Short Answer
Define how many copies of each greeting card design belong in one sellable set. Add those copies to confirm the cards-per-set total, then multiply each design quantity by the number of sets. Count envelopes separately and specify their allocation, especially when colors or sizes vary.
A 24-card assortment does not necessarily contain 24 designs. It could contain six designs at four copies each, or an unequal mix of designs. Both the quotation and the packing checklist should describe the actual mix.
This guide focuses on the allocation sheet and packing checks for mixed greeting card sets. For box construction and complete retail packaging scope, see our boxed greeting card set planning guide.
Choose an Assortment, Not Just a Card Count
Counts such as 12, 24, 50 and 100 describe physical cards per set, not unique artworks, minimum order quantities or a fixed range of factory packages.
| Cards per set | One possible equal mix | Another possible mix |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | 4 designs x 3 copies | 6 designs x 2 copies |
| 24 | 6 designs x 4 copies | An unequal mix totaling 24 |
| 50 | 10 designs x 5 copies | 5 designs x 10 copies |
| 100 | 10 designs x 10 copies | 20 designs x 5 copies |
These are arithmetic examples, not recommendations about which designs will sell best. Choose the mix around the collection and customer use. If some occasions need more copies than others, record that choice explicitly instead of asking the packing team to make an assortment.
One copy means one complete finished greeting card. The front, inside and back panels of a folded card do not count as separate cards.
Build an Allocation Sheet With One Row per Design
Give every design a stable code and an approved artwork version. Keep a thumbnail or visual reference beside the code in the working packing sheet so similar-looking designs are not identified by color or occasion alone.
The following example is for 500 sellable sets, each with 24 cards. It deliberately uses unequal quantities to show why a total count is insufficient.
| Design code | Copies per set | Cards for 500 sets |
|---|---|---|
| A01 | 6 | 3,000 |
| A02 | 6 | 3,000 |
| A03 | 4 | 2,000 |
| A04 | 4 | 2,000 |
| A05 | 2 | 1,000 |
| A06 | 2 | 1,000 |
| Total | 24 | 12,000 |
The calculation is: copies of one design per set x number of sets = required finished cards of that design. These are delivery-content quantities, not a production waste allowance. Any spare or over-delivery quantity should be agreed separately.
If A01 changes from six to five copies, one other allocation must change to keep the advertised 24-card total. Update the sheet, artwork approval record and relevant packaging copy together. Do not leave the packing team to infer the missing card.
Specify Envelopes as a Separate Component
If each card needs one envelope, the example above requires 24 envelopes per set and 12,000 envelopes for 500 sets. The requirement should still be stated explicitly. Cards and envelopes may use different materials, dimensions or versions, and extra envelopes are not automatic.
Write counts clearly on the brief and packaging: for example, 24 greeting cards plus 24 envelopes. Avoid an unexplained phrase such as 48-piece set, which can obscure how many actual greeting cards the customer receives.
For a set with several envelope colors, provide an allocation such as: Colored envelopes and different envelope sizes need a quotation for the specified versions; do not assume the standard unprinted-envelope reference covers every option.
| Envelope version | Per set | For 500 sets |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | 12 | 6,000 |
| E02 | 8 | 4,000 |
| E03 | 4 | 2,000 |
| Total | 24 | 12,000 |
Then state whether those envelopes are interchangeable or assigned to particular card designs. In this example, E01 could be assigned to A01 and A02, E02 to A03 and A04, and E03 to A05 and A06. That assignment is a planning example, not a standard pack configuration.
If sizes vary, specify which envelope fits which card. Check fit on finished folded cards rather than relying on a size name. Our greeting card envelope guide explains physical fit and envelope specifications.
Agree How the Customer Opens the Set
Decide the packing order after confirming the contents. Useful options to discuss include cards grouped by design with envelopes in a separate stack, or card-and-envelope units arranged in a defined sequence. Confirm the exact method and any additional assembly work in the quote.
For grouped cards, a written sequence might be A01 x 6, A02 x 6, A03 x 4, A04 x 4, A05 x 2, A06 x 2. State which group is on top when the box opens, the direction the card fronts face, and where the envelope stack sits.
If matching envelopes are assigned individually, specify whether they sit behind each card or elsewhere in the pack. Do not assume that cards should be inserted into envelopes: that is a different presentation and assembly instruction.
Use a photograph of an approved packed sample with the allocation sheet. Identify any divider, band, insert or inner wrap separately. The final box fit should be checked with the actual components and arrangement, not from the card count alone.
Check the Mix, Not Only the Total
A box containing 24 cards can still be wrong. For example, seven A01 cards and five A02 cards preserve the total but do not match the approved six-and-six allocation. Similarly, 24 envelopes can be incorrect if the specified color or size mix is wrong.
For sample approval, unpack the set and compare each design and envelope version against the allocation sheet. Repack it in the approved order and confirm that the lid closes and the contents can be removed as intended.
Agree the production inspection and packing checks with the supplier. An approved sample shows the target configuration; it should not be treated as a promise that every production set has already been individually checked unless that inspection scope is agreed.
Keep Versions Separate When the Collection Changes
If a seasonal version replaces two designs, create a revised allocation sheet with its own revision date and clear artwork references. State whether the older version is still required and how many sets belong to each version.
Do the same when language, inside message, envelope mix or packing order changes. A common card size and box structure do not make the contents identical. Confirm packaging copy, identifiers and carton labels against the version actually being packed.
Ask whether extra cards are supplied loose, assembled into additional complete sets or not supplied. Unbalanced spare cards should not be silently substituted into the agreed assortment.
Compare Prices Against the Same Allocation
A 24-card set with six designs is not automatically priced the same as a 24-card set with 24 designs. Quantity per artwork, print and finishing requirements, envelope versions and assembly can change the cost.
South Print’s standard 4 x 6 and 5 x 7 reference prices cover one folded card plus one unprinted blank envelope at the stated card quantity. They are not a finished mixed-set price. Request a quotation for the actual allocation, box, assembly, finishes and delivery scope. See the 4 x 6 versus 5 x 7 guide for the size comparison.
When comparing quantities such as 200 and 500 sets, keep the contents and allocation unchanged unless you intentionally want a second product option. Otherwise, the prices are not for the same set.
Send These Details With the Artwork
- Number of sellable sets and total greeting cards per set.
- Design codes, approved artwork versions and copies of every design per set.
- Folded card dimensions, paper, printing and finish requirements.
- Envelope specifications, count by version and any card-to-envelope assignments.
- Packing sequence, orientation, box and any agreed inserts or dividers.
- Version allocation, carton identification and separately agreed spare quantities.
- Destination, delivery requirements and sample or inspection scope.
Send your allocation sheet to sales@southprintcn.com or WhatsApp. You can also review our custom greeting card printing service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a 24-card set need 24 different designs?
No. It can contain repeated designs in equal or unequal quantities. List the copies of each design and confirm that they add up to 24 finished cards per set.
How many envelopes are needed for 500 sets of 24 cards?
If the specification requires one envelope per card, the order needs 24 envelopes per set and 12,000 envelopes in total. Specify the envelope versions and agree any extras separately.
Should cards be inserted into envelopes before packing?
Only if that arrangement is agreed. Cards may instead be grouped with envelopes in a separate stack or paired in a specified sequence. Confirm the presentation and assembly method in the quote and packed sample.
Is counting 24 cards enough to approve a mixed set?
No. Check each design quantity, envelope allocation and artwork version as well as the total. A missing design and an extra copy of another design can leave the total unchanged.
Can I calculate a boxed-set price by multiplying a single-card reference price?
No. A finished mixed-set quote must account for quantity per design, envelopes, packaging, assembly, finishes and the agreed delivery scope. The standard card-plus-unprinted-envelope reference is not a complete boxed-set price.