10 Thank You Card Designs and Tips on What to Write

10 Thank You Card Designs and Tips on What to Write

10 Thank You Card Designs and What to Write

At Simply Noted, we have the perfect thank you card for every occasion. From straightforward to whimsical, heartfelt to happy, you'll find the perfect design and card templates. But choosing the right card is only half the battle. Filling it with the perfect, personal message is the next hurdle to expressing gratitude.  

Thankfully, we can help with that, too. Below you'll find descriptions of our ten favorite card designs as well as thank you message ideas. Use them as a starting point for your own unique messages.  

 If you like what you see, click the links below the cards. Our automated handwriting machines will scribe your chosen message with a real ballpoint pen and wing your cards off to their intended recipients. They'll be the fast, easy, and most personal cards you've ever sent that you didn't have to handwrite yourself.

THANK YOU IN STATELY BLUE

Thank you card in tan and blue

Our first selection exhibits classic styling. The tan calligraphy on dark blue is perfect for corporate thank you messages to clients, partners, and employees. Its simple sophistication is appropriate anytime you want to send a thank you with distinction. When your recipient is the best, and we assume they always are, you want to let them know, so we added a little shout-out to that effect at the bottom.

THANKS WITH WATERCOLOR CACTUSES

Thank you card with cactuses

Are you stuck on a favor someone did for you and want a special way to say thanks? Then send these succulents, a cactus design that blends desert beauty with a warm, minimalist watercolor style. Bright and colorful, it is easy to create a standout card on the product page, add subtle foil details, check customer reviews, and download a preview before sending a design that is sure to grace your recipient’s mantle.

DOT’S A LOVELY THANK YOU CARD

Thank you card with colorful dots

With its relaxed font and fun splashes of color, our Thank You Dots are appropriate for any occasion. The design is simple enough for casual corporate thank yous as well as personal messages of gratitude. It's also a great choice for thank you cards following a party or business event. It has just enough festivity baked into the design to bring back fond memories of parties past.

CUSTOM THANK YOU CARDS (PERSONALIZED THANK YOU OPTIONS)

Custom thank you cards make it easy to create a card that truly reflects the occasion, whether it is a birthday celebration or a thoughtful note for family. You can match the style of the card with a favorite photo, add elegant foil details, or even choose postcards for a more casual touch, making every message feel personal, intentional, and memorable.

FLORAL THANK YOU IN PURPLE AND RED

Thank you card with purple and red flowers

This lovely design conjures bouquets of colorful flowers overflowing with affectionate appreciation. It's sure to bring a smile to whoever receives it. It's a great choice for baby and wedding shower thank yous, as well as anytime you want to send someone a cheerful reminder of what they mean to you.

THERE’S ALWAYS ROOM FOR DONUTS

Thank you card with donuts holding hands

This thank you card is a bit of a departure from our standard form, but we think you'll agree that the whimsical message couldn't be better. If you “donut” know what you'd do without the important people in your life, tell them how much you appreciate them with this charming design. The quirky mix of fonts paired with vintage appeal will glaze your recipient's heart with fondness...and sprinkles.

IT’S HIP TO BE SQUARE

Thank you card with colorful plaid pattern

This fanciful play on classic plaid is perfect for casual thank yous, with a versatile color palette and art style that can suit a wide range of occasions. It works especially well for post-birthday notes, messages to mentors, or appreciation shared with guests, and can be adapted into postcards with optional monograms. You can upload your message, download a preview, and check reviews to see why this special design remains a favorite.

WHIMSICAL SUN AND FLOWERS

Thank you card with whimsical hand-drawn imagery

This picture leaps straight from the heart. Your recipient might easily imagine that you doodled the playful shapes that grace the chunky, hand-lettered design at the center. It's quirky and fun, perfect for baby showers, birthdays, doctor and dental offices, and other customer-centric businesses.

THANK YOUS, THANK YOUS EVERYWHERE

Thank you card covered in thank yous

What's better than one thank you? Eight thank yous! This fanciful design splashes wacky thanks across the page, tickling your recipient's heart and funny bone. The hand-drawn appeal is perfect for friends and family. If thank you message ideas are escaping you, you can't go wrong with a design stuffed full of them.

A SIMPLE THANK YOU

Thank you card with a simple thank you

Sometimes you don't need a lot of embellishment, particularly when a bold, graphic “thank you” speaks volumes. This design strikes the perfect balance of sophistication and whimsey, making it appropriate for any occasion and any purpose. Businesses can send their gratitude to long-time customers and individuals can send their thanks to dear old friends. No matter who you're thanking or why, this design has you covered.

A STUDY IN CACTUS

Thank you card with a cactus design

This cactus design goes beyond a simple illustration, featuring a close-up organic style that feels almost paisley on the paper and clearly reflects the touch of a professional designer. It works beautifully for custom thank you cards, especially for a wedding, where it can be paired with a wedding photo or enhanced with subtle foil details, making it a standout option when browsing the shop for something unique and uplifting.

THANK YOU MESSAGE IDEAS TO FILL YOUR CARDS

You've got your card, now what should you say? Creating handwritten thank-you cards comes easy for some people, while others struggle to find the right words. It's not that they don't know how they feel. They just have a hard time putting those emotions into words. 

The first piece of advice we'd give is to just write from the heart. Don't worry about saying “the right thing.” If you're speaking your truth, anything you say is the right thing. Just let your recipient know just what their generous gift meant to you. Don't worry about being witty or trying to capture the perfect sentiment. Just say what's in your heart in whatever way it presents itself. Your recipients will respond to the honesty of your message, no matter what it says. 

If you're still a bit unsure how to structure your thank-you card, use this simple format. These card wording ideas and their structure apply to any thank you, whether you're sending baby shower, wedding, professional, birthday, or just general thanks. Just fill in your details!

Start With a Greeting

Just like any letter, open with a simple greeting such as “Dear Bob,” “To My Oldest Friend,” or “Hi, Aunt Leslie!” For business thank yous, many prefer a more formal tone, especially when choosing from a curated collection in the shop. You can also customize your card with subtle foil accents to match the occasion and set the right first impression.

Relate Your Thanks

This is a thank you card, so jump right into your thank yous. Examples might be: 

  • Thanks so much for the thought…
  • I'm so grateful for what you did for me…
  • My heart was beaming when I saw your thoughtful gift…

Give details

Make sure to mention specifics. This means detailing the specific gift you received. This personalizes your thank you card. You might say things like:

  • I've been needing a new coat for a while now, and this one is so warm!
  • You've dedicated five years of service to the company and we want you to know how much your effort is appreciated.
  • We know you have a choice of vendors and we're grateful to have your business.
  • The new baby blanket is perfect! So beautiful, and your design choices were perfect!

Look to the Future

Your card is speaking for you, so it's nice to mention some future occasion where you'll see your recipient in person. Something like:

  • I'll be sure to show you how well it fits the next time we see each other.
  • We look forward to a continued long and fruitful relationship.
  • Next time we're in the area, we'll be sure to ring you up!

Restate Your Thanks and Close

It's good form to close a thank you card with a final thank you. Then, just like any other card or letter, close with something appropriate like:

  • All my love
  • Warm wishes
  •  With deepest gratitude 
  •  Your friend forever

LET SIMPLY NOTED TAKE CARE OF YOUR THANK YOUS

Do you send hundreds or thousands of thank you cards at a time? With Simply Noted, you can mix the ease of automated card creation with the warmth of a handwritten note. It's a new gift for you and your customers, and it's the best way to say thank you to large groups of people while still maintaining a personal touch. Give us a call to learn more!

FINAL THOUGHTS

A great thank you card design does more than look good on premium paper. It sets the tone for appreciation and helps express gratitude in a thoughtful way. Whether choosing elegant card designs for business, a whimsical style for friends, or a heartfelt note for family, the right combination of design and message adds a personal touch that recipients truly appreciate. From baby shower and wedding occasions to birthdays and holiday gifts, thank you cards remain a kind gesture that strengthens relationships.

With fully customizable card templates, personalized thank you cards make it easy to match style, tone, and message to any event. When words are crafted with care and paired with the right design, a simple card becomes a meaningful expression of kindness, love, and support that leaves a lasting impression.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What makes a good thank you card design?

A good thank you card design matches the occasion, tone, and recipient. Whether elegant, simple, or whimsical, the design should support the message and feel personal. Colors, style, and layout all help express appreciation clearly.

What should be written inside a thank you card?

A strong message includes a greeting, a clear expression of gratitude, specific details, and a warm closing. Writing from the heart matters more than perfect wording. A thoughtful note always feels sincere and appreciated.

Are personalized thank you cards better than generic ones?

Yes, personalized thank you cards feel more meaningful because they show effort and care. Custom messages, photos, or designs help the recipient feel valued. Personalization strengthens the emotional connection behind the gesture.

When should a thank you card be sent?

Thank you cards are ideally sent within one to two weeks after receiving a gift, support, or kindness. Sending them promptly shows respect and appreciation. Even a slightly late thank you card is always better than none at all.