Cards & Invitations

Choose custom greeting card printing and invitation printing for customer messages, celebrations and events. Compare A5 and A6 formats, card stocks and artwork requirements before ordering.

Choose a card for the occasion and audience

Custom greeting cards and invitations turn your own message and artwork into a printed piece for a particular recipient or occasion. Greeting cards can support customer thank-you messages, seasonal correspondence or personal celebrations. Invitations communicate the practical details of an event, from a business gathering to a wedding or birthday. Start with the message and recipient rather than choosing the decoration first.

Businesses, resellers and the public can use the same planning approach: decide who will receive the card, what they need to know and whether they should reply. Keep branding appropriate to the occasion and make the message readable. Blue First serves customers in Kent and across the UK, with individual product pages showing the current choices for greeting cards and invitations.

Compare A5 and A6 formats

Greeting cards list A6 at 105 x 148mm and A5 at 148 x 210mm. Invitations also list these two sizes. A6 gives a compact area for a short message and essential event details; A5 provides more room for imagery, a longer programme or supporting instructions. Use the exact dimensions of your chosen product when setting up artwork, rather than relying on a screen preview.

Invitations list single or double sided printing. A reverse can carry directions or reply information while leaving the front focused on the occasion. For greeting cards, check the current product specification for the required layout and how the listed size relates to the finished card before exporting. Do not assume that envelopes, a particular fold arrangement or additional finishing are included unless the selected product confirms them.

Check card stocks and plan your quantity

The visible greeting card record lists 350gsm Silk. Invitations are described as 400gsm silk card, in quantities from 25 to 150. These are separate specifications, so do not assume the same stock or quantity range applies to both products. Check the current greeting card quantities on its product page and confirm the full invitation selection before placing an order.

Plan invitation numbers from the number of cards you need to send, not simply the total number of guests. Some recipients may share an invitation, while business events may need cards for separate contacts. For greeting cards, separate client, colleague and personal lists before choosing a quantity. If you need several artwork versions or a feature not shown, request a quote instead of assuming the listed quantity can be split among designs.

Prepare clear artwork and accurate event details

A print-ready PDF is preferred. Most print products require 3mm bleed, with important text and logos at least 5mm inside the trim edge. Use CMYK colour and images at 300dpi at final size. Follow the Artwork Guidance, and confirm any layout requirements for the selected greeting card before preparing multiple panels or inside artwork. A different product size needs a properly adapted layout.

Proofread the event name, date, time, venue and reply information as a separate task from judging the design. Test any QR code at the intended printed size and check that links go to the right page. Artwork must be uploaded before adding the product to the basket, with up to five files of 100MB each. At checkout, approve the fit preview or select "Ask Blue First to check it" for a team review before production.

Work back from your posting or event date

Greeting cards list Standard at 5 to 7 days, Express at 3 to 4 days and Next Day. Invitations list Saver, Standard and Express, with the current product page showing the available service. Next working day is possible on many products with print-ready artwork ordered before 11:00am on a working day, but do not assume a greeting card service applies to invitations or every specification.

Allow time for your own addressing or distribution after receiving the printed cards. Product pages and the basket show free delivery where applicable; otherwise standard delivery is £12 plus VAT per order. Deliveries run Monday to Friday, and free collection can be arranged. Parcels use plain unbranded packaging with the sender "The Printers", useful for resellers sending to clients. A free account offers saved artwork and reorders, but always update occasion-specific details before repeating a design.

Cards & Invitations FAQs

What sizes are available for greeting card printing?

Greeting cards list A6 at 105 x 148mm and A5 at 148 x 210mm. Choose the format before designing so the text and images fit naturally. Check the current product specification for layout requirements and how the listed size relates to the finished card before exporting your artwork.

What sizes can I choose for printed invitations?

Printed invitations are listed in A5 at 148 x 210mm and A6 at 105 x 148mm. A6 suits a compact layout, while A5 offers more room for supporting details. Design to the selected dimensions and check the current printed-side and quantity options before placing the order.

Should I order A5 or A6 invitations?

Choose A6 when the invitation has a short message and essential event details, or A5 when you need more space for images and instructions. Both sizes are listed for invitations. Avoid squeezing a full A5 layout into A6 without adapting the type size, spacing and amount of information.

What card stock is listed for greeting cards?

The visible greeting card record lists 350gsm Silk. Use the current product page to confirm the complete specification and any available choices. Do not assume the 400gsm silk described for invitations is also the greeting card stock, because the two products have their own separate configurations.

What paper weight is used for invitations?

Invitations are described as printed on 400gsm silk card. The listed formats are A5 and A6, with single or double sided printing. Check the current product options before ordering and do not assume that greeting card papers or finishes are automatically available for the invitation product.

Can invitations be printed on both sides?

Invitations list both single and double sided printing. Use the front for the main event details and the reverse for directions or reply instructions if that helps the layout. Supply the sides clearly and check their orientation, spelling and information before approving the artwork fit preview at checkout.

Are envelopes included with cards or invitations?

Do not assume envelopes are included with these cards or invitations. The verified product details do not confirm an envelope inclusion, so check the current product page or ask before ordering. Confirming this early is especially useful when the finished cards need to be addressed and posted soon after delivery.

How should I prepare a folded greeting card layout?

Confirm the greeting card layout requirements before preparing a folded design. The listed sizes alone do not establish the complete panel arrangement or artwork order. Check the current product specification and ask for guidance where needed, rather than assuming a two-page PDF or a particular fold setup will be correct.

How many invitations can I order?

The invitation description lists quantities from 25 to 150. Select an available quantity on the product page after counting the cards you need to send. Remember that the number of invitations may differ from the number of guests, particularly where a household or group receives one shared card.

What quantities are available for custom greeting cards?

The greeting card product page shows the current quantity choices. The verified details do not establish a complete quantity range for greeting cards, so the invitation range should not be reused for them. Count your recipient groups first, then choose the available batch that suits your mailing or distribution plan.

Can greeting cards be used for customer thank-you messages?

Greeting cards can carry a customer thank-you message using your own artwork and wording. Keep the message appropriate to the recipient and leave space if you intend to add a personal note. Check the selected product specification before relying on a particular inside layout or writing area.

What details should a business event invitation contain?

A business event invitation should clearly state the event, date, time, venue and how to reply. Add arrival or access information where relevant, but keep the main details easy to locate. Check the final PDF against the event plan so a design edit does not introduce an incorrect time or address.

Can I print invitations for weddings and birthdays?

Invitations are described for weddings, birthday parties, christenings and other special events. The listed 400gsm silk card is available in A5 or A6 with single or double sided printing. Supply your own event artwork and carefully check names, dates, venue details and reply instructions before ordering.

How much bleed do invitation designs need?

Most print products require 3mm bleed, so prepare invitation backgrounds to extend beyond the finished trim and follow the selected product guidance. Keep essential text and logos at least 5mm inside the trim edge. Check the exported PDF includes the bleed rather than simply adding a coloured border inside the design.

What file should I upload for custom cards?

A print-ready PDF is preferred for custom cards. Prepare it at the selected dimensions, use CMYK colour and images at 300dpi at final size, and include the required bleed. Confirm any greeting card panel arrangement before export, then check the final file rather than relying only on the original design document.

Can a printed invitation include a QR code for replies?

You can include a QR code for replies in the invitation artwork. Test it at the intended printed size and confirm it opens the correct page before uploading. Keep it clear of the trim edge, and consider adding readable reply details so the invitation still communicates how to respond without scanning.

Can I ask for my greeting card artwork to be checked?

You can request a team review before production by selecting "Ask Blue First to check it" at checkout. The artwork fit preview lets you review the design on the product shape before approval. Check names and message wording yourself too, because requesting a review does not remove the need to proofread occasion-specific content.

How quickly can custom greeting cards be produced?

Greeting cards list Standard at 5 to 7 days, Express at 3 to 4 days and Next Day. Confirm the current service for your selected specification. Where next working day is available, order with print-ready artwork before 11:00am on a working day and allow time for your own distribution afterwards.

Do invitations have the same turnaround as greeting cards?

Invitations list Saver, Standard and Express rather than the same named services shown for greeting cards. Check the invitation product page for the current timing of your selected option. Do not transfer the greeting card Next Day choice to an invitation order without confirmation that it is actually available.

Is VAT charged on greeting cards and invitations?

Greeting cards and invitations are both marked as not VAT exempt in the visible product records. Use the header switch to view prices excluding or including VAT and check the basket total. Do not apply the zero-rated brochure rule to cards simply because both are printed paper products.