About a year and a half ago, I realized that some of the card designs I loved the best had a name – Clean and Simple Card Design. Since then, I have learned the clean and simple (CAS) design approach is immensely popular. CAS cards are loved for their elegant simplicity and versatility, making them a favorite choice for lots of different occasions. In this blog post, we will delve into what CAS handmade card designs are and how to create them. Let’s get started!
What is Clean and Simple (CAS) Card Design?
Simplicity is key in clean and simple card design
As mentioned above, CAS cards have a simplicity in their design, but that doesn’t mean that they are plain. Far from it. The CAS designs tend to be classic and minimalist.
It is easier sometimes to understand what a clean and simple card is by juxtaposing it with its opposite. We’ve all seen and probably made cards that involved a lot … of everything – a lot of colors, layers, embellishments, or techniques. CAS cards are not that.
CAS cards typically use few colors and fewer embellishments. That doesn’t mean you can’t use your favorite techniques, but you wouldn’t apply ALL of your favorites on one card.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve ruined many cards by just adding one more thing. A clean and simple card design helps me to avoid that scenario.
White Space – an important element in clean and simple card design
Probably the most obvious feature of a clean and simple card design is its use of white space. CAS designs leave a great deal of the card front blank. The use of this negative space brings attention to the design element or the message.
Text
Messaging or the sentiment is usually one word or a short phrase. And the font follows a minimalist approach as well. Choose a classic font or one with super clean lines.
Materials
Materials should be of high quality. Most of us tend to purchase the highest quality of paper and other materials that we can find and afford. With Clean and Simple card designs, cardmakers tend to use papers and cardstocks that have texture. I see a lot of CAS cards that utilize a linen cardstock. I love the look, but I don’t have a lot of textured cardstock on hand at the moment.
Symmetry
Another characteristic of Clean and Simple card design is symmetry. Though elements on the card might be few, the elements need to be balanced and bring cohesion to the card.
Theme
Many of us already think in terms of themes when we make cards, but this is especially important with CAS cards. Whatever motif we choose, we need to be consistent with it.
Embellishments & Ephemera
Embellishments are plentiful in the crafting and cardmaking world. Between our die-cut machines and electronic cutting machines, like my Cricut Maker 3, we crafters love our embellishments and our ephemera! But with Clean and Simple design, we have to restrain ourselves. Choosing just one or two design elements can be refreshing and delightful.
Color
The use of color is also a major characteristic of Clean and Simple design. Most CAS cards feature a limited color palette. Again, less is more with CAS design. Often, I see these cards featuring a monochromatic palette which I find pleasing and easy on my brain.
Illustrations or Paintings
One last thing that I’ve noticed with CAS design is that some folks use hand-drawn or painted designs. I don’t have those gifts, and thankfully, it is not required. You can certainly pull together a great Clean and Simple design with a die-cut, stamp, or other embellishment. But if you can draw or paint, then go for it!
Why CAS Cards Are Loved
I think I love Clean and Simple cards because they embody the spirit and art of Minimalism. Minimalism is a philosophy that embodies simplicity and the removal of excess.
Minimalism is the opposite of the shiny object syndrome that is so prevalent today. It helps to bring clarity and ease to life, and I need to do a better job of embracing it. One way is through utilizing it through clean and simple card design.
Minimalism and CAS have both been trending for a while, and I think it is because lots of us feel the need to get rid of all the ‘extra’ in our lives. Would you agree?
I also think folks like Clean and Simple designs because of the singular focus on just one element. The simplicity of design makes that one element pop!
Essential Supplies for Clean and Simple Card Designs
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What’s great for us is that as cardmakers and paper crafters, we most likely already have everything we need to make beautiful Clean and Simple cards!
- Cardstock and Paper Selection
I use the cardstock I have on hand. Just remember to keep a minimalist color palette. This can get tricky when using designer papers. Remember your mantra – less is more. Also, if you have textured cardstock, like linen, or if you have embossing folders, go ahead a experiment with those items.
- Stamps and Inks
We can do so much with stamps and inks. It’s fine to use a complex technique, so long as the design remains true to the CAS design principles. I like to stick with one stamped image, keeping my color palette in mind when applying ink or other color through markers or colored pencils.
- Simple Embellishments
Similar to what I would do with stamps, I would focus on one embellishment. For example, I used hollyhocks on one CAS card instead of lots of different flowers or a flower and animal.
- Basic Crafting Tools
As I mentioned at the beginning of this section, you most likely have all the tools and materials you need to begin making Clean and Simple cards! In addition to cardstock, paper, stamps or embellishments, you will need some kind of glue or double-sided tape to layer your elements on the card.
A cutting machine, like a Cricut, or a die-cutting machine, such as Sizzix’s Big Shot, can help cut out an element, but neither is necessary. If you have a decent printer, you could purchase digital files and print them directly onto your cardstock. This is something I want to try, but I need a better printer!
Occasions For CAS Handmade Card Ideas
Truly, I can’t think of an occasion when a Clean and Simple handmade card would not be perfect!
- Birthday Cards
Most of us have several folks that we send birthday cards to each year.
- Thank You Cards
I should be sending more Thank You cards.
- Sympathy Cards
I think many of us struggle with creating cards to send to someone who is grieving. We want to send something appropriate, and I think a Clean and Simple design would be best for these situations. A handmade card is always heartfelt, and the design would eliminate much of the back-and-forth over design and sentiments.
- Holiday Cards
Many of us like to go all out with our holiday cards, especially at Christmas. I admit that I do a few like that each year, too! But…I also have quite a few Christmas cards that I sent to family, and the ladies group at my church also does a Christmas card exchange as a fundraiser. So sometimes I need to make 50-75 cards, and they can’t all be ‘extra.’ A couple of CAS designs can be perfect for batch creation for Christmas cards!
The Beauty of CAS Handmade Cards
Clean and Simple Handmade Cards can bring elegance to your card-making. If you’ve never tried a CAS-style card, I encourage you to give it a go. Just remember the principles of the basic Clean And Simple design:
- Simplicity
- Whitespace
- Brief Sentiments
- High-Quality Materials
- Symmetry
- Theme
- Embellishments
- Limited Color Palette
By following these steps and tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating stunning CAS handmade cards that impress your friends and family, or even your customers if you decide to sell your creations. Happy crafting!
