Start a greeting card business online in 8 steps
Follow these easy steps to discover how to start a greeting card business from home.
1. Identify trends and do market research
The first step is to conduct market analysis to gauge demand and find out what people like. Use search engine optimization (SEO) strategies to analyze search data and online behavior.
Google Trends
Google Trends is a powerful tool that lets you measure the level of interest in any given topic during any period. This helps you identify trends and seasonal spikes, and compare keywords to see what’s gaining traction and what’s in decline.
Keyword research tools
Use SEO tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, Semrush, or Moz to find popular phrases related to greeting cards. Identify long-tail keywords like “Valentine’s Day greeting cards” or “custom photo greeting cards” to narrow down niches.
Online marketplaces
Use sites like Amazon, eBay, or Etsy to discover what people are looking for. For example, by typing “greeting cards” into Etsy’s search bar, you’ll see different themes and styles that are currently popular. This is a treasure trove of insights that can spark targeted business ideas.
Read more: How to Sell on Etsy: A Beginner's Guide
Social media monitoring
Check out social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook to find trending hashtags and keywords. For example, follow the hashtags #greetingcards or #customcards on Instagram to see what others are selling. It’s an excellent way to discover what sells well and find market gaps to fill.
2. Find and analyze your audience
Finding the people most likely to buy from you is crucial for building a thriving online greeting card business. Who are you selling to, how big is your target audience, and what are their values and interests?
Here’s your plan of action.
Competitor analysis
See what the top greeting card companies are selling, who their customers are, and what pain points they are addressing.
Read reviews of successful greeting card businesses like Hallmark and American Greetings. Analyze their designs, customer interactions, social media accounts, and types of greeting card messages – are they humorous, witty, or bold?
Source: Hallmark
Gather feedback
Your social media followers could be potential customers. Interact with them to learn more about their opinions. Ask about their buying habits and what they think is missing from the greeting card industry – it’s a great way to find gaps in the market.
Use popular free survey creators like SurveyMonkey and Google Forms to gather real consumer insights.
Create buyer personas
Create buyer personas that represent your target audience and their key traits. Categorize them by demographics, education, employment, interests, and preferred marketing and sales channels.
Let these personas drive the way you market and create greeting cards, so every move is relevant and intentional.
3. Create a greeting card business plan
Every new greeting card business should start with a clear plan. This helps you clarify your goals, streamline your workflow, and stay on track as you grow your online business.
Set your vision and goals
Start with your “why.” Are you aiming to turn your hobby into a side hustle? Build a full-time income? Support a cause with your card sales? Setting a clear direction helps guide your decisions and keeps your efforts focused.
Define your product range
List the types of greeting cards you plan to offer – birthday, holiday, thank-you, handmade cards, or bespoke greeting cards. Decide if you’ll do personalized custom messages, sell in themed sets, or offer both print and digital greeting cards.
Understand your market
Use your earlier market research to summarize your target audience and pricing benchmarks. Include your chosen niche market, core value proposition, and what makes your greeting card business stand out.
Set financial goals and pricing
Estimate your upfront costs (design tools, samples, mockups) and ongoing expenses (platform fees or shipping costs). Outline a pricing structure that covers these while leaving room for profit. POD services make this much easier by eliminating inventory overhead.
Read more:
What is a Good Profit Margin for Print-on-Demand?
How Print-on-Demand Dropshipping Works
Plan your marketing
Sketch out how you’ll reach your audience – through social media marketing, SEO, influencer outreach, or paid ads. Think about your content tone, visual branding, and how you’ll attract customers over time. Your business plan is your roadmap – keep it flexible, and refine it as your greeting card company grows.
Register your business and check license requirements
Choose a business name, decide on a structure (like sole proprietorship or LLC), and register your small business to separate personal finances, unlock tax benefits, and build credibility. Check the Small Business Administration website for necessary business licenses and fees based on your location and setup.
Disclaimer:
The content provided is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as legal, tax, or professional advice. We recommend consulting with a licensed professional or your local government authority to understand the requirements that apply to your specific business situation.
4. Build your brand and visual identity
A strong brand identity is what turns a small greeting card business into a memorable one. Your brand should reflect your style and connect with your target audience, as it’ll set the tone for everything from packaging to your marketing efforts.
Define your brand personality
Outline your brand’s tone and values. Are your greeting cards quirky, elegant, minimalist, or bold? This will influence your messaging and design choices, helping you build brand recognition.
Choose a business name and design elements
Pick a business name that’s easy to remember, reflects your niche, and feels authentic to your style. Then, create visual assets like your logo, color palette, and typography. These should work across your store, social media, and product packaging.
Stay consistent across channels
Whether you're posting on Instagram or listing cards on ecommerce platforms, your branding should look and feel the same. Consistency builds trust and helps your greeting card business feel polished and professional, even if you're just starting out.
Read more:
How to Build a Brand in 2025
A Definitive Guide to Brand Storytelling
How to Come Up with a Brand Name
As you create greeting cards to sell, think carefully about the size, paper, and finish. These choices affect how your designs look and feel, and are key to standing out in the greeting card industry.
Pick the right size
Card dimensions will influence both your design layout and buyer preferences. Here are some common options:
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5" × 7" (A7) – A popular, versatile size ideal for detailed illustrations or heartfelt messages.
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4.25" × 5.5" (A2) – Compact yet classic, perfect for everyday occasions.
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Square (5.25" × 5.25") – Eye-catching and trendy, works well for modern or minimalist designs.
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Mini (2.5" × 3.5") – Great for gift tags or short notes.
Select a paper type and finish
The texture and sheen of your cards help shape how customers perceive your brand:
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Matte finish – Elegant and understated, ideal for soft colours or text-based cards.
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Glossy finish – Vivid and bright, makes artwork and photos pop.
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Premium card stock – Adds weight and a professional touch to your greeting cards.
Consider your printing method
Most greeting card businesses use high-resolution digital printing, which is ideal for short runs and fast fulfillment. It offers sharp colours, consistent quality, and works well for selling greeting cards online.
If you want to branch into more premium designs, explore options like foil stamping, letterpress, or embossing. These methods add texture and a luxurious feel, but they’re more expensive to produce and typically have a minimum order volume.
Whichever route you choose, your printing method should match your design style, business goals, budget, and what your target audience values most.
Incorporate sustainability
Consumers are increasingly drawn to eco-conscious greeting cards, such as those made from recycled materials or printed using low-waste processes.
If you plan to emphasize sustainability in your greeting card business, highlight this clearly in your product descriptions and marketing materials.
Pro tip: Explore Printful’s custom printed and embroidered products and find out how to prepare the perfect print file.
6. Design your greeting cards
Ready to bring your greeting card business ideas to life? Here are the steps to create greeting cards with Printful.
Find a blank card
Select a good-quality blank card as the canvas for your designs. We offer customizable greeting cards in three different sizes. You can personalize the entire card design and choose between a vertical or horizontal layout.
Create your design
Upload your existing artwork or use our Design Maker to create one from scratch – explore various clipart graphics, fonts, colors, and patterns. You can easily add text, illustrations, and photos to your greeting cards in a few clicks.
Ensure your design fits the card dimensions. Use a high-resolution image (300 DPI) for clear, sharp prints. Include a bleed area (extra space around the design) to prevent white edges after trimming. Follow our print file guidelines for the best results.
You can also use free design tools like Canva or paid tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. Not confident in your design skills? Hire a designer to make custom greeting card graphics that match your vision.
Read more: Check out this tutorial on how to use Printful’s Design Maker and watch our video on 11 things you didn’t know Printful’s Design Maker could do for all the tips and tricks.
Review and generate mockups
Use our Mockup Generator to see how your card will look once printed. Check that your design is aligned and visually appealing, and tweak any elements if necessary to get it just right.
Order samples
Ordering samples is the best way to feel and see how your greeting cards will look in real life. It’s the perfect opportunity to adjust placements, colors, and even fonts to make sure the final product will meet your customers’ expectations.
Pro tip:
In 2025, many designers use AI-powered tools like Canva’s Magic Design, Adobe Firefly, or Midjourney to brainstorm layout ideas, generate illustrations, or refine typography. These tools can speed up your creative workflow, even if you run a handmade greeting card business.
7. Choose where to sell greeting cards
Choosing the right sales channel is key to building a successful greeting card business. Whether you want full control or quick exposure, your choice will shape how you connect with your target market.
Sell on online marketplaces
Platforms like Etsy and Amazon make it easy to start your greeting card business. These online marketplaces give you access to a built-in audience and are perfect for testing demand. Just keep in mind that competition is high and storefront branding options are limited.
Read more: Explore Printful’s integrations with eBay, Etsy, and Amazon.
Build your own online store
Using popular ecommerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, or Wix gives you full control over your branding, pricing, and customer experience. While setup takes more time, this option is ideal for scaling and building a long-term brand presence.
Combine both for flexibility
Many sellers use both methods – marketplaces to drive early traffic and a branded site to grow their own greeting card business over time. Whichever route you choose, make sure it integrates easily with your print-on-demand provider.
Understanding where to sell cards helps ensure your products are seen by the right people and gives your card business a solid foundation for growth.
8. Market your small business
If you want your greeting card business to flourish, you need loyal customers. That’s where a strong marketing plan comes in. Use these marketing techniques to attract new customers and keep them coming back for more.
Email marketing
Email marketing is highly effective, with an impressive return on investment (ROI) of $42 for every $1 spent. Send newsletters, personalized messages, and automated order confirmations directly to your customers’ inboxes. Check out these email marketing strategies for ideas.
Influencer marketing
Social media influencers have a huge impact on people’s purchasing decisions. Partner with them to reach new audiences and build credibility.
Running on a tight budget? Start by offering microinfluencers complimentary products in exchange for brand promotion. Find out how to run the perfect microinfluencer campaign in our blog.
Optimize for search engines (SEO)
Improve your website’s rankings for better visibility. Identify relevant keywords and optimize your site’s structure and content. Search engines use algorithms to organize results and provide the most relevant content for users. Find out more in our ecommerce SEO guide for beginners.
Use social media marketing
Social media is a free and powerful tool for making money online. Use proven social media strategies to build a strong presence on platforms your potential customers use, such as Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, or TikTok.
It’s your chance to engage with your audience and provide valuable content related to your product. Need inspo? See how successful greeting card artist Kristina Werner markets her cards on Instagram.
Source: @starofmay
