Kate Harper's Blog: 7/19/09

New Website: Pattern Wall

Patternwall is a site loaded with all kinds of free seamless patterns for design projects . You can download the patterns. Note: You need to click on the swatch to make it bigger. It's basically a wall of patterns to choose from.

Editorial Message: Handmade Cards

It is not always necessary to put words on the inside of a handmade card. People don't expect hand-crafted cards to have words on the inside and since most of the cards are packaged in cellophane bags, most customers will not open them to see if there is a message on the inside. You can save yourself money by not printing on the inside. If you do have words on the inside of a packaged card, you should post the message such as “inside message reads: Happy Birthday” on the outside of the card. You wouldn't want the customer to buy your card for an anniversary and then find out later it was a birthday card.

Making specialty items, such as wedding cards or invitations need words. The artist can pay to have the inside printed or they could glue an insert into the inside of each card. By gluing an insert, the artist can keep a standard stock of cards on hand at all times, and personalize each one as orders came in.

Also see:

CARD WRITING

Booklet on 7 Mistakes Greeting Card Writers Make A list of 7 things to avoid when submitting greeting card verse to publishers.

Includes a list of card publishers and their guidelines, links to writer interviews, articles, card samples and other current resources. 20-page booklet and 2,300 words and 8 Pages of Card Samples.

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Editorial Message: Relationships

Poor editorial can be a big problem. When using words on a card try to be careful to use warm and upbeat words. Avoid "downer" sayings like "Sorry your cat died" cards. Rather say, “a pet can live in our hearts forever.”

Also remember that people send cards to their friends and not their enemies. Avoid insults, heavy put-downs or negativity, such as talking about someone being overweight.

Also see:

Editorial Message: The conversation

Imagine what the customers response will be when they read your verse. Are they going to laugh, agree, be shocked or empathize? Imagine you sent this card to a friend or relative. The more personal a card comes across, the more people are going to relate to it. Try to express things that people feel and want to communicate, but they don't have the confidence to do it themselves. Write emotional messages in a lighthearted way.

Oddly enough grammar may be an obstacle. Conversational language is more meaningful. For instance, most people prefer the word "who" instead of the word "whom.”

Try to grab the customer with a short sentence or combination of a few words. Sometimes hand-crafted cards have a simple print with words scribbled loosely under it. For example, they may have an abstract of a mother and child and handwritten underneath it, is the words "Mother and Child." This card could be used for mother's day, new baby, or depending on the colors, even Christmas. Other key words might be themes such as "Peace'", "Thanks", "The Dancer", "New Beginnings", "Home", "Friendship".

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BOOKS FOR THE CARD DESIGN

These are books I own and recommend. Some may be out of print, but used copies may be available. Check link.

Start & Run a Greeting Cards Business Book covers starting a card business in the UK. Good basic info, but financial/measurement info is in different monetary units.

Greeting Card Design Book that shows examples of professional card design.

Publishing Your Art as Cards How to make and sell your own cards for an extra income.

Pushing the Envelope How to work with greeting card sales reps.

Complete Guide to Greeting Card Design and Illustration Great Book on understanding the greeting card profession and how to develop a style.

1000 Handmade Greetings: creative cards and clever correspondence This is not a simple craft book for hobbyists,instead it is a picture book of professionally handmade cards by leading companies and designers.

By the Batch: Creative Cards, Postcards, Envelopes & More Book that addresses how to "manufacture" handmade greeting cards.

How to Write and Sell Greeting Cards, Bumper Stickers, Tshirts and Other Fun Stuff

Sell the Fun Stuff: Writers' and Artists' Market Guidelines for Greeting Cards, Posters, Rubber Stamps, T-Shirts, Aprons, Bumper Stickers, and More!

Writing Card Sentiments

Freelance Writing for Greeting Cards Another good book on how to write for cards professionally.

You Can Write Your Own Greeting Cards Clear guidelines on how to write card sentiments professionally.

Finding the Right Words One of many basic books of this series that tells you how to add words products, cards, etc.

Licensing Your Art to Companies

Licensing Art and Design

Licensing Art 101 Good beginners guide on the art licensing business.

2011 Artist's and Graphic Designer's Market List of greeting card companies, art licensees and agents.Detailed information on submission guidelines.

Gift and Product Design

Start with a Scan One of a kind book that tells you how to transform your art into a scan and what to do with it from there.

Design Your Own Repeat Patterns Simple book on learning repeats.

Twentieth-Century Pattern Design Great book for inspiration and creative approaches to designing patterns.

How to Break into Product Design Overview of product design in all industries.

Designing a Digital Portfolio Shows you how to put a digital portfolio together for the modern era.

Mary Engelbreit: The Art And The Artist Amazing story of how Mary ended up doing licensing.

Principles of Pattern Design Good info on pattern design

Imagery on Fabric Basic info on putting images onto fabric.

Graphic Artist's Guild Handbook of Pricing Yearly updated guidelines for pricing for people in art careers.

5,000 Years of Textiles Far East, Americas, Africa, Scandinavia, and Egyptian. Good for studying fabric design.

Abstract Design and How to Create It Over 380 illustrations, diagrams, designs, border patterns and textile patterns.

Creative Illustration Workshop Exercises for integrating illustration with other mixed-media techniques, and scan and layer your illustrations using a computer.

Print Workshop Hand-Printing Techniques for low budgets. Interesting ways to put imagery on products. Perhaps a good technique for putting our designs on model items to show what they would look like on real products.

Digital Alchemy Printmaking techniques for fine art and how to transfer images to a variety of surfaces. It includes decals and skins.

Critical Mass Cutting-edge developments in international printmaking. Since printmaking is fundamental in most surface design concepts, this book's goal is a modern approach on a traditional printmaking.

Tradeshows and Booth Design