unfold uk

JMcD

one to watch

It's been a while since I've seen any flat-printed cards that really caught my eye.  Enter John McDonald, a graphic artist who has an interesting - and appealing - style.  His designs prove that a card doesn't have to be handmade to look unique and distinctive. 

John delivers three specific collections; the Gnome Notes [below] are my favorite.  I'm a sucker for the smaller details that make one card different from another, and John pays attention to these things:

• rounded corners
• different colored backs
• printed envelope interior

I rarely see an envelope that has a pattern printed on the inside [right], and I like being surprised.  I know these things might sound stupid - I mean, how clever is a rounded corner really? - but they work. 

 

   

 

John prints some of his cards with a spot gloss that sets off the design, and does it subtly.  They are a great example of inexpensive cards that don't look mass-produced.  Well done!

  

sale mail

Is it just me, or are paper retailers feeling a big squeeze?  It seems like I'm getting a lot of emails lately with discounts on personalized stationery, Christmas cards and gifts.  I don't remember pricing being this aggressive last year.  I get emails from Papyrus two times a week if not more:

... and I hear from Kate's about once a week:

...and I hear from Shutterfly, photoworks, and Kodak all the time.   Am I wrong in thinking there are more discounts this year than last? 

report from the front

Pamela Danzinger's at it again.  Her emails are always quite informative - this one especially.  Don't say I never think of you.

 

Christmas Cards Could Be Solution for Budget-Weary Holiday Shoppers

New study from Unity Marketing examines greeting card market and finds optimism for holiday card sales

Stevens, PA December 7, 2007 --  With gas over $3 per gallon and heating oil prices through the roof, housing values down and consumer confidence falling like a ton of bricks, the Christmas shopping season is looking pretty bleak for many retailers.   

"Despite the extra week shoppers get between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, we don't expect spending on gifts to rise much, if at all, this year," Pam Danziger, president of Unity Marketing and author of Shopping: Why We Love it and How Retailers Can Create the Ultimate Consumer Experience.  "This year shoppers are looking for ways to economize.  One way budget-conscious consumers can deliver holiday best wishes without breaking the bank is by sending Christmas cards instead of gifts." 

This year could turn the tables on a recent trend in cutting back on giving Christmas greeting cards, Danziger predicts based upon the findings of a new Unity Marketing survey on the greeting card and stationery markets.  Unity Marketing's research found that in 2006 the market for greeting cards made a big comeback after four years of steadily declining sales, rising over 11 percent from 2004 to 2006 to reach $10 billion.

"For years the market for Christmas cards have been on the decline.  But this year may reverse that trend.  Some 14 percent of greeting card and stationery consumers expect to send more Christmas cards this holiday season.  Many shoppers feeling a financial pinch may well return to the tradition of sending Christmas cards and forego more elaborate presents for some on their lists."  She notes that middle-income consumers, those with incomes $50,000 to $74,000, are the most likely to send more Christmas greetings this year.

Retailers uncertain about the holiday season may want to move their Christmas card displays front and center.  For those consumers nervous about crossing Aunt Esther off their gift list due to budget tightening, a greeting card may be the ideal way to preserve the holiday spirit, Danziger says.

Click here to find out more about the new report.