Christmas Card Design Inspo: Get Festive with Style!

There’s nothing quite like receiving a beautiful Christmas Card to get you into the festive spirit. Whether it’s a heartfelt message from a loved one, a thank you from a loyal client, or a seasonal update from your brand, Christmas and Greeting Cards still have that special kind of magic that warms hearts and brightens postboxes.

If you’re looking for some inspiration for your Christmas Card design this year, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re printing for friends and family, or sending custom Christmas Cards to customers, we’ve pulled together the freshest festive ideas to help your card stand out.

So, pour yourself a mulled wine or a cup of hot chocolate, grab a mince pie, and let’s dive into the jingle-tastic world of Christmas Card design inspo.

Image Credit: Type and Story

Why Christmas Cards Still Matter

Before we get into the design inspo, let’s talk about why sending a card still matters.

In a world of digital everything, the charm of something tactile and thoughtful can’t be underestimated. A printed card shows you’ve taken time and care – and during the busiest season of all, that’s saying something.

For businesses, Christmas Card printing is also a fantastic way to strengthen relationships, boost brand visibility, and finish the year on a positive note. For families and creatives, personalised Christmas Cards are a chance to show off your style, personality, and even your photography or illustration skills.

And thanks to Printed.com’s huge range of paper stocks, finishes, and formats – from foiled snowflakes to recycled Kraft card – it’s never been easier to create something completely unique.

Image Credit: Knapp Design Co

1. Classic with a Twist

Nothing wrong with a bit of tradition – but that doesn’t mean your Christmas Card has to be predictable.

Consider putting a modern spin on classic Christmas imagery. Think:

• A line-drawn reindeer with rainbow antlers
• A minimal wreath in unexpected colours like teal and blush
• A nativity scene in bold graphic style
• Victorian carollers… in glitter boots!

Traditional motifs can be reimagined with bold typography, fresh colour palettes or unexpected layouts. You’ll still evoke all those warm fuzzy feelings – but with a design that feels current and creative.

Top tip: If you’re after a traditional feel with a luxe twist, try printing on our Ice Gold stock or add a touch of foil. It’ll sparkle just like snow on Christmas morning.

Image Credit: Lagom Design

2. Bold Typography and Quotes

Sometimes less is more – and sometimes more is more! Oversized fonts, fun festive puns, or elegant calligraphy can all take centre stage.

Some ideas to try:

• “Merry & Bright” in sweeping metallic script
• “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” in stacked bold fonts
• “Sleigh My Name, Sleigh My Name” (Beyoncé fans, you’re welcome)
• “Let it Snow” layered over snowy imagery

Make it pop with rich reds, icy blues or soft golds. You can even use spot UV or foiling to highlight specific words or letters, available through our Bespoke Services. 

Typography-led designs are also perfect if you want a cost-effective way to design personalised Christmas Cards that still pack a punch.

Image Credit: majatomljanovic

3. Photo Christmas Cards

Whether it’s your kids in matching jumpers, a snap of the new baby, or a group photo of your team in Santa hats – photo cards are always a winner.

With Printed.com, you can upload your own images and create beautiful custom Christmas Cards that capture a moment in time. Choose a single hero shot or go for a collage layout with several pictures. Add your names, dates, or a festive message to complete the look.

Design ideas:

• Polaroid-style photo frame with handwritten text
• Film-strip layout of year highlights
• Circular “bauble” crop of your image
• Black and white photography with gold foil text

Top tip: Try our recycled card options for a matte, textured feel that works beautifully with family photography.

Image Credit: Jade Fisher

4. Illustrated Whimsy

If you love to doodle or have illustration skills to show off, Christmas Cards are the perfect canvas.

From cheeky elves and cosy cottages to woodland creatures and hand-painted trees, the possibilities are endless. Quirky or elegant, illustrated cards have heaps of charm and are especially great for kids, creatives, and independent brands.

Need a nudge to get started?

• Create a repeating pattern of hand-drawn mittens, mugs, or candy canes
• Illustrate your pets wearing Santa hats
• Design your own Christmas village scene
• Draw a map of your hometown covered in snow

Hand-illustrated Christmas Card printing designs also make fab products to sell at Christmas markets or online. Add a festive pun and you’ve got a best-seller!

Image Credit: Aimee Mac Illustration

5. Eco-Friendly and Minimal

For many, sustainability is top of the list – and your card design can reflect that ethos.

Use soft, earthy tones, minimalist motifs, and recycled or Kraft stock for a naturally festive look. Instead of glitter and gloss, focus on texture, typography, and layout. It’s chic, contemporary and kind to the planet.

Some design inspo:

• Simple pine tree silhouettes with white ink on Kraft
• A single hand-drawn star or snowflake
• A message like “Have a mindful Christmas” in clean, modern type
• Botanical line illustrations with eco credentials
• Pair with a recycled envelope and you’ve got yourself a card that feels as good as it looks.

Image Credit: NatCreaTiveStudio

6. Luxe Metallics and Foil

Want to dazzle? Go full-on luxe with shimmering foil finishes, deep jewel tones, and rich paper stocks.

Printed.com offers stunning metallic foil printing in gold, silver, copper, rose gold and more. Foil looks amazing on typography, stars, snowflakes or festive icons, and it gives your custom Christmas Cards a premium, showstopping finish.

Style ideas:

• Navy or burgundy background with gold script
• Celestial themes with moons and stars in silver foil
• Art Deco-inspired patterns for a vintage luxe vibe
• Elegant monograms or logos in foil

Top tip: Use foil sparingly on darker backgrounds for maximum contrast and drama.

Image Credit: SlyEyeShop

7. Interactive & Fun Cards

Inject a little fun into your design with interactive elements! Whether it’s a card that doubles as a decoration, a pop-up scene or a scratch-off message, these cards are sure to surprise and delight.

Some clever ideas:

• Perforated shapes that can be used as gift tags
• A card that folds into a mini Christmas tree
• A scratch-to-reveal message or discount code (great for businesses!)
• Cut-out windows with peek-a-boo illustrations

These kinds of personalised Christmas Cards are great for families, creatives and businesses who want to stand out and be remembered.

Image Credit: Lagom Design

Printed.com Christmas Card Tips

Whichever design direction you choose, here are a few final tips to make sure your Christmas Card printing journey goes smoothly:

1. Pick the perfect paper:

From textured Tintoretto Gesso to ultra-smooth Silk, your paper choice makes a big difference. Want eco-friendly? Choose Recycled or Kraft.

2. Don’t forget envelopes:

Match your card with coloured, textured or even metallic envelopes for that extra wow factor.

Image Credit: AnotherDesignerInBk

3. Mind the bleed:

If you’re designing your card yourself, leave a 3mm bleed around the edges so nothing important gets cut off during printing.

4. Try a sample:

If you’re unsure which finish or paper is right, order a sample pack or print a one-off to test before ordering a full run.

5. Add your branding:

For business cards, add your logo, brand colours or a QR code linking to your website.

Image Credit: HuckMuck

Ready to Print Your Own?

At Printed.com, we make Christmas Card printing easy, customisable, and totally joyful. Whether you’re designing from scratch or uploading your artwork, our print experts are on hand to help bring your festive vision to life.

Choose from a wide range of sizes, folds, paper stocks and finishes – and add personal touches to make every card merry and bright.

From one-off personalised Christmas Cards to bulk orders of custom Christmas Cards for business clients, we’ve got you covered this season.

So, what are you waiting for? The baubles are calling! Start printing your Christmas Cards now