Saying 'thank you' is such a simple thing to do, but it can make someone's day and make them feel really appreciated. Having a stash of cards to hand for all eventualities is so useful, and here we've rounded up our favourite thank you card ideas for you to make at home.
Whether you're thanking someone for their gift, or for just being there when you needed them, we've got you covered.
If you want to make your own DIY thank you cards, how about downloading some free printable cards or templates? Or maybe you'd prefer to buy a pack of eye-catching readymade thank you cards?
Take a look at our selection of the best thank you card ideas below. We hope there will be something to inspire and spread a little joy to those around you.
Looking for card ideas to make?
Learn how to make beautiful bow cards with our free step-by-step tutorial. Or learn how to master the U-fold card – it's easier than you might think! Once you've made all your cards, why not keep them organised in this DIY expanding folder?
If you're thinking about buying a printer for the first time or upgrading an old one, you might want to read up on what to look for in the best printer for card making as a printer is essential for using printables!
DIY thank you card ideas
Easy ombré watercolour thank you card
These simple thank you cards are easy and fun to make. Take a look at Kristina Werner's blog for a step-by-step video tutorial! We love the ombré effect, and Kristina shares her hints and tips for getting the most out of a budget watercolour set.
Quarter fold thank you card surprise
Learn how to make this easy quarter fold surprise thank you card with our free quarter fold step-by-step tutorial. Why not use our free patterned papers to decorate the panels?
Fingerprint monster thank you card idea
This is such a simple idea, but so much fun! Add coloured fingerprints to the front of a card blank, then use a fine liner pen to draw on some random monsters. Leave a few blank for the recipient to add their own monsters! Thank you Mum In The Mad House for this fab crafty idea!
Thank you card pouch idea
This is such a lovely idea, a simple handwritten note wrapped up in a matchbook-style pouch. Lindsay at Evermine Labels has attached them to small gifts of chocolate and tea, we love it!
Sticker doodle dot thank you card idea
Stickers are great. But sometimes you just don't know what to do with them! How about this? Grab some plain stickers (they don't have to be white), add some scribbles and stick them onto some bright card for your own bespoke thank you card idea. Marie over at Make & Takes shows you how!
Washi tape thank you card idea for kids
Like stickers, we often end up with more washi tape than we know what to do with. How about this fun idea - use washi tape to spell out 'thank you', then paint around the outside.
Either leave the washi tape in place or peel off to reveal white negative space! This is a great one for kids – take a look at the Artful Parent for tips and tricks.
Fingerprint balloon thank you card idea for kids
Turn colourful fingerprints into balloons with just a few squiggles. Spell out 'thank you' across the balloons and you've got a quick, easy (and only a little bit messy) thank you card idea.
Wax resist thank you card idea
Remember wax crayons? We must have all done this at school - using a white wax crayon as a resist, then painting over with watercolours to reveal your design. Great for kids and adults alike, for a professional finish, why not use watercolour paper as your card blank? Take a look at Happy Hooligans for hints and tips!
Sunshine thank you card idea
Here's another idea for all that washi tape you've got stashed away! We love the yellow on kraft card used in this example - but why not mix it up a little? Use galaxy-themed washi tape on black card for an out-of-this-world thank you card idea.
Little bunting thank you card idea
Ideal and easily customisable for any occasion, fold scraps of paper over to create mini bunting and write your sentiment on the flags. Lou Lou has a fantastic step-by-step tutorial over on her blog.
Easy banner card thank you card idea
A variation on the idea above - leave your bunting blank and suspend from two brads to create this cute washing line card! Write your thank-you note on the inside.
Easy washi tape aperture thank you card idea
How about this for an easy, yet effective thank you card idea? Cut an aperture in the front of your card blank, then add strips of washi tape behind the aperture to create interest. Write 'thank you', or any other sentiment on the front and you've got a quick and easy thank you card idea. This comes to you courtesy of Lori Greco who has shared this project on Ideas for the Home by Kenarry.
Free printable thank you card ideas
Thank you
This printable thank you card is fully formatted and ready to go. Just print it out, fold where indicated and you have a quick and easy way to say thank you!
I am grateful for you, 2020 edition by Melissa Esplin
Melissa Esplin created this free printable design in 2020 for you to send to friends, colleagues, loved ones and family during the pandemic. We love the sentiment, Melissa!
Thank you, teacher - free papers
Illustrator Emma Jones has created these gorgeous free thank you, teacher papers which are free to download from our site. The patterns come in a slightly more mature take on a primary colour scheme, and we love the lemony yellow and pale teal. Check out the adorable rolls of washi tape in the design!
Free chrysanthemum printable thank you cards
Kristi over at I Should Be Mopping The Floor is a graphic designer who has created these gorgeous free chrysanthemum thank you card printables. She's even created a handy video showing you how to use printables too.
Free floral thank you papers
Inspired by sweet summertime garlands, these papers will add a bucket-load of cheer to any greeting you make. These gorgeous floral free papers have been designed for us by Jenny Ellory, and feature a collection of sentiments, toppers and coordinating papers. Perfect for the spring!
Free succulent printable thank you cards by The Cottage Market
This is another super-easy printable card where you just choose a card to print, then print and fold in half to create your card. There are 10 designs to choose from, but we just had to share this super-cute succulent thank you card!
Free printable calligraphy thank you cards
Melissa Esplin created this free printable thank you card idea a few years ago, and it's still available on her website. We think it looks great printed on kraft card!
Free chalkboard printable thank you cards
This is another free printable thank you card where you only need to hit print. The chalkboard design is already designed, so all you need to do is fold it in half. Great for that last-minute thank-you!
Free vintage letter patterned papers
We love these free vintage letter and typewriter patterned papers in pastel shades, which prove there’s still something a little bit special and exciting about receiving a handwritten letter or card. Download the entire collection free from Gathered today!
Free thank you card templates
Cute cubs - free customisable and printable thank you card
If you're looking for printable thank you card ideas that you can personalise before you print, how about this adorable cute cubs design from Greetings Island?
Edit the sentiment on the front and customise the text inside the card - ideal if you have a duplex printer (a printer that prints on both sides of the paper).
Free cross stitch thank you card pattern: Birds
This darling bird cross stitch pattern with a contemporary folk-art feel and a joyously colourful palette is free to download from the Gathered website. Designed by Susan Bates, it will take around six hours to stitch, and is ideal for those extra-special thank yous.
Free cross stitch thank you card pattern: Gems
We love the subtle shine on the gems created by the white thread on this gorgeous thank you card by Rhona Norrie. And you can download the pattern free from our website!
Free cross stitch thank you card pattern: Flowers
Download this classic floral cross stitch pattern and say thank you in style with this free design by Amanda Gregory. With a bouquet of purple hydrangea, the design measures 10.5 x 10.5cm so it's ideal for adding to the front of a card.
Free floral mood customisable and printable thank you card
Customisable thank you card templates are so easy to use, and we love this design from Greetings Island that allows you to put the recipient's name on the front. There are also 7 different inner layouts, or you can leave it blank if you prefer.
Beautiful floral thank you card template
This watercolour-style thank you card template from freepik puts the sentiment centre stage and is free to customise with your own personal message on the front. It's available to download in EPS file format, which is compatible with Adobe Illustrator or Coral Draw.
Soft fox - free customisable and printable thank you card
This soft fox thank you card is so cute! You can customise the inside and back cover, and even add your own photos for the recipient. Ideal for duplex printers, it's free to download and personalise from Greetings Island.
Free cross stitch thank you card pattern: Typography
If you're looking for something bright and colourful, how about this bold thank you card cross stitch pattern? It's free to download from our website, along with 7 other handy quick cross stitch cards patterns for any occasion.
Short on time? Here are some of the best thank you card sets to buy
Thanks a bunch, card set
Buy now: £22 (10 pack) on Papier
If you've made it this far, you might be thinking about sending bought thank you cards instead? We love this thanks a bunch 10 card set from Papier, they're sure to bring a smile to the recipient.
Gold foiled thank you card set
Buy now: £12.59 (10 pack) on Etsy
Add a touch of luxury to your thank you card giving with these simply stylish gold foiled cards from Secret Creation on Etsy. You can choose your card pack size, anywhere from a single thank you card to a pack of 70.
Animal thank you card set
Buy now: £8.47 (24 pack) on Amazon
This is a lovely thank you card kit from Nuoshen on Amazon and what's not to love about these darling thank you cards? As well as the super-adorable designs, you also get 24 coordinating stickers to seal the envelopes with.
Grey with dots thank you cards
Buy now: £5 (8 pack) from Oliver Bonas
If you're looking for a pack of playful thank you cards, how about these from Oliver Bonas? Show your appreciation with this cute thank you card with a simple but effective dotty pattern.
Calligraphy thank you card set
Buy now: £11 (8 pack) from Not on the High Street
This stylish set of thank you cards is perfect to show your loved ones your appreciation and are blank inside, leaving you plenty of room to write any heartfelt message you wish.
Floral notecard set
Buy now: £12.95 (8 pack) from Etsy
These cards are blank inside, so perfect for all occasions and especially for flower and garden lovers! They come in a set of 8 with envelopes, and are bound with satin ribbon and wrapped in tissue paper as a gift in themselves!
Simple thank you card set
Buy now: £6.99 (36 pack) from Amazon
These cards come in a 36 pack of six different thank you card designs on high quality 250gsm card. Great value, and the cards can even be coloured using gel pens, pencils or coloured fine liners to add a little homemade touch. Also included are 36 coordinating stickers to seal the envelope!
V&A ornithology thank you card set
Buy now: £3.50 (8 pack) from V&A Shop
These delightful ornithology themed thank you cards from the V&A includes 8 color foiled thank you notes with white envelopes. Blank on the inside, these are useful little cards to keep in your stash!
Ombré thank you card set
Buy now: £3 (6 pack) from Paperchase at Tesco
These pretty ombré cards come with stickers to add the perfect finishing touch to your envelopes. Inside the cards have a spotty ombré border for an enchanting effect.
Tropical thank you card set
Buy now: £10 (pack of 5) from Etsy
A set of 5 tropical leaf thank you cards from Once Upon a Tuesday on Etsy – each featuring an illustrated, minimal design leaf on the front, and blank inside. The tropical leaves include fern leaves, palm leaves and other tropical leaves. Printed on premium-quality, recycled paper, these cards are thick stock and excellent quality. They come with brown recycled and unbleached envelopes.
Introductory photo by Priscilla Du Preez
Thank you card ideas to keep you organised!
We never know what life will throw at us, so having a hoard of card options ready to go is part of the organised crafter's armoury! Take your pick from our extensive collection of ideas, which even the novice card maker will be able to tackle!
Alternatively, if you prefer to buy your cards pre-designed, then we've got you sorted too.
How to write the perfect message every time
Sometimes we can be lost for words when faced with a blank card, but with our guide to what to write in a card for every occasion you'll never have that problem again! You'll always find the perfect solution with Gathered!
