How Does It Work?

The IQ Cards scheme is FREE and simple to run, with eight easy steps:

1. Register your school to take part in the project and we’ll be in touch to confirm your place. Set up your admin portal – this is where you will add class names and can monitor every stage of the project.
2. We send your free design pack with a design form for every child (plus plenty of spares), your project guide and teachers’ design guide.
3. Pupils create their artwork in class and schools send the designs back to us using the box and label provided. Before packing them up, make sure the child’s name and class is on the reverse of the work and sort them into year and class order.
4. We check all designs by hand, scan them, capture the images and link them to the unique code on the form.
5. We create an order form for each child with their design and unique code which are sent to school and given to parents – spares can be downloaded and printed from the admin portal.
6. Parents head to the link on the form to order and pay for products featuring their child’s design. It is at this stage the parents enter their child’s name exactly how they would like it to be printed on the products.
7. We print, pack and deliver all orders back to the school – packed and boxed in year and class order.
8. Enter bank details on the admin portal and your school will receive the funding payment in the January which follows the end of the project.

We’ve designed the system to be as easy as possible for organisers and parents alike. We can now take payments online directly from parents – no more counting cash!

Plus, our early bird offers boost funding for schools that return their designs early. If you send your designs back to us by 17^th September 2025, your school will benefit from 25p extra funding per product ordered! That extra really adds up!

Sustainability is Important to Us

At iQ Digital House, we’re committed to making IQ Cards a fundraising project that’s not only creative and rewarding but also environmentally responsible.

In 2025, we’re excited to introduce our Planting Trees Initiative in partnership with Switch2Zero. For every school that takes part in the IQ Cards project, we’ll plant a tree – and we’ll do this every year that the school continues to participate. It’s a simple way to give back to the environment and support reforestation efforts around the world.

We’re also proud to support the Love Paper campaign, led by the non-profit Two Sides UK, which promotes positive stories about paper and print packaging, from its environmental credentials to its ability to improve mental wellbeing, learning and enhance creativity. You’ll see the Love Paper logo on the back of all of our printed cards this Christmas. We recommend exploring the Love Paper website for activities to teach children recycling habits, as well as free downloadable games, activity sheets and puzzles to print and enjoy.

All our products are printed on paper sourced from responsibly managed forests, and we go a step further by offsetting the carbon footprint of our paper through our partnership with Carbon Balanced Paper and the World Land Trust. In 2024 alone, we offset 12,720 kilograms of CO₂ and helped protect 2,430 square metres of critically threatened tropical forest.

When schools choose IQ Cards, they’re not just raising money, they’re helping children learn about sustainability while contributing to a greener, healthier planet.

The Power of Creativity

One of the reasons IQ Cards has been so successful is the sheer joy this activity and the products created bring to children, teachers and families. Art helps children express themselves, improve mental wellbeing, build confidence and learn problem-solving skills.

Importantly, designs don’t have to be Christmas-themed, the children can create whatever picture they want, making this an inclusive project for all pupils.

We do tend to promote this initiative around Christmas time, but you could do an activity at any time of year for a totally different reason or special occasion.

What Schools Say

“We would definitely like to sign up for next year. People commented on how good the print quality and overall quality of the products were compared to some of the other companies we have used in the past.”

“The online ordering and portal was incredible as it meant we could easily check to see what people had ordered and give out codes again if needed. Thank you once again for producing such high-quality products – we had a lot of happy children and families!”

St John’s Catholic Primary School, Cornwall

“I just want to say a big thank you again for your great service. Every part of the process was well organised and user friendly. Individual issues were dealt with in a helpful, prompt and professional manner. All the parents and children were really pleased with their cards and other products.”

Mount Street Academy, Lincoln

Join Us in Reaching £2 Million by the End of 2025

IQ Cards has come a long way since 2009 and we’re not stopping yet. With your help, we’re aiming to hit the £2 million mark in time for our 21st birthday. So whether you’ve taken part before or are brand new to the project, we’d love to have your school involved in 2025.

Register today to receive your FREE pack and get started! If you have any questions, we may have answered them on our FAQs page or please get in touch with our friendly team.

We can’t wait to see an array of beautifully creative designs!

Let’s make it a milestone year – for your school, your pupils and the planet.

*Photo credits: Gene Ashe Photography