Affirmation Cards and Quote Inserts for Small Business Parcels
Affirmation cards are small printed cards carrying a short, positive line, and small businesses slip them into parcels as a quick personal touch. The most common size is A6 (105 x 148 mm), though many sellers prefer a slimmer 54 x 85 mm card that fits beside a candle or a jar of wax melts without crowding the box. A single card printed in bulk usually costs from around 10 to 40 pence, depending on quantity and finish.
Slipping a short leaflet into each parcel works well, and many owners also print some flyers leaflets to hand out at local markets.
This page looks at what makes a good quote card, how to pick the size and paper, and where inserts fit into your packaging.
Choosing Affirmation Cards That Suit Your Parcel
Start with the box, not the design. Measure the inside of your mailer, then subtract about 5 mm each side so the card slides in without bending.
Common sizes
- Business card size (85 x 55 mm), good for a single line and a small logo
- A7 (74 x 105 mm), enough room for a short quote and a few lines of care advice
- A6 (105 x 148 mm), best when the back carries a message or instructions
- Square 100 x 100 mm, which looks good in gift sets and photographs well
Paper weight and finish
A card of 300 to 350 gsm feels sturdy in the hand and survives postage. Anything under 250 gsm tends to curl in damp weather. Matt uncoated stock is easy to write on, so it suits handwritten thank-you notes. Soft-touch lamination feels lovely but shows fingerprints on dark colours, which is worth knowing before you choose black.
Writing Wording That People Keep
Short wins. Aim for 6 to 15 words per quote. A card that says "Slow down, breathe, begin again" gets pinned to a mirror. A paragraph gets tucked in a drawer.
Match the message to the product. A candle for evening use suits lines about rest and quiet. A wax melt for a kitchen or hallway might suit something lighter. If you sell to people who are stressed or grieving, keep the tone gentle and avoid promises such as "everything happens for a reason", which many readers find hollow.
Use a set of 6 to 12 different quotes per order. Customers who buy twice then receive a new card each time, and a mixed set costs nothing extra when printed in one run.
Tissue Paper Inserts and Other Packing Extras
People searching for tissue paper inserts are usually after one of two things: a printed sheet that sits on top of the wrapped item, or a small card tucked into the folds. Both do the same job, which is to make opening the parcel feel planned.
Standard tissue is about 17 to 20 gsm, so a printed insert should be a separate card or a thin flyer rather than ink directly on the tissue, which smudges and can bleed onto candle wax. If you want a branded look, a sticker to seal the tissue wrap is cheaper and tidier. Round stickers of 40 to 50 mm work well here, and the choice of custom business stickers is wide enough to match almost any colour scheme.
Other inserts worth considering:
- A care card with burn times and safe use guidance for candles
- A discount or loyalty card for the next order
- A small tear-off feature using scratch card stickers for a prize or code
- A warning card for products that need clear safety text, much like a hoover freshener needs its own instructions
Layout Tips Before You Print
Leave a safe margin of 3 mm inside the trim edge, and add 3 mm of bleed if the colour runs to the edge. Text smaller than 7 pt gets hard to read on a small card. Check the proof on screen at 100 percent, then print one at home on plain paper to see whether the quote actually feels right in your hand.
Back sides are often wasted. Put your social handle, a short thank-you or a recycling note there, and keep the front clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size are most affirmation cards?
Many are close to business card size, around 85 x 55 mm, while the larger ones follow A6. Pick the size that fits flat inside your packaging with a little room to spare.
What card stock works best for quote cards?
Something between 300 and 350 gsm is a safe choice. It resists bending in the post and takes ink well. Uncoated stock is better if you plan to write on the back.
Can I print the same quote on every card?
You can, and it is cheapest for a first run. A mixed set of several quotes tends to feel more personal, and printers often allow multiple designs in one batch at little extra cost.
Do tissue paper inserts need special printing?
Not usually. Printing straight onto thin tissue is difficult and can smudge, so most sellers use a separate card or a sticker seal instead. Both are simple to produce in small quantities.