The Complete Guide to Holiday Greeting Card Printing (For Clients & Teams)

Inboxes fill up. Notifications pile high. A real holiday card, one you can touch, open, and keep, feels like a deep breath in the middle of digital noise.

That’s why more companies are rediscovering the art of custom printed greeting cards. They’re not just paper, they’re connection, care, and culture all wrapped into one.

Whether you’re sending cards to loyal clients, business partners, or your own team, this guide will help you design and print holiday greeting cards that people actually remember.

Why Holiday Cards Still Matter (Especially Now)

The holidays are a rare pause in a busy year, a time when words of gratitude feel most sincere. While anyone can hit “Send” on an email, only a few take the time to print their appreciation.

A 2024 USPS study found that hand-delivered mail triggers 40 % more positive emotion than digital messages.

It’s why printed cards still sit on desks long after the season ends.

For brands and teams, that emotional impact translates to:

• Client retention – people remember gestures more than campaigns

• Employee morale – handwritten appreciation builds loyalty

• Brand recall – printed cards are physical reminders of who you are

Step 1: Define Who You’re Sending To

Before you design, decide who you’re writing for. Holiday cards are not one-size-fits-all; tone and design should match the relationship.

If you’re sending to multiple audiences, create two versions: one formal and one casual.

Step 2: Choose a Format That Fits Your Message

The Greeting Cards category offers several shapes, folds, and finishes. The right format depends on your message length, design complexity, and mailing style.

Folded Cards

Classic and versatile, perfect for handwritten notes or printed messages.

• Best for: Clients, long-term partners, or family-style team greetings

• Recommended Size: 5″ × 7″ or 6″ × 8″

• Tip: Use the inside left panel for your logo or a full-bleed image.

Flat Cards

Modern and minimal, great for short, impactful messages.

• Best for: Corporate branding or bulk mail campaigns

• Recommended Size: 4″ × 6″

• Tip: Keep text centered with wide margins for elegance.

Photo Cards

Add a human touch, especially for small teams or creative agencies.

• Best for: Employee group photos, brand collages, or store images

• Tip: Use warm, natural lighting for authenticity.

Step 3: Pick a Design Style That Matches Your Brand

Your card is an extension of your visual identity. The best designs strike a balance between festive and professional.

Style Inspiration for 2025

Pro tip: Use real texture. Raised ink or embossed logos make cards feel premium without overcomplicating design.

Related read: A Complete Guide: Types of Paper for High-Quality Printing

Step 4: Make the Message Feel Real

The difference between “Happy Holidays” and “Thank you for making this year unforgettable” is sincerity.

Even short messages can feel heartfelt when written with intention.

Writing Tips

1. Speak directly: Write as if you’re talking to one person.

2. Show gratitude, not just greetings: Mention a shared success or milestone.

3. Sign it by hand: Even a first name adds warmth.

Example Messages

For Clients:

“Your trust has been the best gift this year. Wishing you joy, success, and new beginnings in 2026.”

For Employees:

“Thank you for showing up, giving your best, and making this company what it is. Happy holidays!”

For Partners:

“Collaboration made 2025 extraordinary. Let’s make next year even brighter.”

Step 5: Choose Paper, Ink & Finishes That Impress

Paper weight and finish communicate quality instantly.

Recommended Paper Types

Finishing Touches

• Foil stamping for logos or text

• Spot UV gloss for highlighting patterns

• Embossing for tactile texture

Combine materials with matching Envelopes, kraft for rustic brands, pearl white for luxury, navy for corporate.

Step 6: Presentation Is Everything

Opening a card should feel like unwrapping a gift.

That’s where Tissue Paper comes in.

Use branded or colored tissue to wrap bulk shipments or individual cards in mailers.
It’s a small gesture that adds big perceived value, especially in B2B contexts.

For extra polish:

• Seal envelopes with branded stickers or wax seals.

• Add a printed “thank you” tag inside corporate gift boxes.

• Layer cards with tissue in your company’s primary color for visual unity.

Step 7: Timing Your Holiday Card Campaign

Getting the timing right ensures your cards arrive before the chaos of December mail delays.

If you’re sending internationally, print and ship 2 weeks earlier. And for bulk orders, Overnight Prints offers holiday printing services with overnight or 2-day delivery, no rush fees, no stress.

Real Example: How One Agency Made It Personal

A design agency in Chicago printed custom cards for 80 clients last December. Each card featured a minimalist tree outline with the client’s name embossed in gold foil.

 Inside, the CEO wrote one personal line: “Loved seeing your project come to life this year.”

The result?

• Dozens of thank-you replies

• Two reactivated clients in Q1

• An agency reputation for warmth and class

That’s the power of print done thoughtfully.

Advanced Tips for Large Teams & Companies

If you’re printing hundreds of cards:

• Use variable data printing to personalize each card with names.

• Export mailing lists directly into your print file to save time.

• Print a few blank sets for last-minute clients or staff hires.

Don’t forget your internal audience. Your own employees deserve printed appreciation, too.

Send each team member a personalized custom greeting card with a short handwritten note from leadership, it builds culture faster than any Slack message ever could.

Sustainability & Conscious Gifting

Customers care about how you print as much as what you print. Opt for recycled stock and include a small line on the back of your cards:

“Printed on eco-friendly paper, because gratitude should leave a good mark.”

Pair them with branded Tissue Paper in eco tones or compostable packaging for gifts.

This small touch makes your brand values tangible, and aligns with modern holiday ethics.

Beyond Clients: Holiday Cards That Strengthen Teams

Holiday cards don’t just show appreciation; they reinforce belonging.

Ideas for internal use:

• Pair cards with printed certificates of appreciation

• Add photos from company events on the inside flap

• Include a personalized “thank you” note from leadership

These aren’t expenses, they’re investments in loyalty.

Holiday Card Printing Made Simple

You can create your entire campaign on Overnight Prints:

1. Start with Greeting Cards templates or upload your design.

2. Add matching Envelopes for consistency.

3. Wrap bulk orders in Tissue Paper for premium presentation.

4. Preview your order in 3D before checkout.

Same-day and overnight shipping options mean even late planners can send something beautiful on time.

Final Thoughts

Every brand wants to be remembered during the holidays. Only a few take the time to say thank you in a way that lasts.

A printed holiday card isn’t just paper, it’s a gesture, a keepsake, a reflection of your brand’s character.

When your client opens it, they don’t just see your logo; they feel your gratitude.

So as you plan your next campaign, remember this: emails get deleted, but cards get displayed.

Print your appreciation. Personalize it. Let every fold, color, and word carry the warmth that defines your brand.

Related Blogs

• Thank-You Cards That Build Client Loyalty

• Corporate Holiday Cards: Why You Should Order in September

• Holiday Packaging Ideas

• Print Products That Make Your Brand Look Bigger Than It Is