Category: Photo Cards

Where to Take Photos for Family Christmas Cards

Published September 1, 2024

You want to take the best family Christmas card photo, but you’re not a professional photographer, and you don’t know what kind of backdrop to use. You got this! With a little creativity, you can make just about any location work.

Check out this list of creative Christmas card photo location ideas. And we have ideas for everyone, whether you live in an urban, suburban, or rural area.

Local park, forest preserve, or natural area

When you get out into nature—no matter the time of year—background ideas abound. Go in summer when the prairie is full of flowers, in fall when the leaves are turning the brilliant autumnal hues, or in winter as the snow begins to fall.

A few factors to look for:

Find a consistent background. All trees, all shrubs, or all flowers. A busy background takes the focus away from you.
Watch the tree trunks! When composing the group photo, make sure it doesn’t look like a tree is coming out of someone’s head.
Be mindful of sunlight. Midday on a sunny day isn’t the best time to take portraits. The best lighting—for any type of camera—is in a shaded area where the light is even, and no one is left squinting in the sun.

Please keep these things in mind if taking a family Christmas photo in nature:

Stay on trails and grassy areas. Landscapers and land managers work hard to maintain these spaces. Whether it’s an ornately-designed park or a wild space, be mindful of where you step.
Watch out for the little critters. In many areas of the U.S., ticks are present until it snows or gets really cold, so be sure to wear bug spray if needed, and check after the photo shoot to make sure no unwanted visitors came home with you.

Two women and a young girl smile as the late afternoon sunlight hits them from behind. They are sitting in the grass, under a large tree.

Find a wall

Brick, wood, a colorful painted mural. Your family can lean against the wall, or have it in the background. If it’s in the background, use the portrait setting or larger aperture to blur the background a bit.

Consider a wall at your home first, then look at public places. Be considerate of private property; if it’s a business, just ask! They might be willing to let you take your holiday card photos at their location, especially if you tag them on social media if you share your photo.

A mom, dad, and their two young daughters smile as they stand against a light blue wall.

Evergreen trees

A row or grouping of evergreen trees provide a subtle texture in the background, a pop of color, and a hint of Christmas—even if there isn’t any snow on them.

At your home—with or without Christmas decorations

You don’t have to clean your entire house for this! Just the one area for your portrait. You can all sit on the couch, stand on the porch, in the backyard, or in the middle of the living room. Adding Christmas decorations is entirely optional!

A mom, dad, and their two daughters sit in a hammock in their backyard in the bright sunlight. It is a casual family photo.

With animals

If you have a dog, cat, bird, lizard, or even some fish, include them in the picture! You can get a nice, posed family portrait for your Christmas cards, or be a bit goofy. Get some candid shots of the dog being goofy, the lizard wearing a little hat, or your bird enthusiastically flapping its wings.

If you don’t have animals—but want some in your Christmas card picture—you have options! Here are some ideas:

Go to the zoo. Get your favorite animal in the background.
Petting zoos for a more intimate shot. Buy a small bag of feed for the goats and get ready to smile!
Go to a pond, get some ducks or geese in the background. Just let them do their thing, they’ll just happily paddle in the background while you smile and say cheese. But please don’t feed them bread.
Know a farmer? Ask them to borrow their cows. Ok, so not really borrow, but have them in the background of your image. This is perfect whether you live in a rural area or are just passing through. You can find farms like this through social media, on a list of CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture), or even as a tourist destination.

A man and women lie on their stomachs in the grass with three schnauzer dogs.

At a party, celebration, or family event

If you want a formal photo, have someone take your picture at a wedding when you’re all dressed up. If you want something more casual, consider a birthday party or summer picnic. Any event will do. Just get the picture before the kids run around too much! Thanksgiving is an ideal time to snap a nice family portrait.

Where do you take family photos for Christmas cards?

We’d love to hear where you’ve taken your photos for family Christmas cards. Someplace weird, wonderful, or creative! Feel free to share what you’ve done below.

Hi, we’re Studio Style! We design and manufacture photo insert cards, custom photo folders, paper and cardboard picture frames, cello bags, and more. We work with professional photographers, event planners, party pros, and, well, people who like to take pictures! Check out our photo framing solutions at StudioStyle.com or give us a call at (800) 346-3063.

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Photo Mount Cards vs. Photo Insert Cards: Which is the better choice?

Two photo mount cards with nature pictures

Photo Mount Cards vs. Photo Insert Cards: Which is the better choice?

Published March 22, 2022

Before you decide which photo card you like better, let’s determine the similarities and differences between photo mount cards and photo insert cards.

What are Photo Mount Cards?

A photo mount card is a photo greeting card on which you glue or tape a picture to the front of the card. Some photo mount cards have a window frame that goes over the photo, but most have either have a blank cover or an embossed border decoration to highlight your photo or art print.

What are Photo Insert Cards?

A photo insert card—sometimes called a photo frame card—is a 5″ x 7″ photo greeting card that holds a 4″ x 6″ photo or art print. Simply slide the print under the front window frame border, and it stays in place without the use of glue or tape. The benefit of the window border is that it protects the print by holding it firmly in place, and the photo edges don’t wear down.

Photo Mount Cards and Photo Insert Cards are often available in recycled kraft paper — Photo mount and insert cards are available in many different colors.

White photo insert card with the picture being slid under the photo frame border — Photo mount and insert cards are available in many different colors.

How to choose between photo frame card styles

	Photo Mount Cards	Photo Insert Cards
Photo Size	Varies	4″ x 6″
Card Size	Typically 5″ x 7″ or A7	5″ x 7″
How to attach the photo	Glue or Tape	Slide the photo in (no glue or tape)
How well does the photo stay in place?	Depends on the glue or tape used	Window frame holds the print in place
How much of the photo is visible?	If no frame border, all of photo is visible. If there is a frame border, coverage varies.	3-½” x 5-½” (¼” overlap on all sides under frame to hold print in place)
Good for selling as art cards?	Yes	Yes
Recycled options	Yes	Yes
Can you add an imprint (logo)?	Sometimes	Yes

That being said… what’s in a name?

Words are interchangeable, and sometimes the terms “Photo Mount Cards” and “Photo Insert Cards” mean the same thing. So although the cards that we make don’t require glue or tape, our insert cards are sometimes referred to as photo mount cards.

So which kind of card do you use for your studio or business?

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Why you need Graduation Cards with Photo Insert for your Invites & Announcements

Graduation Photo Insert Cards for Invitations or Announcements

Why you need Graduation Cards with Photo Insert for your Invites & Announcements

Published March 22, 2021

Your graduate is unique. They are one-of-a-kind. So why get them boring old, run-of-the-mill graduation announcements? No, they deserve something something special, something classic.

Don’t make the design the reason people fawn over your kid. Make your kid’s photo the reason they fawn over them. How? With graduation photo insert cards.

In case you’ve never seen (or heard of) photo insert graduation cards, here’s what they are: photo insert cards are a blank 5″ x 7″ photo card with window frame on the front cover so you can slip in a 4″ x 6″ printed photograph. This video shows you how to use them:

How to use photo insert cards, sometimes called photo frame cards

Why are photo insert cards better than printed invitations or announcements?

Printed photo cards have their place and are a great greeting card alternative. But graduation—whether it’s high school, university, or pre-school—deserves something classic, something a bit more upscale. Here’s what you get with graduation announcement cards with photo insert:

Use whatever photo you want. Shoot, use a different photo for each recipient!
Recipients can keep the photo—undamaged—after the ceremony or party. Photos simply slide under the window frame border. No glue or tape needed, and no extra design on the photo of your proud graduate.
Order blank or personalized. Handwrite the message yourself or we’ll add an imprint in classic, metallic foil.
One card, many uses. Not just for announcement and invites, these also work beautifully as graduation photo insert thank you cards.
You can frame them! Think of these cards as cheap graduation photo mats for frames. The card measures 5″ x 7″, so it provides a thin border around the photo. So go ahead, frame the whole card.

How to turn a blank photo insert card into graduation announcements

First, start by choosing a color. Standard white or black? Or perhaps a classic navy or forest green. Or maybe they want the eco-vibe and you can go with the classic recycled kraft card.

Second, decide whether you want blank or personalized graduation announcement cards. The benefit of blank cards is that you can make some truly DIY graduation photo cards by adding stamps, stickers, or doodle some artwork on there. Don’t want to go the DIY route? Blank graduation photo card announcements also look great as-is with nothing but a heartfelt note written inside.

The benefit of personalized cards is that a foil stamped imprint gives your photo cards a classic, timeless look.

Black photo insert graduation cards — Black photo insert card with metallic gold foil imprint.

Last thing… envelopes. All photo insert cards come with plain white mailing envelopes.

How to use graduation photo insert cards

Graduation announcement photo cards. Looking for something a bit more upscale than a printed photo card? Sturdy photo insert graduation cards can be foil stamped with your graduate’s future plans.
Graduation party invites. Whether it’s a big party or a quaint gathering, mail out custom graduation party photo invites.
Custom greeting cards for far-away friends & family. Even if you send them a video, send them a card so they can truly hold onto that memory, that moment.
Are you a photographer? Photo insert greeting cards are an easy addition to your senior portrait package. Learn more about our wholesale program.

Recycled kraft photo insert card for graduation announcements and invitations. — Make your own greeting cards! Just slip in your graduate’s photo in the front cover and write your message inside the blank card.

Wallet photo insert cards for graduation announcements or party invitations — Have wallet prints of your graduate? Opt for wallet photo insert cards. Perfect as small graduation announcements.

Let’s celebrate your graduate.

How can we help get the word out about your graduate? Whether you want to turn the graduate’s photo into an announcement, a party invitation, or use them as personalized graduation thank you cards, there are so many possibilities with photo insert cards.

Shop the line, send us a message, or give us a call at (800) 346-3063.

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How to Turn Your Art into Greeting Cards

Think beyond photos with art greeting cards

How to Turn Your Art into Greeting Cards

Published September 15, 2020

Learn how to use photo insert cards to frame your art, cross stitch, drawings, and small media

Have you ever thought about making your own greeting cards? You have the art, but no way to make a one-of-a-kind card out of it.

Let’s look at it this way: if you can frame your art the same way you frame photos, why not create greeting cards the same way photographers do? And it’s simple, really. Here’s how you do it:

Get a photo insert card. And then you just slide your 4″ x 6″ artwork in the window frame.

Done!

Now you have a beautifully finished piece that you can mail to loved ones or sell at art shows, craft fairs, and farmer’s markets or even online.

Who knew that creating a greeting card with your art could be so easy—and protect what you created?

Why are photo insert cards so popular with artists?

The photo insert cards we make are popular with photographers and artists because:

The 5″ x 7″ card holds a standard 4″ x 6″ print

The window opening measures 3-½” x 5-½”, meaning more of your art shows.

Recycled photo insert cards. 5x7 cards for 4x6 photos. — Mini watercolor prints are perfect for inserting in these 5″ x 7″ blank greeting cards.

Many recycled card options for your eco-friendly art.

Especially important if you create art using eco-friendly materials or design art focused on environmentalism.

Nature art print in recycled kraft photo insert card — Small art prints, like this botanical print, fit perfectly in photo frame greeting cards, especially cards made from recycled card stock, like this kraft photo insert card.

Made of acid-free, archival quality materials.

No yellowing or aging. Protect what you created.

Black photo insert card holds a watercolor print of a tiger splashing through a river in the forest. — Your art is protected in this acid-free, archival-quality paper stock.

No glue or tape needed—just slide your art in.

No damage to your photos or art with glue or tape. Your art is held in place by the window frame border. And this makes it easier if the buyer or recipient wants to re-frame your art; just slide it out, and frame it as you wish (psssst… check out our mat board for framing art prints).

Sliding 4 by 6 photo into a white photo frame card. — Just slide your 4″ x 6″ photo or art print under the window frame border.

Come with mailing envelopes.

Perfect for mailing prints to clients or selling at art shows. If you’re selling at an art show, consider packaging the card and envelope in a clear greeting card sleeve for added protection.

Charcoal art print in recycled kraft photo frame card with white envelope — All of our photo frame greeting cards come with plain white mailing envelopes.

What kind of art can you frame (and mail) in a photo insert card?

Ultimately, you can insert any thin 4″ x 6″ piece of art into this 5″ x 7″ blank greeting card. Photos fit nice and snug (so they stay put without glue or tape), so keep that in mind. Cross stitch and embroidered pieces do fit in the window frame border as long as the stitching isn’t too thick.

Drawings (by kids or adults!)
Watercolor paintings
Ink drawings
Mixed media creations
Calligraphy or hand-lettered art
Digital or giclée prints
Cross stitch or embroidered pieces
Nature photography

Something important to keep in mind: the window opening measures 3-½” x 5-½”, meaning ¼” of your art is hidden under the frame edge.

Art insert card cut off areas — The purple represents the area that would be hidden under the window frame edge to keep your art print nice and secure without the use of damaging tape or glue.

Learn more about insert greeting cards for art

Never used a photo insert greeting card before? See how easy it is to insert a photo or art print, and learn about customization options for your business.

Ready to frame your art with photo frame greeting cards? Check out the full photo insert card collection. Coming up with some Christmas-themed art? Check out our holiday frame card designs.

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Why you should add photo cards to donor thank you packs

Boost donations with photo cards in donor thank you packs

Why you should add photo cards to donor thank you packs

Published September 9, 2019

Have you ever donated some money to a non-profit and received a thank you pack in the mail?

Some of the non-profit donor thank you packs have just a letter, some have a coupon to redeem a gift, and others include the gift. Each of those solutions works, depending on the size of the organization, and the type of donors who give money.

But we have a clever idea that could help boost donations. How?

Including the simply elegant photo insert card in your donor thank you packs.

How to use photo insert cards to boost non-profit donations

The thing with sending photo insert cards in donor welcome packs is that they aren’t actually a gift for the donor. Rather, they are a gift for the donor to send to someone else. Tricky, we know… but it works!

To understand why this tactic works, we need to look at the science behind giving and happiness.

Science has proven that giving back feels good

When you give to somebody, endorphins are released, making you feel good. Typically related to exercising or eating spicy foods, once endorphins are released, that “high” can last for hours.

So you give something—money, goods, or service—and that good feelings lasts.

Infographic explaining why giving back feels so good: releases endorphins, lowers blood pressure, creates more positive opinions, elicits feelings of gratitude.

Achieving the “helper’s high” with donor thank you packs

But here’s the thing with endorphins and donor thank you packets: there’s no way you can mail a donor pack and have it there before the endorphins wear off.

So you do the next best thing: put together a thorough, personable donor welcome packet that capitalizes on that “high” feeling.

Start with a short, hand-signed welcome letter. Be sure to thank them for the specific amount they donated, and tell them how those funds will be used.
Include pictures of your organization. If you want to make the biggest impact, include photos of the places or people that money is helping.
Tell them how to follow you. Whether you share your organization’s deeds on social media, through email, or a quarterly newsletter, keep them engaged!
Give them a gift. Here’s where photo cards come into play. Read on!

How photo cards can grow the “helper’s high”—and boost donations

Here’s what you do: order photo insert cards or make some custom printed cards. The goal is to design a photo greeting card to give to donors that they will in turn send to someone they know.

On the cover, add a photo relating to what your organization does, but leave it generic enough to work as an everyday greeting card image.

Leave the inside of the card blank so the card sender (the donor who received your welcome packet) can write their own personal message.

On the back, add your non-profit’s logo, website URL, and brief message. Keep it short enough not to overwhelm the overall design of the card, but include enough to entice card recipients to visit your website—and donate to you.

Increase awareness by adding your logo, slogan, and website to the back of each card. Shown: Desert Storm (Kraft) Photo Insert Card

Types of photos to use for donor packet greeting cards

Nature or wildlife
Cityscape or photo of the town your organization is in
Popular area landmark (be sure to check copyrights first)
A project your team and volunteers completed
Have an artist on staff or a donor or volunteer artist? Have them create something that aligns with your mission.
Add a simple message like “Have a beautiful day”. If you’re sending these out near Christmas, add a cheerful Christmas design.

In giving these photo greeting cards to donors, you’re thanking them for donating to you (that’s the fist “helper’s high”), and you’re encouraging to send a beautiful, personalized card to someone they care about (that’s the second “helper’s high”).

Black photo insert card sitting on a dark wood table against a tribal, craved wooden box and plant greenery and berries. Photo card frames a photo of a monkey in a tree. — Wildlife conservation groups or nature preservation non-profits can give photo cards with wildlife photos inserted. Shown: Black Photo Insert Card

Does your non-profit send thank you packs?

If not, it’s never too late to start. Whether you go all-out with letters, photos, cards, and brochures, or start with just a simple, personalized email, donor thank you packs are a sensible marketing tactic to help you achieve donation goals.

If you do send thank you packs, what do you include in them? More importantly, are your donor packs successful?

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Paper Frames for Botanical Graphics: A Buying Guide

How to frame botanical graphics and artwork

Paper Frames for Botanical Graphics: A Buying Guide

Published August 8, 2019

Whether you’re looking to frame your own botanical graphics or you want a cheap framing solution to sell your botanical prints at art fairs, farmers markets, or online, we have some great options for you.

First things first: we need to talk about archival-quality framing.

The botanical print frame options we have for you are all made out of acid-free, archival-quality materials. What that means is your artwork won’t fade or yellow. Of course, if you put the print in direct sunlight, fading could occur; however, the areas protected by the frame won’t fade or yellow. Likewise, if the print is exposed to extreme humidity, the print could get brittle (low humidity) or moldy (high humidity).

Let’s look at some different options for framing botanical or floral prints.

Budget-Friendly Botanical Print Frames

If you’re working on a budget or are just looking for cheap frames for your botany prints, you’ll want archival-quality paper frames. We have many recycled options in a variety of standard print sizes.

5″ x 7″ Photo Insert Card Frames for 4″ x 6″ Prints

Our Simplicity photo insert cards are popular with nature photographers, so we know they’ll complement your botanical artwork as well.

Recycled kraft paper photo insert card with hand-drawn flower picture framed in the front window. — Shown: Recycled Desert Storm (Kraft) Photo Insert Card

The beautiful thing about these acid-free photo frame cards is that the card itself fits a 5″ x 7″ frame. This is the perfect, budget-friendly selling option for when you want to let buyers of your art choose their own frame. So not only can you sell photo insert cards as a custom greeting card, but you can also sell them as inexpensive picture frame mats.

Whether you sell these at art fairs or give them out as botanical birthday cards, photo insert cards are an upscale—but inexpensive—way to frame your botanical prints.

Bonus: Many of these photo frame greeting cards are made of recycled paper. Plus, if you’re ordering blank photo insert cards, there is no order minimum. Get as many—or as little—of whatever colors you need! Learn all about our popular photo insert cards.

Easel Back Paper Frames

If you want a true paper frame with easels for easy display on a desk, mantel, or end table, you’ll want acid-free paper frames made of recycled black or white textured cardstock. These cheap paper frames are an economical way to frame your prints of flowers.

Learn more about paper frames ➜

Textured black paper frame with watercolor painting, set on long, flowing Prairie Dropseed grass blades. — Textured black paper frame—perfect for colorful watercolor botany paintings.

Where can you sell botanical prints in paper frames?

Point-of-purchase display (retail shops)
Art fairs
Craft bazaars
Gift shops
On consignment
Online marketplaces (like Etsy)
Tourist areas
Parks & nature centers
Flower shops

Upscale Frames for Botanical Graphics

If you want to sell prints at art fairs, or just want a ready-framed option for your customers, you’ll want to check out our acid-free mat boards in sleek and stylish poly frames. Designed to look like real wood, these durable plastic frames are available in black, cherry, or walnut.

Learn more about upscale botanical print frames.

Watercolor floral painting in a black frame with white mat. Sitting on a wooden desk with a plant sitting by the side. — For a more upscale framing option for your botany prints or artwork, consider poly frames with mat boards.

Who frames botany art prints in poly frames?

Artists. Do you sell at art fairs? While some of your clients might choose botanical prints in paper frames, offer this upscale option for those looking for an elegant display.
Botanical Gardens. Sell prints in your gift shop that artists have made on your grounds.
Garden Centers & Nurseries. A great selling option in the off-season. This is a great options for garden centers that remain open year-round. These make great Christmas gifts for gardeners.

Are you selling botanical graphics?

If you’re selling botanical prints in frames, make sure you’re getting them at the right price.

We have a wholesale program at StudioStyle.com for any business or artist who uses our products to resell their artwork. Here’s how it works:

You sign up for a wholesale account, and you can save up to 50% off retail prices, giving you plenty of room to make a profit on your framed botanical graphics and floral prints. Sign up for your wholesale account at StudioStyle.com/Wholesale.

Let’s see YOUR botanical artwork.

If you sell botanical prints, or if you make sketches in the field, share them with us in the comments below! We’d love to see (and share!) your art.

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How to Sell Your Own Art Cards

How to Sell Your Own Art Cards

Published July 25, 2019

Calling all artists! Do you want to turn a profit from your creative passion? Whether you’re a painter, photographer, printmaker, illustrator, henna artist, embroidery savant, or a mixed media aficionado, you can leverage your favorite art form to create unique, handcrafted greeting cards to sell.

Our customers share all kinds of stories with us about how they pair our blank photo insert cards with their own art. And the good news is, if you plan to make and re-sell your own cards, you qualify for wholesale card pricing.

Here are a few ideas to consider as you plan to start selling your own art cards.

Sell Art Cards At Local Shops

What are some of your favorite shops in town? Do you have any friends or family members who own or manage a brick and mortar business?

Stop in at local boutiques, flower shops, jewelry stores, hospitals, restaurants and cafes, yoga studios, and pitch the idea. Bring a few of your favorite handmade cards to show off. Be prepared to talk about pricing and your wholesale or consignment policies. If there’s interest, you may find an opportunity to create a custom line of art cards exclusively made for one location.

Two photos of art cards displayed in shelves in a small shop — Art cards and photos by Donna M. Kabay.

Sell Art Cards at Pop-Up Markets

Many cities have spring and summer farmers markets, art shows, cultural events, vendor shows, business expos, and craft fairs that attract lots of local shoppers.

Chat with your park district, chamber of commerce, or do some searches for upcoming local events on Facebook or Google. Ask your friends and family members if they’ve attended any fun art shows or craft fairs, and start making a calendar of the dates.

Check with your local schools and churches, too. They often organize these types of events annually as fundraisers for their organization. A few things to keep in mind:

It’s a good practice to attend a few of these events yourself, to get a feel for the crowd and attendance so you can assess if your art cards will appeal to the audience.
It’s also a good idea to help you assess whether the traffic at each show will justify the booth fee that the organizers are charging for vendors.

Keep in mind that many outdoor events are rain or shine, so doing this type of setup will require you to invest in a sturdy tent with weights, tables, display materials, business cards, signage, and in some cases, liability insurance.

But don’t take our word on all this, take Bonnie’s:

Screenshot of blog comment arts with: My husband and I sell photo art cards at out annual arts and crafts fair every October. The commenter describes selling photo cards as a cheap alternative to matted photos. — This comment is on our post about how to sell your nature photography.

Sell Art Cards on Etsy

Etsy is a well-established and fast-growing online marketplace for makers to sell their handmade goods and art.

While there are a plethora of options for selling your art cards online (and we encourage you to do your own research to find the platform that’s the best fit for you) Etsy is fairly simple to use, has a reasonable fee structure, and is backed by leading e-commerce research and major marketing power.

You can also search Etsy for art cards in your specific style to see how other makers are pricing and titling their cards to get ideas for your own Etsy shop.

How to Price Your Art Cards

Do your market research to see what the going rate is for cards in your area. You want to be sure that you’re not just covering the cost of your time and materials, but also including some profit margin, and considering any overhead for things like marketing costs and booth fees, and insurance, while still being affordable to your customer.

Average art card prices typically range from $4-$8 per card, depending on the level of detail, materials used, and the complexity of your art. If you’re selling originals or limited edition prints, you may be able to sell for even higher.

Another aspect to consider is wholesale vs. retail pricing. Many artists require a wholesale minimum of at least $200. In order to appeal to a larger audience, you may want to offer two types of art cards at two different price points: a basic and a deluxe version, or two different size options. Some artists offer a discount when a customer buys multiple items to help move product and increase their average sale amount. For example, you could set your price at $6 per card, or 3 cards for $15.

A good formula to follow when pricing your handmade art cards is this:

Supplies cost + time cost + overheads x 2 = wholesale price x 2 = retail price

Read more about pricing your handmade cards here.

How to Market Your Art Cards

Get creative with your product photography and include lifestyle shots to bring context to your product. Professional quality photos can go a long way in helping you build a polished brand. You can even achieve this with your phone and some natural lighting, a simple background, and a few props that you already have lying around the house.

Black photo insert card frames a 4x6 art print

Next, think about your story—what inspires you to create? What do you love most about your medium? Take a deep dive behind the scenes and show your process. Look at other artists you admire and pay attention to their writing style. What language do they use?

Once you have some photos and some written story elements, you can start marketing your art cards using Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. These are three great platforms to share your images and your stories—and get discovered.

If it suits your style, consider starting a blog. Being active on social media helps attract potential customers, and gives you a polished and professional look when approaching shops about wholesale opportunities.

Many juried art shows also ask for your social media links. Having a solid online presence boosts your credibility and your chances of being accepted to these events.

Now, Go Make Your Art!

We hope this inspires you to get your handmade cards out into the world. With a little planning and research, you can make money by turning your art into greeting cards. If you’d like a deeper dive on making money from your art, find more greeting card selling tips here. Leave a comment below if you tried any of our tips! We’d love to hear your feedback.

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How You Can Send Joy with Photo Insert Cards

Cards with photo insert for nature photography

How You Can Send Joy with Photo Insert Cards

Published May 16, 2018

How often do you receive snail mail you actually want to open? We’ll bet these days, it’s a rare occurrence.

Be the one to brighten someone’s day with a beautiful DIY photo card.

These blank photo frame cards are perfect for your art prints, vacation photos, family pictures, wildlife and scenic nature photography alike. Pictured above are our Desert Storm and Navy Blue photo cards. Choose from 12 colors to match your photographs. Simply have your favorite 4×6 photos printed, and slide your favorites into the window opening of each card. No glue or tape needed to keep the photos in place!

You can create greeting cards for any occasion, any celebration.

Whether you choose to celebrate the big moments or the small, blank greeting cards are perfect for sending those spur-of-the-moment “thinking of you” cards, announcing your upcoming nuptials to faraway friends in a way more meaningful than a text message, or even celebrating your child’s high school graduation.

Here’s how we’ve seen DIY greeting card enthusiasts use photo insert cards:

Birthday cards
Get well wishes
Congratulations cards
Graduation
Wedding / Engagement
Birth announcements
Happy anniversary wishes
Thank you notes
Sympathy cards
Holiday greetings
Thinking of you cards

Baby Boy Birth Announcement Photo Holder Card — Announce your bundle of joy to loved ones—close and far away—with beautifully simply photo cards that frame your baby’s picture.

You can sell your own art cards.

For artists and photographers, selling photo cards with drawings, paintings, or prints of their original work can be a great way to make money at art fairs or craft shows.

The beautiful thing about our photo insert cards is that they are made of high archival quality, acid-free paper stock. They are an inexpensive upsell at your booth, and can even be used as lightweight photo mats for framed 5×7 photographs or art prints.

Nature photography card with photo insert — Sell your art and advertise your business with custom foil imprinting. Shown: gold foil on Black insert photo card.

Like the card, but want to add your name or logo? For an added charge, we’ll imprint your name or photography studio info in foil on the back cover of your photo cards.

Don’t forget to protect your investment; we also sell acid-free clear greeting card sleeves with an adhesive flap to seal and to protect your photo cards. They are the perfect packaging at art fairs, outdoor farmer’s markets, craft shows, and when selling on consignment.

For more tips on how to make money selling your art cards and photography, check out this post on how to sell your nature photography.

It’s a fun card making activity for kids.

Let the kids in on the DIY card making fun, too! Set up a day where they can take their own photos of nature, their pets, themselves, (or any subject they choose) and print out their favorites to include in a few cards. They can even draw on the inside cover and write a special message.

Photo cards made by kids are a great gift idea for the grandparents, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day. White mailing envelopes are included with your order so you can send your handmade cards out to friends, family, and teachers.

Recycled kraft photo frame card for 4x6 photo

You can create personalized party favors and special event giveaways.

With custom imprinting, we can print a personalized message in your cards. They’re great for wedding thank you photo cards, summer camp mementos, donor and volunteer appreciation cards from fundraisers and non-profits, or customer appreciation cards.

Adding a short story—or even a simple quote—inside the card helps connect your customers to your brand and keeps you top of mind. Share a blurb about the specific impact of your fundraiser, and include a photo of an actual person (or animal) that their contribution helped.

How do you send joy?

These photo frame cards can also be used as photo mats in 5×7 frames, or to frame your prints in a scrapbook with your own unique decorative embellishments.

Have another creative way to use these blank photo insert cards? We’d love to hear about it (and see a picture!) Drop a comment below, or share with us on the Studio Style Facebook page. If you want to order some photo insert cards, give us a call at (800) 346-3063 or browse all photo insert cards.

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3 Easy Ways to Make Your Own Christmas Photo Card

3 Easy Ways to Make Your Own Christmas Photo Card

Published November 9, 2016

Each December, we await the rush of holiday greeting cards. From friends, family, neighbors, and even the local business owner, we receive holiday photo cards of all sorts and designs.

As a photo card printer, we take particular notice of the quality—especially when it comes to the paper stock.

But how are you to know how thick the card will be if you order it online? Unless you are familiar with paper weights, ordering Christmas photo cards online can be a tricky business. Studio Style has you covered. Check out some Christmas photo card paper comparisons below.

Cardstock Photo Cards

Christmas card with picture of a man and woman, with the word 'Peace'

We can print custom Christmas photo cards (flat, folded, or z-fold) are printed on bright white 14 pt. cardstock. How thick is 14 pt. cardstock? About as thick as the average greeting card. Thick enough that you can clip it in a clever Christmas card hanging display, stick in on the Christmas tree, or mail to friends and family (with the included envelopes!). Pssst… Head on over to Pinterest for some creative Christmas card display ideas.

Holiday Photo Insert Cards

For 4″ x 6″ Photos – Traditional paper photo frame cards, also called photo slip in cards or photo holder cards—no glue or tape needed!

Slide your photo into one of our archival photo insert cards and make a personalized greeting that will last. Photo insert greeting cards are great for sharing photos for milestones and holidays, as well as for photographers looking for a professional photo frame card to showcase their photographs. Choose from our exclusive collection of Simplicity blank cards for photographs or our foil stamped Christmas photo holder cards.

Christmas Photo Folders – Printed or Foil Stamped

Our holiday-themed photo holders are perfect for packaging your holiday event photography at breakfast with Santa outings and office holiday parties, but they also make nice holiday cards for your 4×6 or 5×7 prints. Choose from festive printed designs like our Jolly Santa, Peppermint Candy, or Christmas Tree – and many more!

christmas photo cards with picture framed inside

If you prefer the foil stamped designs, take a look at our quick ship styles like the Red Santa Claus, Silver Snowflakes, and Green Holly. Our holiday event photo folders are perfect for any Christmas or winter-themed special occasion. Whether you’re planning a company Christmas party, coordinating a customer appreciation banquet, or want to send personalized holiday photo cards to friends and family, our collection of festive Christmas photo folders and photo cards are sure to help spread some cheer.

Does paper thickness matter to you, or is the photo card design more important? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us a comment below, or drop us a note on our Facebook page.

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How to Make Your Own Greeting Cards With Photos this Holiday Season

How to make your own holiday photo cards

How to Make Your Own Greeting Cards With Photos this Holiday Season

Published November 5, 2015

Printed photo cards have been on a perpetual rise in popularity, especially for Holiday greeting cards. They are great for sending out as party invitations, thank you cards, and as Christmas cards. Yet photo insert cards also remain a popular choice, and many opt for this classic photo card option year after year. Why?

Because blank photo insert cards are so versatile.

At StudioStyle.com, our photo frame cards are available in a variety of colors and are full-color throughout. Suitable for DIY Christmas and holiday cards, thank you cards, engagement announcements, birth announcements, graduation photos and more, you can buy one color of card and use it for various occasions throughout the year.

Ready to make your own greeting cards? Here are some ideas to get you started:

Personalized Christmas Cards

What do you do when you want to send one photo to your grandma, another to your uncle, and yet another to a friend who lives half a world away? With printed photo cards, you’re stuck with the same photo for everyone. With blank cards for photographs , you can send the color you want to whoever you want.

Just insert your photo of choice in the front for the chosen recipient, write a nice greeting inside, and voilà, instant photo greeting cards!

We also make holiday photo insert cards if you’re looking for something more festive:

Candy cane striped photo insert Christmas card with photo of Santa and kids

Wedding Thank You Cards

A photo card is the perfect way to thank guests for attending your wedding and to thank them for gifts. Just slip your photo in the front, and include a personalized, hand-written message inside. A white photo insert card is a classic option for thank you cards, but you can also choose a card that coordinates with your wedding colors.

Shown: Snow White with hand-written note.

Engagement Announcements & Save the Dates

Most photographers include an engagement photo shoot in their package, or offer it as an add-on. Blank photo frame cards are perfect for engagement photos because the picture window showcases your photo without any distracting design elements. For wedding details, you can hand write the information inside, or we can foil stamp your text for you. Foil imprinted save the date photo cards are a classic, elegant option.

Shown: Desert Storm, Snow White, Black

Photo Birth Announcements

Do yourself a favor and order your blank cards for photos before the baby is born. After your precious bundle of joy arrives, you’ll be spending so much time cooing to your babe and showing him/her off to visitors, that browsing for birth announcement designs might not cross your mind. By having blank birth announcement cards on hand ahead of time, you can just slip in your newborn photos and write out some quick notes to friends and family during nap time.

Shown: Cranberry Ice (discontinued), Natural Flax, Light Blue

Everyday Photo Cards

Whether you bring home a new puppy, want to send warm wishes from your tropical paradise, or just want to say hello, blank greeting cards for photos are the perfect solution. Just insert your photo in the front, and write a message on the inside. Want to cheer up the grandparents? Slide a recent picture of your kids in the front, and let them doodle on the inside or cover the card with stickers.

Here are some other ways people use photo window cards:

Pet Photography: Adoption centers give these with a photo of your new best friend, and a brief message stamped on the inside.
Art & Craft Fairs: Not just for pictures! Insert small 4″ x 6″ art prints, pressed flowers, paintings, or even slim needlework.
A Long-Distance Hello: Perfect for sending photos to friends and family across the country, overseas, or even just on the other side of town.
Event Favors: Smaller than our standard event photo folders, we see event planners using photo insert cards for Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Sweet Sixteens, retirement parties, and more.
Personalized Branded Photo Cards: Professional photographers will add their studio name and website with hot foil stamping on the back of the card. These are a nice add-on to any studio package.

Whatever the occasion, whenever the celebration, stock up on some blank photo greeting cards. You never know when you’ll want to share a memory!

Shown: Navy Blue, Snow White, Red, Black, and Desert Storm

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