Holiday Greeting Card Etiquette for Signing your Company Cards this Christmas Season

If you've decided to send company holiday cards this Christmas season, you've made a wise decision. By sending corporate holiday cards to your clients and customers it shows that you recognize the role they can play in further solidifying your business relationships.

When personalizing your business greeting cards it is always reassuring to be certain you are following proper greeting card etiquette. So, what is the best way to sign them? There are a number of perfectly correct options; it's just a matter of finding the right fit for your company's image and style, as reflected in your chosen card.

Your professionalism is projected when you have your company name and/or your personal name professionally printed inside your company holiday cards, below your sentiments, with easily readable lettering. Optimally, you should also hand sign each card with your name. If your signature is more distinctive than readable, the professional printing makes it clear who is sending the card.

For example, imprint:

And, hand sign:

And, hand sign:

You may want to use your business title if you're aiming for a formal look, or you may choose to leave it off if you prefer a less formal image. You may wish to consider that greeting cards are presumably a warmer communication than business letters. However, by using both professional printing and more casual hand signing, you are able to project both professionalism and warmth.

If your holiday cards are being used by the company as a whole, rather than coming from one individual, you may wish to have only your company name imprinted. Should you spell out “Company” or “Corporation” or simply use “CO.” or “CORP.”? Is there a comma in your company name or not? Do you use P.C. or LLC, for instance? Your best references are your business cards and letterhead stationery. Consistency is what makes you recognizable; it's your branding. So, you may prefer to imprint:

In these instances, you would not want to say:

Adding the word “from” will dilute the impact of your company's name.

For a less formal look, you might use:

You may note that printing your company name alone, on its own line, helps it to stand out.

If you choose a die-cut card with an opening in its face, so that your company name printed on the inside of the card shows through the opening to the front of the closed card, be sure to note if the front already says “From.” In this case, you would definitely not want to repeat the word “From” in your personalization.

One or more individuals may still wish to hand sign some or all of the company holiday cards. In these cases, it's a good idea for signers to jot a line before their signature such as: “Have a great holiday!” “All best wishes,” “Happy holidays!” or “Warm wishes.” Be aware, however, that a multitude of signatures, especially in varying colors of ink, may appear too crowded inside the card and both your company name and intended warmth are lost. It may also cheapen the professional quality you want to project.

Perhaps you have a smaller staff that may be known in business relations by their first names. You may choose to imprint a reflection of that familiarity.

For example:

Or, without names if your staff is larger or if there may have been changes in staff:

Or, maybe your spouse is one of your staff members:

Or, to accompany a light-hearted style of card:

If your company name is brief or only known by initials, it's a good idea to have an extra line imprinted, thereby bringing more attention to the shorter name.

For example:

Or, better yet, have your logo imprinted inside your cards, either in addition to or instead of a typed personalization. This is using your branding to its fullest advantage, especially if your logo looks like a work of art. Now everyone can tell you apart from the herd.

Want to move to the head of the pack? If you are able to, compose your own verse, possibly incorporating your company name as part of the sentiment. Finish it with your logo in the “signature” area. Put the cherry on top with your actual signature or that of your top executive. Now that's really putting your best face forward when sending out your corporate holiday cards this year!

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