Where to order a small run of customized greeting cards?

June 8, 2009 9:41 AM

Looking for an online source to have about 50 to 75 custom greeting cards printed.

I would like to upload a least one photo and possibly bitmap graphics. Also desired: matching envelopes, and might consider a vendor's design template if it is reasonably clean and elegant (these will be "Thank You" cards). I can handle doing some light bitmap graphics work but am not by any means a graphic designer and, as nice as it would be, am not in a position to pay much for a professional designer.

Some vendors suggested previously have a minimum order of 250. I could maybe stretch my order to 100 cards but not interested in any more than that.

Right now I'm considering vistaprint.com; they have 50 cards for about $40. Any experience with them or others? I could spend more for good quality paper and printing.

posted by exogenous to shopping (5 comments total)

Moo cards? Might not be quite what you're looking for, and they take forever to get to the U.S. from the U.K., but they fill a niche. The printing is acceptable, but not stellar. $25/25 different cards.
posted by another zebra at 9:54 AM on June 8

I like overnightprints.com. Their greeting card prices start at $10 for 10, though I've only used them for business cards (and, naturally, have been pleased with the results). 50 cards would be $40, same as vistaprint.
posted by devbrain at 10:06 AM on June 8

I know several people who've used vistaprint, but it's always been for their business cards like this. That said, they've been fine to work with and the quality was good.
posted by rmd1023 at 10:25 AM on June 8

another zebra, Moo now have printing facilities within the US so shipping is much quicker than it used to be...
posted by hibbersk at 11:42 AM on June 8

Mpix.com does small orders (minimum 25). Downloadable card design software makes it easy. We just ordered a batch of 4" x 8" announcements, with envelopes, they came to $0.42 each. They use good photo paper for standard prints and will do a metallic or lustre coat for a little more. We've ordered quite a bit from them lately and have been very happy with the price, speed and quality.

Most of the design software will let you use the built-in templates, or you can create your own image in the desired size, save it as a JPG, upload and use that as your card if you don't like the defaults.
posted by caution live frogs at 12:04 PM on June 8 [1 favorite]