Every year since January 2012 Card & Gift Network blogger Charlotte Biggs has selected her top ten greeting cards that have been showcased on her industry blog the previous year – and it has attracted something of a following. As a chum of PG Buzz, she was keen to share her selection.
Charlotte’s Card & Gift Network provides an online space to showcase industry issues; products and specialist research findings.
“Every year it’s difficult to choose just ten cards, as there are so many great card designs out there,” says Charlotte. “I usually have a shortlist of around 50 greeting card designs, which I then have to whittle down to a top ten; there’s usually lots of to-ing and fro-ing at this stage as I’m not the most decisive person at the best of times! It’s a completely personal choice but I do make a conscious effort to have only one design per publisher or designer. There’s no particular order to the top ten, they’re all ranked equally in my mind.
2017’s Top Ten
Big Top Elephant & Monkey Birthday Card by Pennychoo
“I’m a huge fan on Pennychoo’s greeting cards, definitely a hidden gem of the industry that I would love to see in more shops. As I know designer Sue Lee well I know the hard work that went into this range and I think that’s why I have a bit of a soft spot for it; one of the Big Top cards just had to be in my top ten. They’re created in part via a time-consuming ‘sponging’ process, which gives the design a wonderful ‘distressed vibe’, perfect for vintage-inspired cards. Add in the old school circus theme and I think you have a lovely birthday card, that’s really unique.”
To My Favourite Bad Influence Card by Flying Teaspoons
“This card featured when I profiled Flying Teaspoons. Designer Laura Clamp [finalist in The Henries Best Young Designer or Artist] has a really distinctive artistic style that makes her designs stand out and I love the humour of the sentiment in this design too.”
I Love You this Much Greeting Card by Studio Boketto
“This card featured in my pick of Valentine’s cards. I love the cute character and the modern illustrative style, it’s a thoroughly contemporary greeting card that I think is perfect for today’s card givers.”
Charming Star Card by Blue Eyed Sun
“The star-themed birthday card is taken from Blue Eyed Sun’s Charming range. It featured in my June preview of greeting cards being launched at the PG Live show. I really like how Blue Eyed Sun manages to take traditional card themes and give them a unique modern style. I was also really taken with the quality and detail that went into the range. The textured card stock, pop out text labels and sprinkle of gems really make the design feel extra special.”
Home Sweet Home Card by Amy Louise Designs
“I discovered this Home Sweet Home card by Amy Louise Designs when I was trawling through Instagram. Again it was one of the new ranges that was being shown at PG Live. Sadly I wasn’t able to make the show so I had to see all the new designs via Instagram hashtags! This card design really stood out for the contemporary style of the floral illustration and the soft colour palette; it’s understated but still manages to make an impact as a beautiful, elegant design.”
‘Happy Birthday from All Your Cats’ Card by Dean Morris Cards
“The ‘Happy Birthday from All Your Cats’ design was created by Dean Morris Cards and had to make the top ten as it just made me laugh. It was originally featured on the blog’s Autumn Fair preview. I’m definitely a cat person so I can relate to this card very easily; although I hope I never get that outnumbered by felines! In the time it takes to research, write and publish any blog feature I end up seeing every greeting card many, many times so if they can still make me laugh after all that time, they’re very worthy of a top ten spot.”
Postman Pat Breaking Bad Card by Lesser Spotted Image
“Also from the Autumn Fair preview was this Postman Pat meets Breaking Bad inspired greeting card design by Lesser Spotted Images [from its Jim’ll Paint It range]. As a fan of Breaking Bad, I like the odd occasions when jokes or iconic elements make it into the greeting card world. I also used to watch the original Postman Pat when I was little too, so this mash-up of TV characters struck a nerve with me. I was also taken with the details; the gas mask on Jess the Cat and Royal Meth on the van!”
Unicorn Birthday Card by Sarah Ray Illustration
“This next top ten card was taken from an interview I did with Sarah Ray. I’ve seen a lot of unicorn products over the last couple of years so I loved seeing Sarah’s take on the trend. Sarah is also one of my favourite greeting card illustrators so I always look forward to seeing her new designs. It’s hard to explain the exact reason, but there’s just something magical in the combination of the illustrative style and Sarah’s unique voice and humour that I find very appealing; her cards always make me smile.”
‘There’s Chemistry Between Us’ Card by Hunter Paper Co
“I love letterpress greeting cards so I was really excited to discover Ireland’s Hunter Paper Co. The letterpress printing process adds a wonderful texture to the design, and despite being a very traditional craft I think it gives a really modern look that works perfectly for contemporary style greetings cards. The font choice, and the quirky illustrations all work perfectly together in this card design, and I love that it could be used for multiple card sending occasions.”
Christmas Edged In Gold Snowman Card by Five Dollar Shake
“My final top ten card is a gorgeous Christmas card that was one of my personal favourites from this year’s Henries finalists. It’s a super sweet snowman design that has been given a Five Dollar Shake makeover, which means lots of luxuries added to give that festive sparkle; extra thick textured card stock, multiple coloured flitter printing processes and lots of colourful crystals added by hand.”
Read the full article at https://www.cardandgiftnetwork.com/2018/01/top-ten-greeting-cards-of-2017.html
