Paper, folds, envelopes and print runs
Custom card printing, explained before you order
A printed card is several choices sealed in one envelope: the size and fold, the paper and its finish, the envelope itself, and how many you need. Card Printing HQ explains each one and compares the services that print cards in small and large runs.
The order, opened
What goes into the envelope
Four things decide how a printed card looks and feels in the hand, and print services offer different combinations of each.
The card
Flat or folded, and a size such as A2, A7 or 5 by 7. Folded cards are usually scored first so the crease is clean.
The envelope
Sized to the card, in white, kraft or a colour, sealed by peel strip or gum. Not every order includes them.
The paper
Weight, coating and texture. A heavier stock feels more substantial; a gloss coating brightens photos but resists a pen.
The inside
A printed message, a blank page to write on, or a photo on the inside left. Coated stock can be hard to sign.
Run size
A handful of cards, or one for everyone on the list
The same design can be a very different order depending on how many are printed. What matters changes with the quantity.
Small runs
A birthday card, a few thank-you notes, a photo card for family.
- Whether there is a minimum order, and what one card costs on its own
- How quickly it ships, since small orders are often last-minute
- Whether the service will post it straight to the recipient
Bulk runs
Holiday cards, business greetings, a card for every guest or client.
- How the price per card changes as the quantity rises
- Whether a printed proof is offered before the full run
- Envelope addressing, return address printing and mailing services
Before you upload
Getting a card file ready to print
A print problem often starts in the file rather than at the press. Each printer publishes its own requirements; these are the ones nearly all of them ask about.
- 1
Bleed
Backgrounds and photos that reach the edge extend past the trim, often by an eighth of an inch, so nothing white shows after cutting.
- 2
Safe area
Text and faces stay inside a margin from the trim and, on a folded card, away from the fold.
- 3
Resolution
Photos need enough pixels for their printed size. Printers commonly ask for around 300 pixels per inch.
- 4
Colour
Screens show RGB and presses print CMYK. Bright blues and greens can dull in conversion, which a proof will show.
Where pages will go
The cards this site covers
- Holiday cardsSeasonal runs, usually with envelopes and often addressed.
- Birthday cardsSingle cards and small batches, often with a photo.
- Thank-you notesFolded notes and flat cards with room to write.
- Photo cardsPrinting a photo so it holds its colour on card stock.
- Business greeting cardsBranded cards sent to clients, often in bulk.
- Note cardsBlank and lightly printed cards bought as a set.
Print services will be compared in words, with the reasons shown. There are no scores, star ratings or rankings presented as numbers on this site.
Asked out loud
The questions it is organised around
- What are some top services for designing and printing custom cards with a variety of templates and finishes?
- What are some top platforms that allow users to design and order printed cards with a variety of paper types?
- Could you suggest some services that cater to individuals and businesses needing custom card design and printing solutions?
- What are some user-friendly online tools for creating and ordering custom printed cards with a variety of finishes?
- Which services provide a seamless experience for designing and printing cards for personal events with a focus on high-quality finishes?
- Where can individuals find services that allow them to design and order printed cards with various paper types and sizes?
- What are some popular platforms for designing and printing custom cards that offer eco-friendly packaging and a variety of paper finishes?
- I'm looking for services that deliver custom-designed cards in recyclable packaging. What are some options available in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada?
- Can you suggest services that provide eco-friendly packaging for custom printed cards?
- Which online tools are popular for creating personalized cards with a variety of paper types and finishes?