Consider Envelopes and Packaging Before Determining Card Size

We understand that when inspiration strikes, you want to start work immediately on creating your greeting cards. However, it is important to consider the size and style of the envelope and packaging before choosing the size for your card. Once the envelope size and style are chosen, create  the greeting card slightly smaller so that it will slide easily into your envelope.

It’s best to begin with the envelope style and size. Envelope styles are generally defined by their use; for example, commercial, booklet, ticket envelopes and so on. For artists and crafters creating greeting cards, one of two envelope styles are typically used—baronial and announcement envelopes, which differ in their size and the shape of the envelope flaps.

baronial style envelope

Baronial Style Envelope

Baronial envelopes are considered the most formal of envelope styles and have a deep, pointed flap. While they can be used for greeting cards, they are most widely used for formal invitations and announcements.

announcement style envelope

Announcement Style Envelope

Announcement envelopes are made to be used with a much wider range of text weight and cover papers than baronials and are distinguished by their shorter, squared flap, which can be plain or deckle-edged.

At Oak Creek Printworks, we carry mainly the announcement style envelopes because they are available in a wide range of paper colors and weights; whereas, with baronials, there is typically less choice.

Recently we were able to create a unique blank note card set with with matching baronial envelopes and we wanted to let you know about this new product.  We have created a limited quantity of matching cards and envelopes in bright yellow, hot pink, purple, lime green, and bright orange. A6 size bright note cards and matching baronial envelopes are an Oak Creek Printworks original!

envelope size chart

A6-bright-set

A6 size note cards with baronial style envelope

Always searching for our next Featured Artist

As we get ready to transition to our next Featured Artist, we want you to know that…

Oak Creek Printworks is always searching for our next Featured Artist!

At Oak Creek Printworks we assist artists in promoting and marketing themselves by providing packaging and displays for greeting cards, as well as presentation products for a range of artistic formats. In choosing each Featured Artist, we look for an artist whose images are strong enough to stand alone, while also working in sets, demonstrating their ability to focus on a theme that can then translate to a set of greeting cards.

Featured Artists are chosen quarterly, and their work is presented on the cover and in the center spread of our catalog. The Featured Artist’s work is also displayed in our website banner, and in a blog article, where they have the opportunity to talk about their featured artwork. Of course we link to the artist’s website, to drive traffic there as well. As a bonus, Oak Creek Printworks awards the Featured Artist a $100 credit in products and services (including printing services).

We review digital portfolios on an ongoing basis. To apply, please contact us at

nancy@oakcreekprintworks.com

There is no application to fill out. Put “Featured Artist” in the subject line, and let us know that you would like to be considered. With this email please send us the web address where we can review your work. If your work is not online, you can send us jpegs or pdf files to review.

Artists are chosen at the beginning of September, December, March and June. If you are chosen, you will be asked to sign a release allowing us to reproduce your images and written statements in digital and print format. We will also ask you for your artist’s statement, a biography, one or two photos of yourself, and at least 12 images of your work (ideally in 3 sets of 4). All images should be in jpeg format, 300 dpi (at least 10 megabytes each).

Check out our previous featured artists. Just click on their picture:

Elizabeth Van Duine

David Southern

Klaus Lange

Angela Sharkey

Georgia Lange

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