I am always looking for something new to offer my customers. I came up with motivation cards - the idea being that there would be an image of some sort on one side of a metal card and an inspiring message related to the image on the opposite side. They sold well and so when I was presented with an opportunity to attend a fantasy festival, I decided to do several different ones related to fantasy. I did Unicorns, Dragons, Fairies and Gnomes. Eventually I will post the others up but for this set, I am introducing the Gnomes.

For the inspirational message, I put the same message on the back of each Gnome card. 

Before, when I was finished with a card, I sold them as is, no protective lamination. This time, however, I decided to go all out and laminate them. You can find an inexpensive laminate machine online for around 20-30 easy. I also recommend using the business card laminating pouches. It makes it so much easier and faster to achieve an optimal look with the rounded corners. These fit nicely into most wallets and look very professional.

These four images were done using AImake, xTools AI image generator. I did the realistic image and was very brief in my description. As you can see in the photo on this step, the image did not come out EXACTLY like I wanted but I liked it enough to use it. 

NOTE: Don't forget, if you don't like an image on AImake, you can hit the broken heart image in the upper corner of the image and get a portion of your points returned to you. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed using AImake and think that it will greatly improve (as it already has since its release) over time. If you have not tried it, give it a go. Visit this link: https://projects.xtool.com/aimake/home

Included with these plans is the XCS version with all the images already set to go on your F1 and the quote I used as well as the 4 PNG files of the 4 different Gnome images. This way, if you want to use the images for something other than what I used it for, you are more than welcome to.

First, you will want to open the XCS file. Select which of the photos you want and then center it in the middle of the cut field shown on the screen. Move the other images to the side. 

If using your own image, you will want to crop it and or adjust its size to 2.125" wide by 3.375" high. This is the standard image size to use on black metal business cards. (Cards are from xTool). 

Select your image and then click the adjust tool which is in the top tool bar a little to the right. You should be presented with a screen like what you see in the first photo attached to this step. 

I feel it only fair to note that my settings under adjust are almost identical every single time. I run the sharpness up to full and then, if needed, back it down in increments of 5. The sharper the image, the clearer it is on these cards. Then, I slowly increase the brightness by a couple of points at a time. Most of the time, it only needs a slight tweeking to the brightness. You want to adjust the brightness AFTER you sharpen it as sometimes, just by sharpening it, the brightness naturally increases.

Then you want to grayscale it by grabbing the left side and moving it in just a point or two. Finally, since our image will be engraved onto a black background, you want to check the “Invert” box at the bottom. When done correctly, all the dark parts of your image become light areas and the light areas become dark. The dark parts of the image will be the parts that get engraved. 

Next, I set my settings. I select the image and use the settings I list with this step and shown in the 2nd photo. Again, my settings are 99% of the time, the same for photo engraves on a metal card.

Connect to your F1 and select the “Frame” button in the lower right of your screen. A blue box will appear on your base plate. Most people will say to overlap the red and blue lights on your material but I have found that, with the metal card photo engraves, if you frame and adjust your F1 up or down to match the borders of your card, (after adjusting as explained above), then the image comes out very clean and clear. 

NOTE - IMPORTANT: When I say match the borders of your card, this is assuming you made your image to the size I stated, 2.125"x3.375". If you try to match the borders of the card and your image is a different size, you will not get as clear of an image.

Once you have your image set on the F1, press the frame button again or press the small silver button on your machine beneath the knob to turn off framing. Shut the machine cover and then process your engraving. 

This next part is optional. I like to put quotes or fun things on the back of the cards. Included with this is a blurb I worked up to encourage people to carry the card as a reminder to keep learning but also to carry a bit of luck.

The settings for lettering is different than photo engraving. I normally do two passes to make sure that the letters are sharp, clear and clean. Use the settings attached to this step and frame it just as you did with the image. 

As mentioned in the beginning, I sold cards like this originally without the protective lamination. But then I decided to try laminating it and they look so much more professional and appealing. 

Give it a try and you may be surprised. It is not that expensive and is easy and fast to do.