Holiday card designs: the short answer
A holiday card design is a layout for a seasonal greeting card. Standard sizes are A2 (4.25 x 5.5 inches) and A7 (5 x 7 inches). Print images at 300 ppi. Add 0.125 inch bleed on all sides. Use CMYK color. Leave a 0.25 inch safe margin for text. Common themes include Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year, and winter. Production methods are digital, offset, letterpress, and foil stamp. US consumers send about 1.3 billion Christmas cards each year, according to the Greeting Card Association.
Sizes and envelopes
- A2 card: 4.25 x 5.5 inches. Fits A2 envelope.
- A7 card: 5 x 7 inches. Fits A7 envelope.
- Square card: 5.5 x 5.5 inches. Requires extra postage from USPS.
- Slim card: 3.5 x 8.5 inches. Fits #10 envelope.
Hallmark lists A7 and A2 as common greeting card sizes.
Print specifications
- Resolution: 300 ppi for images.
- Bleed: 0.125 inch on each side.
- Safe area: 0.25 inch inside trim.
- Color mode: CMYK for print.
- File format: PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4.
Adobe recommends 300 ppi for print output. Lower resolution causes pixelation.
Design elements
- Front: one main image or illustration.
- Inside: message, 2 to 4 lines.
- Back: logo, website, or production credit.
- Envelope: return address and stamp area.
Keep text 0.25 inch from trim. Use high contrast between text and background.
Production methods
- Digital printing: short runs, 1 to 500 cards.
- Offset printing: long runs, 500 or more cards.
- Letterpress: thick paper, debossed look.
- Foil stamping: metallic or colored foil.
Paper weights range from 80 lb to 110 lb cover. Matte and glossy finishes are common.
Mailing and postage
USPS First Class Mail covers cards up to 1 ounce. Cards larger than 6.125 x 11.5 inches cost more. Square cards need extra postage. Mail by mid-December for delivery by December 25. USPS publishes holiday deadlines each year. Check the current deadlines before sending.
Checklist before printing
- Set document size to final trim size plus bleed.
- Convert all fonts to outlines or embed them.
- Check that images are 300 ppi at 100 percent size.
- Export as PDF/X-1a.
- Order a proof before the full run.
Holiday card designs vary by culture and holiday. Christmas cards dominate the US market. Hanukkah cards often use blue, white, and silver. Kwanzaa cards use red, black, and green. New Year cards use gold, black, and white. Winter cards use snow, pine, and neutral colors.