One of the new start-ups on my radar recently has been Touchnote, an online print company that is set to do for greetings cards what Moo did for its business equivalent. The company launched back in November, and I really should have given it due attention sooner - but a recently introduced charity Christmas initiative has turned my head again.
Until January 9th, you’ll be able to purchase each card for 25p (excluding P&P) - with every single penny going to your choice of one of four charities; Operation Smile, the NCT, Excellent Development or Born Free.
Touchnote, much like Moonpig, provides a way to personalise your own cards online - then have them delivered in the real world. That's where the similarities end though,Touchnote cards are better quality, the process is faster and it's generally more affordable. I heard a friend make the comparison to high-street stationers the other today; with Moonpig being Hallmark, and Touchnote as Paperchase. Both are great, but for very different purposes.
You can personalise the Christmas ‘Touchnotes’ by uploading a digital photo, as you would with any other type of card on the site. Then add a message and enter delivery details for Touchnote to print your card and deliver anywhere in the world. If you'd prefer to add a handwritten note, there's the option to have it delivered to your home. I took this option, purely because I'll be giving them out in person to most of my family. For those feeling less creative, there’s a range of stock images to choose from - but that almost feels like cheating.
I am a fan of the see-through 'envelopes' that protect the cards during delivery, as it makes the Touchnotes feel more like postcards. The cards themselves add to this, as they're smaller, square - and have tabs to rest them upright on your desk or on a shelf at home.
Prices per card start from as little as £1.99 plus postage, which falls to 99p when you buy in bulk. All cards are printed on 75 per cent recycled, chlorine free card and are posted from the UK.
The company has just literally opened its doors to Picasa users, but the real turning point for me will be when Flickr and Facebook integration kicks in.