How to sign business holiday cards
Sign each business holiday card with the name your client knows you by, and put your business name on the line under it. For the clients you work with most, add one short line about the work you did together this year.
What to write as the signature
Use the name your client uses for you. If they call you Dana, sign "Dana". If they have met you only once or twice, sign "Dana Park" so they can place you. Put the business name on the next line.
| Who the card is from | Signature |
|---|---|
| An owner the client knows well | DanaSample Company |
| An owner the client has met once or twice | Dana ParkSample Company |
| Two partners | Dana and MarcusSample Company |
| A small team | Dana, Marcus, Priya and the Sample Company team |
| A larger company | Everyone at Sample CompanyMarcus Lee, your contact |
Name only people the client has worked with, and stop at three names before "and the team". Sign with a person's name rather than the company name alone. Ask each person before their name goes on the cards.
Add a line for your closest clients
Pick the 10 or 20 clients you worked with most this year and add one sentence about something you did together.
- "It was a pleasure helping you find the house on Elm Street."
- "Thank you for trusting us with the warehouse lease."
- "Enjoy your first winter in the new office."
Everyone else can get one general note. That way you write two messages instead of one per client, for business Christmas cards or Season's Greetings cards alike.
When a printed signature is fine
The Emily Post Institute says printed cards are fine to send as they are. It suggests you might at least sign the cards whose greeting isn't personalized. We count a card that opens with the client's first name, such as "Dear Maria," as personalized, so a printed signature works there. Our holiday cards for clients are printed this way.
Sign by hand for the few people who would notice, such as a client of many years or a partner who sends you referrals. A short handwritten line is enough.
How long signing by hand takes
By our estimates, signing 100 cards by hand takes about 2 hours, or about 8 if you also write a note and the address. The table uses estimates of 1 minute a card to sign, 3 minutes to sign and add a note, and 5 minutes to also write the address. Time your first 10 cards to get your own number.
| Cards | Sign only | Sign and add a note | Note and address |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 0.8 hours | 2.5 hours | 4.2 hours |
| 100 | 1.7 hours | 5 hours | 8.3 hours |
| 250 | 4.2 hours | 12.5 hours | 20.8 hours |
Buying stamps and going to the post office add more time, and the stamps cost extra.
Want them done for you? We print each card with "Dear" and your client's first name, your note and your name as the signature, then mail it First-Class. It costs $2.99 a card with postage (as of November 2026), and you see a proof of every card before you pay.
Make your cardsCheck before you sign
- Check the spelling of every first name on your mailing list. Our holiday card list template keeps first names in their own column.
- Leave anyone the client doesn't know, such as a new hire, off the signature.
- Use a greeting that fits everyone. If you don't know a business contact well, the Emily Post Institute suggests a broader greeting such as Season's Greetings or Happy New Year, on a card with no religious figures, messages or symbols.
- Leave sales offers and referral requests off the card.
Questions
Is it OK to send business holiday cards with a printed signature?
Yes. The Emily Post Institute says printed cards are fine to send as they are. It suggests you might at least sign the cards whose greeting isn't personalized. We count a card that opens with the client's first name as personalized, so a printed signature works there.
Should I sign with my first name or my full name?
Sign with your first name if the client calls you by it. If they have met you only once or twice, sign your full name so they can place you. Put the business name on the next line either way.
Who should sign a company holiday card?
The people the client works with. Name up to three of them, then add the team, such as Dana, Marcus, Priya and the Sample Company team.
When is it too late to send business holiday cards?
The Emily Post Institute says cards usually go out any time from Thanksgiving until a couple of weeks into the New Year. If you start late, we suggest a Happy New Year card.
Sources
The pages we read for this guide.