Writing greeting cards is one of those things that sounds easy but is really difficult. Personally, I don’t think it would be my cup of tea, but it’s as good a way as any to fund your travels around the world.
Here’s an interesting interview with Karen Moore, the author of You Can Write Greeting Cards
Not all companies are open to freelance, so for those that are, I recommend going the distance on your initial submissions so they know you’re a serious contender. That means offering ideas for a specific audience, let’s say novelty cards for kids, or birthday cards for teens.
Not bad advice for any kind of freelance writing.
Many greeting card companies seem to be stuck in the Age Before Internet and only accept print submissions–or on second thought, perhaps they’re just trying to limit their slush pile. Working nomads will want to stick to online submissions, so I’ve listed 5 greeting card companies who fit that criterion. Be sure to check out the full submission guidelines (where applicable) before sending any of your work. Good luck!
1. Blue Mountain Arts
Blue Mountain Arts is looking for highly original and creative submissions on love, friendship, family, philosophies, and any other topic that one person might want to share with another. They do not accept rhyming poetry.
To request a copy of the Blue Mountain Arts writer’s guidelines, send a blank email to writings@sps.com with Send Me Guidelines in the subject line.
Submission guidelines: http://www.sps.com/help/greetingcardwritings.html
To submit your work, send to editorial@sps.com (no attachments).
2. JQ Greetings
All submissions are reviewed by Jon Q Wright and creative staff. If the submission meets their needs we contact you to discuss contractual art licensing terms and writer fee options.
Submission guidelines: http://jqgreetings.com/artists.php
To submit your artwork or writing, send to submissions@jqgreetings.com. Artwork submissions can be jpeg or pdf formats sent as e-mail attachments. They prefer low-res images. Writers can submit current examples of your writing style. You may also visit the JQ Greetings Products page, choose 5 of the 24 designs shown there, and write a verse(s) for each. Include your name, address and phone number with all submissions.
3. Tiny Prints
Tiny Prints is looking for short verses to be included in greeting card designs.
Submission guidelines below:
Tone and Style: warm, friendly and sincere, reflecting personal experience and your own thoughts on special occasions and relationships. They only print verses that they find refreshing and unique, so steer clear of clichés. The primary focus for their current project (posted early 2010) will be on contemporary verses that reflect common sentiments in a creative new way.
Audience: cards for men and/or women for these occasions:
- Birthday
- Anniversary
- Mother’s Day
- Thank You
- Graduation
- Father’s Day
- Sympathy
Maximum length of between three and five published lines. Verses will be categorized by three main themes: Sentimental, Simple and Humorous. Humorous greetings can range from playful sarcasm to clever quips, double entendres and creative jokes. Anything obscene or offensive will not be considered for publication.
Compensation: Flat fee of $15 for each verse approved for publication.
To submit your work, write verses in the body of your email and send to editor@tinyprints.com. No attachments. Include your name, address and telephone number as well as the category, theme and intended recipient for each verse. Please also note if you’ve submitted the verse elsewhere for publication.
Example:
John Doe
123 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94123
(555) 555-5555
Category: Birthday
Theme: Sentimental
Recipient: Mom
Also submitted to Hallmark
Front: I love you, Mom.
Inside: Always have. Always will. Happy Birthday!
4. Submit Funny Stuff
Submit Funny Stuff is an alternative greeting card and novelty gift company. They are looking for fresh humor with a twist, or humor that pushes the limits. They accept copy, photos and art year-round. They say they are on the verge of an “abundant increase” in the greeting card line and are looking primarily for birthday greeting cards with the themes of Over the Hill, Attitude and Humor.
Submission guidelines:
http://www.submitfunnystuff.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10&Itemid=11
Compensation:
- Art: $150 each
- One-liner: $75 each
- Greeting card art or copy: $100 each
To submit your work, create an account at Submit Funny Stuff.
Updated October 2011: Submit Funny Stuff is now Kalan Idea Factory. It looks like they are still accepting submissions and paying the rates above.
5. Ephemera
(Not really a greeting card company, but same idea…)
Since 1980, Ephemera has been producing novelty buttons, magnets, and stickers. They’re always looking for fresh material: satirical slogans about pop culture, politics & the president, job attitudes, women’s & men’s issues, coffee, booze, pot, drugs, religion, food, aging, teens, gays & lesbians, sexual come-ons & put-downs. Be fresh, original and concise.
Compensation: $50 per slogan.
Submission guidelines: http://www.ephemera-inc.com/writers-guidelines.asp
To submit your work, use the online form . No attachments. Expect an initial response within 1-5 months. They buy less than 1% of all submissions, so your work must stand out.
I want to help you find your calm center and experience travel with courage, curiosity and compassion.
[...] Read the rest here: 5 greeting card companies that accept online submissions [...]
Thank you for this post!!! This is really, really great. I had thought about looking into this a while ago, and now here it is & I didn’t have to research.
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antonia Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 6:38 am
You’re welcome Aileen!
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Gregory Reply:
November 9th, 2010 at 4:14 am
do you write poetry?
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Thank God for people like you who help writers like myself find their opening.
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Gregory Reply:
November 9th, 2010 at 4:14 am
God bless you. hope you are successful
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Thank you for providing this info, I have seen alot of companies go out of business and it’s hard to find one around nowadays. I currently work for one now but I need to explode too bad this economy is so messed up.
But for me I will do what I gotta do.
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Gregory Reply:
November 9th, 2010 at 4:15 am
What company is this. Strictly confidential. I need to get some of my poetry out.
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Junior Reply:
April 13th, 2011 at 2:36 pm
This is for Gregory, the company is called
http://www.quickiecards.com
Sorry for the late reply man, been busy working and taking care of business, hope it all goes well for you!!
:0D
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I am an inventor / designer, as such have designed,
and copyrighted, a line of contemporary Holiday Cards for the modern Atheist, Christian and Jew.
The designs include concept, art, and copy ( verse – no rhymes, some “play on words” )
I have an intellectual property lawyer and am seeking to form a relationship with a Greeting Card Publisher structured along the following lines : an up front payment for the the right to publish the cards, with a percentage of the profit from sales. Specific numbers to be negotiated.
Do you know any companies that will enter into this kind of licensing contract ?
Do you know of an “agent” or “rep” that can facilitate such an arrangement ?
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antonia Reply:
November 8th, 2010 at 8:24 am
Mike, most greeting card companies are swamped with submissions, so are probably less interested in forming exclusive contracts with individuals. That’s not to say it couldn’t work! I think if it were me, I’d submit a few of the designs for publication and see what the interest level is. Once you’ve built up a relationship with a publisher you’ll be in a better position to negotiate long-term contracts. Best of luck!
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Thanks for the above info. Can anyone tell me though should I copyright the verse material I send like I would a short story or any other writing?
Thanks
Elaine
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Kym McKee Seward Reply:
May 14th, 2011 at 11:55 pm
Any creative work you personally have done should always be copyrighted. There are basic forms of copyright such as mailing your personal work to yourself, never opening it and keeping it in a safe place to professional copyright steps. You can find the steps for those in your local library. NEVER trust anyone with your creations!
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[...] A Nomad’s Lot [...]
I’ve been a fashion illustratist,done commercial work,also have written several poems. Just need to know the inside dope of getting into these greeting card companies, with my artwork and writing.
Appreciate any info that I could also make a good living with.
Thanks,
June 15/11 S.
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antonia Reply:
June 16th, 2011 at 1:45 pm
Have you tried submitting your work? That’s a good first step.
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I have been trying for sometime to figure out how to
go about submiting anything that I write!!! Thank you so much for this……there will be a submitting frenzy now….LOL!!
God Bless!!
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the link to the website for SubmitFunnyStuff seeems to be out of date -have they gone out of business?
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antonia Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 7:49 am
Looks like they’ve changed their name. I’ve updated the link and info – thanks for that Judy!
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How legit is this? Is there any form of protection against the companies saying no they dont want to use your poetry, and then using it without you knowing?
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antonia Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 8:49 am
Yes, absolutely – anything you create is automatically copyrighted to you. Of course, copyright theft does occur, but the perps are rarely companies (who would soon go out of business if they got a reputation for theft). Thieves are typically individuals (not companies) who try to pass off your work as their own in order to sell it. Take precautions, but don’t be paranoid.
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Priscilla Reply:
October 25th, 2011 at 10:55 pm
Thank you Antonia, I have always wanted to give this a try, but just wasnt sure. I will give it a go!
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This was very helpful. I am trying to get someone to accept my photography for greeting cards. Any Suggestions. Linda
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Your information was very helpful. I am looking specifically for a company that may be interested in new card designs. I have created a card that has received a lot of praise. I want to know how to get them to a large company that will be able to get them to a larger market. Thanks for any thoughts you can share.
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