Greeting Card 101

At Independent Printing & Packaging, we take pride in producing beautiful, quality items for nationally-renowned greeting card and stationery publishers. We also work with individuals interested in launching a greeting card or stationery product line. See details below or contact us for a personal conversation with a Greeting Card Printing Expert!

We’ve collected basic information to consider when planning for your next greeting card printing project or program.

You’re Unique

And so is your product. That’s great! If your greeting card printing product is not an industry standard size, we can custom-manufactured envelopes to meet any size requirement.

Helpful Hint

It's easier to write on uncoated stock - coated papers can smear ink.

Think About Size

Whether a journal, calendar, stationery item or your product catalogs, most things end up in an envelope. The most common industry standard envelope sizes are:

A-2 (4.25 x 5.5 card)
A-6 (4.5 X 6.25 card)
A-7 (5 x 7 card)
4 bar (4.875 X 3.375 card)

Paper is Not Boring!

Some say paper-schmaper—who cares? You may be surprised to learn that paper, commonly referred to as “stock,” is available in countless colors, weights, finishes and textures. Paper gives life and character to the product, and provides its feeling and quality. Therefore it's a crucial part of the overall experience of your final greeting card printing product.

Types of Paper

A popular stock choice in the greeting card printing industry is coated one side (aka C1S). Coating on the outside of the card enhances and sharpens the imagery, while inside, the card is uncoated to allow for writing.

Guess the Weight!

Whether coated or uncoated, white or colored, textured or smooth, the weight of a paper impacts the cost of the paper.
Cover weight = thicker, heavier weight
Text weight = thinner, lighter weight
Greeting card printing products typically use Cover weight
Catalogs and Journals typically use Text weight

Design Options

Greeting cards, calendars, journals and other stationery items typically feature art, photos or graphics on one or both sides. Here are other techniques or decorative options you may wish to consider:

coating
varnish
foil
embossing/debossing
die-cut
glitter

Packaging Considerations

Okay, you’ve decided on size, paper and product design. Now a proper package will help to beautifully wrap your items. Questions to consider:

Will the item be sold individually or in sets?
If sold in sets, how many items per set?
Will each item or set be wrapped, bagged or boxed?
Will boxes or sets require labels, codes or ribbons?

With Independent Printing & Packaging, there’s no need to compromise your vision. Our full service bindery and finishing options will accommodate your every need! Keeping greeting card printing and production in one location, with one main point of contact, creates both cost- and time-savings for you. As a printer that can foil and emboss in parent-size press sheets, we are truly unique and serve a specific niche with this uncommon capability!

Inventory & Fulfillment Options

Once production is complete, you’re ready to start filling orders! Independent Printing & Packaging’s full-service order fulfillment center is ready for your product. We have three levels of fulfillment programs to choose from. Let us show you how fulfillment can help you!

Valuable Industry Links

A little knowledge goes a long way! To learn more about the greeting card printing industry, Independent Printing & Packaging recommends these highly regarded sources:

The Greeting Card Association (or GCA)
Stationery Trends