Wanted Cards – Take Your Dog to Work Day
Wanted Cards – Take Your Dog to Work Day
Although many people are still working from home, maybe on this special day man’s best friend gets a cameo on a video conference. A round of furry introductions would be so fun!
Please consider creating new cards for this observation day which is celebrated on the Friday after Father’s Day. They should go here:
Holidays >> National / International Days >> Bring / Take Your Dog to Work Day cid#24286
NOTE: be sure to fortify your meta-data for breed specific designs.
Note: cid# is the speed entry method of adding a category to your card via category id number (cid#) vs using search terms or click and hunt. See here on the blog:
To expedite the review of these cards, please check Fast Track Review on the card image details page when you create your card and add a Note for Reviewers like “for BLOG– Wanted Cards”.
Consider using Stock Card Creations to create new cards quickly. These cards are automatically set for expedited review so no need to Fast Track. Remember, when you’re submitting your new stock card, add a little note about the intended category in your Notes to Reviewers.
Be inventive, be clever, be creative. Go for it!
Mindy Rosso
GCU Community Manager
mindy@gcuniverse.com
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Nuts and Bolts – Instagram Campaign
Nuts & Bolts – Instagram Campaign
For those of you following us on Instagram, you will find over the next 30 days some changes and content that differs from our norm. We are trying something new. More lifestyle oriented, more engaging, more stories and reels.
Remember to follow us at @GreetingCardUniverse and be sure to set your Instagram to Public so anyone can see and appreciate your content. See more here.
The difference is made in the details!
Mindy
GCU Community Manager
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Wanted Cards – Foodie Father on Father’s Day
Wanted Cards – Foodie Father on Father’s Day
Hobbies are a great way for card designs and verses to resonate with the recipient – that perfect card. Consider creating cards for a Dad/Father on Father’s Day who is a big gastronomy fanatic, gourmet enthusiast aka: foodie. Think beyond the grill, pizza and beer.
Those cards should go here:
Holidays >> Father’s Day >> For Dad / Father cid#8623
Note: cid# is the speed entry method of adding a category to your card via category id number (cid#) vs using search terms or click and hunt. See here on the blog:
To expedite the review of these cards, please check Fast Track Review on the card image details page when you create your card and add a Note for Reviewers like “for BLOG– Wanted Cards”.
Consider using Stock Card Creations to create new cards quickly. These cards are automatically set for expedited review so no need to Fast Track. Remember, when you’re submitting your new stock card, add a little note about the intended category in your Notes to Reviewers.
Be inventive, be clever, be creative. Go for it!
Mindy Rosso
GCU Community Manager
mindy@gcuniverse.com
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Wanted Cards – Birthdays Dog Breed Specific
Wanted Cards – Birthdays Dog Breed Specific
We’ve talked about and seen how shoppers are drawn to cards featuring their favorite animal and breed. We’d like to offer cards featuring all the listed dog breeds for Birthdays. On this page you can see the count of how many cards for each breed. Some breeds have plenty and others have very few to none. GCU offers 170 breed specific categories here.
Please consider creating birthday cards featuring dog breeds that are currently under represented on the site.
Birthday >> Animals / Pets >> Dogs >> … dog breed specific subcategory …
NOTE: Remember to fortify your card meta-data for breed, see tips here.
To expedite the review of these cards, please check Fast Track Review on the card image details page when you create your card and add a Note for Reviewers like “for BLOG– Wanted Cards”.
Consider using Stock Card Creations to create new cards quickly. These cards are automatically set for expedited review so no need to Fast Track. Remember, when you’re submitting your new stock card, add a little note about the intended category in your Notes to Reviewers.
Be inventive, be clever, be creative. Go for it!
Mindy Rosso
GCU Community Manager
mindy@gcuniverse.com
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Card Sharp: Your Weekly Cut of Greeting Card Creativity – Teacher Appreciation Day Text Ideas
Fun and Creative Text Ideas for Teacher Appreciation Day Greeting Cards
Teacher Appreciation Day is the perfect opportunity to honor the educators who inspire, guide, and shape the future. A thoughtful greeting card can go a long way in expressing gratitude and admiration. Whether you’re looking for heartfelt messages, funny quips, or subject-specific notes, here are some creative ideas to make your cards memorable.
Heartfelt Messages
For a genuine expression of gratitude, heartfelt messages are always appreciated. These can be tailored to reflect the teacher’s impact on a student’s life.
- “Thank you for believing in me and helping me reach my potential. You make learning exciting and meaningful!”
- “Your patience and kindness have made all the difference in my journey. I’m so grateful for everything you do!”
- “You’ve inspired me not just as a student but as a person. Thank you for being an incredible mentor!”
Funny Messages
Lighten the mood with humor while still showing appreciation. These witty lines are perfect for teachers with a great sense of humor.
- “I can’t even imagine how much coffee it takes to do what you do—thank you for being amazing!”
- “Congrats on making it through the year with our class! You deserve a medal (or a vacation).”
- “You’re more like Miss Honey than Miss Trunchbull—thank goodness!”
Subject-Specific Messages
Personalize your card by referencing the teacher’s subject or specialty. This adds a thoughtful touch that shows you’ve noticed their unique contributions.
- For art teachers: “Thank you for your ARTful attention to detail and creativity—you’ve inspired me to see the world differently!”
- For math teachers: “Kid + Teacher Like You = Happy Kid. It’s just math!”
- For music teachers: “My child loves music because of you—even if the clarinet sounds are still squeaky! You are a gift.”
Messages from Parents
Parents can express their gratitude by highlighting how the teacher has positively impacted their child’s growth and learning experience.
- “Thank you for creating such a warm and loving learning environment for my child! Your dedication means so much to us.”
- “Your encouragement has helped my child gain confidence and thrive—thank you for being such an inspiring teacher!”
- “We’re grateful for the way you support and challenge our child every day. You’re shaping their future beautifully!”
Short and Sweet Notes
Sometimes, less is more! Short messages can be just as impactful, especially when written with sincerity.
- “You’re an educational rockstar—thank you!”
- “Real heroes don’t wear capes…they teach! Thanks for being amazing.”
- “Thanks for shaping young minds with grace and humor.”
With these creative ideas, your Teacher Appreciation Day greeting card will stand out as a heartfelt tribute to the educators who make a difference every day!
Happy Designing!
Corrie
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Nuts and Bolts – 1Q25 Earnings and Payment
Nuts & Bolts – 1Q25 Earnings & Payment
It’s pay day! The 1st quarter payments for 2025 are being processed reflecting commissions earned from 1/01/25 – 3/31/25. Part of this process is reconciling those stores who have met the quarterly threshold. The checks are scheduled to be in the mail or PayPal payments made by Wednesday, 4/30/25.
Moved recently? Before 4/14, be sure to update your artist account with your current mailing address if you receive a mailed check. Better yet, change your payment preference to PayPal, see the many benefits here.
If you are an artist residing outside of the United States you’ll need to have a W8-BEN form on file to receive your payment. See here.
Congrats on your well earned and deserved first payments of 2025!
The difference is made in the details!
Mindy
GCU Community Manager
mindy@gcuniverse.com
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Dash of Inspiration: APRIL 2025 STOCK Design Challenge
Let’s have some fun creating a stock card this month!
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Theme: Teacher Appreciation Day
Requirements:
- Create a new stock card, judges will weigh heavily on how well your words and image fit this category along with great typography choices and added value.
- ONLY Big Stock cards will be accepted in this challenge.
- The judges will be looking for professional quality text layout, typography placement and font combinations.
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Entry Deadline: Wednesday, April 30th
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How to Enter: Post the PID (card number) and the URL (public storefront link – please WAIT for the card to be available in the public marketplace, please DO NOT post a link to your Manage Cards area) as a post in the challenge blog. We’ll forward your entry to the jury.
NOTE: Submissions will appear immediately in your Private gallery as they await review. If approved, the reviewer will move them to the public gallery – they will then become ‘live’ in the marketplace within 24-hours or so just like regular submissions. Be patient and wait.
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Category:
Holidays > Teacher Appreciation Day Cards > General Teacher Appreciation Day
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Rules:
- Submission must meet GCU’s Submission Guidelines and be Approved through the usual Review Cycle. Big Stock creations are automatically identified as Fast Track – please add in the Notes to Reviewer: April Stock Challenge Submission here is the link to the blog post: (include THIS blog post URL)
- Only ONE card per artist per challenge.
- Submissions must be NEW, no existing designs.
- Your entry must meet the Challenge Requirements and Theme or it will not be included in the challenge.
- Big Stock Card Creations ONLY will be accepted.
- Your designs should differ from those already offered in the categories above to offer shoppers a variety of choices, not more of the same.
- No BLANK cards will be accepted.
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BLIND Judging: We hope each of you enters every month. Entries are submitted anonymously for judging by the GCU Challenge Jury which means that before and during the challenge, judges do not have any way of knowing what artist is behind each entry. This eliminates any and all concerns with ‘favoritism’. Results will post on the Community Blog. The jury will judge the entries on the following criteria:
- How well the card meets the Challenge Requirements and Theme.
- How well the card speaks to the Category the artist chooses for the card submission.
- Creativity, Execution and Marketability. Your overall ‘added value’ determines this.
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Winners: 1st Place:
- The winning designer’s card and store will be featured on the GCU Public Blog – the blog which customers view and follow.
- As well as featured on the GCU Public Facebook Page – nearly 58,000 followers, now THAT’S exposure!
- The winning card will be Design of the Day following the announcement of the winners (within 48-hours).
EXCEPTION: Horizontal (landscape) cards may not be featured as DOD due to GCU Home Page space restrictions. In these cases, GCU will choose a different vertically oriented card from your store to feature as DOD. Thank you for your understanding and apologies for this limitation.
- The winning card will be added to the Greeting Card Universe Design Challenge Winners Pinterest Board – currently GCU’s Pinterest Page followers: 12.9K!
- The winning card, should the artist choose, may be referenced in a new series by the winning artist and he/she may Fast Track all cards in the new series (being sure to give the Challenge URL and winning card PID in your Notes to Reviewer for each card in this series).
- Winning card will be included in a marketing email to over 100,000 customers!
- GCU will create a Meet the Team board for the winning artist under the Pinterest GCU account where the winning artist will be able to pin and promote her own storefront and all that makes them a unique card designer and one of GCU’s artistic community team member.
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Winning card will be posted on GCU’s Instagram with 2,000 followers and counting!
- GCU will create a Meet the Team board for the winning artist under the Pinterest GCU account where the winning artist will be able to pin and promote her own storefront and all that makes them a unique card designer and one of GCU’s artistic community team member.
- 10 free greeting card credits added to your GCU account. Apply them at checkout and they never expire.
- A Design Challenge GCU digital award for 2025!
2nd Place:
- Your submission will be Design of the Day the following week of announcing the Challenge winners (within 7-days).
EXCEPTION: Horizontal (landscape) cards may not be featured as DOD due to GCU Home Page space restrictions. In these cases, GCU will choose a different vertically oriented card from your store to feature as DOD. Thank you for your understanding and apologies for this limitation.
- Your card will be added to the Greeting Card Universe Design Challenge Winners Pinterest Board.
- Winning card will be included in a marketing email to over 100,000 customers!
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Winning card will be posted on GCU’s Instagram with 10.8k followers and counting!
- 5 free greeting card credits added to your GCU account. Apply them at checkout and they never expire.
- A Design Challenge GCU digital award for 2025!
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Tips:
- Visit all the available tips, tricks and guidelines offered on the Big Stock Creation blog page!
- Teacher Appreciation Day – visit to learn more
Doreen Erhardt / Exclusive Creations
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Wanted Cards – Baby Boy 1/2 Birthday.
Wanted Cards – Baby Boy 1/2 Birthday
A half birthday falls on the six month mark after a birthday. For a newborn, their very first half birthday will fall on the 6 month mark of their age, even before their first birthday.
Please consider creating cards for a little boy’s first 6 months that should go here:
Birthday >> Half Birthday >> For Him cid#27140
Speaking of babies there are many baby milestone subcategories in need of cards, see below:
Occasions >> Congratulations >> Baby Milestones / Firsts …
>> Baby 1st / First Smile cid#27574
>> Clapping / Pattycake cid#27578
>> Laugh / Laughing cid#27582
>> Pointing cid#27576
>> Rolling Over cid#27584
>> Sitting Up cid#27586
>> Wave / Waving cid#27580
Note: cid# is the speed entry method of adding a category to your card via category id number (cid#) vs using search terms or click and hunt. See here on the blog:
To expedite the review of these cards, please check Fast Track Review on the card image details page when you create your card and add a Note for Reviewers like “for BLOG– Wanted Cards”.
Consider using Stock Card Creations to create new cards quickly. These cards are automatically set for expedited review so no need to Fast Track. Remember, when you’re submitting your new stock card, add a little note about the intended category in your Notes to Reviewers.
Be inventive, be clever, be creative. Go for it!
Mindy Rosso
GCU Community Manager
mindy@gcuniverse.com
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Wanted New Cards Extra – New Baby Themes.
New Design Trends and Colors in Baby Cards for 2025
As we step into 2025, the world of baby cards is evolving with fresh design trends and vibrant colors that reflect the latest in nursery aesthetics and graphic design. Whether you’re a greeting card artist or simply looking for inspiration, here’s a rundown of what’s trending this year.
Graphic Design Trends for Baby Cards
- Inclusivity and Interactivity: Incorporating diverse models and using augmented reality (AR) to allow users to interact with designs can add a modern twist to traditional baby cards. This trend combines inclusivity with cutting-edge technology, making cards more engaging and personalized.
- Sustainable Materials: Eco-friendly materials like recycled paper and minimalist layouts are becoming popular in print designs. These elements not only reduce environmental impact but also add a tactile dimension to cards.
- AI Collaboration: Leveraging AI in design can help create unique and innovative card designs. This collaboration allows for experimenting with new styles and themes that resonate with modern sensibilities.
Color Trends in Baby Cards
Inspired by nursery color palettes, baby cards are embracing a range of hues that reflect warmth, vibrancy, and timeless appeal. Here are some of the top color trends for 2025:
- Earthy and Natural Tones:
- Warm Neutrals: Beige, taupe, and muted sand tones create a soothing backdrop for baby cards.
- Olive and Sage Greens: These earthy hues bring a calming effect and are perfect for gender-neutral designs.
- Terracotta and Clay: Add warmth with shades of burnt sienna and soft terracotta.
- Vibrant and Playful Palettes:
- Sunshine Yellow: Brightens up cards with a cheerful and gender-neutral vibe.
- Sky and Denim Blues: Deeper blues like denim and powder blue offer a fresh yet classic touch.
- Peach and Apricot Tones: Softer alternatives to traditional pinks, these hues add warmth and coziness.
- Richer, Pigmented Hues:
- Deep Forest Green: Luxurious and nature-inspired, pairs well with brass accents.
- Navy and Ink Blue: Timeless and sophisticated, ideal for creating a modern look.
- Industry Color Picks:
- Pantone’s Mocha Mousse: A warm and welcoming color perfect for creating a nurturing atmosphere in baby cards.
- Sherwin-Williams’ Chartreuse: Adds a joyful, tropical brightness that can be used for bold accents.
Most Popular Baby Card Designs for 2025
As we explore the latest trends in baby card designs for 2025, several themes and styles stand out as particularly popular:
- Humorous and Relatable Themes:
- Cards like “Get Ready To Talk About Poop Every Single Day” and “Don’t Worry. It’s just the first 18 years of parenting that are the hardest” are gaining traction for their humorous take on parenting.
- These designs resonate with new parents by acknowledging the challenges and humor in parenthood.
- Personalized and Customizable Cards:
- Personalized cards, like those available on Etsy, allow for customization with specific details such as the baby’s name or birth year.
- This trend caters to those seeking unique and personalized messages for new parents.
- Cute and Whimsical Illustrations:
- Cards featuring adorable animals, like baby koalas eating watermelon or origami elephants, are popular for their playful and endearing designs.
- These illustrations add a touch of whimsy and delight to the cards.
- Celestial and Modern Themes:
- Cards inspired by planets and modern graphics, such as those found on Thortful, offer a fresh and contemporary approach to celebrating new arrivals.
- Cards inspired by planets and modern graphics, such as those found on Thortful, offer a fresh and contemporary approach to celebrating new arrivals.
- Interactive and Informative Designs:
- Cards that document the growth of a baby through comparisons with fruits and vegetables are both educational and engaging.
- These unique designs make the cards memorable and fun for expectant parents.
Overall, the most popular baby card designs for 2025 combine humor, eco-friendliness, personalization, and whimsical illustrations to create a diverse range of options that cater to different tastes and preferences.
Happy Designing!
Corrie
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Wanted New Cards – New Baby Themes.
Wanted Cards – New Baby Themes
Trends in colors and design will pop up in not only baby nurseries but also in the themes for baby showers and stationery.
Please consider creating cards for baby in new and fresh themes.They should go here accordingly:
Invitation >> Baby Shower (see many subcategory choices)
Congratulations >> New Baby (see many subcategory choices)
Occasions >> Welcome to the Family >> Baby Boy
Occasions >> Welcome to the Family >> Baby Girl
Occasions >> Welcome to the Family>> General / Baby
Occasions >> A Gift for You >> Baby Shower Gift
Occasions >> A Gift for You >> Baby Gift
See here for an example of nursery trends in colors and design.
To expedite the review of these cards, please check Fast Track Review on the card image details page when you create your card and add a Note for Reviewers like “for BLOG– Wanted Cards”.
Consider using Stock Card Creations to create new cards quickly. These cards are automatically set for expedited review so no need to Fast Track. Remember, when you’re submitting your new stock card, add a little note about the intended category in your Notes to Reviewers.
Be inventive, be clever, be creative. Go for it!
Mindy Rosso
GCU Community Manager
GCU Community 