PRINTNEWSPAPER
News room
Greeting cards are being reinvented: more creative, more narrative, and increasingly designed as editorial objects rather than simple formalities. Between photo cards, responsible recycled paper formats, personalized messages, and even digital greetings, companies are looking for formats that truly stand out. This year, one trend is clearly emerging: turning cards into mini newspapers that recap the past year, blending creativity, retrospective, and key messages for both clients and teams.
A card remains a meaningful gesture in a world dominated by digital communication. Even as emails, online greetings, and social posts multiply, greeting cards still hold a special place: a tangible, authentic object that builds connection. In France, the stationery market reached roughly 357 million euros in 2023, and most of that segment is made up of greeting cards. In addition, 80 % of French people say they keep paper greeting cards, and 69 % even keep them indefinitely.
Sending a printed card is seen as more sincere than a simple digital message: it signals an investment in time, design, and materials that makes the difference. In an era of information overload, receiving a real greeting card feels like genuine recognition.
In corporate communication, companies are reassessing the role of the printed card: it becomes a full brand asset, aligned with values and visual identity. Cards are no longer rushed seasonal notes, but an opportunity to mark the year, thank clients and partners, and signal commitment. In that sense, greeting cards remain relevant while evolving toward more editorial, more intentional, more object like formats.
One of the strongest trends in greeting cards is the use of photography. Whether it is a team portrait, a behind the scenes work moment, or a highlight from the year, a photo is more than decoration: it humanizes the card and makes it unique and memorable. Companies are moving away from generic templates in favor of custom visuals that reflect the relationship. Photo greeting cards deliver more impact and strengthen connection with the recipient.
Another major shift is the greeting card that borrows from the newspaper format. Think of a card or small booklet printed like a front page, with headline style titles, photos, key numbers from the year, and upcoming commitments. This format works especially well for companies, nonprofits, and public organizations that want to turn greetings into a story: a year in review. The narrative is strong, the format is distinctive, and the card becomes something people read, keep, and share.
This editorial approach marks a clear evolution in greeting cards: they are no longer a formality, but a real communication tool aligned with the sender’s values and ambitions.
Finally, the responsible trend is taking hold. Recycled paper, water based inks, and messages that reflect concrete commitments signal a new standard. Greeting cards are moving away from unnecessary embellishments in favor of simplicity, authenticity, and meaning. Minimalist design, eco responsible paper, and thoughtfully sized formats show a desire for coherence between the gesture and the company values. As a result, the printed card regains its value by combining aesthetics, storytelling, and responsibility.
For years, companies sent interchangeable greeting cards: the same visuals, the same messages, and the same lack of personality. That approach no longer works. Recipients expect more than a fixed formula, they look for intent, emotion, and a story. A greeting card that says something, even briefly, creates real connection, while standard templates go unnoticed. This shift is pushing organizations to rethink their cards with more humanity and creativity.
The greeting card is increasingly becoming a narrative format. Rather than simply wishing a happy new year, companies include elements that trace their journey: projects delivered, concrete commitments, CSR actions, and key moments shared with teams or clients. This mini retrospective offers a double benefit: it showcases the work of the past year and opens the new year with a clear, inspiring outlook aligned with the organization identity.
The newspaper format is gaining momentum because it combines two powerful advantages: the readability of a magazine and the emotional pull of an object people keep. Headlines, subheads, photos, key figures, sections, all of it creates a lively, dynamic document that reads like a mini company publication. It appeals to small and mid sized businesses as well as nonprofits, institutions, and associations because it lets them express a vision, impact, and identity in a structured, accessible, memorable way. The greeting card becomes more than a message: it becomes a true editorial asset.
This format highlights the past year with a visual selection: portraits, work scenes, team moments, and standout projects. A photo based personalized greeting card creates strong emotional connection and reflects the company authenticity. It is one of the most popular trends.
Inspired by magazine layouts, this card presents key messages like short articles: strong headlines, columns, visuals, callouts, and year in numbers boxes. One or two pages are enough to tell the essentials without making it heavy to read.
It is especially appreciated for its professional, modern look and high memorability.
In a world where relationships matter, putting the team front and center adds warmth and closeness. A card built around employees, with group photos, portraits, or personal notes, strengthens trust, transparency, and internal engagement.
It is simple to produce and consistently effective.
Committed companies increasingly choose cards printed on recycled paper, with clean design and a short, confident, sincere message. This approach meets strong expectations around environmental responsibility while giving the card a refined, elegant look. It shows you can send impactful greetings without excess.
The newspaper format is emerging as a modern alternative to traditional cards. While a classic greeting card is flipped through quickly, even a short editorial piece is actually read. Companies see it as a way to build stronger ties with clients and partners, favoring storytelling over a fixed script.
This format is compelling for several practical reasons:
Greeting cards reflect a real shift in approach. Organizations are moving away from formality and generic messages in favor of a more human, more grounded tone. Print is making a strong comeback as a way to create closeness, at a time when digital communication can sometimes feel cold.
The newspaper format perfectly captures this transition: halfway between a card and a magazine, it offers a clear, readable space with no gimmicks. It helps show a company real commitments, highlight team work, and deliver more authentic greetings. Less codified and more narrative, it opens a new era where greeting cards become a moment of sharing rather than an annual obligation.
Greeting cards are not disappearing, they are evolving. In response to the standardization of digital messages, organizations are returning to tangible, memorable formats that can tell a story rather than simply deliver a polite phrase. Newspaper formats, photo cards, magazine inspired layouts, and responsible designs all point to a major shift: greetings are becoming a full editorial space.
This shift speaks to something deeper: a desire to build connection at a time when everything moves fast, looks the same, and scatters attention. Greeting cards prioritize humanity, storytelling, and real commitments. They help companies and institutions restore meaning to a sometimes forgotten ritual, turning a simple year end send into a moment that matters, for the sender, for teams, and for clients.
By adopting more editorial formats, organizations make a clear statement: slow down, tell stories, and say thank you. And restore the greeting card to its original purpose: bringing people closer.