Several unique terms and phrases describe the features of software we review on this site, some easier to grasp than others. This list briefly defines terms relevant to Greeting Card Software.

Ratings

Ease of Use

Greeting card software instructions and tools should be easy to find and operate - the software should be easy to use for computer novices.

Feature Set

Greeting card software should offer a wide variety of tools and options, including a generous variety of editing tools, formatting tools, card styles, themes, clipart and fonts. These elements (and more) make up the feature set.

Ease of Installation

Greeting card software should be simple to install. You shouldn't experience errors and graphics should load quickly, without a hassle.

Help/Support

Greeting card support files and tutorials should be complete, well-written, and easy to locate. Greeting card software technical support should be simple to understand and the manufacturer should offer contact information for customers, such an email address or a telephone number.

Features

Cards & Envelopes Included with Purchase

Some manufacturers include a packet of blank envelopes and cards for your first printed card projects.

Portrait or Landscape Designs

The software will allow you to print out your creations either:

• Landscape: image is oriented horizontally-longer side-to-side.
• Portrait: Image is oriented vertically-longer top-to-bottom.

Order Paper Supplies

Some manufacturers sell paper supplies - cardstock, envelopes and stationary - from their website.

Project Categories

Everyday Greetings

The program contains templates that target a broad range of everyday of greetings.

Holidays

The program contains card templates that suit various holidays, such as Christmas, Hanukah, Easter, New Year, Valentine's Day, and more.

Special Occasions Greetings

The program contains card templates that are appropriate for occasions like wedding cards, births announcements, birthday cards and more.

Religious Celebrations

The program contains card templates that cover religious events, such as baptisms, christenings and more.

Number of Project Templates

The number of templates contained in each program; an "NA" means that this specific information was not available.

Number of Clip Art Images

The number of clip art images contained in each program. An "NA" means that this specific information was not available. Some programs state that they contain 200,000+ images but require you to import most of these from their website, which will require you to register your product.

Custom Photo Calendars

The greeting card software will allow you to create weekly, monthly or yearly calendars that are customized with your own photos or images.

Text Effects

Number of Fonts Available

The number of fonts, or lettering styles, available in the card program.

Add Drop Shadows

The greeting card software lets you add shadows behind your text for the effect of depth.

Place Text on Curves

The greeting card software will allow you to curve the text in your project.

Spell Checker

Some card programs include a spell checker to catch common spelling errors.

Photo Editing

Import Photographs

The greeting card software will allow you to import digital images from a file - such as your own photos.

Scan Photos

The greeting card software lets you import images with a scanner.

Sort Photos

The greeting card software sorts images by criteria you specify, such as the filename or photo number.

Batch Editing Photos

The software lets you edit an entire group of photos at one time.

Adjust Color

The program contains several color-editing features, such as brightness, contrast and other adjustments.

Flaw & Scratch Remover

The program contains several features for correcting flaws such as scratches, spots and more.

Red-Eye Remover

The greeting card software includes tools that correct red-eye in your photos.

Photo Cropping

The card software lets you to crop or trim your images on the computer; some higher-ranked programs even allow you to crop your images into specific shapes, such as hearts or circles.

Paint Tools

The program contains certain paint tools, such various paint brush sizes so that you can add your own effects to card projects.

Focus & Tones

The program contains tools that allow you to tweak your photo's tone, contrast, blur and more.

Special Effects

The card making program includes special photo editing tools that can soften photo edges, sparkle borders, make portions of a photo transparent, add a radiant glow and other effects.

Flip Image

The greeting card software will allow you to flip an image upside down or vice-versa.

Rotate Image

The card software will allow you to rotate an image to any angle.

Reduce Image

All the programs will allow you to resize an image by selecting and decreasing the size of the box around the image, however, a few programs actually have a button that, once clicked, will automatically reduce the size of the image. You can then continue clicking until you get the size you want.

Enlarge Image

All greeting card software lets you to resize images by stretching the image borders, but a some programs let you reduce size automatically, just by clicking until you reach the ideal size.

Sharing

eMail

The greeting card maker software will allow you to send your electronic greeting card to someone by email.

eMail eCards with Sound

The greeting card software lets you email your greeting card complete with sound. (Some programs also allow you to import your favorite sounds.)

Print

All the programs we reviewed allowed you to print your completed cards.

Instant Messenger

The greeting card maker will let you send your finished project through an instant messaging service.

Animated Greetings

The greeting card software will allow you to send an animated electronic greeting card by email. (Note: some recipients may have firewalls or anti-virus programs installed that will block such cards, since animations are mini-programs that the computer may misinterpret as dangerous.)

Burn Projects to CD

The greeting card software will allow you to burn your finished creation to a CD (if you have a CD burner attached to your computer).

Import Custom Music & Sounds

The greeting card software will allow you to import music or sounds into your greeting card projects.

Save Projects as PDF Files

The program lets you save projects in a PDF format, which allow local, professional print shops to open and print your projects without access to the card software program.

Other Program Projects

Business Cards, Calendars, Invitations etc.

The greeting card maker program includes print settings that let you format your own business cards, calendar templates, invitation ideas/samples, etc.

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