Buy the card that fits how it will be used, not the one with the longest feature list. Three choices set your price, your minimum order and your delivery date: the folded size, the print method, and whether the envelope comes with the card. Settle those before you upload artwork, then work through the details below. Most reprints, rush fees and postage surprises come from skipping this order.
What to look for
Print method and run size
- Digital printing fits runs from 1 to roughly 250 cards. It handles photos well and turns around fast. Color can drift between reorders, so keep the same printer and the same file if you plan a series.
- Offset printing fits runs above roughly 250 cards. Flat color, gradients and fine type hold up better. Setup costs make small runs poor value.
- Specialty finishes such as foil, letterpress, embossing and edge painting add cost and lead time. Thick foil and deep embossing can change how the piece travels through postal sorting equipment.
Paper weight and surface
Card stock is sold by weight, given in grams per square meter (gsm) or in pounds for cover stock. A greeting card that feels substantial in the hand sits between 250 and 350 gsm, which is about 90 to 110 lb cover. Uncoated and matte surfaces take pen ink without smearing, so they suit a written message inside. Gloss and silk surfaces make photo fronts pop but resist ballpoint. A common compromise is a coated front with an uncoated interior panel.
Folded size and orientation
North American card sizes are named with A-numbers: A2 folds to 4.25 by 5.5 inches, A6 to 4.5 by 6.25 inches, A7 to 5 by 7 inches. Metric markets follow the ISO 216 A-series, where A6 and A5 are the common card bodies. Horizontal, vertical and square formats all exist, and square cards often cost more to mail.
Personalization depth
Work out how far the customization goes. Options range from a printed name line to a full photo upload, interior printing, a handwritten note service, or a unique design per recipient. Each step adds handling time. If you are sending the same card to 80 people with 80 different names, ask how the name list is supplied and how spelling is verified.
Envelopes, proofing and turnaround
Check whether envelopes are included, whether they match the card color, and whether they are lined. Ask for the proof format: a digital PDF proof is quick but shows color on a screen, while a physical proof shows true ink on true stock and costs more. Confirm the production window and the shipping window separately, because both count toward your deadline.
Parameter bands worth knowing
- Paper weight: 250 to 350 gsm for standard cards, 400 gsm and above for a heavy luxury feel.
- Photo resolution: 300 dpi at final print size, so a 5 by 7 inch front needs roughly 1500 by 2100 pixels.
- Bleed and safe margin: 3 mm or 0.125 inch of bleed beyond the trim, and keep text at least 3 to 5 mm inside the trim line.
- Minimum order: 1 card for digital print on demand, 50 to 100 cards for offset.
- Turnaround: 2 to 5 business days for digital, 7 to 15 business days for offset, before shipping.
- Mailing weight: keep the filled envelope under the standard letter weight limit for the lowest rate.
Pitfalls to avoid
- Uploading a photo pulled from a social feed, which is far below print resolution and will look soft or blocky.
- Ignoring bleed, so a border or background prints with a thin white edge after trimming.
- Assuming envelopes are part of the price when they are a separate line item.
- Choosing a square format without checking the postage rate for nonmachinable mail.
- Printing dense dark ink across the fold, where cracking and scuffing show first.
- Approving a proof without reading every personalized name and message line out loud.
- Ordering exactly the number of recipients and leaving no spare card for a misprint or a late addition.
FAQ
How many extra cards should I order?
Add 5 to 10 percent to your recipient count. Print runs occasionally include a damaged sheet, and you will want a spare when a name or address changes after the order ships.
Will a 5 by 7 card need extra postage?
A single folded card and envelope usually stays inside the standard letter rate. The rate changes if the piece goes over the weight limit, if the envelope is square, or if the card is rigid. Weigh one filled envelope before you commit to a large mailing.
Is digital printing good enough for photos?
Yes, for small runs and fast deadlines. Offset gives smoother gradients and more consistent color across a large run, which matters if you reorder the same design next year.
Can I order just one personalized card?
Print on demand makes single cards normal. Expect a higher unit cost than a bulk run, and confirm that the single-card price still includes the envelope.
What file should I send?
A print ready PDF with embedded fonts and images at 300 dpi, set in CMYK, is the safest choice. Send editable text as a separate list if the printer handles the name personalization.