Trend watch: Modern Valentine’s Day cards

These modern Valentine’s Day cards let loved ones know you care in a saccharine-free way.

By Cristina Velocci Fri Feb 8 2013

Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to show appreciation for loved ones, although you don’t have to do it in a cheesy way. We round up modern Valentine’s Day cards from NYC stationery stores such as Stewart/Stand, Greenwich Letterpress and Paper Presentation that are sure to brighten your parents’, friend’s or significant other’s day.

RECOMMENDED: Valentine's Day ideas for New Yorkers

Put a maritime spin on those three little words with this eco-friendly card, featuring nautical flags whose representative letters spell out i love you. The nautical design is hand-printed in San Francisco onto recycled paper using vegetable inks, and ensures the signals you’re sending to the object of your affection are delivered with smooth sailing. Yellow Owl Workshop Nautical Flag Love card, $4, at Posman Books, 75 Ninth Ave between 15th and 16th Sts (212-627-0304)
Photograph: Erika Dufour

Couples who find themselves stuck in a Chinese-food-and-Netflix rut will chuckle at this card from Chicago letterpress studio Snow & Graham, which should inspire a romantic night far from the couch. Snow & Graham Take-Out card, $4, at Pink Olive, 167 Fifth Ave between Berkeley and Lincoln Pls, Park Slope, Brooklyn (718-398-2016)
She may have relocated from Brooklyn to Montreal, but card designer Michelle Lin continues to draw inspiration from New York City for her handmade collages. To wit, this street scene references the crosswalks that are iconic to the metropolis we all know and love. Chelleline Cards Crossroads of Love card, $6, at Stewart/Stand Design Store, 141A Front St at Pearl St, Dumbo, Brooklyn (718-875-1204, stewartstanddesignstore.com)
The amorous holiday doesn’t give everyone a warm and fuzzy feeling, as this sardonic card from Southern California artist Julie Ann Astra attests. Reserve it for your single friends with a sense of humor—it’s best paired with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s. Julie Ann Art Singles Awareness Day card, $4, at julieannart.etsy.com
Valentine’s Day celebrates all forms of affection, so it’s only fitting that you show appreciation to the people who first taught you about love. This whimsical card from local stationery line Mr. Boddington’s Studio is guaranteed to lift your parents’ spirits. Mr. Boddington’s Studio Look at Those Balloons card, $5, at shop.mrboddington.com
Perfect for the social-media-obsessed, this letterpress cotton-paper card notifies the recipient that they have a fan who truly likes them. Gilah Press + Design Smoking Hash Tags I Will Follow You card, $4, at gilahpress.com
There’s no shortage of cutesy cards comparing iconic pairings (PB&J, macaroni and cheese) to well-matched couples, but this classy, gold-foil-flecked iteration from Syracuse letterpress studio Smock is our favorite. Use it to inspire a lazy weekend morning spent cuddling with your beau in bed. Smock Paper Like Saturdays letterpress card, $4, at smockpaper.com
Photograph: Jessica Lin

Whether you met your significant other at a concert, or the two of you simply enjoy seeing live music together, audiophiles will go nuts for this ticket-shaped letterpress card from Chicago graphic designer Amber J. Favorite. Bonus points if your Valentine’s Day gift is taking your date to an actual show. A. Favorite Design Love Rock Ticket card, $5, at Greenwich Letterpress, 39 Christopher St between Seventh Ave South and Waverly Pl (212-989-7464)
Let your beloved know he or she rocks your socks off with this letterpress card, whose die-cut window reveals that the two of you are meant to be. Egg Press Good Pair Valentine card, $6, at Posman Books, 75 Ninth Ave between 15th and 16th Sts (212-627-0304)

Put a maritime spin on those three little words with this eco-friendly card, featuring nautical flags whose representative letters spell out i love you. The nautical design is hand-printed in San Francisco onto recycled paper using vegetable inks, and ensures the signals you’re sending to the object of your affection are delivered with smooth sailing. Yellow Owl Workshop Nautical Flag Love card, $4, at Posman Books, 75 Ninth Ave between 15th and 16th Sts (212-627-0304)

Follow Cristina Velocci on Twitter: @cvelocci