A hand-written note is a unique way to bring joy to that special someone. Photo note cards are ideal for this purpose, especially when they feature one of your own pictures.

My wife enjoys sending notes and it is my job to keep her supplied with photo cards. During our frequent excursions in nature, she occasionally finds a scene that she would like to see on a note card and asks me to photograph it. When I'm not quite capturing what she had in mind, she takes the shots herself. As she starts running low on note cards, I print her a new set. At home I use folded, blank card stock to print her favorite photos on the outside cover and she writes her notes inside.

The homemade cards look good, but occasionally she wants a set of cards on thicker cardstock with a high quality photo. For these occasions I order custom cards from one of the online digital photo developing services. Recently I tried two of the major services, Kodak EasyShare Gallery and PhotoWorks.com, and wanted to share some practical tips with you.

Selecting the Card Design

Online developing services offer a variety of card designs to choose from. Before you upload your images, I recommend that you visit the developer web sites and look through their photo card offerings. Once you know what designs are available, you will be better equipped to select the best photo from your collection.

If you want nothing but your photo on the card cover, be sure to choose a design without any frames, also called "full frame". To dress us your photo with various borders and graphics, look through the offerings to find one you like. The third option is for you to prepare and customize the image at home, before uploading. With the appropriate digital photo editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop Elements 4.0, you can add text, mix photo elements, correct minor flaws, and make a number of other creative changes, limited only by your skills.

Ordering

If you have not done so already, create a free account on the photo developer web site and log in. Once you have selected the card design, upload your photo into the online album.

Each company is slightly different, but the general ordering process goes like this:

  1. Log in to the service and upload your images into an album
  2. Start the card ordering process. On the Kodak site select Gift Store and on the PhotoWorks site select Cards.
  3. Select a card design
  4. Customize card with a photo from your album
  5. Add optional design elements such as borders and text
  6. Proof the card and finalize order

Results

Both companies produced high quality photo cards that I can recommend without hesitation. Here are some items for comparison:

Kodak PhotoWorks

Pros

  • Thick, quality card stock
  • Professional quality gloss finish with subtle horizontal texture
  • Full frame photo card with option to print custom text inside
  • Very fast processing and delivery

Pros

  • Thick, quality card stock, slightly thicker than Kodak's
  • Professional quality matte finish without texture
  • Quality, thick envelope stock

Cons

  • Envelope stock a little thin

Cons

  • Took about a week and a half to receive
  • No option to print custom text inside full frame card (other designs permit custom text)

Cost per card for small quantities: $2.99

Cost per card for small quantities: $2.45

Overall, I prefer the Kodak EasyShare Gallery card because of its attractive glossy finish. Those who prefer a matte finish will be happier with the PhotoWorks.com card.