What To Include In Your Birth Announcement
Peterson Design & Photography
Those first days with a new baby feel a little outside of time—soft, slow, and full of tiny details you never want to forget. Somewhere in that haze, you realize you’re ready to tell your people: they’re here. A birth announcement is your way of pressing pause on this fleeting moment and sharing it in a form you can hold, tuck into a keepsake box, or frame on the wall.
If you’re wondering what to say, what to leave out, and whether you truly need a photo, this concise guide will walk you through the essentials, with a special nod to keepsake-quality letterpress announcements that feel as timeless as the news they carry.
Why Birth Announcements Still Matter
You may have already texted a picture from the hospital or posted a quick update online. So why send a physical announcement at all?
Because paper lingers where screens disappear. Grandparents display them, friends slip them onto the fridge, and one day your child might find theirs in a box and see their story, designed and printed with intention and care.
Letterpress birth announcements deepen that feeling. Everything about a well-crafted card—from the ink pressed into the paper to the weight of the paper in their hands— invites the recipient to slow down for a moment and celebrate with you. It’s less about necessity and more about creating a keepsake that holds this chapter of your family’s story.
The Essentials To Include
Think of your birth announcement as your baby’s first introduction. It doesn’t need to say everything—just the details that anchor the moment. Most families include the baby’s full name and date of birth, and often add time of birth, weight, and length.
From there, you can keep it as simple or as detailed as you like. Some parents choose a very minimal layout—name plus date and a short phrase like “Welcome to the world.” Others love including all the birth stats. At Letterpress Made, we usually design with the name as the quiet centerpiece, then arrange the remaining details in a way that feels balanced, calm, and beautiful on the page.
Choosing Your Wording
Once you know what information you’re including, the next step is how you’d like to say it. The tone is completely up to you and should feel like your family’s voice.
You might lean traditional and formal, with wording like “Introducing” followed by your baby’s name and details, signed with “With love” and your names. You might prefer something soft and sentimental, such as “With full hearts we joyfully announce the arrival of…” Or you may be drawn to modern and minimal, with just “Meet” or even simply the name and date.
You can also choose who is “doing” the announcing. Some parents sign as “Proud parents,” others include siblings with a line like “Big sister Ava is thrilled to announce…,” and some keep it understated with just the family surname. There’s no right or wrong here—only what feels true to you.
And don’t be shy about including your family pet in the signature line. One day your kiddo can look back on their announcement as a small snapshot of their family when they joined it.
Do You Need A Photo?
The question we hear most often: should you include a photo on your birth announcement?
Photo announcements are wonderful when you want to share a favorite newborn portrait, especially with faraway loved ones. If you’ve booked a newborn session and don’t mind waiting a few weeks, a photo can be a beautiful focal point. With letterpress, that might look like a main card with all the details and a separate printed photo tucked into the envelope, or a coordinated suite that pairs image and impression.
Non-photo announcements, though, are every bit as special. They allow the typography, ink, and texture of the letterpress to shine and often feel especially timeless. They can also be sent sooner, without waiting on photography, and are a lovely option if you’re feeling private about images or simply prefer a more minimal, artful approach. A carefully designed, photo-free card with your baby’s name and birth details can feel incredibly intimate—like a small work of art announcing a new life.
Thoughtful Extras (Only If You Want Them)
Once the essentials are in place, you may choose to add one or two details that deepen the story without cluttering the design. A short quote or favorite saying can echo what your heart is feeling in this season. A beloved nickname or meaningful middle name can be gently featured beneath the full name.
Some families like to include the city and state of birth as a nod to where this chapter began, especially if they live far from relatives. Others add a brief note of gratitude for the love and support they’ve received. If you have a private online gallery or family website with more photos, that link can live on a small coordinating enclosure card, keeping the main announcement clean and timeless.
Timing (And The Beauty Of Taking Your Time)
Traditionally, birth announcements are sent within the first two or three months. In reality, newborn life rarely follows a neat timeline. If your announcements go out when your baby is four weeks, four months, or even later, they will still be received with joy.
A birth announcement is more than a card; it’s the way you step out of the quiet of your home and say to the world, “They’re here, and they are loved.” Whether you choose a photo or not, traditional wording or modern minimalism, the most meaningful announcements are the ones that feel like your family—simple, true, and crafted with care.
When you choose custom letterpress baby announcements, you’re not just sending news; you’re creating a keepsake your child might hold someday, feeling the same gentle impressions you approved in these tender early days.
