Order Personalized Christmas Cards: A Simple, Fast Workflow

Skip the back-and-forth. Prep one good photo, design cleanly, and place a single order with buffer cards.

Step 1: Prep the photo

• Take one window-lit shot; turn off overheads.
• Export sRGB, 300 DPI, 5x7; faces/text 0.25" inside edges.
• If the background is messy, upload and generate 18 polished scenes in 60 seconds—export print-ready.

Step 2: Choose your service

• Budget: Costco/Walmart/Vistaprint (on sale).
• Premium: Shutterfly/Minted with 40–50% off codes.
• Pickup saves shipping; plan for in-store if timing is tight.

Step 3: Design clean

• One hero photo; short greeting + names.
• Legible fonts; avoid tiny scripts over faces.
• Matte/satin 130–150 lb; 5x7 standard.
• Leave breathing room for a handwritten line on priority cards.

Step 4: Proof and order

• Check margins/safe zones; add bleed if required.
• Order 10–15% extra for late additions/typos.
• If available, order one proof/sample before the full run.

Step 5: Shipping and mailing

• Order by Nov 20 for calm; Dec 7 with rush if late.
• Compare shipping vs pickup costs/time.
• Mail domestic by Dec 10; international by Nov 30.

Personalization without chaos

• Add one real line per card for top recipients.
• Optional QR to a short video/album.
• Keep envelopes neat; handwrite names for VIPs.

Done right, it’s a one-session task: prep photo, design, proof, order, address, mail. Let AI handle the backdrop if your photo isn’t in a print-ready space.