Photo Cards: Choosing and Preparing Images for Greetings Cards

You're in the right place for photo greetings cards: choosing and preparing images. There are 15 ready-to-copy lines on this page, grouped into choosing the photo, resolution and cropping and colour and editing for print, plus more below - pick one, change a detail so it sounds like you, and you're done.

A photograph on a card has to work at 105mm wide, in CMYK, on uncoated stock. Plenty of photos that look superb on a phone fall apart under all three conditions.

This is the last guide in the how to design a card series, and it covers picking the image, cropping it and preparing it so the print matches the screen.

Choosing the photo

This guide suits creative families and aspiring card designers sorting through their digital camera rolls for the perfect image. Selecting the right shot is crucial when you want to make a lasting impression. As a practical tip, try squinting at your screen to see if the main subject still stands out clearly from the background before committing to your design.

• Pick images with one clear subject — detail-heavy scenes turn to mush at card size.
• Faces should be large in frame; a person the size of a fingernail reads as nobody.
• Strong, simple colour beats subtle gradients, which band on uncoated stock.
• Check the background. Half the photos that fail do so because of clutter behind the subject.

Resolution and cropping

This section suits perfectionists and independent makers aiming for a crisp, professional finish on their printed cards. You should use these guidelines during the layout stage when resizing your digital file for the template. Our top tip is to always keep a duplicate copy of your original, unedited image in a separate folder before you begin cropping.

• You need 300dpi at final size — roughly 1,240 × 1,750 pixels for an A6 front with bleed.
• Never scale a photo up more than about 120 per cent; softness shows immediately in print.
• Crop to the card's aspect ratio first, then compose — cropping last always loses something important.
• Leave room in the crop for type if the photo is carrying a message.

Colour and editing for print

Ideal for digital photographers and graphic artists who want their final printed cards to look exactly like their digital screens. You should apply these adjustments just before exporting your final design files for the printer. As a helpful tip, print a quick test copy on standard paper at home to check for any major tonal shifts.

• Convert to CMYK and re-check skin tones — they're where the shift is most visible.
• Lift shadows slightly; ink dries darker than the screen suggests, especially on uncoated card.
• Reduce saturation on bright blues and greens, which are the hardest colours to hit in CMYK.
• Sharpen last, at final size, and lightly — over-sharpened photos print with visible halos.

Rights and permissions

This advice suits small-business owners and independent artists planning to sell their printed card designs commercially. You should review this essential checklist before publishing or marketing your new range to the public. A useful tip is to set up a dedicated digital folder to store your model release forms and licensing agreements alongside your designs.

• Get written permission before printing a photo of someone else, especially a child, on a card you're selling.
• Stock photo licences usually need an extended licence for physical products for resale.
• Keep the original raw file — you'll need it the first time a printer asks for a bigger version.

How to write it so it lands

• Print a test at actual size on the same stock before ordering a run — colour on uncoated card always surprises people.
• View the photo at 25 per cent on screen; that roughly matches how it reads on a rack.
• If the photo needs a caption to make sense, it's the wrong photo for a card.

Frequently asked questions

What resolution does a photo need for a greetings card?

300dpi at final printed size — about 1,240 × 1,750 pixels for an A6 card front including 3mm bleed.

Why does my photo card print darker than the screen?

Screens are backlit and print isn't. Convert to CMYK and lift the shadows a little before sending artwork to print.

Can I use a stock photo on a card I sell?

Only with an extended or merchandise licence. A standard stock licence usually excludes physical products for resale.

What is a good example of photo greetings cards: choosing and preparing images?

"Pick images with one clear subject — detail-heavy scenes turn to mush at card size." is one of 15 examples on this page. Pick the one closest to the tone you want, then add a specific detail of your own - a shared memory, a date, a name - so it reads as yours rather than copied.

Where to shop next

• How to design a greetings card (series hub)
• Card layout guide
• Card typography guide
• Shop all cards
• Browse card collections
• Planning the party? Birthday party ideas
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas
• Birthday cards for kids
• Good luck cards
• All guides

Image-led card designs

Simple subject, strong colour, plenty of space for the type.