Birthday Postcard SVG

Greetings from the birthday

Old travel postcards often said Greetings from somewhere in big, cheerful letters. This one borrows the idea for a birthday. Birthday is written large in a swooping script across the left side, with GREETINGS in widely spaced capitals underneath and a dashed line below that, like a line on which to sign.

In the top right corner, a stamp window has the bitten, perforated edge of a real postage stamp, and three wavy lines run beside it like a postmark. Three small stars are sprinkled across the card.

Pieces and weeding

The solid file is one flat piece with 25 cut-outs. The perforated edge of the stamp window is the finest part, so use a fresh blade. Stencil bridges hold the closed centers of the script. It passes our cut checks from about 5 inches wide.

Single color layer

The only layer is Kraft, a warm tan brown.

Size

The postcard is a 3 by 2 rectangle, so at 6 inches wide it comes out about 6 by 4, a common postcard size. Measure after setting the width.

Below 5 inches the stamp perforations close up. For small versions, print the color file and use Print Then Cut.

Backing it

Since the postcard is a flat card with cut-through windows, give it a solid back:

1. Cut the postcard from 80 to 110 lb kraft card.
2. Cut a plain panel of the same size in a contrasting color, such as cream or white.
3. Glue the two together. The backing shows through the lettering, stamp and stars, and its back becomes the writing side.
4. Draw a line down the middle of the back, with the message on the left and the name on the right, as on any postcard.

You can also slip a real photo behind the stamp window before gluing, so a tiny picture sits in the stamp.

Sending it

We suggest sending it in an envelope, which protects the cut lettering and the stamp edge. A 6.5 by 4.75 inch envelope suits the 6 by 4 size; measure the finished card first.

Color ideas

• Kraft over cream, as drawn, for a vintage look
• Navy over red striped paper, so the letters show stripes
• Pale blue over white for an airmail feel

Find out how to recolor in changing SVG colors.

Pairs well with

The Another Year Card is another flat, landscape card, and the Birthday Envelope can be sized down to carry it.