Understanding GCU’s AI Art Submission Policy: What’s Allowed and What’s Not.

🎨 Understanding GCU’s AI Art Submission Policy: What’s Allowed and What’s Not

As AI tools become increasingly popular among artists and designers, Greeting Card Universe (GCU) has updated its submission policy to clarify how AI-generated artwork can be used. The key? AI-assisted collaboration — not one-click, unmodified images.

GCU is committed to protecting original content and intellectual property rights, whether work is made by hand, digitally, or with the help of AI. So, what does that mean for artists using generative AI?

✅ What You Must Do When Submitting AI-Assisted Artwork

To have your AI-assisted designs approved on GCU, make sure your submission meets all of the following:

1. List the AI tool you used (e.g. Midjourney, Adobe Firefly, Creative Fabrica) in the “Note to Reviewers.”
2. Use a paid version of the AI program — free versions are allowed only if your own editing and enhancements are significant.
3. Add real artistic value. Your own pre- or post-processing must be visible — no raw, untouched AI images.
4. Ensure commercial usage rights are granted by the AI tool (check licensing/Terms of Use).
5. Include a direct link to the original AI image before your enhancements.
6. Explain your artistic contribution. Detail what you changed or added to the image in the Note to Reviewers.

Remember: GCU is not accepting “as-is” AI art. The final design must reflect your creative input.

🚫 What’s Not Allowed

GCU strictly prohibits any generative AI artwork that mimics or references living or copyrighted artists whose work is not in the public domain.

That means:

• Do NOT use prompts like “in the style of [modern artist name]”
• Do NOT create art that closely resembles the work of artists who are still under copyright
• Do NOT upload unedited or lightly edited AI-generated images from free platforms with no added artistic value

This mirrors GCU’s long-standing policy: If it wouldn’t be legal to paint or trace, it’s not legal to prompt.

Example by Doreen Erhardt©

🆗 Prompt Examples: What You Can & Can’t Say

Here are a few examples to help clarify acceptable prompts:

✅ Allowed Prompt	🚫 Not Allowed Prompt
“Vintage botanical illustration with warm tones and detailed linework”	“In the style of William Morris”
“Fantasy forest scene with glowing mushrooms, soft lighting, painterly brushstrokes”	“Painted like Studio Ghibli background art”
“Cute cartoon animals in a flat, colorful vector style”	“Drawn like Mary Blair’s work”
“Art deco style pattern with geometric gold elements”	“Like Erté’s fashion illustrations”

Tip: Focus on descriptive elements — color, composition, era, technique — rather than specific names.

Here are two links to prior guest posts from Stephanie Laird and me about our use of AI when designing cards:

Nuts & Bolts: Artificial Intelligence Guest Post Stephanie Laird

Nuts & Bolts: Artificial Intelligence – Guest Post Corrie Kuipers

🖌️ Final Thoughts

If you treat AI like a collaborator rather than a shortcut, you’re already on the right track. GCU celebrates creativity, but it must be yours — even when using advanced tools.

Happy creating — and keep those notes to reviewers clear and detailed!

Corrie