Photo Christmas Cards
Photo Christmas cards have been getting much more popular in recent years. The days of 33mm camera film are behind us and now people are storing their photos on social network and image upload sites. Many of these sites lets you order your photos emblazened over any manner of useful and less useful items such as keyrings, coasters, jigsaws and scatter cushions. It was only a matter of time before the professional Christmas card printers got in on the act to.
Most of the big players have a high capacity digital printing press in their armoury which is the mainstay of the personalised photo card print equipment which means that they are able to print multiple customer orders of low to medium job quantities quickly and efficiently. When researching different suppliers look out for those that offer a high gloss finish. You may not care too much for the finish on your holiday snaps (I know I sometimes go for a matt finish) but when it comes to Christmas there is little substitute for a glossy edge to the photo.
Don’t think that there is not much choice of design for a photo Christmas card either. Sure, you could just go for the borderless photo Christmas card but unless your photo subject has a festive theme then it can look a little bland and you do not want to look like a Scrooge who is void of Christmas spirit. Many suppliers inset your photo within the card frame in either portrait or lanscape orientation and give you a choice of border around the edge. A common border is a string of holly either printed or foiled or the border may simply have a caption such as “Happy Christmas” or “Season’s Greetings”
Since you are the main designer of this style of Christmas Card then you need to choose your photo wisely. A few years ago I was at a product shoot with a photographer and he had chosen a shot of his daughters as his choice of subject for Christmas cards that were to be sent from his family. This is a common theme and whilst most people are not happy in having their own mugshots on the front of their cards they do not mind embarrasing their children in years to come by sending cards with them wearing all sorts of festive attire. There is nothing cuter than a baby (or a family pet if you do not have children) wearing a Santa hat.
Busineses often go with either a photo of their premises or photo of the office team. The more corporate first option offers a more serious approach and of course only really works if the building you work from has any character or visual appeal. If you work from a converted barn, or a period house then you are quids in. Similarly, other businesses where the premises is very much a big part of the operation work very well such as public houses, restaurants or hotels. Putting your business building on the front of your company Christmas card is a publicity loaded approach that provides an effective softly softly approach to marketing. Consider getting a professional to take the photo of your premises as image really is everythin here and it works much much better if you can capture a snowy scene. If you have missed the photo oppportunity this year then have it in the back of the mind and have the camera on standby for a picture perfect snowy scene of your building that may present itself in the early months of the new year.
The group team shot is the other, more lighthearted alternative, for a photo featured corporate Christmas card. A photo of a friendly sales team, customer service ensemble, or factory workforce, coupled with some big cheesy grins can convey a real personal message between business relationships and help break down barriers of trust and cooperation. It is always good to put names to faces especially if most of your trade is done over the phone, by mail order or online. If you want to lighten the mood even more (and show them how embarrasing it is for their children) give them each a santa hat to wear for the photo shoot.