Christmas Photo Cards: Which Size, Paper and Photo Should You Choose?
3×5, 4×6, 4×8 or 5×7? Flat or folded, glossy or matte? How to choose your Christmas photo cards, pick the right photo, and get them in the mail on time.
Short answer: 5×7 is the classic Christmas photo card size. It has room for a family photo, a greeting and your names, and it's the size most people expect to find in their mailbox. 4×6 is a lighter, postcard-style card, 3×5 minis suit gift tags and very long lists, 4×8 fits a group photo that runs wide, and a folded 5×7 adds a blank inside for a handwritten note. Here's how to choose.
What size should a Christmas photo card be?
| Size | What it's like | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 3×5 mini | Small flat card | Gift tags, tucking into presents, very long card lists |
| 4×6 flat | Postcard size | A classic card that's quick to address |
| 4×8 flat | Long, panoramic shape | Big families and group photos that run wide |
| 5×7 flat | Standard greeting card size | The traditional choice, with the most room for photo and text |
| 5×7 folded | Opens like a greeting card | A photo on the cover and a blank inside for a personal note |
Every size comes in both portrait (tall) and landscape (wide) designs, and every size has collage designs that hold several photos. If you're sending one card per household, 5×7 is hard to beat. If your list runs to a hundred names, 4×6 or 3×5 keeps the cost down.
How much do Christmas photo cards cost?
At Neptune Photo you pay per card, and the price per card drops as you order more. You can order any quantity, from a single card up to 500 (for bigger orders, call us at 516.741.4484). White envelopes are included with every order.
| Card | 1–9 cards | 10–49 cards | 50–99 cards | 100+ cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3×5 mini card | $6.00 each | $5.00 each | $4.00 each | $3.50 each |
| 4×6 flat card | $5.50 each | $4.75 each | $3.85 each | $2.95 each |
| 4×8 flat card | $6.95 each | $5.00 each | $4.00 each | $3.25 each |
| 5×7 flat card | $6.00 each | $5.50 each | $4.50 each | $3.50 each |
| 5×7 folded card | $10.00 each | $8.75 each | $5.50 each | $4.90 each |
Prices are before sales tax. The designer shows your total as you change the quantity, so you can see exactly where the next price break starts.
Flat or folded: which is better?
Flat cards are a single sheet of heavy card stock printed on one side. They're quick to address, easy to stand on a mantel or stick on the fridge, and cost less per card.
Folded cards open like a traditional greeting card. Your photo goes on the cover and the inside is left blank, so you can write a note to each person. Choose folded if you like to write something personal in every card. Choose flat if you're sending a lot of cards and the photo is the message.
Should Christmas cards be glossy or matte?
| Glossy card stock | Matte card stock | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Vivid color and contrast, the classic photo look | Soft, elegant finish with no glare |
| Fingerprints | Shows them more easily | Hides them well |
| Writing on it | Ink can smear, so let it dry | Easy to sign with an ordinary pen |
| Best for | Bright, colorful photos | Cards you plan to sign or write on |
If you plan to sign every card, choose matte. For more on the two finishes, see glossy vs. matte photo prints.
How do you pick the right photo for a Christmas card?
- Match the design's shape. Landscape designs work best with wide photos and portrait designs with tall ones. You can move and zoom the photo inside the frame, but a photo with the same shape fills it without cutting anyone off.
- Give faces some room. The frame trims the edges of your photo, so pick a shot where nobody's head is right at the edge.
- Use the original file. A photo saved from social media or a text message has been shrunk and compressed. Upload the original from your phone or camera instead.
- Watch for the resolution note. We print cards at 300 DPI. If a photo is too small for its spot on the card, the designer tells you it may print a little soft, so zoom out or choose a bigger version of the photo. A recent phone photo is plenty.
- Light and focus beat posing. Soft daylight from a window and sharp eyes make a better card than a perfect pose in a dark room.
- Pets count too. There are designs made for pet photos in several sizes.
When should you order and mail Christmas cards?
The U.S. Postal Service recommends mailing First-Class Mail by December 17, 2026 for delivery by Christmas within the contiguous United States. Mail to Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories, military addresses and other countries needs to go out earlier (USPS 2026 holiday shipping dates).
Work back from that date. Leave yourself a few evenings to address, sign and stamp the envelopes, and order your cards before that. Ordering in late November or the first week of December keeps the whole job relaxed.
How do you order Christmas photo cards from Neptune Photo?
- Choose a size on our Christmas cards page: 3×5, 4×6, 4×8, 5×7 or 5×7 folded.
- Pick one of our 149 designs.
- Tap the photo frame to add your photo, then move or zoom it until it looks right.
- Type your family name or greeting.
- Choose glossy or matte card stock and how many cards you want. The price updates as you go.
- Add the cards to your cart and check out.
We print your cards in our Garden City lab, and you pick them up at the shop, 731 Franklin Ave, Garden City, NY 11530. Store hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm and Sunday 10:00 am – 4:30 pm (closed Saturday).
Can I print a card I designed myself?
Yes, as a photo print. If you made a card design somewhere else, upload it on our photo printing page and order it as a 5×7 ($5.95 each) or 4×6 ($0.39 each) print. It prints on glossy or matte photo paper rather than card stock, and envelopes aren't included.
FAQ
What is the standard size for a Christmas photo card?
5×7 is the standard size and the most popular choice. 4×6 is a common smaller option.
Are envelopes included?
Yes. White envelopes come with every Christmas card order.
Can I order just a few cards?
Yes. You can order any quantity starting from one card. The price per card goes down at 10, 50 and 100 cards.
Can I see my card before I order?
Yes. The designer shows a live preview with your photo and wording, and that preview is what we print.
Can I put more than one photo on a card?
Yes. Every size has collage designs that hold several photos.
Do you mail the cards for me?
No. Your cards are ready for pickup at our Garden City shop, and you address and mail them yourself.
Ready to make yours? Choose your Christmas card design, or see everything else we print for the holidays in our guide to special occasion photo printing.
Written and reviewed by the Neptune Photo team — the staff behind the counter and in the film lab at our Garden City, NY shop since 1963. Read our editorial policy
