Birth Announcement Traditions
Twentieth Century Announcements
My great-grandmother sent out a fill-in-the-blank postcard to her out-of-town relatives announcing the birth of her baby girl. The year was 1908. The card is a treasure to me, and I wish I had a photo of the new family. Birth announcements were also routinely placed in the local newspapers, as you will still find them in small-town newspapers today.
My parents births in the 1930's were announced with hand-written letters to out of town family and friends. Photographs were more common and were probably taken and shared as possible. This photo, of my grandfather holding his firstborn, captures the awe of a new baby.
The next generation of birth announcements included the hospital photo of the new baby, in black and white, as photographs became more common-place. The hospital would provide a simple folder for the photo with room to handwrite your information.
In the 1970's through the 1980's these simple folder birth announcements from the hospitals were still being used, but with color photos. The greetings were warmly received, even if the presentation was rather generic. The announcement shown here is typical of the mid-to-late 1980's.
It was not until the 1990's that computer technology offered photo retouching for reasonable prices, and a tremendous increase in the quality of printed pieces followed. For the first time, a small quantity of custom birth announcements could be printed economically. The cards were more polished and easily personalized. Options for new parents boomed.
This is when Naptime Productions was born. Two new-mom graphic artists wanted to create cards that captured how they felt about their new babies... a card that was more elegant than what they saw in the marketplace... a card that incorporated a soft photo into a custom birth announcement.
Today you can find a tremendous variety of lovely and personalized baby announcements and shower invitations, from the fill-in-the-blank versions at greeting card stores, to the most elaborate layered or hand painted creations. You can find personalized cigars, personalized candy bars and trading cards.
Naptime Productions strives to offer you the best photo birth announcements on the market, at the most reasonable price. Our photos are lovingly retouched, softened and brightened. The colors are adjusted to coordinate with the card color. Bows, ribbons and paper all of the highest quality. Visit our store today to order a memorable baby announcement or party invitation.
For custom birth announcements, photo birth announcements or any other special occasion, check out Naptime Productions' custom cards. Our baby announcements capture the feelings that new parents have toward their newest member of the family. Place your custom birth announcements order online or contact us toll-free at 1-800-421-9521.
Birth Announcements in Victorian Times
Custom printing by professionals.
At Naptime Productions, an experienced artist will create your card, keeping the look of the sample you choose here, but personalizing it with your information. Since we are making the card just for you, you can make any text changes you wish. If you would like to see an image of what your card will look like before it is printed, simply choose the optional JPG Proof during the order process. Please call or email if you have any questions about your order.
