How to Properly Put a Greeting Card in an Envelope

Until someone recently asked me if there was a proper way to put a greeting card into an envelope, it had not occurred to me it was not common knowledge. With the exception of the times when I receive a greeting card that is not properly inserted. It is then just a fleeting thought before reading the message and admiring the pretty artwork of the card.

Have you ever thought about it? Did you know there was a proper way to place a card in an envelope? If not, you will be happy to know it requires little thought to present your greeting card in the best possible manner. Once you know the proper way, because it makes so much sense, it will quickly become very natural to you.

First of all, your card needs to be face up when it is opened. I know many think the front (face) should be facing the front of the envelope, like they would wrap a gift. Just the opposite is true. The card should be pretty, front, side up to the envelope opening so the receiver can enjoy the card before even removing it.

Second, the card should be placed into the envelope so that is not only face up but ready to opened and read. If the card has a side fold, opens from the side, the fold of the card should go into the envelope first. The recipient of the card will turn the envelope over so the envelope flap is right side up, open the flap, slide the greeting card out and be able to look at the front of the card without needing to turn it over first.

If the greeting card you are sending opens from the bottom, the fold is to go to the top of the envelope. Slide your greeting card into the envelope with the opening going in first, or to the bottom of the envelope. Of course, the card front is still to be face up to the envelope opening. Because we tend to open an envelope with the flap vertical to us, the recipient will need to turn the card a quarter turn to read it.

While placing your greeting card into an envelope properly may go unnoticed by the card recipient, an improperly placed card probably will be noticed. Because it is so simple to do and remember how, why not present your card so it is delightful before it even leaves the envelope?

As a hand-made card maker, this is just the last step in putting a smile on someone's face letting them know they were thought of that day.