Hello all...

Im new here, just joined yesterday. Im in need of some help pleeease!

Im just coming towards the end of the 2nd year of my degree in art and design. My current project is based on greetings cards & stationary. I have produced lots of card designs and have many samples.

In order to get good marks , i need to sell some of my designs or get onto someones books. I have the samples ready but just dont know what to do with them . Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks, Alli x

http://alisonknapp.theartistsweb.co.uk/

Hello Alli,
and good luck on this one.
I spent many years sending greetings card samples off to every publisher I could think of. Some replied, some didn't but you just have to keep trying...it actually took me years to get any work with a publisher, but then you look a lot more talented than I was at your age.
Google "greetings card publishers" and send samples to every one of them, follow it up a couple of weeks later with some more if they haven't replied. You might get on their nerves after a while but if they like your work they won't care about that. Also it's good practice for the real world.
Also, they're not interested in copies of what's already on the shelves they want new ideas and they also work up to nine months or more in advance. So at this time of year it'll be Christmas or even Easter they're working on.
The main thing is, don't be put off by rejections, you may get many before the right one says yes....and one last most important thing....if anyone asks you to do some ideas MEET THE DEADLINE or it's not even worth doing the work.
So bets of luck

Brian

Hi Brian,

Thanks very much for the help It has given me abit more of a direction to go in. Ive already started sending off samples but cant seem to find many card publishers to send the designs to. I have sent off to three so i guess thats a start

Thanks again, you have been a great help

Alli

Hi,
I have worked for a artwork licensing agency for 5 years, we specialise in licensing artwork on greeting cards and paper products (image-source.co.uk). In order to sell on greeting cards you could either contact an agent to represent you, or contact publishers directly. A good tip is to go into a card shop and look on the back of the cards to get the name of the publisher. Popular publishers in the UK are Noel Tatt, Clinton Cards, UK greetings...perhaps look on their websites, often they accept artists submisions. I hope this helps you, let me know if you need any more info, as I do have a lot of industy experience when it comes to greetings cards!

Hi Alli
Your designs are lovely I noticed on this site they have a recruitment part as well as student info http://www.watermarkpublishing.com/
Hope this helps.
Clare

Hi, Well i had a exhibition a few months back i didn't sell the originals , I had prints of the cards made of my works to sell. It was in a cafe / bar. I sold them for 5 euro each. I did quite well. After i still had cards left so I went round a couple of shops in town, I have them in a shop that sells tarot card and crystals, bits and bobs. So maybe you could look at a wider market. They are many places you can buy cards. not just in card shops..... maybe you will get even better marks for looking at different avenues!!
If you want to see my cards.... look at exhibiton 2 on my website!
http://www.artbyrebeccabrown.co.uk
bec

Hi Alli
I think you've been given a lot of good advice it's a case of not losing heart. There are many outlets for cards in addition to the major publishers. Gift shops, cafes, but you'll ned hiking boots and a thick skin.
Had a look at your website which is good but there was a disappointment I was looking for some cards along the lines of your 'Home' graphic. I found it quite seductive.
Hope your not offended, but that kind of presentation could go down well at, say, Valentines Day.
Best wishes
Jack