Short Answer
A folded thank you card and a flat package insert can both be placed inside an ecommerce order, but they usually serve different purposes. A folded card creates a more personal, gift-like experience and gives space for a message or handwritten note. A flat insert is more efficient for repeatable information such as a website, care instructions, QR code, discount code, product registration, social channels, or another approved call to action.
Choose a folded card when personal appreciation and presentation are the priority. Choose a flat insert when fulfillment speed, compact size, standardized messaging, and cost control are more important. Some premium brands use both, but the two pieces should have separate roles.
| Decision factor | Folded thank you card | Flat package insert |
|---|---|---|
| Main role | Personal message, gift experience, handwritten note | Information, approved promotion, care instructions, QR code or website |
| Common format | Folded 4 x 6 in or 5 x 7 in | 100 x 150 mm or business card size |
| Envelope | Often included in greeting card sets; confirm whether it is needed | Normally no envelope |
| Fulfillment | More handling if folded, enveloped, or personalized | Fast single-card insertion and bundle packing |
| Content space | Multiple panels | One or two printed sides |
These are manufacturing and use-case distinctions, not fixed definitions. The correct quote depends on size, folding, envelope, paper, printing sides, finish, quantity, packing, and destination.
Why Buyers Confuse Thank You Cards and Package Inserts
Ecommerce sellers often use “thank you card,” “thank you insert,” “business thank you card,” and “package insert” for the same flat card. For quotation, the product name is less important than the physical specification.
- Flat or folded.
- Placed directly into a parcel or paired with an envelope.
- Printed on one side or both sides.
- Designed for handwriting or fully preprinted.
- Packed in bulk, counted into bundles, or inserted into a retail set.
- One universal design or separated by SKU, language, or campaign.
What Is a Folded Thank You Card?
A folded thank you card is produced like a greeting card. It is printed, scored, and folded to create a front, inside panels, and a back. It may be supplied with an envelope for mailing or retail sale, although a seller placing it directly inside an order may request another packing method.
South Print's common references are 4 x 6 inches and 5 x 7 inches after folding. The standard website reference includes one unprinted blank envelope. A project without envelopes, with printed envelopes, or with another packing method requires a project-specific quote.
See the custom greeting card printing page and the 4x6 vs 5x7 greeting card guide.
What Is a Flat Package Insert Card?
A package insert is a flat printed card placed inside a shipment, product box, subscription box, mailer, pouch, or retail package. It normally needs no envelope and delivers a short, repeatable message during fulfillment.
Common uses include order thanks, care or setup information, customer support details, an approved discount, a website, a product guide, or a tested QR code. South Print commonly quotes flat inserts at 100 x 150 mm or business card size, with custom sizes available for specific packaging.
Review the thank you insert card printing page and ecommerce thank you insert case.
Which Format Should an Ecommerce Seller Choose?
Choose a folded thank you card when
- The product is positioned as a gift or premium experience.
- The seller wants to write a personal message.
- The package has enough space for a folded card.
- An unprinted blank envelope is part of the intended experience.
Choose a flat package insert when
- Every order needs the same short message.
- The fulfillment team needs quick, repeatable insertion.
- A QR code, website, care instruction, or approved promotion is the primary content.
- Cards need to be bundled for a warehouse, 3PL, or subscription-box line.
Use both only when the roles are different
A premium subscription box might include a folded note for appreciation and a flat insert for care instructions. This adds printing, counting, packing, and carton weight, so avoid using two pieces that repeat the same message.
Reference Prices: Compare the Same Product Structure
| Standard planning reference | 200 cards | 500 cards | 2,000 cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Folded 4 x 6 in card + one unprinted blank envelope | About USD 0.54/card | About USD 0.16/card | About USD 0.10/card |
| Folded 5 x 7 in card + one unprinted blank envelope | About USD 0.65/card | About USD 0.25/card | About USD 0.14/card |
| Flat business-card-size thank you insert card | About USD 0.20/card | About USD 0.15/card | About USD 0.10/card |
These are planning references, not fixed offers. The flat row does not imply an envelope or folded structure and is not a fixed price for every 100 x 150 mm or custom insert. Foil stamping, embossing, spot UV, specialty paper, printed envelopes, custom shapes, individual packing, multiple language versions, fulfillment sorting, shipping, and nonstandard packaging are quoted separately.
Content Planning: Personal vs Functional
A folded card can place brand artwork on the front, the main appreciation message inside, writable space on another panel, and secondary details on the back. Confirm the intended writing method before selecting paper or surface treatment.
A flat two-side insert can use one side for thanks and brand identity and the other for one primary action, such as care instructions, a website, QR code, approved discount, product registration, or support. Keep text readable, leave clear space around QR codes, and test the code from a printed proof.
Marketplace Policy and Review Requests
Insert copy must match the seller's current sales-channel rules. Marketplace policies can change, and requirements may differ between Amazon, Shopify, Etsy, an independent website, and retail distribution.
For Amazon and other marketplaces, review current rules before printing cards that mention reviews, incentives, customer contact, discounts, gifts, refunds, QR destinations, or external websites. Do not offer a benefit in exchange for a positive review, use review gating, ask customers to change reviews, or use wording intended to manipulate review sentiment.
Shopify sellers can configure discount codes and shareable discount links. A QR code may point to an approved store page, guide, registration page, or discount destination after the seller checks the applicable terms. For Etsy orders, avoid directing an Etsy-started transaction off-platform or offering incentives for reviews.
South Print can print buyer-approved artwork, but the buyer is responsible for confirming that the final message, promotion, review language, QR destination, claims, and legal text comply with the current platform and target market.
Size, Paper, and Finish
Business card size
A compact option for short messages, social handles, small discount codes, or one QR code. State exact millimeter or inch dimensions because business card standards vary by market.
100 x 150 mm
This gives more room for a brand message, care instructions, a larger QR code, or a two-side layout, but occupies more package space.
Custom size
A custom insert can match a box, pouch, mailer, or tray. Check internal dimensions, orientation, insertion method, and bending risk before finalizing it.
Confirm handwriting needs, printing sides, scuff resistance, paper direction, and desired tactile finish. An uncoated or designated writable area can help with notes, while coatings and laminations change writing performance.
Fulfillment and Bundle Packing
- Confirm whether there is one card per order, product, or retail set.
- State every design, language, campaign, discount version, and quantity.
- Define bundle count, counting bands, bags, labels, and carton separation.
- Confirm whether folded cards arrive folded, with envelopes, or pre-paired.
- State where personalization or handwriting will happen.
A 10,000-card order split across five SKUs and two languages is not the same packing plan as 10,000 identical cards.
Artwork and Prepress Checklist
- Final finished size, orientation, and open size and fold direction when applicable.
- Single- or double-side printing, bleed, safe area, fonts, and high-resolution images.
- Tested QR codes, confirmed URLs, discount terms, and approved market-facing text.
- Quantity by design, language, or SKU.
- Envelope artwork, packing instructions, and bundle-label instructions.
What to Send for an Accurate Quote
- Folded thank you card, flat package insert, or both.
- Finished size, open size if folded, quantity, and quantity by design.
- Printing sides, paper target, writing requirement, finish, and special processes.
- Envelope specification, artwork versions, packing method, and bundle quantity.
- QR code, website, discount, barcode, or other content requirements.
- Destination, shipping term if known, and fulfillment channel.
For a broader checklist, read What Information Should You Send for a Custom Paper Product Quote?.
Practical Recommendation
Use a folded thank you card when the experience should feel personal, premium, or gift-like and extra message or handwriting space matters. Use a flat insert when it must be compact, repeatable, easy to bundle, and efficient for everyday fulfillment.
If one flat card can deliver both appreciation and one clear approved action, it is usually the simpler ecommerce choice. Use both only when a keepsake note and separate functional information are genuinely needed.
For more sourcing guides, visit the South Print blog.
FAQ
Is a thank you card the same as a package insert card?
Not always. In ecommerce, sellers often call a flat package insert a thank you card. For printing, a folded thank you card has a score and multiple panels, while a flat insert normally has one or two printed sides and no envelope. Send the physical specification rather than relying only on the product name.
Should an ecommerce thank you card be folded or flat?
Use folded when personal presentation, handwriting space, or a gift-like experience matters. Use flat when compact size, quick fulfillment, standardized content, and cost control are more important.
What sizes are common for ecommerce package inserts?
South Print commonly quotes 100 x 150 mm and business-card-size inserts, with custom sizes available. State the exact finished dimensions because business card standards vary by market.
Can I put a QR code or discount code on a package insert?
Yes, if the content complies with the current sales-channel rules and applicable laws. For a Shopify or independent-store order, a QR code or discount may be a normal promotion when the terms are correctly configured. For Amazon or another marketplace order, review the current marketplace rules before using QR codes, review language, incentives, external links, or customer contact instructions. Test the QR code and destination before printing, confirm the discount terms, and avoid prohibited incentives or language that manipulates customer reviews.
Are envelopes included with thank you cards?
South Print's standard folded 4 x 6 and 5 x 7 greeting card reference prices include one unprinted blank envelope. Flat package insert references normally do not include an envelope. Confirm the actual envelope and packing requirement for the project.
What should I send for a thank you card or package insert quote?
Send the product structure, finished size, open size if folded, quantity by design, printing sides, paper, finish, envelope, artwork, QR or discount requirements, packing method, bundle count, destination, and fulfillment channel.