Christmas cards always seem like a good idea for artists at Christmas markets. They’re cheap, easy to carry, and everyone buys them. A small stack on your table can draw people in and make your stall look busy.
Plenty of artists use cards to boost their income over the holidays, but they’re not always as profitable as they look. Some make steady money, others barely cover the printing costs. It all depends on how you make them and how well they fit with your setup.
If you’re thinking about adding cards this year, you’ve got 3 routes. You can print your designs commercially, print them at home, or make them by hand. They all have their pros and cons, and that’s what this post covers.
Printing Christmas Greeting Cards
Printed cards are the easiest way to turn your art into a product people can buy quickly. Once you’ve finished your design, you can print as many as you like and keep the quality the same each time. They’re neat, professional, and help fill out your display.
Pros
Easy to Reproduce Once Designed
Once your card design is done, that’s it. You can print hundreds without extra effort. You don’t have to sit at home gluing, trimming, or painting. That makes printed cards simple to restock through the season.
Low Unit Cost When Ordered in Bulk
Printing gets cheaper the more you order. If you can sell in volume, your profit margin rises fast. The risk is that you need to pay upfront, so it only works if you’re confident in your design and your market.
Consistent Quality
Printed cards all look the same, which customers like. They expect clean prints, straight folds, and sharp color. As long as your files are set up correctly, you’ll get a product that looks reliable and polished.
Time Efficient for Busy Artists
If you’ve got a stall to run, time is limited. Printed cards free you up to focus on drawing, framing, or talking to customers instead of crafting. You can prepare a whole stock in one go and be done with it.
Easy to Upsell as Add-ons with Prints or Gifts
Cards make great extras. When someone buys a print, offer a card with the same image for a few pounds more. They’re small, so they’re easy to bundle or add as a deal like “buy two prints, get a card free.”
Cons
Requires Upfront Printing Costs
Printing runs aren’t free. You’ll need to pay before you sell a single card. For short runs, the price per card can be high, so it’s best to plan carefully and set a budget.
You Must Sell in Volume to Make a Profit
Cards have tight margins. You need to sell a lot to make them worthwhile. They work best at busy markets or when you already have a loyal crowd who buy from you every year.
Overprinting Risks Leftover Stock After Christmas
Christmas cards have a short shelf life. If you don’t sell out, you’re stuck until next year, and designs can look dated fast. Keep your first batch small until you know what sells.
Quality Control Depends on the Printer
Not all printers deliver the same results. Colors can shift, folds can be off, or paper can feel cheap. Always order a proof first, and if possible, visit the printer to check samples in person.
Can Look Generic if Not Well Presented
Even great artwork can look plain if you present it badly. Use clear packaging, good card stock, and display them neatly. Stack them in boxes or stands instead of spreading them flat on the table.
Handmade Christmas Cards
Handmade cards are a different game. They’re slower to make but have a charm that printed cards can’t match. Buyers see the effort, and that adds value. They work well if you want to stand out or sell small batches that feel personal.
Pros
Unique and Personal Appeal
Each card is a one-off, and that’s what attracts buyers. Handmade cards feel special because someone took the time to create them. They’re perfect for shoppers who want something thoughtful and original.
Higher Perceived Value for Original Work
People expect to pay more for handmade items. If you present them well, you can charge a fair price that reflects your time. Customers often like knowing their money goes directly to the artist.
Great for Small Runs or Testing Ideas
If you’re unsure how your cards will sell, make a few by hand first. You’ll get instant feedback without spending much money. If they do well, you can think about printing them later.
Can Use Leftover Materials from Your Studio
Handmade cards don’t need fancy supplies. You can use offcuts, old sketches, or leftover prints. It’s a good way to recycle materials that would otherwise go to waste.
Attracts Buyers Looking for One-offs or Gifts
Many shoppers at Christmas markets want something unique. Handmade cards make easy gifts or keepsakes. They also give your stall a more creative look, which helps draw people in.
Cons
Very Time Consuming to Make
Each card takes time. Cutting, sticking, and finishing adds up, and you’ll never make enough to cover your hours if you treat them like mass products. They’re only worth it if you enjoy the process or limit how many you make.
Hard to Price Fairly for the Labor Involved
If you charge too little, you’ll resent the effort. Charge too much, and people will walk away. Handmade cards often fall in that awkward middle ground where the price never quite matches the time.
Not Scalable for Busy Markets
When you sell well, you need stock fast. Handmade cards can’t be produced quickly enough for a large or busy market. They work better for smaller events or as limited items alongside other products.
Fragile or Inconsistent if Rushed
Handmade cards can bend, smudge, or come apart if you hurry. Consistency matters when people compare items side by side. It’s better to make fewer high-quality cards than a big batch of uneven ones.
Difficult to Restock Quickly When You Sell Out
If your cards sell out, you can’t just reorder them. You’ll need to sit down and make more. That’s fine early in the season but stressful when you’re short on time or juggling other stock.
Printing Your Own Cards at Home
Printing your cards at home can be a smart middle ground. You can print small runs, keep costs down, and stay in control of the quality. It’s ideal if you want to test ideas or avoid the risk of ordering too many.
Pros
Full Control Over Quality
You can see exactly how your cards will look and tweak them until they’re right. If a print is off, you just adjust and reprint. No wasted batches, no waiting on a printer.
No Minimum Orders
You can print a few cards at a time and make more as you need them. It’s a flexible way to match your stock to your market.
Low Financial Risk
There’s no big upfront cost. You only buy the paper, ink, and envelopes you need. If a design doesn’t sell, you haven’t lost much.
Easy to Personalize
You can sign, title, or hand-finish your cards to make them feel more special. Customers like that personal touch.
Great for Testing the Market
Home printing lets you try new designs without commitment. If one sells well, you can order a professional run later.
Cons
Slower Than Professional Printing
You’ll spend more time printing and folding compared to ordering a batch, so it’s not ideal for large quantities.
Ink and Paper Costs Are Higher
Good ink and card stock aren’t cheap, and you’ll use more than you expect. It still works out fine in small runs, but not for bulk sales.
Limited by Printer Quality
Printing at home is practical for short runs, new designs, or smaller markets. It’s flexible, cost-effective, but they need some TLC. You must maintain the printer to function well. There is a learning curve with all these things.
A Word About Dye Printers
Modern dye printers can produce stunning color. The prints look vibrant, sharp, and professional, especially on good photo paper or matte card. The difference between a home-printed card and a shop-printed one is often hard to see.
Dye inks bring out rich tones that suit Christmas cards perfectly. Reds, greens, and golds pop in a way pigment inks sometimes can’t match. The finish looks bright and clean, ideal for seasonal designs that don’t need to last for years.
Lightfastness isn’t a big concern for cards since most people only display them for a few weeks. That makes dye printers a practical choice for short-term products like greeting cards. If you print small runs at home, a modern dye printer gives you great results without the expense of commercial printing.
Where and How to Sell Your Christmas Cards
Christmas cards sell best where people are already in a buying mood. A pop-up stall in a shopping street or mall can work if there’s good foot traffic. People like to stop when they see something personal and handmade instead of mass-produced.
A Christmas market stall is the best option. The crowds are friendly, and everyone’s looking for small, affordable gifts. Cards fit that perfectly. They’re easy to pack, display, and carry home. The season is short, usually six or seven weeks from early November, so every weekend counts.
You’ll sell more, and make far more money, by offering bundle deals for a cheaper unit price. Few people will buy only one if you price them right. People love a discount, and they’ll always grab a few more if they think they’re saving.
Keep the inside of your cards blank. It gives buyers the freedom to write their own message. Instead, use the back for your contact details and a short bio. It’s free promotion, and if someone likes your design, they’ll know where to find you again.
Selling Christmas Cards: Final Thoughts
Christmas cards usually work best as a sideline. They add variety to your stall and give shoppers an easy entry point to your art. But sometimes, the cards themselves take off. If people connect with your designs, you can build a whole range around them.
It all depends on how busy your market is and where you sell them. With steady passing trade and the right pricing, greeting cards cards can be a great little business.
If you’re serious about selling your art and want to make the most of markets, my book Selling Art Made Simple walks you through everything step by step.
I cover pricing, display setups, customer interaction, and how to turn casual browsers into buyers. It’s based on years of selling my own wildlife art face to face.
I think you’ll find these posts useful:
- What Are Limited Edition Prints? 12 Things You’ve Got to Know
- Try Selling Christmas Calendars of Your Art
- How to Make Prints of Your Art: A Complete Printing Guide
- How to Make Art Prints at Home
- What Kind of Art Sells Best?
- Pros and Cons of Open Edition Prints
- 19 Ways to Make Money as an Artist: A Mega-Guide
- How Artists Make Passive Income With Side-Hustles
- How Do Artists Find a Target Audience? The Best Tips!
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Hi, I’m Kevin Hayler
I’ve been selling my wildlife art and traveling the world for over 20 years, and if that sounds too good to be true, I’ve done it all without social media, art school, or galleries!
I can show you how to do it. You’ll find a wealth of info on my site, about selling art, drawing tips, lifestyle, reviews, travel, my portfolio, and more. Enjoy