World Card Making Day: what it costs to mail a card in 2026

Today is World Card Making Day, which always falls on the first Saturday in October. Crafters mark it by making cards with paper, stamps and ink, and some companies host free virtual events where you can follow along with a demonstration.

You do not need special supplies to take part. A folded piece of cardstock, a few markers and a short handwritten note can make a card someone keeps for years. October is also a good time to get a head start on birthday cards for the rest of the year or on cards for the holidays.

If you plan to mail what you make, postage has gone up this year. Since July 12, 2026, a Forever stamp costs 82 cents, up from 78 cents. Domestic postcards now cost 65 cents to mail, and each additional ounce on a letter is 29 cents. Forever stamps you already own are still good at the new rate, no matter what you paid for them.

Thick, layered handmade cards can weigh more than an ounce, so it is worth checking the weight of one finished card before you buy stamps for a whole batch. A kitchen scale works, or a post office counter can weigh it for you.

If you make just one card today, pick someone who would not expect it. A surprise in the mailbox tends to mean the most.