3 Things to avoid in Card Design


Faces

There are a few things you might want to think about when it comes to making the design. Putting realistic faces on cards can be risky. You can run into legal problems if you print a photograph of someone who has not given you permission.

Also, customers often have a specific person in mind when they buy a card. If someone wants a birthday card for their mother and the picture on the card is of a young model, they may feel it’s inappropriate for their mother. A Hispanic or Afro-American customer may not want to buy a Caucasian face.

If you have to use faces, make them vague, so they don't look like anyone in particular. The only exception to this would be if you are specializing in a line of ethnic cards or are using caricatures in humorous cards.


Black and White Cards



Black and white cards, with no other colors, can be difficult to sell. Unless you are using block prints or paper with a deckled edge, your chances of selling a card with these two colors can be limiting. Black and white cards don't always jump out at customers on the store shelf. Remember, you are competing with all the other multiple colored cards.

If you add color to a predominantly black and white card, you can use colored paper with a colored envelope. You can also try unusual patterns or textures. Be creative and throw a splash of red or orange onto the card by using a rubber stamp.


Horizontal cards


Horizontal cards are a problem for retail stores. Although they might be more attractive and easier to design, they use up too much shelf space. Every square inch of retail space is worth money and horizontal cards take up more space than vertical ones.

This doesn't mean that you can't design this type of card, but avoid designing your entire line with horizontal cards, so the store has a choice.

8 comments:

Judi Kenney said...

Hi Kate-I just found your site through Linkedin.com. I've gone full time in my card biz as of Jan. 2010. I just started marketing our collection and would really appreciate your opinion. Would you mind taking a few moments to view our website and offer some advice or suggestions? thank you so much! Judi Kenney www.SayItWithJack.com

Judi K, Say It With Love Cards said...

Hi Kate-I just found your site through Linkedin.com. I've gone full time in my card biz as of Jan. 2010. I just started marketing our collection and would really appreciate your opinion. Would you mind taking a few moments to view our website and offer some advice or suggestions? thank you so much! Judi Kenney www.SayItWithJack.com

Theraisa K said...

Interesting! I had no idea about the horizontal cards. Great tip, thanks!

Anonymous said...

Thank you Kate for your wonderful blog! I've only just begun to read all the tips and advice here....

Specifically, thanks for the tip about not making my cards horizontal. To date all my artwork intended for cards has been horizontal....I blame my fine art background. Blame aside, it looks like I need to change my ways.....

rungirlie said...

Yikes! I have been focusing on horizontal cards as well! I will definitely have to keep this in mind for the next card design! Thank you :)

Joy Braverman said...

I'm an artist and have a few designs that I believe will work - I'm seeking more a 'blank' card with my artwork either as horizontal OR Vertical; I need to know how to go about locating and/or soliciting companies to use my artwork.

Kate Harper said...

Joy-see http://kateharperblog.blogspot.com/2009/05/10-card-publishers-artist-and-writer.html

Anonymous said...

great advise Kate
thank you so much
marlene