May 24, 2013

Photo Greeting Cards


I have been printing up some of my photos and creating personal greeting cards for several years now. When the prices of commercial greeting cards starting creeping over $3 apiece, I called a halt to my regular visits to the local Hallmark store. Of course, I like to be thrifty! But my own cards also provide a more personal touch for recipients.

Some of my creations were featured in an earlier post HERE. These cards require printing on photo paper from my computer, scrapbooking paper, cutting, and double-sided adhesive. I’m always considering some of my photos as potential candidates for greeting cards. And the monthly “Note Card Party” hosted by Miz Vee at A Haven for Vee (see link on my sidebar) provides further inspiration.

So when Snapfish offered up a half-price sale on photo cards a couple of months ago, I submitted an order to test out this particular item in the product line. I chose two of my daylily photos (taken in our front flower beds), an older photo of liriope blooms with a watercolor stylization, and a gorgeous scene from our Alaska trip last year.


I’m happy to say that Snapfish did a respectable job! The colors in the cards are slightly muted from the actual photos (as shown on my calibrated monitor). For more accurate color, it would be helpful if Snapfish provided information on the color profile they use for printing. But they don’t get into that level of sophistication for their printing services.

I now have an abundant supply to send out individual cards to family and friends, and also give out sets as presents. Perhaps you will consider having some of your own photo greeting cards printed up too!

21 comments:

  1. i love that top scene. they all look nice!

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  2. Very beautiful Donna! I do the cards too but I get them printed at Costco and fasten them with double sided tape to card stock from Michaels. They sell the packs of pre scored for folding card stock and envelopes. Not as fancy but cost wise about $1.50 a card. I used to work at Hallmark and loved their cards and bought them for years. Here in Canada, Hallmark owns the card brand sold at the Dollarama here so they are still making money. :-)

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  3. Beautiful cards, Donna. I had a few cards printed up awhile ago. My newer camera takes much better photos and I'd like to do it again. Your photos are stunning, even with the muted (to you) color.

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  4. Donna
    Hallmark card are 4-6 dollars here in Canada.
    This is a perfect idea for a more personal touch.
    You certainly have plenty of fodder for making beautiful cards!

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  5. each and everyone would make a lovely card!

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  6. those are all so pretty and make great cards.

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  7. Gorgeous, Donna. I like the flowers --but that top photo is incredible... Thanks for sharing.

    Hope you have a great weekend. Happy Memorial Day --and don't forget to thank God for our service men and women who do/did so much for us to keep us safe.

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  8. Donna, what a great time for me to visit your blog! You have inspired me with the idea of making my own greeting cards...coming right on the heels of spending a ton of money for Mother's Day cards for my mother, mother-in-law, daughter, and daughter-in-law. (Hallmark loves me!) I have made some fun scrapbook style cards in the past, and although I love them, I don't always have time to be so creative. Making cards with photographs seems like the best of both worlds...

    Of course, it helps if you have stunning photos (as you do)!

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  9. Hi Donna!! How are you doing these days? Your cards and photos are always works of art and I'm glad to see them!! Thanks for coming by and saying hi and I love your profile pic here...you look great!!!

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  10. I Love the photo OF the photos!!Hahaaa....yes, I'm weird!
    The shadowing on the clothe...wonderfully sharp!
    Happy weekend friend!
    hughugs

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  11. Your photos are always gorgeous. I really like this idea especially when you can order them on sale. I'm sure anyone would be thrilled to be the recipient.

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  12. Your photos and cards are always wonderful! You should sell some...I know I would prefer your beautiful cards over store bought ones!

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  13. Well they are wonderful. So unique and special.

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  14. That's lovely! Of course, if you want to keep your own quality, you can always do it Pam's way. I should send you one of hers so you can see it. Thanks for the mention. Much appreciated. I can't wander around Blogdom anymore without thinking "notecard material!"

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  15. These turned out beautifully! I think it will mean even more to you and to the recipient to get cards from the photos you've taken. I have gotten photos printed using Snapfish and they auto corrected some shots....and not for the better! lol They are easy to use though and I need to get some more printed soon!

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  16. Your photo cards are wonderful! I've thought of doing the same with some of my favorite photos. A favorite card I received several years ago from my cousin was an old photo of her and I in her backyard swings - all dressed up in our mothers' and grandmother's clothes! It was such a treasure that I keep it out in my office so I can see it often.
    ~Adrienne~

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  17. More inspiration from the Donna!! These are lovely and now that i know what kind of paper to use, all the better to get started on my own.
    I pring cards from American Greetings and personalize them for my family but how much better to print my own photos!!

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  18. Any photos I get printed (which is rare) are done at Costco as Pamela does. One of my photography class instructors said he tried everyone and like them best. Also, he said each photo is put through a PhotoShop software of some sort to produce the best photos for consumers.
    Guess I should think about using some of my photos for my cards, I attend Stampin' Up workshops and have been making my own cards for a couple of years now. After looking at your previous post, photographs look very nice with a couple of different mat colours to coordinate.
    Judith

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  19. Beautiful day lilies make such lovely cards Donna and even more special when they come from your own garden!
    Thank you for all the helpful info - much appreciated as usual!

    Good cards are outrageously priced here too so it's time for me to "get my act together" and have some of my photos printed off.
    Shane ♥

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  20. This is such a great idea! I have never thought about doing this except at Christmas time for Christmas cards. Your cards came out beautifully.

    xoxo Michelle thebashfulnest.blogspot.com

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  21. Absolutely beautiful, Donna!

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Marty, here! Donna loves comments, and I faithfully pass them on to her. Thank you so much for visiting!