Personalized greeting cards are printed cards with names, photos, dates, or messages added by the buyer. You can order one card or 500. Most online printers need 3 to 7 business days to print and ship. Unit cost falls as quantity rises, and rises with foil, letterpress, and heavy cotton stock.
Card sizes and envelopes
Two sizes cover most personal cards.
- A2: card is 4.375 x 5.75 in. Envelope matches at 4.375 x 5.75 in.
- A7: card is 5 x 7 in. Envelope is 5.25 x 7.25 in.
Square cards and cards over 6 x 9 in can need extra postage.
Paper weight
Cover stock is measured in pounds (lb) or grams per square meter (gsm). 80 lb cover equals 216 gsm. 100 lb cover equals 270 gsm. 110 lb cover equals 300 gsm. Heavier stock holds a fold and takes foil with less cracking. Matte stock accepts pen ink. Gloss stock does not.
Print methods
- Digital press: runs under 500 cards. No plate fee.
- Offset: lower unit cost above 500 cards. Setup fee applies.
- Letterpress: cotton stock, 1 to 3 ink colors per pass.
- Foil stamping: one metallic color per pass.
Image files
Print needs 300 pixels per inch at final size. A 5 x 7 in photo needs 1500 x 2100 pixels. Files below that print soft. Save photos in sRGB. Add 0.125 in bleed on each side when the image runs to the edge. Keep text 0.25 in inside the trim line.
Turnaround and postage
Online printers ship in 3 to 7 business days. Local shops can finish a short run in 1 to 3 days. A2 and A7 envelopes hold cards under 1 oz, so they travel at USPS First-Class Mail letter rates.
Common errors
- Misspelled names. Check each name twice.
- Photos below 300 pixels per inch.
- Faces cropped at the trim line.
- Too few cards ordered. A reprint costs the same as the first run.
Cost drivers
The Greeting Card Association reports about 6.5 billion cards sold in the United States each year, at an average retail price of $2 to $4. Custom printing costs more per unit than a mass-market card. Quantity, method, stock, and envelope choice set the final price. Ask for a proof before the full run.