Assorted greeting cards are pieces of folded paper or cardboard featuring colorful illustrations and verses of greeting, cheer, condolence, etc. Altho...
Assorted greeting cards are pieces of folded paper or cardboard featuring colorful illustrations and verses of greeting,
cheer, condolence, etc. Although most people send greeting cards for special occasions, such as birthdays or holidays, some also send them to give thanks, express sympathy, or to communicate other sentiments. There are numerous types of cards available in the market to fit virtually any occasion imaginable.
The simplest greeting card can be made by using just a pen and paper. For a more artistic and colorful card, some use either watercolor or oil paint. Recent innovations have also made it possible to send virtual cards through email. These cards are much the same as ordinary cards with images and verses and they may also be printed by the recipient. But even with the presence of electronic cards, nothing replaces the personal touch of a card made on real paper.
While greeting card companies usually use state-of-the-art machines to mass produce cards, they also manufacture handmade versions that can be more expensive, depending on how elaborate the decorations. Available in a wide range of styles, assorted greeting cards are decorated to meet the needs of diverse consumers and different occasions.
Exchanging messages of good will in celebration of the New Year by the ancient Chinese and conveying words of greeting written on a papyrus by the Egyptians mark the beginning of the history of greeting cards. They began to evolve in the early 1400s, and today, the oldest existing Valentine’s Day card can be seen at the British Museum.
In the 1850s, many developments occurred that transformed greeting cards from being an expensive gift to being a popular and inexpensive way of personal communication. Such advances were the development of printing and mechanization and the launching of the postage stamp, which resulted in lower postal rates. Soon, cards were being mass produced by companies that hired well-known artists to design their cards.
By 1930, another technical development known as color lithography further boosted the greeting card industry. Studio cards or humorous cards became widely circulated in the latter part of the 1940s and into the 1950s. In the 1970s the alternative greeting card, featuring the artist’s name on the back, was introduced. But it was not until the 1980s when these alternative cards became more accepted by the public.
Today, the advances of technology have led the greeting card industry to become more highly developed. Advanced printing machines make it possible for the printing process to be controlled and monitored digitally. This ensures that only the best quality cards are made available for sale in the market. Also, it is worth noting that before the production process, large card companies spent huge amounts of money for business research and statistical analysis to learn all about the market trends. Only after careful study can designs be put on paper for mass production.
Some companies also offer packs of assorted greeting cards, which include business Christmas cards, get well wishes, birthday greetings, sentiments of sympathy, etc. Because a special occasion such as an anniversary has a date all its own, it is important that cards be sent in a timely manner. Otherwise, a later after-thought weakens the value of a person’s thoughtfulness. This is where assortment packs have proven very valuable. These packs make it easy for anyone to send the right card at the right time. Today, it is easier than ever to send a personalized card to show someone you care.
