Greeting Card Designer: 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.

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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.

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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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