If you’re reading this, you probably want to stand out at your next business event—or just show some actual human touch in a world full of boring, automated emails. Maybe you’ve heard about “handwritten” card services and want to know if they’re worth your time. This is for folks who want to use branded cards for client thank-yous, event follow-ups, or any business moment that could use a bit of old-school charm (without actually sitting down to write 200 cards yourself).
We’ll walk through how to create and send branded handwritten cards using Handwrytten, one of the big players in this space. I’ll give you the real scoop—what’s easy, what’s a pain, and where you can cut corners.
Why Use Branded Handwritten Cards for Business?
Let’s keep this short: emails are easy to ignore, and most “personalized” marketing is anything but. Real handwriting gets attention—especially if it’s on a nice card with your brand, not just a generic “thanks.” People remember it. It works for:
- Event follow-ups (think conferences, trade shows)
- Thank-you notes after a big sale or partnership
- Holiday greetings that don’t feel mass-produced
- Apology or “win-back” messages when things go sideways
But don’t kid yourself: If you’re not careful, these can feel just as spammy as email. The trick is to keep it personal, not just “personalized.”
Step 1: Set Up Your Handwrytten Account
First things first: go to Handwrytten and sign up for a business account. The free trial is limited, but it’s enough for a test run.
Pro tip: Use a real email, and double-check your company info. Your branding options depend on this.
What works: The signup process is simple—no endless forms, no waiting for a “demo call.” You can poke around the dashboard in minutes.
What to ignore: Don’t bother connecting integrations (like Zapier or HubSpot) for your first batch. It’s tempting, but you’ll just complicate things before you know what you need.
Step 2: Design Your Branded Card
Here’s where most people get stuck. Handwrytten offers a library of stock designs, but for serious business branding, you’ll want your logo and colors front and center.
How to create a branded card:
- Go to “Custom Card” or “Upload Your Own” in the dashboard.
- Upload your artwork. This means a PDF, JPG, or PNG of your card design. For best results:
- Size: 5"x7" (or whatever size Handwrytten specifies)
- Bleed: Add 1/8" if you want the design to go to the edge
- Resolution: 300dpi is safe
- Preview your card. Double-check that your logo isn’t cut off and text is legible.
Pro tips: - If you don’t have design resources, use a simple Canva template with your logo dropped in. Don’t overthink it. - Skip the back of the card unless you have a real reason (like a promo code or contact info). People mostly look at the front and inside. - Don’t add too much text—let the handwriting be the star.
What works: A clean, uncluttered design with just your logo and maybe a splash of brand color looks sharp and professional.
What to ignore: Overly busy designs, stock photos, or anything that screams “we tried too hard.” You want this to feel personal, not like a corporate holiday card from your bank.
Step 3: Choose Your Handwriting Style
Handwrytten lets you pick from a bunch of handwriting “fonts”—these are generated from real people’s handwriting. Some are neat, some are messier, some are… a little odd.
How to pick: - Go for something legible but not too perfect. “Natural” is better than “calligraphy” unless you’re in a really formal industry. - Test a few styles with your message. Some letters look strange in certain fonts. - If you’re sending a lot of cards and want to get fancy, you can pay to have your own handwriting digitized. For most, not worth the hassle.
Pro tip: Don’t agonize over this. As long as it doesn’t look like a computer font, you’re fine.
Step 4: Write Your Message (Make It Actually Personal)
Here’s where most businesses blow it. A generic “Thank you for attending our event!” is barely better than no card at all. The handwriting gets attention—but if the message is boilerplate, you’ve wasted your money.
Tips for a good message: - Reference something specific about the event or meeting. - Keep it short (2-3 sentences is enough). - Sign off with a real person’s name, not “The [Your Company] Team.” - If possible, include a line about next steps or how to stay in touch.
Examples: - “John, it was great meeting you at the Tech Expo—loved your take on AI in retail. Let’s catch up soon!” - “Thanks for stopping by our booth at the Summit. Hope you enjoy the notebook—keep in touch!”
What works: Brief, specific, and from a real person.
What to ignore: Lengthy marketing copy, product pitches, or anything that sounds like it was written by a PR team.
Step 5: Upload Your Recipient List
Handwrytten lets you send one card at a time or upload a CSV spreadsheet for bulk sends. You can personalize at scale, but don’t get lazy.
How to do it: 1. Download their CSV template. 2. Fill in recipient names and addresses—double-check for typos. 3. You can add a “custom message” column for personal touches, like referencing a conversation or product.
Pro tips: - Try a test send to yourself first. This catches formatting or address issues. - Don’t send cards to people who don’t know who you are. “Who the heck is this?” is not the reaction you want.
What works: Small batches (50-100) where you can check for errors and tweak messages.
What to ignore: Uploading your entire CRM and blasting everyone. That’s just mail-merge, not real connection.
Step 6: Review, Pay, and Send
Last step: preview everything before you hit send. Check for:
- Typos in names or addresses
- Awkward line breaks in your message
- The right handwriting style
- Correct card design
Pricing is per card, and can add up. Handwrytten isn’t cheap compared to email (or even standard mail), but you’re paying for attention. Shipping options are straightforward—standard mail usually gets there in a few days.
Pro tip: If you’re doing holiday or event follow-ups, send 1-2 weeks after the event. Too soon and it feels automatic, too late and it’s forgotten.
What’s Worth Your Time (And What’s Not)
Do: - Spend extra time on your card design and message - Send to people who will actually notice and appreciate it - Use real names and specific details
Don’t: - Mass-send to cold leads or random contacts - Overcomplicate with integrations unless you’re sending hundreds per month - Assume the cards will do all the work—follow up with a real call or email, too
Wrapping Up
Handwritten cards get noticed, but only if you keep it real. Don’t let the tech fool you—personal beats “personalized” every time. Start simple, see what works, and don’t be afraid to tweak your approach. If it feels like too much work, scale back. A handful of truly thoughtful cards beats a hundred generic ones, every time.