Custom Holiday Card Design & Print Production
Background/Context
Role: Head Digital Artist & Retouching Specialist
Tools Used: Photoshop, InDesign, Cannon Press, Duplio
Company: Omega Photo
Overview
This project involved designing custom holiday cards for a client who wanted something intentionally different from traditional Christmas cards. Instead of festive graphics or seasonal colors, they asked for a clean, modern design with a white background and a collage of family photos.
The client had clear preferences for the back of the card and gave me full creative freedom for the front layout.
Process
Design Planning and Layout Exploration
The client requested that the back of the card feature a single photo of the grandchildren along with the year, while the front design was left open-ended. My focus was to create a layout that felt timeless, balanced, and personal rather than overtly seasonal.
I began by cropping all eleven photos in ways that felt intentional and cohesive. Because of the number of images, finding the right balance took time and experimentation. It took approximately forty minutes to explore different layout options and determine a sizing system that worked across all images.
Once the overall structure was finalized, I spent an additional twenty minutes refining placement and spacing to ensure the collage felt visually balanced and clean rather than crowded.
Print Production and Finishing
After the card design was approved, I printed the cards in-house on the Canon press using our signature cardstock. To maximize efficiency, I laid out four cards on a 12×18 sheet. I intentionally left a 0.125-inch margin around each card to account for machine tolerance and ensure clean, accurate trimming.
Once printed, I used the Duplo machine to cut the sheets down into individual 5×7 cards. Accounting for margin and machine error helped ensure the final cards were consistently sized and professionally finished.
Results and Reflection
The client loved the final design and felt it reflected their family in a modern, meaningful way. They ordered 200 printed cards and returned the following year for another set of custom holiday cards.
This project highlights my ability to manage detailed layout work, make thoughtful design decisions, and create print pieces that feel personal while maintaining a clean, professional aesthetic. It also reflects the trust built through delivering designs that clients are excited to return for year after year.