Greeting Cards
Greeting card companies often hire freelancers to both write for and provide the artwork/photography for them. For tips on how to be successful, check out this article from the Greeting Card Association for writers and artists. Then, check out the links below for companies to submit to:
Writing Greeting Cards
- American Greetings - This company does accept freelance writing submissions, but they cannot be unsolicited. There is a formal process you must go through.
- Avanti Press - They currently have a full roster of verse contributors, but to be considered for future work you are free to send them some samples.
- Blue Mountain Arts - Blue Mountain Arts is interested in reviewing original and creative submissions on love, friendship, etc.
- ComStock – Get paid to write greeting cards (mostly adult humor). They pay $50 for each accepted idea.
- Ephemera – This is more stickers and magnets with funny slogans than greeting cards. If they accept your funny slogan, you’ll get $50.
- Freedom Greetings - Little info is provided on the website regarding their writing/editorial needs, but it does appear they are open to submissions.
- Gallant Greetings – Not currently accepting verse submissions, but they promise to update the page when that changes.
- It Takes Two – It Takes Two does most of their verse writing in-house, but they are happy to consider your ideas if you feel you have something special and unique to offer.
- JQ Greetings - This company accepts verse submissions through mail and email. No info on payment.
- Moonlighting Cards – They seem to have a contest going for verse submissions. You get $25 if you win.
- Oatmeal Studios – Oatmeal Studios is looking for original, funny submissions that would appeal to a variety of different ages and tastes. No info on how much they pay.
- P.S. Greetings – They accept submissions by mail only. You need to enclose a SASE.
- Shoebox Cards – You can submit your funny ideas for their humorous cards. No more than five to eight submissions sent at one time.
- Smart Alex - They are always on the lookout for funny lines with a definite emphasis on humor for grown-ups. They pay $100 for accepted submissions.
Illustrations & Photography for Greeting Cards
- Abbey Press – You may submit artwork for consideration via email with a low-resolution image attached.
- AllPort – They are happy to work with new and upcoming artists. For 2012, they are looking primarily for regional artwork as well as art and literary themes.
- American Greetings - This company does accept freelance illustration and photography submissions, but they cannot be unsolicited. There is a formal process you must go through.
- Artists to Watch – You may submit your images or a link to your website for review. They respond to all submissions but only review them quarterly.
- Avanti Press - They will accept photography submissions from freelance photographers. No word on how much they pay for accepted images.
- BayView Press – They are looking for greeting card artists. Prefer clean, strong, uplifting painterly work. No illustrations.
- C.R. Gibson – They will consider your art for product designs. Submissions must be mailed in.
- CardGnome – This is a site that allows you to upload your artwork to greeting cards and set up your own shop. Customers can personalize your card and you earn royalties off each card sold.
- CardMakers – Fill out the online form to submit your designs for consideration.
- Caspari Online – Just illustrations, no photography. Caspari does not accept submissions of photographic artwork as they do not reproduce photographic images in our products.
- ComStock – ComStock will pay you $150 to $200 for every photo they accept and buy all rights. A “model release” must accompany each photo accepted. This is adult humor.
- Crown Point Graphics – Not much info is provided, but they do welcome art submissions for their cards.
- enGreet – Register as an artist on the site and create your own greeting cards. Receive 12 percent of the sale price on each card sold.
- Fotofolio - Fotofolio, Inc. reviews color and black and white photography for publication in postcard, notecard, poster and t-shirt formats.
- Freedom Greetings - Little info is provided on the website regarding their art and illustration needs, but it does appear they are open to submissions.
- Galison/Mudpuppy – They accept artwork submissions via mail or email.
- Gina B. Designs – This company is in need of designs with excellent composition and use of color. Lots of details provided on their submissions page! Also check out their current “Art Call” page.
- Great Arrow – This company does accept freelance art submissions for their award-winning line of cards. You can download the guidelines for details.
- Global Graphics – They are interested in seeing upbeat material, innovative styles, trendy themes, sophisticated art, well-executed traditional designs, and occasion-oriented designs.
- Hotchpotch Publishing - They are always keen to see work from new artists who feel their work would be suitable for them to publish.
- It Takes Two - It Takes Two is interested in art submissions that offer a fresh, unique design perspective that enhances their current product line. Submissions are not returned once submitted.
- JQ Greetings - This company accepts art submissions through mail and email. No info on payment.
- Leanin’ Tree - This company is happy to review art submissions for their cards. They prefer printed, mailed-in copies or email PDF files.
- Madison Park Publishing - View guidelines for details on how to submit your artwork here.
- Marian Heath - They accept submissions for all holidays and occasions, including humor.
- Noble Works - Fill out a short form on their site if you are interested in receiving their artist guidelines.
- Oatmeal Studios - Oatmeal Studios is looking for fresh and fun-looking artwork. Payment is negotiated with each artist and the amount is dependent on the complexity of the work.
- Palm Press – Palm Press needs unique photos for special occasions (birthday, Christmas, etc.) for their greeting cards.
- Paper Magic - Contact them via their feedback form for art and design guidelines.
- Paper Street – Their creative review committee will review your portfolio and samples. Please note the review process can take three full months.
- Planet Zoo – They welcome photos of wild animals in their natural habitat. They cannot respond to all submissions.
- Pomegranate – Read art submission guidelines for details.
- P.S. Greetings – Photos and illustrations will be considered. One time flat-fee payment is given for accepted materials.
- R.S.V.P. Sellers – Always looking for great talent, ideas, and concepts. No more than 20 images per submission.
- Recycled Paper Greetings – You can send up to 10 submissions at a time for consideration. The review process may take a few months.
- Smart Alex – They will consider illustrations and also original artwork. Most of their cards are humorous in nature. Payment is a one-time flat fee of $150.
- Tiny Prints – You are welcome to submit your portfolio for review at Tiny Prints if you are interested in becoming a contributing photographer for them.
- Up With Paper – To find out more about designing for Up With Paper, you may either contact them via email or mail in your portfolio.
