Printer Paper or Card for Making Own Postcards?

[Frank Edwards]

Hi there,

My older sister travels around East Anglia (UK) a fair bit and sends me postcards of where she has been. I have been trying to get her interested in taking digital photos of her own to send me. But the interaction with camera, computer and e-mail (not surprisingly) puts her off.

It would be good if she could print out photos directly onto blank postcard-sized stock that has the address grid pre-printed, for use maybe on one of those small, portable photo printers. That way the experience is as much the same for her as possible.

I have Googled the Interweb but with no success, so I thought I would ask the collective knowledge bank at TG. Does anyone know of such a product?

My sister is a real technophobe - to do mainly with her confidence - so the least amounts of technology and steps (including use of third-party print shops) are essential. And, as always, cost is an issue.

Could be too tall a task. But, hey, you gotta start somewhere.

Anybody out there that does this kind of thing, please?

Many thanks,
Frank

[SnipeHunter]

Avery.com
(the king of computer software and templates for labels, postcards, mailers, etc.
http://avery.com/
Can use Microsoft Office or use their own software.

[Frank Edwards]

Thanks very much for the link.

I see that Avery do some 6"x4" cards. I could print a pack of those with the address layout using Xara. My sister could then feed individual cards through one of those small hp photo printers - I saw one in Boots for about £45 - in order to print out the photo she wants to send, without having to use a pc at all.

Great stuff.

Thanks again,
Frank

[Albacore]

Most of your printer manufacturers do this type of machine whither its a direct link, placing your memory card in a slot or even now WIFI or Bluetooth and then on the printer you can enhance and crop and then print. I would go for the heavier paper if she is gooing to send it throught the post around 250 gms.

[Frank Edwards]

Thanks Albacore,

The simpler the better, really. Memory card into printer would cut out the camera's user-interface - by not connecting it - and would be a more direct method. All I've got to do is find a camera which is as simple as possible to use yet has memory card expansion (and is not too expensive).

Yes, you've read my thoughts on the paper's/card's weight. I want it to be as robust as a postcard, so the normal "photo"-type paper wouldn't do. Avery do a stack of different postcard products - they don't state the weight, but they do categorise them as "card" so that should fit the bill.

Thanks again,
Frank