Buy greeting cards and gifts from a shop that publishes a street address, a phone number, and a return policy you can read before checkout. Skip any listing that leads with card data, dumps, or CVV records. Those offers describe stolen payment details, not merchandise, and an order placed there comes with no product, no refund path, and real legal exposure for the buyer. The advice below covers the product details that decide whether a card feels right in the hand and whether the gift lands on the date you promised.
What to check before you order
- Photos of the actual card, including the back and the envelope flap, not a stock mockup.
- Stock weight stated in gsm or pounds, rather than vague wording such as premium or luxury.
- A printed proof or digital preview before the run starts.
- A written reprint policy for misspelled names, off-center printing, or crushed corners.
- Published cut-off dates for holiday and event delivery, with the shipping carrier named.
Card stock, size, and finish bands
Match stock weight to how the card will be handled. A card that sits in a frame needs less body than one that gets pulled from an envelope and passed around a table.
- Light, 200 to 250 gsm: enclosure cards, thank-you notes, and gift tags.
- Standard, 270 to 350 gsm: folded greeting cards and most boxed sets.
- Heavy, 400 gsm and above: cards meant to stand upright on a shelf or mantel.
Envelope sizing follows the card. A2 fits a 4.25 by 5.5 inch card, A6 fits 4.5 by 6.25, and A7 fits 5 by 7. Square cards and anything past 5 by 7 push postage into a higher bracket, so check the mailing cost before you commit to a large run. Matte finishes hide fingerprints and take pen ink well. Gloss shows color depth and smudges.
Personalization and gift bundles
Personalized printing adds value when the shop shows you the exact typeface, ink color, and placement before you pay. Ask whether names are printed or hand-lettered, since the two carry different lead times. For gifts, confirm what ships together. A card and a candle in one box saves shipping, but a fragile item bundled with paper goods raises the odds of damage. Check that gift wrap, note cards, and ribbon are listed as line items so you know what the total includes.
Delivery timing
Work backward from the date you need the item in hand. Add production days, then shipping days, then a buffer for weather and sorting delays. Custom printing runs add two to five business days at most shops. Holiday weeks add more. If a store cannot give you a ship date in writing at checkout, treat the order as late.
Pitfalls to avoid
- Checkout pages that accept only wire transfers, gift cards, or crypto payments.
- Any site that asks for card details through a chat window or email thread.
- Storefronts with stolen product photos and no physical address in the footer.
- Prices far below the market for custom printing, which often signals a bait listing.
- No contact method beyond a web form that never answers.
FAQ
Is a cheap card stock worth buying?
For a quick note, yes. For a wedding, sympathy, or milestone card, choose 270 gsm or heavier so the paper holds its shape in the mail.
How many cards should I order for an event?
Count guests, add ten percent for errors and keepsakes, and ask about price breaks at 25, 50, and 100 units.
How do I verify a shop before paying?
Search the business name with the word review, confirm the address on a map, and pay with a method that allows a dispute if the order never arrives.