Until someone recently asked me if there was a proper way to put a greeting card in an envelope, it hadn’t occurred to me that it wasn’t common knowledge. With the exception of the times when I receive a greeting card that is not inserted correctly. Then it’s just a fleeting thought before reading the message and admiring the pretty artwork on the card.
Have you ever thought about it? Did you know that there was a proper way to put a card in an envelope? If not, you’ll be happy to know that it requires little attention to present your greeting card at its best. Once you know the correct form, because it makes a lot of sense, it will quickly become very second nature to you.
First of all, your card must be face up when it is opened. I know that many think that the front (the face) should face the front of the envelope, as if they were wrapping a gift. Just the opposite is true. The card should be nice, front-facing, side up to the opening of the envelope so that the recipient can enjoy the card even before removing it.
Second, the card must be placed in the envelope so that it is not only face up but ready to open and read. If the card has a side fold, it is opened from the side, the card fold should go into the envelope first. The recipient of the card will flip the envelope over so the envelope flap is right side up, open the flap, slide the greeting card in, and be able to look at the front of the card without first flipping it over.
If the greeting card you are sending opens from the bottom, the fold should go towards the top of the envelope. Slide your greeting card into the envelope with the opening facing in first or towards the bottom of the envelope. Of course, the front of the card must still be face up at the envelope opening. Since we tend to open an envelope with the vertical flap facing us, the recipient will need to turn the card a quarter turn to read it.
While correctly placing the greeting card in an envelope may go unnoticed by the recipient of the card, an incorrectly placed card will probably be noticed. Because it’s so simple to make and remember how, why not present your card to make it a treat even before it’s out of the envelope?
As a handmade card maker, this is just the last step in putting a smile on someone’s face by letting them know that it was thought of that day.