Small business pushes the envelope
The practice of sending messages of goodwill has been taking place far back in time, the Egyptians sent papayas scrolls and the ancient Chinese exchanged New Year ’s messages. However, the first modern commercial greeting card was created in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole in London.
Greetings cards are still very important in today’s society. They spread joy and love, keep us connected, congratulating, celebrating and commiserating with loved ones and friends. Each card shares an emotion and keeps us all connected.
Last year over £1.5 billion was spent in the UK and £5.7 Billion USA markets alone. That equates to over 850 million cards sent in the UK and over 6.5 billion sent in the USA each year.
In a world that is becoming more environmentally aware, this means that every card has to be placed in an envelope. That adds up to a significant amount of waste.
Bare Cards are pushing the envelope and have tackled that age old dilemma.
They still provide the traditional role of sending a physical card, but they no longer require an envelope.
Derren from Bare Cards was a Greetings Sales Agent for over 15 yeas and saw first hand the amount of waste on a daily basis.
One day during lockdown he was sat at a table separating the recycling. One pile for cards, one for cello-wrap and one for envelopes. He thought that there had to be a way to reduce the need for all three.
Once he designed a concept he was happy with, he applied for a patent and it was granted in January 2020.
Each card is full colour and has illustrated envelope panels, so it is also an end to plain coloured envelopes too. The envelope is built into the card so it doesn’t end up being recycled or in landfill.
The card is tri-fold, so there is a larger area for images or triptych images.
Added USP benefits:
full colour and illustrated envelope panels
potential to add pre-paid postage to cards in the future
Trifold cards means the images can be bigger or triptych images
The invention has been well received in the greetings card industry with lots of positive feedback as more people want to make a difference and reduce waste.
About Bare Cards:
We are a family business, originally founded in May 2022 under the name 'Envelopd' by husband and wife team Derren and Ceri based in the small Wiltshire town of Royal Wootton Bassett.
Eventually changing to the name Bare Cards
Naked and free (from the envelope and waste).
We have patented and trademarked a solution to this ever increasing problem that, by way of a third leaf and sticking strip, eliminates the need for a separate envelope or excess packaging.
The idea enhances the product, as the entire card can be printed upon, creating a "Wow Factor" even before opening and, by introducing the use of a sticking strip, no "lick and stick" is required. This is more hygienic and you can say goodbye to any more painful paper cuts to your tongue or mouth!
We hope you enjoy our products and help us in our small way to preserve our precious planet.
We Sell on our website – www.bare-cards.co.uk and Etsy
We are also in 50 independent retail stores across South West of England.
Next steps are to grow the brand and branch out into more stores nationally to save on more waste!
Maybe also apply for Dragons’ Den!
Contact Bare Cards:
Email:
Website: www.bare-cards.co.uk