Tips for printing your photos as greeting cards

Purchasing greeting cards from the store is alright but it doesn’t make a lasting impression, does it?

For those who appreciate creativity, you might want to customise your cards with portraits or artwork you've created yourself. You may even prefer to personalise every single card, so that each recipient is getting something truly unique - not a templated, store-bought item.

Luckily, you can do exactly this from the confines of your own home. Yes, right from your couch, office or living room - wherever your printer is located.

For those wanting a more personal touch, you can opt to convert your best photos into cards for every occasion. It's easy to do, fairly inexpensive and a fun project for everyone involved.

Here are some of the many considerations to keep in mind before you get started:

Paper

How you want to present your greeting card will impact which type of paper you choose. For a glossier, polished finish, you can opt for traditional photographic papers, which give you a lab-quality, long-lasting material.

A more design-friendly paper that has a durable, textured feel could be a good option as well. An enhanced matte finish works great for photographs, displays and professional layouts, giving your cards a commercial-grade, sleek look.

Size

Standard sizes for greeting cards typically range from 7.4 cm X 10.5 cm to 12.5 cm X 17.5 cm, with many variations along this scale.

Deciding whether you want your card layout to be square or rectangular is key, as the presentation will affect the orientation of your photo prints and whether you'll be able to fit additional designs, illustrations or text overlays on the card.

Another important point with respect to sizing requirements is that you select the proper page orientation when printing. For example, if you want a wider card that's rectangular, you enter the paper into the printer in the correct orientation while also selecting the proper layout on your connected computer. This will ensure that your prints don't bleed off the page and that they have ample white space to form a border.

Resolution

Printer resolution comes into play in tandem with paper and art style. Resolution is measured in dots per inch (DPI), in other words, the spatial density of dots within a line on the page. A higher DPI corresponds to a better, sharper resolution, as the printer is able to display more dots on the page, thus increasing the clarity and quality of the image.

EcoTank Photo Printer are multifunctional and use an on-demand 5 colour or 6 colour Inkjet printing method with top-of-the-line DPI for great quality printing.

Formatting

You may want some level of double-sided printing and formatting, or perhaps a column- or split-based layout of your card. This may require you to adjust setting on your printer, app or computer, or to re-enter your paper more than once so that each side is printed with the appropriate design.

A more complicated design may result in more steps.

Printing

Online printing services are now commonplace, especially for consumers who prefer to just export smartphone images to a web app and receive their photos in the mail at a later date. These services, however, don't offer the full breadth of customisation and functionality that an at-home printer can.

A printer that has a 100-sheet capacity, Wi-Fi-enabled connectivity and a host of editing and cropping options provides a comprehensive, all-purpose tool for all your printing needs.

Epson printers have LCD screens and touch panels to provide users with the ability to touch up, polish, design and sharpen images before they are printed. This convenient option allows you a bit of trial and error without having to pay for a service to ship something you may not end up liking. By connecting your printer with the mobile app, you can create collages, borders and other portfolios - pulled straight from Instagram.

The type of printer you select will be the most critical component to this entire process.

Folding

Your card may be foldable like the conventional store-bought variety, in which case where the crease exists on your paper is crucial. A logical dividing line will (with imagery on either side) keep your card symmetrical and professional looking.

Sending/staging/hanging

Some people choose to display all the cards they receive in a cosy corner of their house. Others have them stand upright on a table or shelf.

Having a border around the edges of your card allows enough room for either option.

Your loved ones can pin them, stick them to the fridge or position them however they please - and none of your perfect photography will be covered up or overshadowed.

With a quality at-home printer you can also create a bespoke envelope to pair with your card. This can be a great option for those with a flair for craft or who already have design sensibilities.

Quantity

If you're planning to send out cards to just a handful of people, easy enough. But if you're looking to also send to colleagues, extended family, distant friends and maybe your kids' teachers, printing in bulk will make your life simpler.

As mentioned above, Epson printers can carry 100 sheets at once, allowing you to print with speed and uniformity.

Convenience

Epson printers are compact, convenient and can be completely wireless. Because they're also compatible with smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktops, your printers are quite portable, empowering you to be creative on your own terms, with minimal setup.

Choose Epson for your new projector browse our range online today, or find your nearest Genuine Epson supplier