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Greeting Card Universe Review

Monday, December 2nd

2024 Photo Card Company Reviews

Greeting Card Universe Review 4 Star Rating

Greeting Card Universe

4 Star Rating
  • Unlimited number of greeting card designs
  • On-staff artists will custom-design a greeting card within 48 hours at no charge
  • Prices from $1.39 to $3.89
  • Customize your greeting inside the card
  • "A+” rated and accredited by the BBB
  • In business for over 20 years

If we had to describe Greeting Card Universe in one word, it would probably be "eclectic”. Everything about this card shop is quite different from most of the other options on our list, and that's in mostly good ways. If you've ever browsed the greeting card aisle at your local Hallmark store and thought, "I wish they had a card for that”, this site is your solution.

Unbelievable variety and customization

We're really not exaggerating when we say that this is where you'll find cards for every conceivable occasion, from the everyday to the exceptional. Their unique collection spans far beyond the usual birthdays and holidays, encompassing milestones like driver's license achievements, wisdom tooth surgery recovery, and even heartfelt messages for college students far from home. Greeting Card Universe doesn't shy away from life's unusual moments either, offering cards for situations that might leave you lost for words. From expressing gratitude to organ donor families, to acknowledging significant life events like prosthetic eye reception or breast augmentation recovery, they've got it covered. And if you're in search of cards for diverse cultural holidays, Greeting Card Universe has a veritable cornucopia of options, with the added bonus of their talented freelance artists who can create custom designs (at no charge) within 48 hours if needed.

One-off or many photo cards, it's up to you

With any card you send, you can customize the message inside. It's literally like going to the greeting card aisle with a pen and entering your own congrats or condolences. Unlike most photo card sites we reviewed where you have to buy at least 10-20 cards in a set, Greeting Card Universe lets you send something for that one-off occasion for mailing on the date you specify during checkout. Typically you'll pay $3.89 for a single card, but pricing can go as low as $1.39 on bulk orders of photo cards.

Send cards to the recipient or to you

Cards are mailed out on the next business day unless you specify otherwise, so as long as you've got a bit of lead time, you'll have no problem creating a one-of-a-kind photo card and getting it delivered. You can either have them shipped to you (you want to give the cards out in person) or sent directly to the recipient for just $0.44 in postage.

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Not what we'd call "elegant”

All that being said, the design tools and the interface aren't the slickest we've seen. There's no easy integration with social media or even Google Photos, and a photo that was easily accepted by some rival photo card shops was deemed "too small” for Greeting Card Universe. And, if we're being frank, the designs themselves are a little... cheesy. Some of them feel like they were designed as a middle-schooler's first foray into digital media (but they'd probably still get an "A” because for a pre-teen, it's pretty good).

A big hit with customers

On the other hand, you'll find lots of love for Greeting Card Universe. Not only has the company earned an "A+” and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau over 20 years in operation, but their rating average there and elsewhere is stunningly high. Across more than 20,000 customer reviews, 90% or more give GCU a perfect five-star rating. From the quirky cards themselves to the quick shipping and top-notch customer service, there's almost nothing but praise for every aspect of getting cards (photo and otherwise) through Greeting Card Universe.

Best option if you've got a really unique occasion

No, here you're not going to find high-end, foil-embossed wedding announcements or holiday greeting cards that will make your neighbors green with envy. But, that's not really what Greeting Card Universe is after: instead, they promise to deliver (literally) "any card imaginable”, and they absolutely do. If you need the perfect card for a holiday or occasion that just isn't covered by your typical card store, you can count on Greeting Card Universe.

What's the Best Place to Order Photo Cards?

Photo cards have been a timeless way to capture and share moments of significance in people's lives. While they were once primarily associated with graduation and wedding announcements, photo cards have evolved over the years to become a versatile and popular tool for personal expression, celebration, and communication. In this era of digital-everything, photo cards offer a somewhat nostalgic, tangible and heartfelt way to convey emotions and commemorate special occasions.

And in recent years, photo cards have seen a surge in popularity. In this visual age, where swift info consumption is key, photo cards shine. Visual stories are mightier than just words, and appeal to our quick-paced lives. These cards crystallize moments, capturing feelings for both the sender and the receiver.

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Photo Card Company FAQ

Photo cards take your images and turn them into mailable greetings. Some of the most popular types of photo cards are wedding announcements, graduations and holidays.
That depends on the photo card shop you choose. Many of them have a minimum number of cards to place an order, usually 10 or 25, but some let you buy a single card. Of course, you'll pay more per card for a one-off purchase than you will for an order of 100.
Not necessarily. Again, if you're ordering multiples of the same card, you can easily get them for less than $1 each. You'll also find single-card options for less than $2. And, as you'd expect, the more premium options you include - like foil, embossing, and so on - the more you'll pay per card.
Yes, most of the time. A standard white envelope is usually included, but you'll often find options for color-coordinated or pre-addressed ones too (for an extra fee).
How much time do you have? You can personalize most photo cards to your heart's content, playing with shapes, fonts, colors and image placement until you have the design you're excited to send out.
Definitely. Most photo card sites have thousands of options ranging from casual to elegant, classic to whimsical, and everything in between. Just upload the photo you want to include, enter the accompanying text, and you're ready to go - no artsy tweaking required.
That varies. You could get them as quickly as two or three days from when you placed your order. Most print shops estimate a one-week turnaround on photo cards.
Don't panic. Many photo card stores have generous satisfaction guarantees in place. You can usually get a reprint (with expedited delivery) at no cost. If the error was on your side, like misspelling a name or putting in the wrong date, you might have to pay a fee for the new order - but less than the price of the original purchase.
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Continued from above...

As proof, you can look no further than social media. Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and the rest have blossomed because of pictures. People sculpt their online selves, turning stories into visual timelines. Photo cards extend this digital tale into the tangible realm, offering a physical side to the online identity. They let people share treasured moments beyond the fleeting nature of digital posts.

Naturally, you may be looking at photo cards exactly for those two typical occasions: weddings and graduations. There's no shame in that game. People love receiving pictures of the happy couple or the accomplished graduate, especially if it's someone they don't get to see in real life as often as they'd like. But, there are plenty of other occasions where a photo card could lend just the right touch.

For example, custom holiday photo cards have become a beloved tradition, allowing families to share their joy and highlight memorable moments from the year. New parents often choose photo cards to introduce their newborns to family and friends, adding a personal touch to the announcement. The same goes for birthday invitations and thank-you cards (and those might be the perfect follow-up to those wedding invitations and graduation announcements).

Aspiring creatives can also make great use of photo cards. They're a terrific way to share art prints, inspirational quotes, or as a platform for showcasing photography.

If you're on board with the notion that photo cards are a great way to share your holiday or special occasion, do you know where to buy them? There are many online stores that cater to photo card production - but they vary widely in cost and quality.

When selecting a platform to create photo cards, here are some criteria that can help you get the best product and experience:

  • Price. Compare the pricing structure, including card options, sizes, and quantity discounts. Look for hidden fees like shipping costs. And, if you need a large quantity of cards for events like weddings or corporate functions, inquire about bulk ordering discounts.
  • Editing tools. You want a site that doesn't give you a headache when you're putting together your photo cards. The ability to customize layouts, add filters, text, and adjust colors can significantly impact your final product.
  • Integration with social media and cloud storage. If you have photos stored on social media or cloud platforms, consider whether the service allows easy access to these sources for card creation.
  • Reputation. Read reviews to see what customers say about the quality of the final product, including paper type, color accuracy, and image clarity. High-quality printing is essential for a professional look. Also, what do they say about the availability of customer support, including live chat, email, or phone? That can be crucial if you encounter issues or have questions during the design and ordering process.
  • Satisfaction guarantee. Look for a satisfaction guarantee or return policy that provides peace of mind in case you're not satisfied with the final product.

Photo cards continue to be a beloved means of commemorating life's milestones and expressing creativity, so the experts at Top Consumer Reviews have researched and ranked today's most popular platforms. We're confident that this information will help you get photo cards that exceed your expectations and deliver a meaningful way to share your cherished moments with others.

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