If You Care Enough to Print the Very Best

When it comes to special occasions, I'm just as happy if my friends and loved ones call me on the phone, send me a personal note or even dash off an e-mail message. Yet I know a lot about the subject, because I'm married to someone who enjoys receiving and sending printed cards.

On several occasions, I've used my PC to custom-design a card for my wife, Patti, and other family members. Patti always graciously thanks me, but I've noticed that she doesn't get as excited as when I write a note by hand or purchase a printed card. When asked, she admitted that she thinks that printed cards look better and handwritten notes seem more thoughtful.

Professionally printed greeting cards do look better. But with the correct software, a good inkjet printer and high-quality card stock, you can do a pretty good job with a PC. With home computer-generated cards, you can create a more personal greeting and even add photographs. And they're great for procrastinators like me who remember they need a card after it's too late to go to the store.

I tested three of the leading Windows greeting card programs: Micrographx CreateaCard 2.0 ($49.95), the Print Shop Signature Greetings ($19.95) from Broderbund and Greetings Workshop from Microsoft ($29.95 for one-disk product; $49.95 for two-disk deluxe version).

All three programs come with a wide selection of graphics, designs, sayings and other elements that let you assemble a greeting card for just about any occasion. Each program also lets you import your own graphics--including photos--and enter your own text.

None of these programs use standard Windows pull-down menus. In each case, it took me a few minutes to figure out how to issue commands. None of them are hard to use, but they do require patience and perhaps some extra printer ink and paper for the inevitable spoilage as you're learning.

Speaking of paper, you can get better results if you use expensive, high-quality paper or card stock. But it's probably a good idea to print first on cheap paper until you're sure you have everything just the way you want it.

Micrographx CreateaCard 2.0, which comes with about 5,000 pieces of clip art, lets you choose from among thousands of cards designed by American Greetings. It also lets you create signs, awards and certificates, business cards, invitations, stationery, labels, postcards, calendars, gift tags and stickers.