafts.com (the Earth Tones pack).  But it got me to thinking...  Just what IS it that makes a masculine-looking card?  We get this question ALL the time - "Are you guys going to come out with some more 'guy' designs?"

Making a masculine-looking card can feel difficult. You know exactly what NOT to use, but you're left feeling like you have nothing TO use.  What's a crafty cardmaker to do?

Video

Mary's Dos and Don'ts for Making any Masculine-Looking Card

Some of these tips are no-brainers, but I think we can all use all the help we can get with masculine-looking projects!

• DO use a bold pattern as a focal point.
• DO use Earth tones, neutrals, blues, greens and orange.
• DO keep your embossing, patterns and embellishments minimal.  Let the design speak for itself.
• Don't use too many bold patterns.  One very bold pattern or two semi-bold patterns are perfect.  Any more than that and it will start to look too embellished and busy.
• DO use word art as a focal point.
• DO feel free to use semi-frilly fonts for your word art sometimes.
• DO use dimension.  Layers lifted up by 3D Zots or pop dots look great.
• DO add dimension to your letters by adding two to four more layers to them (cut them out three to five times and glue together to make thick letters).
• DO use coordinating buttons and brads with matte and brushed or antiqued metallic finishes.
• DO use plaids and stripes.
• DO ink the edges of your shapes.
• DO choose straightforward embossing patterns for your solid-colored cardstock.
• Don't make your card too busy, or it will not look masculine.
• DO use flat, simple pieces of ribbon in subdued, coordinating colors.
• Don't use pearls, glitter, bling or anything shiny.  Be careful with anything "stitched" which can start to look cutesy.
• DO feel free to use pink and purple as an accent.
• Don't use sheer or see-through buttons, paper or ribbon.  

Artist - Mary Rudakas

I hope that helps and de-mystified it a bit!  If you make any masculine-looking cards or projects, DO share them with us on our Facebook page!  Happy Crafting!  ~Mary  🙂