Hey there, fellow GCU creators! If you’re like many of us in the greeting card design community, you’ve probably relied on The Hungry JPEG for those killer deals on fonts, graphics, SVGs, and bundles. It was a go-to spot for affordable, high-quality assets with commercial licenses that made whipping up eye-catching cards a breeze. But as of December 1, 2025, the site has shut down its operations, leaving us all scrambling for alternatives. Downloads are no longer available, and their parent company, 123RF, is pointing users toward their own platform instead.

Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. In this post, we’ll recap what made The Hungry JPEG special, dive into some solid alternatives that cater to crafters and designers like us, and share practical tips on transitioning smoothly. Let’s keep those creative juices flowing without missing a beat!

What Made The Hungry JPEG So Great?

For those who might be new or need a refresher, The Hungry JPEG was a treasure trove for design resources. It offered everything from elegant script fonts perfect for heartfelt messages to whimsical SVGs for holiday-themed cards, plus clip art, patterns, and mockups. The real draw? Massive savings through bundled deals and weekly freebies that often came with generous commercial licenses—ideal for GCU submissions where you need assets you can legally use and sell. It was user-friendly, budget-friendly, and community-focused, making it a staple for hobbyists and pros alike.

The shutdown is a bummer, but the design world is vast. Here’s a roundup of top alternatives that provide similar resources, often with free sections, bundles, and commercial licensing options. I’ve focused on sites that are crafter-friendly and have been praised in design communities for their quality and affordability.

Top Alternatives to The Hungry JPEG

1. Design Bundles (designbundles.net)
   This is one of the most frequently recommended replacements, offering a huge library of SVGs, fonts, clip art, sublimation PNGs, and bundles tailored for crafters. They have free design resources updated regularly, plus premium bundles at steep discounts. Commercial licenses are standard, and it’s great for GCU artists needing versatile files for cards, invitations, and more. Bonus: Their sister site, Font Bundles, specializes in fonts if that’s your jam.
2. Creative Fabrica (creativefabrica.com)
   A powerhouse for unlimited downloads via subscription (starting as low as $1 for the first month), this site boasts millions of fonts, SVGs, graphics, and embroidery designs. It’s perfect for high-volume creators—download as much as you want with commercial rights. They offer tons of freebies too, and the community raves about it for Cricut and Silhouette users. If you’re building a library for seasonal GCU cards, this could be your new best friend.
3. Creative Market (creativemarket.com)
   This marketplace features handpicked designs from independent creators, including fonts, graphics, templates, and SVGs. It’s a bit more premium-priced, but weekly free goods and bundle deals keep it affordable. Commercial licenses are clear and robust, making it suitable for professional card designs. Great for unique, artisanal assets that stand out in GCU submissions.
4. So Fontsy (sofontsy.com)
   Focused on fonts and SVGs, this site has a strong emphasis on crafting resources like bundles and free weekly downloads. They offer commercial licenses and are popular among Cricut enthusiasts. If you loved The Hungry JPEG’s freebies, check their rotating specials—it’s a solid, no-frills alternative.
5. Design Cuts (designcuts.com)
   Known for curated bundles with massive discounts (up to 99% off), this site covers fonts, illustrations, patterns, and more. Commercial use is included, and their deals often mimic The Hungry JPEG’s value-packed offers. It’s ideal for stocking up on themed assets for holidays or occasions in your GCU portfolio.
6. Font Squirrel and DaFont (fontsquirrel.com and dafont.com)
   For free fonts specifically, these are excellent starting points. Font Squirrel curates high-quality, commercial-friendly free fonts, while DaFont has a massive library (though always check licenses).

Of course, 123RF (123rf.com) is the official suggestion from The Hungry JPEG’s parent company, so give it a peek if stock photos or vectors are your thing—but it might not fully replicate the craft-focused vibe.

Tips for Moving Forward as a GCU Artist

Transitioning doesn’t have to be chaotic. Here are some actionable steps to keep your workflow humming:

• Backup and Organize Your Existing Assets: If you downloaded files from The Hungry JPEG before the shutdown, double-check your licenses and organize them into folders by category (e.g., “Fonts – Script,” “SVGs – Holidays”). Tools like Adobe Bridge or even Google Drive can help manage your library.
• Sign Up for Newsletters and Freebies: Most alternatives have email lists for weekly free downloads. Subscribe to Design Bundles, Creative Fabrica, and So Fontsy to snag deals without spending a dime. This mirrors The Hungry JPEG’s model and keeps fresh inspiration coming.
• Check Commercial Licenses Carefully: For GCU submissions, ensure any new assets allow commercial use without attribution or restrictions. Read the fine print—sites like Creative Fabrica make this easy with clear terms.
• Explore Subscriptions for Savings: If you’re a prolific designer, consider low-cost subs like Creative Fabrica’s all-access plan. It can pay for itself quickly compared to buying bundles piecemeal.
• Diversify Your Sources: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Mix free sites (like LoveSVG or FreeSVG.org for basic files) with premium ones. Join Facebook groups like Cricut or GCU artist communities for recommendations and shared freebies.
• Test Compatibility: Upload sample files to your design software (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, or Cricut Design Space) to ensure they work seamlessly. SVGs can sometimes have layering issues, so tweak as needed.
• Budget Smartly: Set a monthly design spend limit. Look for intro deals—many sites offer first-time discounts that rival The Hungry JPEG’s affordability.

Source attribution and links in the Notes to Reviewer field

Include in your Notes to Reviewer links to the 3rd party elements you’ve incorporated into your design and indicate what you’ve done to create a new transformed design.  Additionally consider giving credit to the original artist(s) in your Artist Notes. No As Is usage policy – use elements in a transformed creative way.

In the end, while we’ll miss The Hungry JPEG, this is an opportunity to discover new gems that might even elevate your GCU designs. Have you tried any of these alternatives? Share your favorites in the comments below—we’re all in this creative journey together!

Happy Designing!

Corrie

New Year, New Tools: A Creative Resolution for GCU Artists

The start of a new year always carries that quiet, hopeful hum. A blank calendar. Fresh sketchbooks. Coffee mugs that feel just a little more ambitious. For Greeting Card Universe artists, New Year’s resolutions don’t have to mean drastic reinvention. Sometimes the most rewarding resolution is simply this: learn one new tool, technique, or piece of software and give it room to grow.

Not to replace your style. Not to chase trends. Just to stretch your creative muscles in a way that feels curious rather than pressured.

Why learning something new matters for card artists

Greeting cards live at a fascinating crossroads. They are small, personal, tactile objects, but they still benefit from growth and evolution. Exploring a new tool or technique can subtly refresh your work without changing what makes it yours. A new brush setting, a lettering style you’ve never tried, or a different way of building a composition can ripple through your designs in surprising ways.

And because GCU cards are printed on a single card stock with no foils, embossing, or specialty finishes, strong fundamentals matter even more. Color balance, line quality, texture illusion, and legibility all carry the design. Improving any one of those skills pays dividends across your entire portfolio.

Tools don’t have to be fancy or digital-heavy

Learning something new doesn’t require expensive subscriptions or a complete workflow overhaul. Consider tools that support your existing process rather than replacing it.

You might explore a different drawing tool. Brush pens for expressive lettering. Colored pencils layered for soft shading. A fineliner weight you’ve never used before. Even switching paper texture while sketching can influence how you think about line and shape.

If you work digitally, try learning a feature you’ve been ignoring. Clipping masks. Custom brushes. Non-destructive color adjustments. A new way to organize layers so revisions feel lighter and faster. Sometimes mastery comes not from new software, but from finally understanding the one you already own.

Techniques that quietly level up your designs

Technique-based resolutions are especially friendly for card artists. They don’t demand new equipment, just focused practice.

You could work on hand lettering consistency so text feels intentional rather than added as an afterthought. Or study color harmony so your palettes reproduce beautifully in print. You might experiment with negative space, allowing designs to breathe instead of filling every inch.

Another powerful technique is constraint-based designing. Limit yourself to two colors. Or one illustration style for a month. Or a single recurring character. Constraints can sharpen creativity in ways endless options never do.

Software as a helper, not the driver

Trying a new piece of software can be valuable when approached as a supportive tool, not a stylistic dictator. Vector programs can help refine edges for print. Layout software can improve alignment and spacing. Even basic photo-editing tools can teach you more about contrast and tonal balance.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s familiarity. The confidence that when an idea arrives, you know which tool can help you get it onto the card efficiently and cleanly.

Make the resolution small and sustainable

The best New Year’s resolution is one you don’t abandon by February. Choose one thing. Just one. Schedule low-pressure time to explore it. Thirty minutes a week. A few experimental designs that never need to be published. A private folder of “practice cards” where mistakes are welcome.

Over time, that new skill will quietly integrate into your work. Customers may not know what changed, but they’ll feel it. A little more polish. A little more clarity. A little more confidence in every card.

A new year doesn’t demand a new you. It just invites you to add one more tool to your creative toolbox and see where it leads.

Happy Designing!

Corrie