- Rachel Bistricer
- May 6
- 8 min read
Gift cards are much more than a convenient gifting solution—they’re versatile tools for businesses, creators and even graphic design professionals. They bridge the space between personal sentiment and practical convenience, making them a popular choice for any occasion. For businesses, they offer a way to incentivize customers, strengthen brand identity and tap into greater revenues through gift card redemptions. Graphic design plays a key role in creating visually appealing and impactful gift cards that resonate with customers.
Crafting a well-designed gift card can enhance your offerings and foster stronger customer loyalty. This guide will walk you through the essentials of designing, personalizing and marketing your gift cards.
How to make a gift card in 9 steps
01. Define the purpose of your gift card
Before diving into design tools and templates, take a step back to define the purpose of your gift card. A clear purpose will guide your choices for layout, colors and content. Additionally, understanding your audience helps narrow down the design style. A playful, colorful design might appeal to younger audiences, while a minimalist and sophisticated look may suit a more professional marketplace.
Consider the occasion for the gift card—is it for personal events like birthdays or anniversaries or part of a holiday marketing strategy for your business? The occasion will influence the tone and visual aesthetic. Also, determine how recipients will redeem the card. Will it be physical and used in-store or digital and redeemable online? This will impact the format and the key details that need to be included.
02. Select a design platform
Choosing the right design platform is crucial. It needs to support your skill level while offering the features you need. Wixel is a robust platform that’s both beginner-friendly and capable of producing high-quality results. With templates and AI-driven tools, it helps simplify every step of the process.
Platforms that allow you to manage both physical and digital designs are ideal. They give you the flexibility to create print-friendly files or web-ready versions without needing to switch services.
Transform your ideas into stunning visuals with our AI image generator. Whether it's for a project, your business or just for fun—simply describe your vision and let AI turn it into an eye-catching image in seconds.
03. Choose your format and style
Gift cards come in various formats, from traditional credit card dimensions to digital code-based designs. Select the format that serves your audience best.
Physical cards: If you’re creating a physical card, stick with standard dimensions such as 3.375 x 2.125 inches. This makes them easy to fit into wallets or card envelopes. Use high-resolution graphics to ensure print quality.
Digital cards: For digital versions, consider creating a rectangular format with dimensions that translate well into email or website environments. Ensure the visuals look sharp on screens with a resolution of at least 72dpi.
Your gift card’s style should complement your brand's personality. If you’re targeting families, a whimsical design might work. For professional use, go with sleek fonts and a more refined color palette.
Try the Wixel color palette generator to find the perfect hues that align with your brand's identity.
04. Plan your layout and visual elements
A great layout is the backbone of an effective design, balancing all elements while ensuring key details stand out. Decide what people should notice first—whether it’s the gift card value or your business name—and make it the most prominent aspect of the design. You can use size, color or font weight to establish a clear hierarchy.
If you include images, ensure they are relevant and high-quality. Abstract patterns, simple illustrations or subtle textures often enhance the design without overwhelming it. Additionally, negative space is essential for readability and a polished look. Avoid clutter by leaving enough room around text and visual elements.
05. Incorporate branding elements
Your gift card should reflect your brand identity and sync with your branding. From colors to fonts, all elements should tie in with your existing visual style.
Colors: Use your brand colors as the foundation of your design. Add one or two complementary hues to make the gift card stand out while remaining true to your identity.
Logo: Position your logo strategically on the card. It should be visible but not overpowering. Aim for a size and placement that feels natural and complements the overall composition.
Typography: Stick to the fonts you use for your brand. If you use multiple fonts, limit it to two—one for the headline and another for the additional text. Consistency creates familiarity and builds trust.
Learn more: What is typography
06. Add key details
Gift cards need certain essential details to be functional and professional. Be sure to include these elements clearly in your design.
Gift card value: Clearly state the dollar amount or “custom amount” note. If the card doesn’t have a fixed value (e.g., the giver decides), ensure there’s space to handwrite or type the amount.
Expiration and terms: Explain any expiration dates or usage terms. For example, can it only be used in-store or is it valid online as well? This prevents confusion later.
Redeem instructions: Provide simple instructions for using the gift card. For digital cards, include a code or QR code along with a URL or redemption method.
07. Ensure legal compliance
Legal requirements vary by location, so always make sure your gift card adheres to applicable regulations. For instance, most regions require transparency for expiration dates or fees.
Consult a legal expert or research guidelines in your region to avoid any compliance issues. Transparency builds credibility and ensures that your customers’ trust remains intact.
08. Review and finalize the design
Don’t skip the review phase—it ensures that no important detail is overlooked. Check all text for typos, incorrect information or unclear phrasing and make sure the redemption instructions are easy to understand. Simulate how the card will look in print or online, even squinting your eyes to see if the key details still stand out. If possible, share a draft with trusted peers or ask your team for feedback on the overall design and clarity.
09. Download the file
Once your design is finalized, it’s time to download your gift card. Choosing the right file format is crucial to ensure your design looks its best, whether it’s being shared online or printed out. For gift cards that will be printed, high-quality file formats like PDF are ideal, as they maintain sharp details and clear visuals. On the other hand, if your gift card will be used digitally, such as on a website or in an email, a PNG file is a great choice because it provides excellent image quality while keeping the file size manageable.
Tips to print and distribute your gift cards
Once you’ve completed your design, it’s time for the next steps—printing and getting your gift cards into the hands of their recipients. Here’s how to do it the right way.
Printing your gift cards
If you’ve opted for physical gift cards, choose a high-quality printing service. Look for options to print on durable materials like cardstock or plastic for a professional feel. Don’t forget to account for finishes—matte or glossy laminates can add a premium look while protecting the card from wear and tear.
Digital gift cards, on the other hand, can be designed to be downloaded and printed by the recipient or shared via email. For a cohesive brand experience, ensure the file format, size and quality are suitable for all devices.
Distributing the cards
For physical cards:
Point of sale: Keep them easily visible at your front desk or checkout counter.
Mail: Share them through mail as a thank-you or promotional gift.
For digital cards:
Email campaigns: Use well-crafted email sequences to send gift codes.
Website: Allow customers to purchase or gift digital cards through your website.
Leveraging digital platforms for promotion
Social media offers countless opportunities to show off your new gift card designs. Post sneak peeks of seasonal releases or share customer testimonials highlighting their experience. Pair posts with professional product photography—the more attention your card gets online, the better its chances of being purchased.
Another effective approach is email marketing. Create engaging newsletters for your subscribers showcasing the benefits of your gift cards, along with limited-time promotions to drive sales.
Customizing gift cards
No two recipients are alike, nor are the occasions for which gift cards are given. Tailoring designs to specific audiences or events ensures your cards remain relevant and meaningful.
Designing for seasonal and special occasion gift cards
Seasonal and special occasions often inspire some of the most striking gift card designs. For example, winter gift cards could showcase subtle snowflakes and frosted typography, while Valentine’s cards might play with soft pinks and hand-drawn elements.
Colors are powerful in setting the tone and understanding color theory can make your choices even more impactful. A deep emerald might evoke the festive spirit of the holidays, while bright yellows could signify summer. Alongside colors, consider thoughtful imagery—candy canes, confetti or blooms can add charm that's perfect for the season.
The text on the card is equally important. Keep your messages timely but simple. Phrases like "For your special day" or "Holiday cheer, on us" resonate without overcomplicating the design.
Tailoring gift cards to specific audiences
Different demographics will respond to different design choices. For children, whimsical and energetic colors might do the trick, paired with animated graphics or playful textures. Young professionals might prefer sleek, minimalist cards in neutral tones.
Personalization plays a role here, too. Wixel allows you to add features like recipient names or business logos to target specific groups. The more tailored your card feels, the more meaningful it becomes to the recipient, increasing its perceived value.
Gift card dimensions
When designing, remember to leave enough bleed (extra space around the edges) for a clean trim once printed. Gift cards follow typical sizing formats, which balance ease of use and aesthetics:
Standard size (86mm x 54mm): Also the size of a credit card, making them wallet-friendly.
Digital dimensions (minimum 600x375 pixels for good resolution): Ensure high-quality graphics that look sharp on both mobile and desktop screens.
Additional design projects to explore:
How to make a banner that communicates your message perfectly
How to make a book cover that captures readers at first glance
How to make a flyer that captures attention and delivers your message
How to make an infographic that captivates and informs your audience
How to make invitations that set the tone for your big event
How to make labels that are functional and beautiful
How to make a mood board that inspires your best creative work
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How to make a YouTube banner that captures your channel's personality
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How to make a gift card FAQ
What materials are best for physical gift cards?
Durable materials like plastic or thick cardstock work great for professional designs. Aim for something sturdy enough to handle multiple uses or storage in wallets.
