In this guide
Ecard vs paper card at a glance
| Ecard | Paper card | |
|---|---|---|
| Arrives | The moment you send it | Days later, weeks abroad |
| Cost | Free, or $4.99 with extras | Card plus postage |
| Sound, photos, movement | Yes | No |
| Many people can sign | Easily, through a link | Passed desk to desk |
| Stands on a shelf | No | Yes |
| You know it arrived | Yes, and they can reply | Usually not |
When an ecard is the better choice
You're short on time
It arrives the second you send it. No post office, no “it'll be there Tuesday”.
They're far away
International post can take weeks. A link takes none.
Many people want to sign it
A group card that travels through a chat beats a paper one carried desk to desk. Group cards, explained.
You want sound, photos or movement
Your voice, their song and photos from last summer, all in one card.
You want to know it arrived
You'll see when it's opened, and they can reply straight from the card.
When a paper card still wins
- When it's going on a mantelpiece.
- When they keep every card in a shoebox.
- Sympathy cards, often. A physical card says “I took time” in a way that suits grief.
- When they don't use a smartphone much.
There's no shame in doing both: an ecard on the day, a paper card in the post.
How to make an ecard feel handwritten
- Draw a doodle. You can on every Bunletter card, free.
- Record your voice. Here's how.
- Use a photo only the two of you have.
- Write like you talk, not like a greeting card. What to write.
- Choose a card where their name is part of the design, not a line at the top.
P.S.Quick questions
- Are ecards tacky?
- A generic one forwarded to everyone can be. One with their name, your words and a real memory isn't. It's the message, not the medium.
- Do older relatives like ecards?
- Many love them, especially with a voice note or photos. If they're not comfortable with links, send it in a chat they already use.
- Can I print an ecard?
- The fancy card comes with a story image you can save and print. Any card's private page also has a QR code, so you can print that inside a paper card and send both.
- Is an ecard better for the environment?
- It skips paper, ink, envelopes and transport, so it usually has a smaller footprint than a posted card.
That's everything you need. The rest is just picking a photo and saying what you mean.
Love, Bun 🐰
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