Tips for your Holiday Card Photo

Judging from the volume of holiday card orders that we have already received by mid-October, it’s our estimate that people are thinking about their holiday correspondence earlier than ever before.  Be it all the extra time at home or that people are just anxious to put the year behind them, there is no sign that the trend of mailing friends and family a card during December is slowing down. We wrote a helpful post in 2013 about tips for taking the perfect holiday card photo. Some good ones but certainly much has changed in seven years. We’re back today with a much updated 2020 version on how to take the best holiday card photo.

Tip 1:  Try a filter (within reason)

With the rise of Instagram and photo apps, plus the immense progress that camera phones have made, it’s pretty easy now to take a really good photo.  Professional photographers still have a place of course, but if you’re on a budget, it’s easy to find resources at home.  We recommend though, that you don’t go too wild with photo filters.  Ultimately, you want it to look natural and not overprocessed.  Try these top photo filter apps if you are a newbie here.  We love the ability to pump up colors, fix blemishes, add natural light, and more!    

• -       Instagram
• -        Tezza
• -        Snapseed
• -        Vsco
• -        A Color Story
• -        Afterlight
• -        Adobe Lightroom

-        Also, consider buying presets for your Adobe Lightroom Mobile App. We love Light & Air Photographers beautiful aesthetic. Their collection of presets is available to install into to the app and make it so easy to find your look.  PRO TIP: Make sure that the application and filter that you use doesn't distort the resolution of your photo.  You will still need a high res photo to use with your photo cards. 

Tip 2: Get by with a little help from your friends

Sure, there are lots of selfie sticks and camera tripods available these days (even phone timers!), but see if you can get a good friend or neighbor to help take some photos of you and your family.  Best to get someone with a good personality and even someone who can make you laugh.  Try to avoid directly staring at the camera and posing with cheesy, canned smiles.  How do you do that?  Be natural. Have your “photographer” friend talk to you, ask questions, tell funny stories, interact with each other, all while the photographer is snapping away.  We find that some of the best photos are ones that capture a moment.  Ideas to try:

-        Have everyone play a game of telephone – whisper something in each person’s ear and the last person has to say it.  This can get silly with little ones.  It usually produces a natural laugh when it comes out!  

-        We know a professional photographer that tells fart jokes nearly the entire session.  Okay, it’s not the classiest moment, but you know what gets little boys to laugh?  Fart jokes.  We’re going to bet Dad smiles, too.

-        Jump and move around.  Sometimes the action shots turn out the best.

-        HAVE FUN.

 

Tip 3:  Take a lot of photos.

Does this go without saying?  Probably.  You’ll need to get dozens to find one that is “perfect.”  From people closing their eyes to you being picky about your hair… there are never enough options from which to choose.  We also suggest mixing up your location.   Take several by the trees, some on the front step, some by the back of the house against a pretty wood or brick background (we do recommend them all being outside!)   Get options, options, options.   We don’t think you can have enough.

 

Tip 4:  Don’t sweat it too much. 

Ultimately, you are sending these cards to your family and friends who love you and want to see YOU. Does it matter if everyone is matching and your lipstick is perfect to those people?  Ask yourself for what reason are you really sending the cards.  This isn’t a marketing campaign but an expression of connecting and staying in touch.  Show the real you. All too often people lose that perspective.   Keep it real. And given the 2020 we have all had, really anything goes – your family and friends will just be happy to see you!

 

More Than Paper is so pleased to help continue the tradition of sending holiday cards this time of year. We’re proud to have clients return year after year and see their children grow.  We’ve recently added a lot of letterpress photo mount cards.  Some of our new favorites are show below.  Do you like any of these?

When do you plan on ordering your holiday cards? Take advantage of early bird specials and get ahead this year. We look forward to helping you!

Holiday Cards Explained

A Very Holiday August

It may only be August here at More Than Paper, we can already hear Carol of the Bells playing sweetly in the  background, feel a warm fire by the Christmas tree, and imagine wrapping presents for our loved ones.  Keeping traditions alive, we’re also thinking about sending our holiday greeting cards.  We’re offering a big sale on select holiday cards that you might want to check out. It’s true that the early bird does get the worm, after all. If you are willing to order early, you can save quite a bit of money on adorable cards. And, you’ll get a jump on the holidays. One less thing to do come November and December.

Which holiday card is right for you?

There are several types of holiday cards available at More Than Paper and we’re here today to explain the differences between them.  Each type has its advantages and you’ll want to understand the nuances so you can get exactly what works best for you.

Digital Holiday Photo Greeting Cards.  When you select a holiday card with this option, we will digitally print your photo on to the card – no need to get prints and adhere your photos to the cardstock. Your photo will be cropped to fit the space dedicated to the photograph.  Some photo cards accommodate a full bleed photo, which means that your photo prints card edge to card edge.  Other cards will incorporate your photo into the design.  Your photo should be of the highest resolution possible, so make sure to set your camera accordingly. You’ll want to email your photo to us – please include your order number so we can easily match it up. These types of holiday cards work best for a quick solution! Your cards will come ready to mail – just insert the cards into your envelopes and seal shut. You can choose return address printing, labels, or snag a cute return address stamp, too.

Letterpress-printed Photo Mount Cards. Choosing a letterpress-printed card is a beautiful and luxurious option for your holiday greetings. The design along with your personalized information are letterpress printed on to 100% cotton paper available in different weights (110lb and 220lb).  The end product is a luxurious feeling card that has a debossed look (meaning the ink looks pressed into the paper) typically in 1 or 2 colors (each color requires a separate pass on the printing press thus there being a cost associated with each color added).  When ordering these as photo cards, they are only available as photo mount – you affix the proper size photo to the dedicated area. This option is suitable for those who have a bit more time and enjoy the project!  It makes a memorable statement.

Holiday Cards with Foil.  Foil is all the rage and adds a real sparkle to your holiday greeting and photo cards! For most designs, you can choose the color of the foil – from traditional gold and silver to other fun foil colors like rose gold, red, hot pink, green, blue, and white.  Foil stamped embellishments/text can be used in conjunction with a digitally printed photo as well as with the traditional photo mount option where you use adhesive strips provided with the holiday cards to affix your photo.

Holiday Greeting Cards. Prefer sending your holiday cards without photos? We have dozens of options with beautiful designs. From whimsical to formal and everything in between!  Our Holiday Greeting cards are offered in a variety of print methods from digital to thermography to foil stamping.  We also carry many Boxed Holiday products which are cards printed with a greeting only inside ready for you to hand write your signature. We have a huge selection of holiday greeting cards ensuring that there is something for everyone’s taste and budget.

Worth explaining are the differences between flat and folded.  Stating the obvious, a flat card is in fact, flat, and doesn’t open.  Sometimes there are printing options on both sides (back and front.) A folded greeting card opens up with your message on the inside. 

Additional options that add style and whimsy to your ensemble are things like envelope linings.  We love to highlight one of the colors in the card design again by choosing a coordinating lining.  Larger address labels – typically round or square in shape – add color and design to the back of your envelope and double as an envelope seal!

Whatever your style is this 2020 holiday season, More Than Paper has a wide variety of options. Check out the current sale with holiday cards from Boatman Geller, Dabney Lee and Chatsworth and take advantage of this incredible discount that doesn’t happen often and likely won’t be seen again in 2020.

Have questions? We pride ourselves on our customer service and attention to detail. We’re happy to speak with our customers to guide them through the process and to develop a card ensemble that is unique and well coordinated.  Contact us at info@morethanpaper.com or by phone at 516-466-1227.

Letterpress Monogram Coasters

At More Than Paper, we love finding the perfect gift.  For someone who loves to entertain or the true paper lover, these beautiful and luxurious letterpress coasters by Boatman Geller make an excellent hostess gift. They also make a perfect wedding shower gift!    



The paper is 100% cotton Crane's Lettra paper and available in two weights (110 lb. comes standard, 220 lb. is available as an upcharge.)  Choose the ink colors, typestyle, icons, and personalize with your own text and monogram to make it just the way you want!   To see all letterpress coasters, visit here. 

If you are getting married, consider these for your cocktail party or reception!  They'd look great along with your signature drink.  These Boatman Geller letterpress monogram coasters are sure to make a luxurious statement and we're sure that just about any drink is elevated with these coasters.  Happy gift giving from More Than Paper!