3 Ways to Spoil a Good Christmas Card

Christmas. It's just around the corner...

 I don't know about you, but I love receiving Christmas and Holiday cards in the mail.

The best cards always seem to go up high on the fridge, or hang right up front on the family room display. When our family and friends come over, they sift through our card collection; oohing and ahhhing over the ones they love.

So, how do you get a prime spot on refrigerators this year? Let's start with 3 things to avoid when it comes to creating your Christmas card.

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1. Cramming it all in.  You have so much to share, but unfortunately the space is limited! Small text is hard to read, and too many photos get lost in the shuffle. For multiple photos, consider a double-sided, or folded greeting card. Insert an extra 4x4 photo collage for Grandma or close friends. We all know the kids are cute, but keep it simple! Bottom Line: too many photos kill the card.

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2. The Photo. If you're using a photo this year, make it great! It is the focal point. Choose a card design that best fits the look and feel of the photo. Black and White photos are versatile and can blend with more designs. If you're using a photo editing program, color pick the colors from the photo to integrate into the overall color scheme of the card design. Make sure the photo fits the card... do not "stretch" the photo to fill space! Use high resolution images! While 72 dpi looks great on screen, 300 dpi is needed for print.
Bottom Line: your photo is the center of the card, choose it wisely.

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3. Overloading with text. If you're sending a yearly update, family newsletter, or little Billy's poem from the reflections contest, consider using a separate insert, or choose a double sided card. Even better, add a URL and host the family yearly news online! example: www.bit.ly/2012familynews 

Most of us aren't going to read the 2-page letter anyway. Too much text isn't really a card, it's more of a letter.
When designing your own, make sure to watch for bleed, especially with text. Anything really close to the edge like this card below, makes it nearly impossible to print without borders or something being cut off. When designing your own card, please use our free press print templates for exact bleed.

 Bottom Line: keep the text short and sweet {insert an additional card that tells your story}

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At my house, we save every card that comes to our home in a binder organized by the year. It's so much fun to see how people change and that kids do grow up!
Whether you are single, married, have pets, or kids, the Holidays are a perfect time to share YOU.

We've seen some really creative Christmas cards. Some are off the charts hilarious, others are more serious and send a simple heartfelt message of love. Think about what YOU want to say this season, and hopefully we can help!

There are so many great Christmas card designs on the web, it shouldn't be hard to find a design that works for you. If you can't find what you're looking for on our site, check our Christmas Card pinboard for some different design ideas.

Persnickety Prints Online Collection:  you will find customizable templates at no additional cost! These are templates you can drop any photo in and simply add text, then simply place your order. Envelopes are always included with our card packages.

In store we have even more options to choose from! Ask one of our design specialists for help.

Over the next few months we will be posting free downloadable cards you can pull into your own editing program and get custom crazy with!

First up:  This simple 5x7 Merry Christmas card in 4 different colors! Download your free .png card here.

-Chari