Designing the Perfect Holiday Card
With the current soaring temperatures, your focus may be on summer activities, and the upcoming holiday season is not likely top of mind, but now is the perfect time to start planning your holiday card. While it may seem early, thoughtful preparation allows you time to craft a thoughtful card and message that resonates with your company’s values and coordinate printing and distribution seamlessly. Designing and sending out a company holiday card can be a wonderful way to connect with clients, partners, and employees during the festive season. Starting early allows for a stress-free process and ensures your holiday greetings arrive in time to spread plenty of cheer.
Planning
Planning ahead of the holiday rush will give you ample time to carefully curate your greeting. Start by determining why, when, how, and to whom you will be sending your card. Is the purpose of your holiday card to thank clients for their business this year, build new relationships, or just wish everyone a happy holiday season? Set your budget up front, along with a deadline for sending them out. Compile your list of clients and employees to determine how many you will send, and ensure you have accurate contact information. Lastly, brainstorm and select a theme that aligns with your company’s values, reflects your culture, and will resonate with your recipients.
Designing
Then, it’s time to conceptualize a design and draft a sincere message. Your message should be heartfelt and convey gratitude and holiday cheer, while your design should reflect your theme and be consistent with your brand. Consider incorporating your logo, brand colors, and brand fonts for a cohesive look. There are countless options for creating a unique and festive greeting, from specialty papers and metallic inks to custom boxes and more that you will want to consider during your design phase. Some things to consider:
- Materials – Opt for high-quality paper stocks, metallic foils, letterpress or embossing techniques, holographic or metallicized papers such as Unifoil’s Unilustre®, and specialty inks for a high-end, premium feel that is sure to stand out.
- Custom Illustrations – Custom illustrations can help capture the holiday spirit in a fun and unique way.
- Unique Elements – Incorporate elements like pop-ups, sliders, die-cuts, and lamination into your design, or design a card that doubles as something useful, such as an ornament or bookmark, to add value and help your card stand out.
- Sustainability – Showcase your commitment to sustainability through your design and messaging by using eco-friendly materials and setting new goals for the new year.
- Giving Back – The holidays are a great time to partner with charitable organizations and give back to your local community. Highlight your charitable efforts in your holiday card to help get recipients in the spirit of giving.
- Digital Elements – To make your card memorable and engaging, incorporate augmented reality (AR) features or QR codes that link to exclusive holiday content.
- Diversity – Create a design that incorporates and celebrates a variety of cultural holidays and traditions to ensure inclusivity.
- Packaging – Consider unique packaging options like custom envelopes or boxes that complement the card design and enhance the unboxing experience.
Printing
A professional printing company like DCC can help bring your holiday card to life while providing recommendations for paper and ink and ensuring the quality meets your expectations. Printing a sample to check colors and quality before printing your entire run can help prevent issues that can affect your budget and timeline. DCC can also print your envelopes, fold, assemble, and drop ship your holiday cards, making the process seamless and allowing your team more time to focus on everyday workloads. Sending a holiday card is more than just a formality; it’s a gesture that can strengthen relationships and foster goodwill. By planning thoughtfully, designing creatively, and printing with quality, your company holiday card will leave a lasting impression on those who receive it. It’s not just a card; it’s a reflection of your company’s brand and appreciation, so you’ll want to make it memorable.
DCC is ready to spread holiday cheer! Contact our sales team today and let us bring your holiday card to life!
