WHAT CAN MY COPY SHOP DO?

We all know copy shops can churn out reams of black and white photocopies (for about a nickel a copy at most shops). But there's a world of color options as well, just right for bringing holiday cheer to your family's card. Consider the following:

COLOR COPIES: The laser color copier is the home card maker's answer to Hallmark's printing presses. With the push of a button, it can duplicate color photos, artwork, collages, sticker and stamp designs, even something three-dimensional such as needlepoint or holly. Okay, it's not cheap. Prices can run as high as $1.50 for a standard 8 1/2- by 11-inch sheet (self-serve copiers, if available, often cost less). But if you make multiple copies, as you would with a family card, the price drops considerably--down to 90 cents a sheet at our shop. Also, bear in mind that color copying a sheet of four postcards divides the per card price by four. Finally, if your card contains family photos, you save the cost of getting dozens of prints made.

ACCENT COLORS: For a splash of color at a fraction of the cost of a full-color copy, look into the options for highlight or accent colors. Most copy shops can run your black and white copies through another machine that imparts, say, a red hat on Santa's head or a blue "Happy Hanukkah." The costs range from 2 to 6 cents per copy and you need to create a separate original for each colored part.

COLORED PAPER: Another inexpensive alternative to full-blown color copying is to make black and white copies onto colored paper. Kids' sketches, photos, newsletters and puzzles all look jazzier on a colored background. Be careful if printing a newsletter on a dark color--the text could be hard to read.

HOW SHOULD WE DO THE LETTERING?

Your card's lettering should not just convey a message; it should also express a mood. Consider some of the options:

COMPUTER FONTS: With today's computer typesetting options, your card's message can virtually pop off the card. If your home software is limited, ask the copying center about its own computer capabilities. Many offer self-serve desktop publishing for about 20 cents a minute and 50 cents per black and white copy (double that for color). Use one to select a typeface that really says what you feel.

ARTSY LETTERING: Consider lettering with stamps, a crayon scrawl, even photos of your kids posing in the shape of the letters J-O-Y. My seven-year-old came up with arranging pieces of candy to spell out "Merry Christmas", sticking them on double-sided tape, and then photocopying them. M&M's and Skittles have "m" and "s" printed right on them; the rest can be formed with pieces of licorice, candy cane and other sweets.

WHAT'S THE RIGHT PAPER?

Most copy shops offer a range of paper weights and styles, from the standard 20-pound copy paper (the least expensive, at roughly 5 cents per regular copy) up through the almost cardboardlike paper known as card stock (at 5 to 11 cents per regular copy).

STANDARD COPY PAPER is ideal for cards that will be sent in an envelope, such as The Ornament Card, The Craft Card and The Folded Card that we show here.

CARD STOCK, because of its durability, is best for postcards. Although it's initially more expensive, you can produce multiple postcards per sheet, each of which can be mailed, without an envelope, for less postage than a conventional folded card.

WHAT KIND OF CARD DESIGNS ARE POSSIBLE?

A holiday card is a chance for your family to express not only your holiday wishes, but a little bit of your distinctive personality. Some possibilities:

CARD STOCK IDEAS

ORNAMENT: Trace the rim of a drinking glass (or similar shape) six times on a sheet of paper, decorate each circle with holiday messages and photos, copy onto card stock, then cut them out after printing. Send in an envelope with an ornament hanger.

RECIPE CARD: Make a card with a greeting on one side and a recipe for a holiday treat on the other.

FAMILY FAVORS: Make coupons or tickets redeemable for a plate of cookies, a carol sung on a doorstep, a phone call and so on. Tuck them into the envelope with your card.

PAPER DESIGNS

THE NEWSLETTER CARD: Invent a family publication ("The Tanner Times," "The Hansen Herald") and let each child contribute something to the page--a riddle, puzzle, photo or story.

THE CROSSWORD PUZZLE: Hide your holiday greeting in a crossword puzzle. Or, just have the puzzle express all the things you wish for your loved ones: peace, joy, celebration, prosperity, health, happiness. Where you have blank spaces, glue on tiny family photos.

CONNECT THE DOTS: Make a dot-to-dot card for kids to complete, anything from a simple snowman to a complete Nativity.

WHAT DOES THE POST OFFICE REQUIRE?

Don't be surprised at the post office by a card that suddenly costs a bundle. Here's the skinny on what's too big:

POSTCARD SIZE (TO MAIL AT 20 CENTS):
Minimum: 3 1/2 by 5 inches
Maximum: 4 1/4 by 6 inches
Note: You can send larger postcards (up to 6 1/8 by 11 1/2 inches), but you'll have to pay the letter rate of 33 cents. Minimum thickness: at least .007 inches (that means card stock, not regular copy paper)

POSTAGE FOR LETTER:
1 ounce or less: 33 cents
Up to 2 ounces: 55 cents

POSTAGE FOR FOLDED AND STAPLED FLYER:
1 ounce or less: 33 cents--although you'll save on envelopes

NONSTANDARD THICKNESS:
More than 1/4 inch thick (and under an ounce): add 11 cents

TIP: Forget about bulk mailing. The permit alone costs $100 and you need to send out hundreds of cards to make it worthwhile.