Buy a new baby congratulations card with heavier stock than a standard note card, an uncoated inside panel that takes pen ink, and an envelope sized to the card. For a single card sent by mail, aim for 270 to 350 gsm cover stock in a 5 x 7 inch format. For a batch of 20 or more, 250 to 300 gsm recycled stock in A2 (4.25 x 5.5 inch) holds up in the post and keeps the per-card cost sensible. Order before the due date if you want the card to land in the first two weeks after the birth, and check that the inside is blank or lightly printed so you have room to write.
What to look for
Paper weight and finish
Weight drives how the card feels in the hand and how it survives sorting machines. Anything under 200 gsm reads as a thin flyer. Matte and silk finishes hide fingerprints and accept ballpoint and gel ink. High-gloss fronts look sharp with photos but smudge under a thumb, so pair a gloss front with a matte writing panel on the back.
Size and envelope fit
Standard formats matter because envelope sizes are standardized. A2 cards need A2 envelopes, 5 x 7 cards need 5 x 7 envelopes, and square cards cost more to mail in many markets. If the card will be mailed, stay with a rectangular format and confirm the envelope has a gummed or peel-and-seal flap that will not lift in transit.
Inside panel and writing space
New parents keep cards, so give yourself room. A card with a printed verse on the left panel and blank space on the right works for short messages. Fully printed interiors leave no space for a personal line, and dark interiors make black ink invisible. Uncoated inside stock is the single detail buyers forget.
Print method and decoration
Digital printing handles short runs and photo fronts. Offset printing gives cleaner color on runs above a few hundred. Letterpress and foil stamping add texture but cost more and can mark if the card is stacked in a warm car. Embossing and deckled edges are decorative only, so do not pay for them unless the card is a keepsake.
Wording
Blank cards suit anyone. Printed wording should match the situation: twins, adoption, foster placement, or a stay in the neonatal unit all call for different language. Neutral phrasing such as "congratulations on your new arrival" covers more ground than wording that assumes a first child or a specific gender.
Parameter bands
- Keepsake single card: 300 to 350 gsm, 5 x 7 inch, cotton or felt stock, letterpress or foil accent, lined envelope.
- Everyday single card: 250 to 300 gsm, A2 or 5 x 7 inch, matte or silk finish, digital or offset print, plain envelope.
- Bulk pack for an office or group: 200 to 250 gsm, A2, one design, 25 to 50 cards per box, uncoated interior.
- Photo card: 300 gsm and up with a coated front and an uncoated back panel for handwriting.
Pitfalls to avoid
- Buying a card that is too small to write more than two lines.
- Mismatched envelope and card sizes, which forces folding or a second purchase.
- Dark interior stock that swallows ink.
- Copy that assumes a singleton, a boy, or a girl when the buyer does not know.
- Ordering after the birth and missing the window when parents are reading mail.
- Foil or glitter that flakes onto fingers and clothing.
FAQ
When should a new baby card be sent?
Send it after the birth if you know the date, or close to the due date if you do not. Cards that arrive in the first month are read and kept. A card sent before the birth works as a shower gift tag if you write a short note instead of a full message.
What should I write inside?
Name the baby if the parents have shared the name, congratulate the parents by name, and add one concrete offer of help. Keep it to three or four lines. Avoid comments about sleep, weight, or how the parents look.
Is a photo card appropriate?
Yes, if you have a photo the parents will want, such as a sibling meeting the baby. Otherwise an illustrated or letterpress card is the safer choice. Photo cards work well for announcements from the parents themselves.
How many cards should I buy for a group?
One card per household or per team is the common approach. For a large group, buy a bulk pack and have each person sign a panel, or split into two packs so no one has to write in a cramped space.