PPB August 2019

Chao Ca rds T he laser-cut designs and intricate precision of Chao Cards’ 3D, handcrafted, pop-up greeting cards are a testament to the endless creativity and potential of promotional products. It seems that with each fresh look at one of the supplier’s custom cards— which can be fully personalized for any occasion, whether it’s a new business partnership, a nonprofit’s request for donations, a wedding announcement or a restaurant’s grand opening—the recipient notices something new. Perhaps it’s the cuts that connote blades of grass, the slits that represent the fine creases of a woman’s dress, or the angles that make up the roof of a historic building. Either way, the cards manufactured by the Orlando, Florida-based supplier are one of a kind. A true reflection of the product, Chao Cards’ name is a welcoming gesture. In Vietnamese and Japanese— the supplier’s manufacturing plant is in Vietnam—“chao” is a greeting that means “hello”; and a salutation with similar renditions in other languages, including Italian, Swiss-German and French (“ciao”), Spanish (“chau”) and Finnish (“tsau”). This adds to the cards’ representation as universally understood, memorable offerings. The origin of the cards’ designs is rooted in origami, the process of folding paper, and kirigami, the process of folding and cutting paper, both with the intent to create art. The term “origami” comes from the Japanese root words “ori,” meaning “to fold,” and kami, meaning “paper,” and is thought to have originated in Japan during the sixth century, or 501-600AD. So with every Chao Card, recipients carry with them an art form that is more than 1,500 years in the making—with a modern twist: all of the cards are made using machinery that cuts the designs meticulously, though they are still assembled by hand. PPB spoke with Dat Dang, the founder and president of Chao Cards, to learn more about the process and the company’s history. What inspired you to found Chao Cards, and where did you come up with the concept for your business? I was introduced to these cards by a family friend back in 2014. I had seen these pop-up cards before, especially in Asia, where they are very popular. After looking at the cards, I realized there was both a market and an opportunity for them in the United States. I then contracted with a factory in Vietnam to see if they could custom-design various cards for me. With more than 20 years of manufacturing experience working with products, I saw that these cards are not your typical cards, but they bring value through the unique pop-up. Seeing the value through the customization, its true form of art and the long shelf life, I knew it was a natural fit for various industries. Chao Cards creates one- of-a-kind, handcrafted pop-up cards rooted in the ancient arts of kirigami and origami, offering care, craft and history to recipients. by Danielle Renda It’s In The Cards The most popular category of Chao Cards encompasses architectural structures, which may be requested for any number of projects, such as a real estate company congratulating clients on their new home or a nonprofit organization seeking donations for the upkeep of a historic museum. 68 | AUGUST 2019 | CONNECT