Artist Resources
RESOURCES FOR GCU ARTISTS
Here is an organized list of handy articles we’ve run on the GCU Community blog. The list will be periodically updated and is current as of November 30, 2014.
We recommend artists new to GCU go through the list, while established artists should check in now and then for a refresher and to see if there’s anything new they’ve missed.
:::ABCs for GCU ARTISTS
Bigstock Declines – How to Avoid
Card Declines – What, Why & What to Do
Cards On Hold – What, Why & How to Deal
Card Submission Pitfalls – Top 10
Categories – How to Change Them
Categories – How to Choose Them
Colors – GCU Color Matching Chart
Fast Track New Card Series – Why and How
Front of Previously Approved Card – How to Change Image
Greeting Card Design Do’s and Don’ts
Holiday Cards – When to Make Them
Image Inside Card – How to Add for Customer
International Artist’s Withholding Tax & ITIN/EIN Information
Organizing Your Resources & Files
Product Descriptions – How to Write Them
Second Store – FAQ and Answers
Uniqueness – Artist’s Notes & SEO
Verse – How to Write Text That Gets Noticed
Verse – Inside Text: General Tips
Wanted: New Cards (Adding to Your Store the Easy Way)
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:::CARD REVIEW
Card Declines – What, Why & What to Do
Cards On Hold – What, When, Why & How to Deal
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:::COPYRIGHT QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
General advice by fellow artists. If you have serious questions regarding copyrighted material, please consult a legal expert.
Beginner’s Guide to Photography in Public Spaces
Finding Image Source on Google
Plagiarism – Don’t Be a Copycat
Terms of Use – Understanding What They Mean
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:::DESIGN ADVICE & HOW-TO
Customer Requests: Message to Customer Examples
Designing Cards – Better Designs = More Approvals & More Sales
Designing Cards – Custom Front Card Tips
Designing Cards – Digital Backgrounds
Designing Cards – Facelifts for Old Cards
Designing Cards – Finding CU Elements
Designing Cards – Image: Make the Image Match the Occasion
Designing Cards – Small Batch a Day Keeps the Mistakes Away
Designing Cards – Text: What’s In a Verse
Designing Cards – Tools to Help Choose Color Palettes
Graphics – CU4CU Digital Design Elements
Graphics How-to – Chalkboard/Blackboard
Graphics How-to – Checkerboard/Gingham Patterns
Graphics How-to – Plaid Patterns
Graphics How-to – Ribbon Banners
Graphics How-To – Scanning Tips
Graphics How-To – Textured Overlays
Graphics How-To – Wood Textures
Graphics – Watercolor Design Freebies
Text – Diacritical Marks: Keyboard Shortcuts
Text – Funny Greeting Cards How-to
Text – Grammar: Tools & Resources
Text – Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation
Text – Typography: It’s All in the Type
Text – Vertical Text Etiquette
Text – Writing Greeting Card Verse
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:::MARKETING & PROMOTION
How to Sell More Cards, Part 1
How to Sell More Cards, Part 2
How to Sell More Cards, Part 3
How to Sell More Cards, Part 4
Referral Links on Pinterest – How to Get Seller Commission
Submitting Your Site/Work to Search Engines
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:::PHOTOGRAPHY ADVICE & TIPS
Photography – 10 Reasons Why Your Photographs Might Not Meet Submission Guidelines
Photography – Artifacts … the Facts
Photography – Background Removal
Photography – Before and After
Photography – Blending of Elements
Photography – Budget Photo Editing Tools
Photography – Getting the Most Out of Photographs
Photography – HDR Photography & Effects
Photography – Highlights & Shadows
Photography – Image Speaks Volumes
Photography – Photographing Snow
Photography – Tinting & Toning
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:::SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
A series of informative articles illustrating GCU’s Submission Guidelines and offering advice.
Composition – Balance of Elements
Composition – Framing/Alignment
Composition = Placement/Position
Image Quality – Color/Contrast
Image Quality – Excessive Effects
Image Quality – Grain/Color Noise
Image Quality – Lighting/Flash Eye
Image Quality – Sharpness/Clarity
Marketability – Creative Use Policy
Marketability – Occasion/Gender/Age Specific
Marketability – Photo Card Area
Typography – Font Combinations
GCU Community 
This is terrific! And I hope that when there are updates to the content and the “as of” date changes, that the specific links that have been updated will be noted. This will make for efficient reading for established artists. Again, thanks!
Corrie, Wow, I must have missed this one! What a great service you have done by categorizing all of this information. Thanks so much!