Menu
 

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details

Best Thank You Cards

Updated January 2022
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Hallmark Thank You Cards, Gold Snowflake (10 Cards with Envelopes)
Hallmark
Thank You Cards, Gold Snowflake (10 Cards with Envelopes)
Check Price
Elegant & Striking
Bottom Line

Make a statement while sending your gratitude with these striking, luxurious thank-you cards.

Pros

Intricate floral snowflake in gold stands out against a stark black field. Design is perfect for winter months but can be used for other occasions, too. High-quality card stock is pleasurable to write on. Envelopes are lined with gold foil.

Cons

Pricey at only 10 cards and envelopes per box.

Best Bang for the Buck
Best Paper Greetings Kraft Thank You Cards with Envelopes (120 Pack)
Best Paper Greetings
Kraft Thank You Cards with Envelopes (120 Pack)
Check Price
Simple & Direct
Bottom Line

Charmingly simple and affordable enough to send at any time for any occasion.

Pros

Big batch of 120 cards with envelopes perfect for tucking into gift packages or by themselves. Simple message is suitable for any occasion. Charming gray-on-kraft design for an informal, vintage feel. Matching kraft paper envelopes.

Cons

Some buyers found the package shipped with crumpled contents.

Papyrus Thank You Cards with Envelopes, World Icons (14-Count)
Papyrus
Thank You Cards with Envelopes, World Icons (14-Count)
Check Price
Tasteful & Refined
Bottom Line

Send a touch of worldly taste in your correspondence with these refined cards.

Pros

Attractive world-icons sketch design with gratitude expressed in French, Italian, and English. Quality stock feels classy and premium. Contrasting envelopes have a metallic finish. Comes with gold-colored seals.

Cons

Only 14 cards and envelopes per box. Might not be suitable for some occasions.

Hallmark Thank You Cards Assortment, Pastel Solids (50 Cards)
Hallmark
Thank You Cards Assortment, Pastel Solids (50 Cards)
Check Price
Delightful & Sincere
Bottom Line

Pastel colors are perfect for baby showers but simple enough for all occasions.

Pros

Simple color-block design with matching border is suitable for many occasions. Pastel colors are particularly applicable for baby and kids' events. High-quality paper stock. Comes with plain white envelopes.

Cons

Some buyers have found envelopes missing.

Spark Ink 36 Floral Thank You Cards with Envelopes
Spark Ink
36 Floral Thank You Cards with Envelopes
Check Price
Colorful & Bright
Bottom Line

Bright, bold colors and patterns will delight the recipients of these thank-you cards.

Pros

Colorful floral and avian designs reminiscent of folk art. Paper stock designed to resist smudges even with pencil. Matte finish is fingerprint-resistant. Sized to fully enclose 4 x 6 photos. Envelopes feature tasteful baronial flap.

Cons

Doesn't come with protective box or bag.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

33
Models
Considered
171
Consumers
Consulted
8
Hours
Researched
Category cover

Buying guide for Best thank you cards

There are times when a gift, favor, or service needs to be formally acknowledged by the recipient, and a personalized thank you card is the right gesture for the job. The etiquette surrounding the use of these cards changes from occasion to occasion, but in general, any gift or service of note deserves some form of response, even if it’s only a few lines of gratitude on a small card, phone call, text, or email.

A thank you card not only works as a receipt but also completes the social contract of gift giving. The sending of the cards has become a post-wedding tradition for many newlyweds, and job seekers have also discovered the power of a prompt and professional thank-you card to interviewers. Some cards provide a simple message with ample space for a personal response, while others are more focused on a specific occasion, such as a wedding, graduation, or birthday.

thank you card
Younger children should be encouraged to send thank-you cards after attending a birthday party or other social event.

How to buy the best thank you cards

When to send a thank you card

After a job interview: A personalized card thanking the interviewer for their time and effort is a good way to create some goodwill even if the position is filled by another applicant.

After a wedding reception: Many newlyweds and their families invest in these cards to personally acknowledge all the gifts they receive. The card should mention the specific gift and the gift giver.

After graduation: Gifts received for high school or college graduation should be acknowledged formally with a card or personalized note or email.

After a wake or funeral: Many people send condolences in the form of food items, monetary donations, services, or gifts. After an appropriate period of bereavement, these relatives, co-workers, and friends should receive a thank-you card.

After a stay in someone’s home: A card to someone who provided a house guest a place to stay can include a personalized note of gratitude and a compliment or two about the accommodations. 

After a personal service or favor: Professionals might not expect thank-you notes for performing contracted services, but anyone who volunteers their time or expertise should be acknowledged.

Style and design

Thank-you cards are available in a wide range of styles and designs, from plain note cards to personalized cards featuring professional graphics and calligraphy. When sending a large number of cards after a social event, many people opt for plain white cardstock with a simple message of gratitude and a blank interior with space for a handwritten note.

There are also individual or limited edition thank-you cards designed for specific themes or occasions. These may feature specific graphics and a more focused message, such as “Thank you for your gift” or “Your support means so much at this time.” These cards are appropriate for thanking interviewers, instructors, mentors, or co-workers. 

Size

A personal thank-you card can be as small as a business card and included as part of other correspondence. There are also larger thank-you cards, like greeting cards, that can be mailed individually. Unlike many other types of greeting cards, a thank-you card should contain a generous amount of blank space for a handwritten response rather than a generic or stock message.
 

st1-gift
Staff Tip
A thank-you email or text message is appropriate for small favors or casual social meetings, but a handwritten card is proper etiquette after dinner parties and receiving gifts.
Staff
BestReviews

What features should I look for in thank you cards?

Envelopes

Sets of cards should contain matching envelopes in standard sizes for mailing. These envelopes might also have a simple graphic or be blank. Note that some bulk sets of thank-you cards don’t include envelopes, so you’ll need to determine the proper size you need and purchase envelopes separately from a stationery supply retailer. 

Packaging

Because thank-you cards are often sent to multiple recipients, many manufacturers package their offerings in sets of ten or more. Selecting thank-you cards in bulk makes good sense economically because many people need to write a note of thanks periodically, and it’s convenient to have some on hand.

Personalization

While a straightforward “thank you” or “with gratitude” message will cover many occasions, you might want to send a more personalized message. It’s possible to order thank-you cards with a customized message that includes your name or reference to the specific occasion. These customized cards cost more than the generic versions, but they also provide recipients with a memento of the occasion.

Noting the future use of a gift item is a good way to add a personal touch to a thank-you card.

Staff
BestReviews

How much do thank you cards cost?

Inexpensive

Basic thank you cards sold in bulk cost up to $0.25 per card, including envelopes. The graphics tend to be simple, with a blank interior and a generic message. 

Mid-range

Thank you cards at this price are more likely to be found in packs of 10 to 20, with more stylized graphics and personalized messages. These cards average about $1 or more per card

Expensive 

Individual thank you cards with unique designs and personalized messages can cost as much as any other greeting card. You can expect to pay between $5 and $15 each for high-end cards.

Dyk2-sender
Did You Know?
Showing gratitude with a personal card can be beneficial to the sender’s emotional health.
Staff
BestReviews

Tips

  • Enlist help writing thank you cards. If you have many notes to write, the process will go more quickly if you coordinate the efforts of a few volunteers and work from a guest/gift list. 
  • Buy thank-you cards that fit the occasion. The notes should match the tone of the event, whether it’s a festive wedding, solemn funeral, or professional interview. 
  • Use the salutation you’d use in everyday life. If you usually address a couple as “Dr. and Mrs. Smith,” use that form in the note. If you’re on more familiar terms, use their first names in the greeting. 
  • Both the bride and groom should contribute to thank you notes. It’s proper etiquette for both parties to participate in the process, whether it’s by adding a personal signature or brief personal message.

 

sending thank you card
Sending thank you cards to supportive friends and relatives is appropriate after a major life change, such as divorce, graduation, or job promotion

FAQ

Q. Do I need to send a card if I’ve already thanked someone in person?

A. The answer largely depends on the scope of the gift or service. Thanking someone for a small personal favor or casual lunch doesn’t require a card, but a more substantial gift or extraordinary service should be acknowledged with a more formal response,

Q. I went to a job interview, but I wasn’t hired for the position. Should I still send a thank you card to the interviewer?

A. A handwritten card thanking the interviewer for their time is always a good idea regardless of the outcome. There could be future opportunities for other positions, and a thank-you note leaves a positive impression of you. 

Q. How can I get my cards sent out as quickly as possible?

A. If you know you’ll be sending a significant number of cards after a social event, you can address the envelopes ahead of time based on the guest list. You could also designate a small group of volunteers to create a mailing list during or immediately after the event. 

Q. Is there really an established deadline for sending thank you cards after a wedding?

A. While there is some disagreement among etiquette experts over the proper deadline for sending cards after a wedding, a good general guideline is within three months after the event. However, most guests will understand if the response is slightly delayed. A late card is preferable to no card at all. The etiquette rule is largely in place to discourage procrastination.