Considering sending artwork to this G. Card Co. - What does this mean?

[artistic76]

I'm considering sending my artwork to this greeting card company, "A." I've already sent it to another one, that's a chain, and they told me "not good enough, but submit other works and we'll look at it again" so to speak.
I'm just trying to see how a professional company would value my work. Anyway, Company A, that I am considering sending my work to, says the following: "will pay $100/idea."

Could someone explain please? Does this mean that if they like my artwork for a card, they will pay me just $100 for that image, thats it? And when they say, they 'buy the rights," does that mean that I will not get any profits should the card sell?

If that's the case then should I even bother sending my work? I am doing this primarily to measure my own talents, while also hoping to make some money.

[CACTUSWENDY]

$100.00 per idea.

That's my take on it. I might be wrong. It sounds like 'idea' is what they are buying ....not the picture. I'm sure someone else will be along to help you better.

[artistic76]

Hi,
Thanks for responding. They are asking to submit illustrations, so say I submit a "birthday cake" illustration - they'll just pay $100 for that and that's it? That's all it said, $100/idea, nothing regarding or elaborating on the idea. This is what I dont understand, and pointing out that I've never done anything like this before.

[Susie]

Hey, all. artistic, from what I've seen in greeting card guidelines, verse and art are usually paid separately and often the rates are higher for art. Of course, it's different with all companies. Yep, if they 'buy the rights,' that means after they pay you, they own it and you can't sell it anymore - if they're buying all rights, that is. Hope that helps.

[artistic76]

Hi Susie,

Thanks for replying. I'm curious - have you had any success in greeting cards? Have you sold your ideas to them? Can you also just sell it and agree to get a percentage per card sold?

I tried selling my cards on ebay and it just didn't work. And I dont have enough capital to get online and sell them. Just wondering, is it something I should pursue?

[Andreya]

Hi artistic76!

I'm new to this greeting card biz too, there's a lot of info on this in Jenna's e-book (it's in Jenna's stickie 'New version' or something like that - so do check it out!
There's also info in Writers'&Artists' Yearbook UK 2010 (with UK markets)

Apparently it *is* different for writers & artists, & can be better for artists...

W&A Yearbook UK 2010 says there are various options for artists, per design or per range: flat fee for unlimited use (200-250 GBP per design), OR licensing fee (150 GBP+ per design) for a specified number of years after which full rights revert to artist, OR licensing fee (a minimum of 100GBP) +royalty (3-7% of the trade price of each card sold) OR advance royalty deal (in the case of a range, a goodwill advance on royalties of say GBP 500-1.000 plus 5-8% royalty once the treshold is reached) OR royalty only (5-8%, generally paid quarterly, based on number of cards sold, artists also get sales reports & royalty statements).

This is straight from the book lol, so no idea how it works in 'real life' (am a newbie too!!)
Apparently it depends on different publishers, how much they like your artwork & how you negotiate it!

Maybe it's also easier to negotiate better rates & conditions after you've sold a number of successful cards?
I'd also recommend you to check out any designers/illustrators' forums for more info, it seems this is mostly a place for writers - an excellent place it is though, so check out some old threads for inspiration! People indeed have sold things, not sure if ideas/artwork also or just words?

Also, in my opinion idea is not artwork, it would be good if one of the 'pros' could clarify this though!

[artistic76]

Hi Andreya,

Thank you for your reply. actually, that is all that was said - $100/idea. What is quite obvious is the fact that these are huge, huge companies that can pretty much do what they want. On second that, it made me realize that I should not give in and just settle for $100. The real reason, as I've said, of submitting my work is to get a "professional" opinion of it.

What I really want to do is to create my own line. How can I start with that? That's my problem - finding ways of getting my work out there.

[Andreya]

I forgot the details, but I've read about this somewhere.. Developing your own line is possible, but it seems it's better if you start with other stuff..

So maybe send some 'unrelated' images first, & when you get some of those published & see that editor/s like your stuff, you might propose a line for them..

Have you read Jenna's eBook yet?
Also check if your local library has something like W&A Yearbook or similar..? (or if you can get an inter-library loan?)

I briefly googled & found this: http://www.writing-world.com/poetry/moore.shtml (not sure about the copyright notice though, better double-check that)
It may be worth it to check Greeting Card association's website etc. Or see if there's a trade show near you etc?
Also, look in shops or online, if there's similar stuff & who the companies are..

[Susie]

Hi Susie,

Thanks for replying. I'm curious - have you had any success in greeting cards? Have you sold your ideas to them? Can you also just sell it and agree to get a percentage per card sold?

I tried selling my cards on ebay and it just didn't work. And I dont have enough capital to get online and sell them. Just wondering, is it something I should pursue?

Hey, artistic,

Anytime and am glad to reply. I've had minimal success with greeting cards. Wish I had more, though. :) I've sold to Andrew McMeel, Gallant Gtngs, Graphique de France, Marian Heath, etc. They usually don't sell percentages per card sold. I've always just gotten upfront payment.

Sorry your cards didn't sell. You could try selling your ideas to a company. They sometimes purchase that. I'm not sure which company would do that though. Much good luck.