Have you considered mailing out missionary prayer cards?
Prayer cards are utilized by missionaries around the globe to communicate with their friends, family members, and supporters as they share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They are a way to keep your basic information and ways to donate and contact you in front of them.
When it comes to designing missionary prayer cards, it’s important to keep a few things in mind.
Card Information
The information you include on your missionary prayer cards should be simple and concise. Our graphic designers recommend the following:
- name
- mission (i.e. church planting, evangelism, medical missions, etc.)
- location
- name of mission you are serving with
- short description of the work you do
- where/how to send funds
- contact information
- website (this is typically your sending mission’s website, a personal website/blog, or a link for requiring funds)
- Bible verse (optional)
- picture of you/your family
- ministry/sending church logo
Sizes & Materials
Your missionary prayer card can be any size. However, bigger is not always better, as most prayer cards will be mailed or passed out when visiting churches or attending conferences. A prayer card should be small enough to fit in a purse, back pocket, or standard envelope for mailing purposes.
There are many sizes available. A few of the most common sizes include:
- standard postcard (4″ x 6″)
- business card (2″ x 3.5″)
- magnets (3″ x 4″)
- bookmarks (2″ x 6″)
There are many types of finishes to choose from. Postcards are typically printed on 14pt cardstock, but we choose to print ours on 16pt to give them a richer, sturdier feel. Magnet material is available. Bookmarks are usually printed on 16pt cardstock. You can get them with or without a hole punch. Rounded corners are also available.
We also recommend adding UV coating to further extend the life of your print as many people choose to post prayer cards on their refrigerator for easy reference.
Photography Tips
Most individuals choose to include a picture of themselves and/or their family on their missionary prayer card. The overall look of your prayer card and the time to create them will depend on the quality of the photos you choose.
1. High Quality Images
Make sure your phone or camera settings are set to high quality. Three quarter view pictures are best! Pictures taken at a distance can loose too much detail on the faces. Avoid selfies as the photo will be lower quality and the face will be warped.
Send the full, unedited version of the photo that hasn’t been compressed, altered, or trimmed. Photos can be sent via email or by using a file uploader.
2. Avoid Busy Backgrounds
Busy, cluttered backgrounds take away from you, the focus of the missionary prayer card. If the design calls for you to be cropped from the background, less design time will be required if the background is simple and clean.
3. Lighting
If taking pictures outdoors:
- make sure you’re not squinting in the sun
- choose a time of day when the light is more even and consistent (mid morning, later afternoon), or stand under a large tree (bright sunlight will add more contrast to your face and make you look older, or it can blow out all color from your face)
If taking pictures indoors:
- avoid standing against windows (you will come out very dark with very little detail)
- avoid standing against a wall (you’ll have a strong cast shadow)
- avoid using flash
4. Pose
We always encourage informal poses, as this will make you look friendly and approachable. Smile so you will look happy and confident! Avoid cropping people out. Instead, leave room around you.
5. Professional Photography
If you use a professional photographer, purchase the royalty rights so graphic designers are legally allowed to alter and use your photo.
6. Logos
File type matters when it comes to sending logos (i.e. svg, .ai, or possibly PDF). If you don’t have access to a high quality logo, a redraw will be required which can cost you unnecessary design time.
Examples of Missionary Prayer Cards
Below are a few examples of what your missionary prayer cards can look like. You can find additional examples by visiting our Graphic Design Portfolio.
TECH Team Advantage offers affordable graphic design services to like-minded missionaries, churches, and Christian organizations! If you’re interested in having a missionary prayer card designed, our team in Graphic Solutions can help.
Click here to upload files.
Click here to learn more about our eligibility requirements.
