Greeting cards are a ubiquitous part of our social interactions, serving as tokens of love, celebration, and commiseration. With an ever-growing demand for unique and creative cards, this market offers a fantastic opportunity for both amateur and professional writers and designers. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about writing and designing greeting cards, from conceptualization to submission, ensuring your creations stand out and reach the right audience.
Introduction
Greeting cards are big business, with an insatiable demand for fresh, creative designs. Whether you’re considering this as a professional venture or a hobby to exercise your creativity, designing greeting cards can be a rewarding endeavor. This guide will cover essential aspects of the process, including artistic requirements, design tips, practical considerations, and submission guidelines, to help you navigate the world of greeting card creation successfully.
Do I Need to Be Good at Art?
Artistic Skills and Greeting Card Design
You don’t have to be a master artist to design a greeting card. As long as your mock-ups clearly convey your vision for the finished product, slight imperfections in your artwork can be overlooked. However, it’s essential to present your ideas as neatly and professionally as possible. If you’re not planning to create the final artwork yourself, make this clear in your submission.
Creating a Series
Publishers typically prefer a series of similar-looking cards rather than one-off designs. When submitting your ideas, ensure you have at least six designs that showcase a cohesive theme or style.
Using Old Photographs and Prints
Incorporating Vintage Images
Many successful greeting cards use old photographs and prints paired with humorous captions. Keep an eye out for vintage images that could be repurposed for cards, but be mindful of copyright laws.
Understanding Copyright
Copyright for a photograph generally expires 70 years after the death of the copyright holder. However, identifying the copyright holder can be complicated, especially if the photographer was employed by someone else or if the image is a still from a movie. If you can’t trace the copyright holder, you must demonstrate that you’ve made a reasonable effort to do so.
For more detailed advice on copyright, refer to resources like Writers and the Law.
What Card Sizes Are There?
Standard and Custom Sizes
Greeting cards come in a variety of sizes, some based on standard paper dimensions (like A5 and A4), and others unique to specific companies. To ensure your designs are proportionate, look at existing card ranges you admire and mimic their dimensions.
The Importance of Bleed
When designing your card, make the artwork slightly larger than the final card size. This extra margin, known as the “bleed,” will be trimmed off, ensuring the card has a clean edge without an untidy border.
Writing and Design Tips for Greeting Cards
Making the Top Third Stand Out
When displayed on a store shelf, usually only the top third of a greeting card is visible. Ensure this section is eye-catching and distinctive to attract buyers’ attention.
Utilizing All Available Space
Don’t feel confined to placing artwork only in the center of the card’s front. Utilize all available space, including the inside of the card, to create a visually appealing design.
Avoiding Landscape Cards
Portrait cards (hinging at the side) are generally more popular than landscape cards (hinging at the top) because they stand up better and are less likely to be hidden behind other cards on store shelves.
Inclusivity in Design
Avoid using images of people on your card covers unless absolutely necessary. This ensures the card is suitable for recipients of any ethnicity.
Consistency in Religious Themes
When designing cards with religious themes, avoid mixing imagery that doesn’t traditionally go together (e.g., a Nativity scene with a Christmas tree). Keep the theme consistent to respect cultural and religious sentiments.
Creating Blank Cards
If your card has no pre-written message (known as a “blank”), make sure there is enough empty space for the recipient to write a personal dedication.
Matching Artwork with Theme
Ensure your artwork matches the card’s theme. For instance, don’t design a card with “Congratulations” above a picture of a champagne bottle if it’s meant to be a birthday card. The artwork and message should be unambiguous and appropriate for the occasion.
Keeping Designs Simple
Consider the production costs of your design. While unusual features like windows of colored plastic might be appealing, they can be expensive to produce. Weigh the benefits against the costs to decide if such additions are worthwhile.
Submission Guidelines for Greeting Cards
Initial Submissions
Do not send original artwork initially, as it might not be returned. Ensure every design has your name and contact details. Some companies accept emailed submissions, but avoid sending large, high-resolution files that could clog email inboxes.
Final Artwork Considerations
If you are submitting the final artwork, remember it will be digitized. Ensure your submission is small enough to fit on a commercial desktop scanner.
Contacting Publishers
Before sending your designs, contact the companies you’re interested in and request their submission guidelines. This ensures your submission meets their specific requirements and increases your chances of acceptance.
Finding Out More
For additional resources and advice, consider joining greeting card associations. These organizations offer valuable insights and directories of greeting card companies, including their contact details.
Recommended Associations
These associations provide support for freelance writers and artists interested in creating greeting cards, offering guidance on industry standards and best practices.
FAQs:
1. Do I need to be a skilled artist to design greeting cards?
No, you don’t need to be a professional artist to design greeting cards. As long as your mock-ups clearly convey your ideas, slight imperfections in your artwork can be overlooked. Ensure your designs are neat and professional-looking, and specify if you won’t be creating the final artwork yourself.
2. Can I use old photographs and prints in my greeting card designs?
Yes, you can use old photographs and prints, but you must be aware of copyright issues. Generally, copyright for a photograph expires 70 years after the death of the copyright holder. However, identifying the copyright holder can be complex. Make sure you’ve made a reasonable effort to trace the copyright holder before using any image.
3. What are the standard sizes for greeting cards?
Greeting cards come in various sizes, some based on standard paper dimensions like A5 and A4, while others are unique to specific companies. To ensure your designs are proportionate, look at existing card ranges you admire and mimic their dimensions.
4. Why is the “bleed” important in greeting card design?
The “bleed” is the extra margin around your design that will be trimmed off to ensure the card has a clean edge without an untidy border. Make your artwork slightly larger than the final card size to accommodate this.
5. How can I make my greeting cards stand out on store shelves?
Ensure the top third of your greeting card is eye-catching and distinctive, as this is usually the only part visible when displayed on store shelves. Utilize all available space on the card, including the inside, to create a visually appealing design.
6. Should I avoid landscape cards in my designs?
Yes, it is generally better to design portrait cards (hinging at the side) rather than landscape cards (hinging at the top). Portrait cards are more popular because they stand up better and are less likely to be hidden behind other cards on store shelves.
7. Should I include images of people on my card covers?
Avoid using images of people on your card covers to ensure the card is suitable for recipients of any ethnicity. This inclusivity can make your cards more versatile and marketable.
8. How should I handle religious themes in greeting card designs?
Ensure consistency in your imagery for religious-themed cards. Avoid mixing symbols that don’t traditionally go together (e.g., a Nativity scene with a Christmas tree) to respect cultural and religious sentiments.
9. What should I consider when creating a blank greeting card?
Ensure there is enough empty space in your design for the recipient to write a personal dedication. This space allows for personalization, making the card more appealing to buyers.
10. How do I match the artwork with the card’s theme?
Make sure your artwork clearly aligns with the card’s theme. For instance, if your card is meant for a birthday, avoid designs that could be confusing or inappropriate, like a “Congratulations” message above a champagne bottle if it’s intended for a birthday.
11. What should I keep in mind regarding production costs for unusual card designs?
Consider the production costs of any unique features in your card design. While unusual elements like colored plastic windows might be appealing, they can be expensive to produce. Weigh the benefits against the costs to decide if such additions are worthwhile.
12. How should I submit my greeting card designs to publishers?
Do not send original artwork initially, as it might not be returned. Ensure every design has your name and contact details. Some companies accept emailed submissions, but avoid sending large, high-resolution files. Always contact the companies first to request their submission guidelines.
13. What should I do if I am submitting final artwork?
If submitting the final artwork, remember it will be digitized. Ensure your submission is small enough to fit on a commercial desktop scanner and that it adheres to the company’s guidelines.
14. Where can I find more information and resources about greeting card design?
Consider joining greeting card associations, such as the Greeting Card Association (UK) or the Greeting Card Association (USA). These organizations offer valuable insights, industry standards, and directories of greeting card companies, including their contact details.
These FAQs provide clear and concise answers to common questions about writing and designing greeting cards, helping both beginners and experienced designers navigate the process effectively.
Conclusion
Designing greeting cards can be a fulfilling and creative pursuit, whether as a hobby or a professional endeavor. By following the tips and guidelines outlined in this article, you can create compelling and marketable greeting cards that resonate with audiences. Remember to pay attention to artistic presentation, understand copyright issues, utilize space effectively, and follow submission guidelines meticulously. With creativity and persistence, your greeting cards can find their way to store shelves and into the hands of delighted recipients.