How do I set up automated birthday cards?
No code needed
Import birthdays and US mailing addresses, then create a Birthday rule. Choose its contacts, card, message, and yearly limit. Turn it on and Scribble handles future cards automatically.
On this page
Import birthdays
Open Import contacts. Upload a CSV or paste spreadsheet cells, including the header row. Map the birthday column to Birthday and fix or skip incomplete addresses.
You can download a CSV template with the Birthday column included.
Choose the people
Create a mailing list for this audience, or use the eligible contacts in the space. Check which contacts the builder includes; a saved address or birthday reminder alone is not a confirmed card order.
Start the setup
Open the date-card builder, name it and select Birthday. Choose the list and check the eligible contact count. If it is zero, check the list, birthday mapping and addresses.
Choose the card
On Card, choose a front from the collection or your saved designs. You can pick it here without creating a saved design first.
Write the note
On Message, insert
{{first_name}}with the field picker, add your sign-off and choose the handwriting. Check the card and envelope previews. If you use{{sender_name}}, fill in its sender value.Review and create
Set Maximum cards per year if you want a limit. Blank means no limit; the count resets January 1. Check the audience, return address and message before creating. Read the confirmation to see whether sending is on.
You’ll know it worked when The rule appears in your date cards or automations, with the intended sending status.
#When cards are sent
Scribble works backward from the occasion date and shows an estimated four to five day arrival window ending on that date. USPS delivery can vary. Add contacts early enough for production and mailing; a date already too close may not be included. See arrival windows.
An active rule includes newly added contacts automatically. It sends once per contact and birthday within that rule. Different rules can each send a card, so check overlapping lists.
| Check | What to do |
|---|---|
| No eligible contacts | Confirm the list has birthdays and complete mailing addresses. |
| Rule is off | Review the settings, then turn sending on. |
| Missing message value | Fill in the contact field, set a fallback where offered, or remove that field from the message. |
| No credits or yearly limit reached | Add credits or change the limit. A retry can only cover dates still within the sending window. |
| Recipient opted out | Check the do-not-mail list. Keep the opt-out unless it was added by mistake. |
#Common questions
- What happens with February 29 birthdays?
- They use February 28 in non-leap years.
- What happens when someone joins the list?
- The rule includes them on later checks once their date and address are ready. A birthday already too close or past may wait until next year.
- How do I preview without sending?
- Use the free on-screen card preview to check the message, handwriting, and envelope. Saving or previewing does not send a card.
- How do I stop future cards?
- Turn the rule off, remove the contact from its list, or use the do-not-mail list for an opt-out. Turning a rule off does not cancel cards already created.
Last checked against the product on . Something wrong or missing? Tell us.