The Art Licensing Directory Project has moved to this page.
The Directory is a list of artist's submission guidelines for companies that purchase and license art for gifts, greeting cards and houseware products. It was created by hundreds of artists who volunteered and shared their resources. See the list of contributing "Art Angels" at the end of the list.
BOOKS For Art Licensing
These are books I own and recommend. Some may be out of print, but used copies may be available. Check link.
Licensing Art and Design
Good for learning about how licensing works.
2011 Artist's and Graphic Designer's Market
Annual listings of greeting card publishers and agents who license art.
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.
You Can Write Your Own Greeting Cards
Clear guidelines on how to write card sentiments professionally.
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 Design a "Wow!" Trade Show Booth Without Spending a Fortune
Simple tips for your first tradeshow booth.
How to Break into Product Design
Overview of product design in all industries.
Licensing Art 101
Good beginners guide on the art licensing business.
Complete Guide to Greeting Card Design and Illustration
Great Book on understanding the greeting card profession and how to develop a style.
Build a Better Trade Show Image
Professional recommendations for doing a tradeshow. Advice to take before you attempt one.
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.
Finding the Right Words
One of many basic books of this series that tells you how to add words products, cards, etc.
Designing a Digital Portfolio
Shows you how to put a digital portfolio together for the modern era.
Kate's Greeting Card Designer Booklets
You can support this blog by ordering e-Booklets that are a compilation of different articles on this blog starting at only .99 cents! They can be read on your kindle, ipad, ipod, cellphone, or your computer. Free samples and lending options available.
GET YOUR CARDS INTO STORES
Get Your Greeting Cards Into Stores
is a book for people who already make their own greeting cards. It
explains how to get your cards into stores and sell them sell
nationwide. Included are guidelines on: how to price your cards for a
profit, how to get professional feedback, where to find a sales
representative and and what industry standards you should follow. All
the information is also applicable to gift items, such as magnets,
journals, calendars, collectibles, etc.
MARKETING CARDS
Booklet on Unusual Ways To Market Greeting Cards, and 22 places to get your designs featured. A
20 page booklet on how to get your cards noticed in non-traditional
ways. Everything from why you should send cards to your dentist, to
how to get special features in national publications. Great tips
for designers who are starting out and want to get their cards into
the hands of people beyond friends and family. Special Section:
Submissions guidelines and contacts for 22 Gift Industry publications
and professional gift industry blogs that seek out new greeting
card designs to feature for free. (5,000 Words and 17 greeting card
images included)
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.
ART LICENSING
Booklet on 20 Steps to Art Licensing that is a list of suggested steps to to take for getting into art licensing. How to license your art to companies that publish greeting cards, and manufacture coffee mugs, magnets, wall hangings, kitchen items, and dozens of other gift items. This booklet covers 20 basic steps from how to prepare your art, to what companies to contact. It includes topics on: How to find agents, classes and what trade shows to attend. There are extensive resources on social media, licensing community groups, and lists of interviews with professional designers (5,200 words).
