Quality greeting cards are in high demand, and the industry is $7-8 million.Being a greeting card creator requires you to write and illustrate your own ideas and turn them into a finished product.Creating greeting cards is a rewarding job that will bring joy to you and others, whether you work for an established company or start your own company.
Step 1: Pick a style and a brand identity.
Your brand identity is a combination of your visuals and how you want your customers to view you.Your name, logo, tone, and more can be included.How will you communicate your brand with your cards?Do you want your cards to be funny, sentimental, or elegant?Who are your customers?Think about gender, age, education, and location.How does your style set you apart from the competition?
Step 2: Make sketches while brainstorming.
It is possible to organize your ideas and inspiration by making sketches before you start card production.Composition and balance make a huge impression on a potential buyer.Vertical designs are more popular than horizontal ones because they are easier to see and don't fall down as easily.Make a master list of illustration ideas and pair them with written messages.
Step 3: You will need the supplies.
Depending on your style and skills, this could include art supplies like paints and collage pieces or a computer with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.You will need to purchase some quality paper.Fine-tipped markers and pens, brushes, and ink are some of the art supplies used for greeting cards.You can use a combination of physical and digital art by scanning your artwork and refining it on the computer with an editing software.
Step 4: Write a message that matches the card's theme.
Writing skills are important in greeting cards.Think about your brand identity and the genre of card you are creating to stay on-theme.Along with the perfect message, consider how you will say it, will you use rhyme and meter or more casual writing?Will the message be long or short?It wouldn't be appropriate to rhyme the message for a sympathy card.For a birthday card, a touch of humor would suit the genre.A sample message from one fifty-year-old to another could be, "50 looks good on us, but then again, my eyes aren't what they used to be," with a funny illustration to keep the message light-hearted.
Step 5: Pick out your cards.
Use the ideas, sketches, and supplies you have gathered to create original artwork and designs that suit the genre and message of your greeting card.Your unique skills and talents will help you stand out, but it is important to follow some general guidelines.
Step 6: You don't want to put faces on your card.
When shopping for a greeting card, people often picture the person they are buying for or themselves, and seeing a different face that doesn't match either person can subconsciously make a buyer turn away.
Step 7: The top third of the card should be counted.
All customers will see when the card is on a rack.If you want to see if the message still comes across in the top third, try covering the bottom of the card.
Step 8: You have to come up with at least 20 strong designs.
A company can see your range of ability if you show more work.A lot of work will show your skills and help you develop your ideas.It is good to bring lots of options because companies usually only pick a small percentage of your work to publish.It is suggested by some greeting card creators to make up to 100 designs.
Step 9: Make a portfolio of your best work.
Companies will want to see examples of your work, so it's important to build a strong portfolio that showcases your range and abilitiesIf you want people to see your work, you should put it in a binder of physical samples or photographs.You can easily send a link to photographs or scans of your work on a website if you want to create a digital portfolio.Make sure your digital portfolio is easy to read.
Step 10: Follow company guidelines.
What kind of cards is produced by this company?What kind of humor do they like?To find out if your style is a good fit, you need to understand the company's identity and values.You can make more cards if you make them more likely to buy them.Before you submit any work, you should look into a company's specific guidelines on copy, artistic media, and submissions.Carefully follow the guidelines to ensure that your work is considered.
Step 11: Your work needs to be submitted to a company.
Although large greeting card companies don't accept many submissions, there are many smaller companies that do.Follow the guidelines for how many designs to send in.Make sure to include a cover letter with your submission.
Step 12: Be prepared for a while.
It can take up to six months for a greeting card company to respond.While you wait to hear back about your submission, be patient and keep working.
Step 13: Payments can be received for any accepted submissions.
If your designs are accepted, you will be paid immediately.For an accepted submission, companies will usually offer between $250-300.
Step 14: You should focus on either art or writing if you want to be successful.
You will most likely be either a writer or an artist when working for an established company.Sometimes the two positions work together, but often the writing and artwork is their own.If you want to develop your strongest skill, focus on it.It's a good idea to mention if you're experienced and talented in both areas because companies are interested in a variety of skills.
Step 15: Attach your portfolio to the application.
If the company likes your portfolio, you will need to complete a set of exercises to test your writing ability.You may have several interviews and meetings before you know if you got the job or not.
Step 16: You should highlight your strengths during the interview.
If you have a strong sense of structure, rhyme, and meter, you should show it.If you have formal training in illustration or graphic design, you should highlight it.It's helpful to have experience working in creative jobs.
Step 17: As an artist or writer, you can develop versatility.
Developing the ability to write a variety of cards is important once you are hired.Versatility is important, though some people specialize in certain things.This keeps your job interesting.If you work for a company like Hallmark, you can write for more products than just cards.You could get assignments for writing jokes, children's books, and one-liners for gifts like mugs and wall décor.
Step 18: Put your designs in a printer.
You need to choose from a variety of papers and finishes if you want to print your own designs.A heavy card stock is used to make cards.You have to decide if you prefer a matt, glossy, textured, or luster finish.It's best to use textured and matt artwork for watercolor illustrations.
Step 19: Pick the type of ink that suits your work.
Durability and quality are important when it comes to ink.It's important for creating long- lasting, high-quality cards if you use Pigment-based inks.The printer you use may affect your ink.inkjet ink is more susceptible to damage than laserjet ink because it is not waterproof.The paper can be purchased with a coating that locks in the color.
Step 20: You can sell your cards through an online store.
Card creators can use online shops like Society6 to make their cards.For a small fee, they provide a digital marketplace to advertise and sell on.Selling online is a great way to reach a wide audience.If you already have a large audience base and you want to sell on your own website, you won't have to pay for listings.
Step 21: Do you want to make passive income?
If you want to make more passive income, choose an online selling website that makes more active income.You can earn passive income by putting up a design and earning money from it.Society6 allows you to make mostly passive income, as you don't need to print or create any of the items yourself, you create and format your designs, and then society6 takes care of production when someone purchases an item.
Step 22: Determine if active income is better for you.
You're always creating and selling new products.There are websites that sell handmade products.Although you can sell digital files of your designs on Etsy and still make money, selling physical copies or originals is more in line with the website's brand and goals.It will take more time and work to make it active income.
Step 23: You can advertise on social media.
Independent creators usePinterest andInstagram because they are mostly visually oriented.Pictures of your products, designs, and packaging can be posted to drum up interest.You should use your social media accounts to make announcements.
Step 24: You can show your work at industry shows.
It's a great way to make some sales, get to know other creatives and potential customers, and get exposure in the industry.Get your name out there by setting up a booth and displaying your cards and business cards.