The First Place To Check For Greeting Card Submissions

[billcartoons]

As not all greeting card companies accept cartoons or humorous art for their various lines, I've sorted out some who do. Typically a submission consists of 6-12 images, appropriate to the needs of the card company (provided within the pages detailing their submission process) either electronically or through conventional mail. The method I find most user-friendly to those I'm submitting to is to take the images and place them into a PDF document, then attach that (if the guidelines say it's okay to do so) to an email. Most greeting card companies understand that you are running a business, so simultaneous submissions are okay. If they find something they're interested in, they'll ask you if it's still available. If so, congratulations! You've just made your first sale! In the United States, where we'll start, an advance is offered and a percentage of net sales, typically ranging between 4 to 7%. Given enough sales over time, even in a difficult economy, a living can be made. Just remember, it's a VERY competitive market, and rejections are just part of the process, so get yourself on a regular submission schedule, and provide only the best samples of your work. The art directors are very skilled and will quickly delete your emails if they only receive half-hearted and unprofessional material. Best of luck, and feel free to ask any questions. With that, here you are:

US Greeting Card Companies:

Oatmeal - http://www.oatmealstudios.com/Artist'sGuidelines/AG-Pg.htm

Marian Heath - http://www.marianheath.com/Docs/MH_Submission_Guidelines_2011.pdf

Recycled Paper Greetings - http://www.recycled.com/artists.htm

Nobleworks - http://www.nobleworkscards.com/submission.html

Comstock - http://www.comstockcards.com/guide_base.htm

Design Design - http://www.designdesign.us/download/guidelines.pdf

Cardmakers - http://cardmakers.com/submissions

Designer Greetings - http://www.designergreetings.com/pages/jobs.html (pays flat fee)

RSVP/Sellers - https://www.rsvp.com/faq.php

Smart Alex - http://www.smartalexinc.com/pages/artist_submission/124.php[url][/url]

Cheers,
Bill
Cartoon Gifts

[Simon]

I've always liked the look of http://www.comstockcards.com/guide_base.htm

I've been meaning to submit some stuff to them for a while.

[billcartoons]

That's great - I should've mentioned that as well - please feel free to add to this database. The more we work together as cartoonists, the more we all benefit.

Cheers,
Bill
Cartoon Gifts

[Simon]

I think these guidelines would suit Leah down to the ground...

http://www.comstockcards.com/art_guide.htm

By the way, where is she? Seems I have to do everything.

(Nice resources Bill)

[Kathy]

Quick question - do you need to write the sentiment or greeting that goes inside the card, or can you just do the front image cartoon?

[billcartoons]

Hi Kathy - the majority ask only for the art - some may seek your input for an interior sentiment, but I haven't experienced that much.

Cheers,
BillCartoon Gifts

[Kathy]

Thanks so much, Bill!

[Kathy]

Another question - I've got a couple cartoons on Zazzle as cards. Should I pull these if I decide to try submitting them? (I've only sold one, and can certainly put them back up later.)

[LeahG]

I think these guidelines would suit Leah down to the ground...

http://www.comstockcards.com/art_guide.htm

By the way, where is she? Seems I have to do everything.

(Nice resources Bill)

Less of your moaning!! I have been working morning noon and night on my website which is almost but not quite there. I am trying to improve page load speed, seo and the way the gallery features work. I'm learning a fair amount about wordpress plugins that's for sure. I do check in here daily though...even if only to lurk

I may start a section for discussing websites for cartoonists and things of that nature because promoting onself online isn't very effective if one has no website!

Meanwhile this new line of forums Bill and Simon is magnificent, excellent knowledge base!! Thank you.

[LeahG]

I just sent a feww of my xmas card designs (the gag ones) to that link re comstock, nothing ventured, nothing gained and all that!!

[Simon]

Thought that would be right up your Alley. Just a bit concerned about you submitting stuff that you've already Published online or whatever. Maybe one should consider doing stuff for them that's original and specifically aimed towards their specs?

[Kathy]

I wondered about submitting designs I already published on Zazzle...decided to try making new cartoons, and if they get rejected by all the card companies, put them on Zazzle at that point.

[LeahG]

I am not worried about fact they're published, everywhere I've published them so far I can remove them if they decide they want them. They're not in my zazzle shop just here and on my website, facebook etc.

I don't think the toons I sent are hardcore enough, they want 'adult' material and the stuff I've sent is very tame.

[Billtoons]

I haven't been around much recently, but I thought I'd chime in here and relay some of the experiences I've had with the questions mentioned above.

I wouldn't worry at all about previously published material, including what's on Zazzle, as long as you don't have a contract for that specific image with another greeting card company. As they only license greeting card rights, the image remains available for other licensing categories, such as calendars, print media, etc. And don't take the images off Zazzle, even those you have on cards, until you have an offer from a card company. You've only submitted material - they haven't yet accepted it and until they do, why not keep the piece working for you?

Additionally, I wouldn't just send to one card company. As long as your material is in the vein of what they publish, I'd submit to numerous companies, particularly the ones with the best royalty rates and sales reach. It's a fierce, competitive market, and if you submit to one at a time, waiting months between submissions, you'll grow old far faster than your business will grow revenue. In my experience (Hallmark UK being the exception), they will ask if the image is still available, knowing that they are not the only company you're submitting to - it's taken for granted.

Best of luck, and keep us informed of your successes!

Cheers,

Bill

Bill Abbott Cartoons

Bill's Cartoon Blog

[Kathy]

Thank you , Bill! I got sidetracked with another project, but just finished it so I'm back to working on some cartoons for cards. I plan to include the one on Zazzle when I'm ready to submit.

I was wondering if you have a name or number system for your cartoons, to help keep track of what you have done with each one. I'd think you would want to document it, or you could lose track among the hundreds (!) of published cartoons you have :-)