Create a Heartwarming Self Care Card in Affinity Studio (Free Version) — Step-by-Step Tutorial

this project offers the perfect blend of creativity, simplicity, and emotional value.

This is more than just a card — it’s a tiny moment of encouragement you can give to yourself or someone you care about.

Why Self Care Cards Are So Popular

Self care cards combine intention, art, and kindness. They’re quick to create, meaningful to share, and endlessly customizable.

Here’s why they’re wonderful beginner projects:

• Small canvas = no overwhelm. Perfect for getting comfortable with Affinity Studio without facing a large layout.

• Emotionally uplifting. A single sentence or cute illustration can completely shift someone’s mood.

• Great for gift-giving. Slip a card into a present, lunchbox, planner, bouquet, or a self-care kit.

• Easy to collect. One card often leads to creating an entire set — a beautiful foundation if you want to sell printable card collections later.

• Low materials needed. A printer and paper are enough to turn your digital design into a physical keepsake.

Materials

• Printer* 
• Cardstock* (300 gsm works wonderfully for durable cards)
• Paper trimmer* or scissors
• Optional: Corner punch*, laminator*, envelope, washi tape

Tools

The Heart of the Card: Your Message

Your text is the emotional anchor of the card. It can be:

• A short affirmation

• A gentle reminder

• A funny note

• A positive mini-mantra

Here are a few examples that pair beautifully with self care themes:

• “Take 5 minutes just for you.”

• “You’re doing great — keep going.”

• “Rest is productive, too.”

• “One small moment of calm.”

• “Be kind to yourself today.”

Typography Tips:

• Use 1–2 fonts max

• Ensure readability

• Match font weight with the mood (soft script for gentle cards, rounded sans-serif for cute ones)

• Play with letter spacing to give your message a more polished feel

Use color pulled from your illustration to unify the design.

Printing & Finishing Your Self Care Card

Once you’re ready to print:

1. Choose medium to heavy cardstock.

2. Print at full quality.

3. Trim along the edges using scissors or a paper trimmer.

4. Round the corners if you want a softer aesthetic.

5. Optional: Laminate for durability or long-term use.

Now you have a card that’s ready to gift, display, or keep close for moments when you need a little boost.

Creative Ways to Use Your Self Care Cards

• Pin them to a vision board

• Add them to journal spreads

• Use them as bookmarks

• Gift them in self care baskets

• Leave them for coworkers or friends

• Create a whole set and store them in a small box

• Sell them as printable bundles in your shop

These cards can brighten mornings, break stressful cycles, and add a spark of kindness to someone’s

What You’ll Learn Through This Project

This tutorial doesn’t just teach you how to make one card — it builds skills that transfer into designing:

• Postcards

• Wall art

• Planner inserts

• Greeting cards

• Affirmation decks

• Printable gift tags

• Digital stationery

Every new card adds to your confidence and your design library.

A Small Design with Big Impact

Self care cards are tiny works of heart. They encourage, uplift, and remind us to breathe — and creating them is just as soothing as receiving them.

With the free version of Affinity Studio, you have all the tools you need to make thoughtful, beautiful cards that can brighten someone’s day. Let this project spark inspiration for a whole collection — one message at a time.

Happy creating!