Starting your own greeting card business can be exciting, but finding the right Print on Demand (POD) service can be a challenge. You want quality, reliability, and a platform that fits your needs—whether you're designing holiday cards, birthday greetings, or something more unique.
In this blog, we'll walk you through the 10 best POD greeting card companies to help you launch and grow your business. Ready to dive in and turn your art into beautiful cards? Let's get started!
How to Start a Greeting Card Business from Home
Step 1: Know Your Target Audience
Identifying your target market is crucial. While friends and family might be your first customers, you'll need to expand your reach. Consider platforms like Etsy to reach a broader audience or approach local gift shops for wholesale opportunities.
Craft fairs are a great way to showcase your cards and connect with potential customers. Understanding who your customers are will help guide your designs and marketing.
Step 2: Choose Your Printing Method
Once you've created your designs, think about how you'll produce and ship your cards. You can print at home using a quality home printer or use a POD service like PrintKK if you prefer to outsource.
If you're using a POD service, choose one that offers high-quality prints and reliable shipping. Alternatively, local print shops can handle your printing needs.
Consider eco-friendly packaging by reducing plastic and using recycled materials for a more sustainable approach.
Step 3: Create Your First Collection
Begin by designing a small collection of cards. Start with at least 12 cards that feature a cohesive theme or style.
You don't need to overcomplicate things; popular themes like birthday cards or niche ideas such as retirement, new baby, or life transitions can work well. The goal is to keep your designs consistent so your collection looks professional.
Step 4: Choose Your Market
Instead of rushing to build your own website, start with an Etsy shop. It's a cost-effective way to launch your business with a built-in audience. Etsy is user-friendly, trusted by customers, and provides excellent tools for managing your orders.
You can also explore selling your cards at local markets, craft fairs, or through consignment or wholesale deals with nearby shops.
Step 5: Market Your Cards
Once your cards are printed and packaged, it's time to spread the word. Build a simple social media presence.
Post your designs on platforms like Instagram and Facebook to gain exposure. Set realistic expectations—don't expect instant sales. Social media works best when you focus on creating genuine connections.
Consider using word-of-mouth marketing; happy customers can help you grow your business without any extra effort.
10 Best Print on Demand Greeting Cards Companies
PrintKK
PrintKK is a budget-friendly way to make greeting cards that look nice. Their platform is easy to use, and they keep quality in check. You'll save some cash while creating cards in different styles and finishes.
It's a great pick if you're starting out or just want affordable options. Give it a shot for a simple, cheap solution.
Print on Demand Golden Edge Greeting Cards (Horizontal) - Home Decor - PrintKK
Feature:
- Affordable pricing
- Quality printing
- Straightforward platform
Pricing: Around $1.50-$2 per card, one of the lowest costs
FinerWorks
FinerWorks is awesome for artists who want top-notch greeting cards. It focuses on fine art printing, so your designs will look sharp and professional. You get to pick from textured or glossy paper options.
If you're a photographer or painter, this could be your go-to. They make sure every card feels special and high-quality without much fuss.
Feature:
- Great for fine art printing
- Different paper types available
- Professional-grade results
Pricing: There are Flat Cards, Folded Cards and Postcards to choose from. The basic card is about $1.8, and there are more discounts for bulk purchases.
Printify
Printify is a popular choice if you want to make custom greeting cards without stress. It connects you with printing partners all over the world, so you can pick from lots of card sizes and paper types.
You'll love how it works smoothly with online stores like Shopify. It's great for beginners or anyone who wants options. Upload your design, choose a partner, and start selling your cards easily.
Feature:
Big network of printing partners
Many card styles and finishes
Easy to use with e-commerce sites
Pricing: Starts at about $2- $15 per card, depending on your choices
Gelato
Gelato makes creating greeting cards simple and fast. This company prints your cards close to where your customers are, which cuts down on shipping time. You can see your design in real time before it's printed.
They offer high-quality cards with different sizes and finishes to match your style. It's perfect if you want quick delivery and good-looking cards.
Feature:
Local printing for faster shipping
High-quality card options
Real-time design previews
Pricing: Around $7- $10 per card, based on size and finish
Prodigi
Prodigi is perfect if you care about the planet while making greeting cards. They use eco-friendly materials and inks, so your cards look good and feel good too. You can choose from a bunch of sizes and finishes.
It's a smart option for anyone who wants quality cards without harming the environment. Give it a try if green vibes matter to you.
Feature:
Eco-friendly materials
High-quality printing
Lots of card options
Pricing: Starts at $2 per card, with volume discounts
Inkthreadable
Inkthreadable comes from the UK and makes designing greeting cards fun. It's all about quality and letting your creativity shine. You'll enjoy how simple their platform is for uploading designs and picking card styles.
They offer different sizes and finishes to fit what you need. It's a good choice if you want solid cards without a complicated process.
Feature:
Quality printing
Creative design options
Easy-to-use platform
Pricing: Around $2.7-$3 per card, with bulk pricing available
Gooten
Gooten keeps things straightforward for your greeting card business. You can design cards with their easy interface and link them to your online shop. You'll notice they focus on making customers happy with good quality.
It's a reliable pick if you want a no-hassle way to create and sell cards. Try it out for a smooth experience.
Feature:
- Simple design interface
- Works with e-commerce platforms
- Quality-focused
Pricing: Starts at $3 per card, discounts for bigger orders
Zazzle
Zazzle is a big marketplace where you can make and sell greeting cards. They give you tons of templates to play with, so your cards can stand out. You get to customize everything easily.
It's great if you want to design unique cards and reach buyers online. Plus, you can tweak designs until they're just right for you.
Feature:
- Lots of design templates
- Easy customization
- Built-in marketplace
Pricing: About $1.5-$5 per card, varies with premium options
Merchize
Merchize is all about getting your greeting cards done fast and well. They offer high-quality printing and quick turnaround times, so you're not waiting forever. You can sell your cards sooner with their help.
It's a solid option if you're running a business and need speed without losing quality. Check it out if time matters to you.
Feature:
- High-quality printing
- Fast turnaround times
- Variety of products
Pricing: About $2.5- $7 per card, with bulk discounts
Printful
Printful is a big name in print-on-demand, and it's super easy to use. You can design greeting cards with their simple tool and sell them online fast. You'll find it connects well with platforms like Etsy or Amazon.
It's a solid pick if you want to make cards and other products too. Just upload your art, and they handle the rest.
Feature:
Easy design tool
Works with many online stores
Offers other products too
Pricing: About $3 per card, with bulk discounts
Read More:
Practical Tips to Save Cost on POD Greeting Card Sets
Start Small, Scale Smart
Test designs with POD first to avoid wasting money on unpopular ideas. Platforms like Printify let you sell sets of 5 cards, but retail prices around $30 per set can scare off buyers.
Instead, use POD to gauge demand—if a design sells consistently, switch to bulk printing with a local supplier. This hybrid approach slashes costs per unit while minimizing risk. No one wants 500 unsold cards gathering dust, right?
Balance Inventory and Risk
Bulk printing saves money, but only for proven bestsellers. For example, printing 100 units locally might cut your cost per card by 40%, but what if trends shift? Keep slow-moving designs on POD to avoid dead stock.
Use bulk orders for evergreen themes (think birthdays, holidays) and reserve POD for niche or seasonal designs. This way, you're not stuck with boxes of outdated baby shower invites.
Choose Platforms Wisely
Not all POD services charge the same. For specialized cards like gender-reveal invitations, try Zazzle. Their pricing often allows higher margins on custom designs compared to generic POD sites.
- Wedding invites: Charge premium prices for intricate designs.
- Holiday cards: Bundle them with matching envelopes to justify higher retail costs.
- Always compare platform fees—some charge per design upload, others take a percentage of sales.
Simplify Packaging and Shipping
POD companies handle shipping, but you can cut costs further. Opt for standard envelope sizes to avoid upcharges for odd shapes. Skip fancy add-ons like ribbons or custom boxes unless customers explicitly pay extra.
For bulk orders, negotiate eco-friendly packaging with local printers—it's cheaper and appeals to sustainability-minded buyers.
By mixing POD flexibility with bulk printing's savings, you keep costs low without sacrificing creativity.
PrintKK Creates High-Quality Greeting Cards for Maximum Profit
PrintKK offers high-quality greeting cards that can help you make the most of your business. Whether you're designing for personal art promotion or planning to sell, PrintKK provides the tools to create stunning cards that stand out.
You can choose from landscape or portrait orientations for your greeting cards, giving you flexibility in design. The cards are printed on pearl gloss paper, ensuring a professional look and feel.
PrintKK also offers a wide range of color options, allowing you to match your designs to your exact preferences. Plus, they come with gold-edged envelopes that add a touch of elegance, making your cards even more appealing.
Print on Demand Horizontal Greeting Cards (Pearl Paper) - Home Decor - PrintKK
What's particularly attractive about PrintKK is that both the front and back of the greeting card can be designed, without having to worry about additional information such as QR codes or barcodes. This means you have complete freedom to create and sell without having to worry about hidden restrictions.
Print on Demand Vertical Greeting Cards (Golden Edge Pearl Paper) - Home Decor - PrintKK
Even better, PrintKK's prices are very affordable, giving you the potential for great profit margins. Whether you're promoting your own art or looking to sell cards, PrintKK helps you maximize your earnings while keeping costs low.
If you're ready to sell online, PrintKK makes it easy. They integrate seamlessly with Etsy and Shopify, so you can start selling your greeting cards without hassle. The platform's easy integration helps you reach a wide audience, boosting your sales potential.
Read More:
Expert Tips
Starting a greeting card business with print on demand services is a great way to turn your creativity into profit. By choosing the right POD provider, you can focus on designing while they handle printing and shipping. Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow, these services offer flexibility and convenience.
Take action and start creating today! With the right mindset, your greeting card business can grow into something rewarding.
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