Handmade Greeting Cards: A Small Craft Table Side Income
If you enjoy making cards for friends and family, you may have wondered whether anyone would pay for them. Some people do. Handmade cards are small, inexpensive to make, and easy to carry to a craft fair. They will not pay a large bill on their own, but a steady table of cards could help cover something small, such as a streaming plan. Results vary a great deal.
Why cards suit a first craft business
Cards take little space and little money to start. You can make a batch at the kitchen table, and a buyer can take one home without worrying about size or shipping. The holiday season is also a natural time to sell, since many people still like to send a real card.
Keep your first batch small
- Choose one or two styles you enjoy making, such as winter scenes or simple thank-you cards.
- Make about two dozen, with envelopes, before you buy more supplies.
- Sell a few at a church bazaar or small craft fair to see what people like.
- Write down what each card costs you in paper, ink, stamps and glue.
Work out a fair price
Add up the materials for one card, then add something for your time. Check what similar cards sell for in local shops and at fairs, and compare. If the price barely covers materials, you are working for free. Our guide to pricing handmade crafts walks through this step by step.
Where to sell
A craft fair, a church bazaar or a local gift shop is a good place to start. Our post on holiday craft fairs and our guide to selling in local shops explain the details. You can also sell online. As of October 2026, Etsy lists a fee of $0.20 per item listed and a 6.5% transaction fee on each sale, plus payment processing fees that vary. Fees change, so check the current page before you open a shop.
A note about taxes and benefits
Money you earn from cards counts as income. The IRS says income from an activity you do without intending to make a profit still must be reported, and how it treats a hobby or a business depends on several factors. Side income can also affect some benefits, such as Social Security before full retirement age, SSI and Medicaid. This is general information only. Please check your own situation with the IRS and Social Security sites linked below, or a tax helper you trust.
A realistic way to start
Make a small batch, sell it, and keep notes. If the cards sell and the price covers your costs, make a few more. If not, change one thing at a time, such as the price or the style. There is no hurry.
More on Replace a Bill
- Pricing Your Handmade Crafts So Your Time and Materials Are Covered
- Selling Your Handmade Crafts at Holiday Craft Fairs: A Simple Plan
- Opening a Small Etsy Shop for Your Knitting and Crafts
