Design Tips & Inspiration for Custom Seed Cards

Posted On May 29, 2023

Whether you run a large online shop or sell at local markets, finding new inspiration for products can be tricky — let alone a product that connects with your customers’ values and serves a purpose. Integrating seed paper into your offerings is a beautiful way to impact the world around you. When you choose custom seed cards, you are reducing waste and sharing wildflowers since the paper grows when it’s planted.

close up stack of cream and white trimmed paper

Special considerations when designing custom seed cards

Plantable seed paper is handmade from 100% recycled paper waste. It isn’t coated like some traditional cardstocks, so some slight bleeding may occur.

To get the best results, keep these tips in mind:

We recommend using a type size of at least 8-9 pt and avoiding small text on dark backgrounds.
Avoid using heavy ink saturation. If your design calls for a full-color background, consider a seed paper color instead or use light washes of ink.
When printing photos of people, be mindful that seeds may poke out in lighter areas including the face, eyes, or teeth.
Design your cards with a 1/8 inch bleed around the artwork if you have graphics or colors meant to go right to the edge of the paper. This will account for some slight shifting of the paper when trimmed down. We also recommend at least 1/4 inch margins for vital components such as text.

a customizable card resting on a yellow envelope

How to stand out from the rest

When designing greeting cards, you’ll want them to stand out from all the other cards. That first moment when a customer sees your greeting card is critical to the buying journey.

Here are some ways to make sure your seed cards are eye-catching:

Make your design colorful. Using analogous or split complementary color palettes is a great way to catch their eye and stand out.
Add a witty phrase or strong typography to make your card engaging. A planting pun or something that communicates growth is always fitting for seed paper.
Use colorful paper. Cards are often printed on white cardstock so choosing using a color will help you get noticed. Botanical PaperWorks seed paper comes in over 25 color options.
Don’t forget about the back and the inside of the card. Why stop at the front? Carry your design aesthetic throughout the whole piece by adding design details to the inside and back of the card.
Add some personality. Greeting cards will get noticed when they have personal and unique details such as stylized illustrations, hand-lettering, or artistic watercolor accents.
Make sure it’s clear the card is plantable. Use icons or something visual that will draw the eye and then clearly explain how to plant the card and what will grow.

Think about the experience

Thinking of your product as more of an experience will change your perspective. How do you do that? Imagine all the hands your card passes through and think of ways to engage the senses to make the experience memorable.

Here are some ways to make your greeting cards more engaging:

Choose unique papers such as seed paper or handmade paper without seeds. Both are unexpected choices that add a tactile experience.
Consider additional elements such as rounded corners, a die-cut opening, an insert, a belly band, or an attachment.
Include information about the materials. Aligning your product to your values will help you stand out against your competitors.

Using seed paper has plenty of benefits for people and the planet. Creating a meaningful experience is just as important as the product itself. Luckily, ordering custom seed cards in bulk from a trusted source has never been easier!

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