Tiger swallowtail mandala card is digitally printed using archival pigment inks on silky, bright white, acid-free paper. Folded card is 5.25" by 5.25" and comes with a beautifully made, bright white envelope. The paper is super smooth, not slick, and takes gel, ballpoint, and other inks well.The photograph I used to create the butterfly mandala is printed on the back of the card with the photo location and a little story.  Perfect as a note card or birthday card for a gardener, child, biology teacher, or anyone who loves butterflies, grows native plants, or is concerned about sustainability. Butterflies also carry the energy of transformation, making this card a nice gift for anyone going through a life change.

Shipping. The card and envelope are packaged together in a plastic sleeve and mailed in a stiffened mailer. One or two cards are shipped USPS First Class without tracking. Three or more cards are shipped via the most economical means, which usually includes tracking.

Framing. This tiger swallowtail mandala card is created using high-quality materials, such as might be used in a museum. The print is sharp, bright, and frameable. To protect the vibrancy of the artwork, I frame using UV glass or acrylic, and I recommend it. If you use plain glass or acrylic, make sure you hang this sweet, little piece and all your beautiful art away from direct sunlight.

Postage. Because irregularly shaped mail, like this square tiger swallowtail butterfly card, must be canceled by hand, the U.S. Postal Service requires extra postage to deliver them. Special "butterfly stamps" carry the exact right postage to mail your square card within the U.S.

About the Art. The digital collage on this card, titled Swallowtail Power, was created from a photo of an Eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly taken in my gardens on Pleasant Hill, near Morgantown, West Virginia. Female tiger swallowtails can be either yellow or black. The markings on the wings and a sedate nature differentiate them from other dark swallowtail species.

Tiger swallowtails begin life as funky little green caterpillars with big heads and enormous eye spots, which they use to frighten predators. They feed on the leaves of tall trees like yellow poplar and wild black cherry. As you certainly know, caterpillars undergo radical transformation from ground creepers to riders of the winds. Butterfly as spirit animal carries that energy of transformation and also brings the gift of heightened perspective. We might sleep as caterpillars, living just a few inches beyond our noses, but dreaming of bigger things. The lucky among us awaken to find their wings and a higher, wider point of view.