History

1920

Carlton Cards is founded by Harry Harshman. The original office was on Spadina Avenue in downtown Toronto.

1923

The immediate success of Carlton Cards made it necessary for a new facility with press rooms, order filling, shipping and administration.

1933

Carlton Cards is incorporated.

1956

Carlton Cards is purchased by American Greetings of Cleveland, Ohio. This gives the company a national sales perspective and increases revenues significantly.

1964

Carlton Cards moves to its new corporate location at 1460 The Queensway.

1967

The Holly Hobbie character is introduced and consumer response is overwhelming.

1968

Production expands to gift wrap and packaging.

1970s

Carlton Cards establishes itself as a formidable contender in the Canadian social expressions industry and surpasses Hallmark as the market leader.

1972

Carlton Cards launches candle manufacturing.

1977

The Holly Hobbie character becomes the most sought after female-oriented licensed character in the world.

1979

Purchase of Plus Mark Canada manufacturer of lower priced Christmas Wrap, Box Cards and Accessories.

1980

The Strawberry Shortcake character is introduced. Strawberry Shortcake generates $500 million in retail sales for American Greetings.

1982

Purchase of RustCraft Canada makes the company the leading supplier of greeting cards and accessories to major supermarkets. Carlton Cards also purchases its first seven-colour printing press, to become the largest Miller press operation in Canada.

1983

American Greetings becomes a Fortune 500 company.

Care Bears characters are introduced at a national Toy Fair in the United States.

1986

Carlton Cards purchases a second seven-colour press and remains the largest Miller press operation in Canada.

1987

New facility at 9500 McLaughlin Road, Brampton, to house Everyday and Seasonal order filling, roll gift wrap and bow manufacturing and RustCraft's Head Office.

1989

Carlton Cards and RustCraft introduce the French Everyday card line "Entre Nous", the largest card selection in Quebec.

1990

Summit Canada, Carlton Cards’ retail division, acquires 23 new stores in addition to its 202 stores already across Canada.

1995

Carlton Cards becomes the first traditional greeting card distributor of North American product lines to Canadian retailers and consumers.

1997

Carlton Cards introduces DesignWare, a full-line party goods supplier to the company's existing business unit Learning Horizons.

1999

Carlton Cards integrates manufacturing, order filling and distribution operations with American Greetings offering its retail partners improved customer service and direct-to-store product delivery across North America.

2000

Carlton Cards and American Greetings acquire Gibson Cards, a 150-year-old Brand, now positioned as a discount program offering for retailers

2002

Care Bears emerge from hibernation

Twenty years after their original introduction by American Greetings in 1982, the Care Bears re-emerged from the clouds of Care-a-lot to charm a whole new generation of kids and parents. The relaunch proved that the characters are in demand with three different generations: parents, who fondly remember the Care Bears they grew up with; children, who discovered them for the first time; and teens, who embraced the icons from the '80s for their hip, "retro chic" appeal.

2003

Strawberry Shortcake is back in action

Today's mothers experienced a little déjà vu when another great '80s icon, Strawberry Shortcake, was reintroduced. Today, the beloved icon has two different looks.

"Classic Strawberry Shortcake" with her trademark pinafore and rag doll look, captures the interest of collectors and young women who fondly remembered Strawberry Shortcake from their youth. An updated, more contemporary version called "Strawberry Shortcake and Friends" was also introduced, to appeal to today's little girls. She retains her spunkiness and charm, but resembles a real little girl instead of a rag doll. Overalls replace the pinafore and the bonnet becomes a wide-brimmed straw hat.

2004

American Greetings gets interactive and announces the formation of AG mobile. The company’s new wireless division acquired MIDI ring Tones.

2006

American Greetings turned 100 with clear goals in place for an even better next century. The dedication to innovative products that drove Jacob Sapirstein in 1906 is alive and well today, driving the modern torch-bearers forward to assist consumers in enhancing their relationships through self expression. 100 years later, American Greetings still says it best.

2008

After 44 years in Etobicoke, on June 2, 2008, Carlton Cards Head Office relocated to a new home at 1820 Matheson Blvd in Mississauga, Ontario. The new 38,000 square foot state-of-the-art office space features open ceilings, and bright splashes of colour throughout– the perfect setting for collaboration and open discussion. We look forward to many years in our Mississauga home as Carlton Cards continues to creative innovative products to help Canadians express love, friendship, smiles and laughter.

As a natural extension of products that enable people to connect and celebrate, American Greetings purchased PhotoWorks and Webshots, two online photo sharing and personal publishing sites. At PhotoWorks.com, consumers can create memorable gifts with favorite photos. Webshots.com users can store and send personal photos and interact with the Webshots community as well.