Quirky, Indie Greeting Cards

July 16, 2018 8:26 AM

I hate most greeting cards with a passion. So kitschy! So middlebrow! Suppose I've exhausted all my Rifle Paper Company and David Shrigley options over the years. Where else can I find well-designed cards that are not the usual Hallmark schlock?
posted by dis_integration to Shopping (24 answers total)

Best answer: I like Greenwich Letterpress I find they have some cute cards.
posted by SpaceWarp13 at 8:41 AM on July 16, 2018 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I think you might dig some of the cards from egg press.
posted by kendrak at 8:44 AM on July 16, 2018 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I go to Etsy for this. I like letterpress cards because of the tactile interest and handmade feel, so I usually search “letterpress card” and the occasion. It’s not super cheap, but there are tons of great options.
posted by jeoc at 9:00 AM on July 16, 2018 [2 favorites]

Best answer: I love Emily McDowell's cards.
posted by writermcwriterson at 9:06 AM on July 16, 2018 [7 favorites]

I go into a nice bookstore or somewhere else that sells nicer greeting cards and find the art ones that are blank inside and write my own message.
posted by kbuxton at 9:11 AM on July 16, 2018 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I came in here to recommend Emily McDowell, who has a card for literally everything. But I also like the new Papyrus line, Bird & Quill. They have an indie feel but are easy to pick up at Target.
posted by assenav at 9:11 AM on July 16, 2018 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I've bought some from Lucky Horse Press recently that I've really enjoyed, if you like a neon retro sensibility.
posted by ITheCosmos at 9:35 AM on July 16, 2018

This was a Mother's Day-specific ask, but you might find some helpful card company suggestions here.
posted by hydra77 at 9:37 AM on July 16, 2018

Best answer: Thirding Emily McDowell.

It can take some sifting through, but I do find some great cards on Ohh Deer.
posted by gursky at 9:45 AM on July 16, 2018 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: These are all fantastic! Keep 'em coming! I'll never run out of cards now.
posted by dis_integration at 10:01 AM on July 16, 2018

Best answer: Charles van Sandwyck if you're going for gorgeous, refined and surprisingly affordable!
posted by ipsative at 10:49 AM on July 16, 2018 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I really liked this "check all that apply" anniversary card, one of 40(!) "notorious" checkbox cards from Archelaus. When the store I originally bought their cards closed I had a minor panic.
posted by fedward at 11:11 AM on July 16, 2018 [2 favorites]

Best answer: I have had good luck with Little Otsu.
posted by stillmoving at 11:44 AM on July 16, 2018

Best answer: I like Love Pop cards for when I want to go a little above "just a card" but don't have an idea for a good gift.
posted by damayanti at 12:13 PM on July 16, 2018 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I like Big Wheel Press (they have mini cards, too). And I have one of their broadsides framed and hung in my apartment.
posted by carrioncomfort at 12:31 PM on July 16, 2018

Best answer: I really like E. Frances Paper.
posted by constellations at 12:50 PM on July 16, 2018

I get plain cards, ones that have no writing inside. Though it seems like the outlets for cards are shrinking, both in size (and therefore range) as well as number. Like assenav, I often end up with Papyrus.
posted by GeeEmm at 2:59 PM on July 16, 2018

Best answer: Punk Paperie has some great cards if they work with your sense of humor!
posted by the twistinside at 3:43 PM on July 16, 2018

Every city I've lived in or visited, even smaller ones, has had a local paper/card shop that has excellent unusual and creative cards (often, but not always, letterpress), so hunt down yours. Or if your city is the exception, hunt down shops when you travel and stock up. I can make recommendations in the SF Bay Area, Portland, Boston, and Denver.
posted by rhiannonstone at 6:49 PM on July 16, 2018

Best answer: Bespoke Letterpress yes, please and thank you
posted by latch24 at 8:22 PM on July 16, 2018

Best answer: I've lately developed a great fondness for Sacred Bee cards.
posted by McCoy Pauley at 11:55 AM on July 17, 2018

I am devoted to Trader Joe's cards. They are $1. They are illustration heavy but usually it's a very nice illustration and the messages inside (if it's not blank) are generally kind and cheerful without belaboring the point. Every time I go to TJs, I check their stock and grab ones that look good. At $1 a pop, why not?
posted by amanda at 9:09 PM on July 18, 2018

I like the in depth topics available at fomato cards and Liz Climo has cards available in major retail stores.
posted by tangaroo at 5:25 PM on July 19, 2018

Able and Game are quirky designers based in Melbourne.
posted by awkwardpanda at 3:52 AM on July 23, 2018