Nuts & Bolts: Reminder July 2023 Design Challenge
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Nuts & Bolts – Reminder July 2023 Design Challenge
Monday, July 31st is the last day to submit your entries for July’s Design Challenge. Theme: Getting Older Humor
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The difference is made in the details!
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Mindy
GCU Community Manager
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Wanted New Cards: Cornhole Birthday
A request on the Forum, cornhole is a growing and popular sport that has skyrocketed just like pickleball.
Birthday >> Sports Specific >> Cornhole cid#37546
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:
https://gcucommunity.com/2022/06/10/nuts-and-bolts-new-artist-enhancements/
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!
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FREE cuteness and spookiness Halloween Monster Watercolour Illustration collection. This set features 23 adorably haunting files of beautifully rendered watercolour illustrations, showcasing kids in delightful monster costumes. Elevate your designs with these charming illustrations, perfect for greeting cards, party invitations, decorations, and more. Capture the playful spirit of Halloween with these cute watercolour kids alongside spooky monsters – a bewitching addition to your projects!
Only available on the Hungry Jpeg site for one week, so don’t miss out!
Comes with complete License.
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Nuts & Bolts: Founders’ Choice Awards New Prize
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Nuts & Bolts – Founders’ Choice Awards New Prize
This year GCU added a new and exciting prize for the four top winners of the Founders’ Choice Awards (FCA). GCU will be entering and funding the FCA top 4 winning cards into the Greeting Card Association’s (GCA) Louie Awards which honors the best cards of the year.
These cards will be in the running and judged by a panel of nationwide industry experts with the opportunity for wonderful exposure and coveted bragging rights.
See the 34th Louie Award finalists, winners and categories submissions here. See prior GCU posts on the GCA and Louie Awards.
Congratulations to these GCU 2022 FCA winners who have earned an entry into the 35th Annual Louie Awards: Best Overall New Card – Nancy Mink of Nancy Mink Studios PID#1725710  Hottest Seller – Christmas – Doreen Erhardt of Salon of Art PID#1747676
Hottest Seller – Chinese New Year – Teri Nelson Kuster of Che Bella Nota PID#1722726
Hottest Seller – Birthday – Anne Johnson of Greetings by Anne PID#1743070
We will notify these artists at the end of the year when the GCU submits their entries so they can follow along the process.
The difference is made in the details!
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GCU Community Manager
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Wanted New Cards: Thank You Loaning Electric Bike
One way to see if you want to purchase an e-bike is to borrow one for a test ride or loaner for any ride.
Occasions >> Thank You >> Help / Support >< Lending Your / Letting Borrow Your >> Electric Bike / E bike cid#37544
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:
https://gcucommunity.com/2022/06/10/nuts-and-bolts-new-artist-enhancements/
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!
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Freebie Wednesday: Free 21 Christmas Bears
FREE 21 Christmas Bears Explore the enchanting world of Christmas with our delightful Christmas Bear Illustration collection. This bundle features 21 whimsical and festive bear illustrations, perfect for adding a touch of holiday cheer to your projects. From cute and cuddly bears adorned with Christmas accessories to cozy winter scenes, these charming illustrations will bring joy to your designs. Get inspired and create magical holiday-themed creations with our Christmas Bear Illustration bundle.
Only available on the Hungry Jpeg site for one week, so don’t miss out!
Comes with complete License.
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Wanted New Cards: Thank You Bridal Manicurist
So many personal touches and thoughtful details go into the perfect wedding. Brides usually have a long checklist of details for their dream bridal look including a beautiful manicure as their hands will be featured in many looks and photos adorned by her wedding ring.
Please consider creating Thank You cards to the bridal manicurist. They should go here:
Occasions >> Thank You >> Wedding Attendants / Bridal Party >> Service Providers >> Manicurist / Wedding Nails / Bridal Mani cid#37536
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:
https://gcucommunity.com/2022/06/10/nuts-and-bolts-new-artist-enhancements/
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!
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Nuts & Bolts: Card Tone
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Nuts & Bolts – Card Tone
We offer shoppers many ways to shop and narrow their search to find their perfect card. One new way is by Card Tone. These tones will soon be introduced in the standard card creation process. It will be a required field with at least 1 tone set and up to 2 tones if applicable. If you’ve used the Stock Card Creations tool you’ve been using the Card Tone field already.
The Card Tone menu will say:
You can check up to 2 tone boxes that apply. At least one is required. If none apply, check Other. These will help shoppers filter by type of cards they’re looking for. Providing inaccurate, misleading or incorrect information can result in your cards or store being taken offline. Note: reviewers may change the tone at their discretion.
__ Adult (Sexy, Crude, Offensive)
__ Business (Customer, Employee directed) __ Cute (Whimsical, Cheerful) __ Funny (Humorous, Witty, Sarcastic) __ Gay / Lesbian (LGBTQ) __ Inspirational (Uplifting) __ Love (Romance, Affection) __ Religious (Faith, Spiritual) __ Sentimental (Emotional, Tender, Heartfelt) __ Serious (Sincere, Candid) __ Other The difference is made in the details!
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GCU Community Manager
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Wanted New Cards: Feel Better Pregnancy Discomforts
There are a lot of mental, emotional and physical challenges during a pregnancy: morning sickness, swollen ankles, bedrest, exhaustion, etc. Lift an expectant mom’s spirits with a note acknowledging what they are experiencing and sending feel better wishes.
Occasions >> Get Well / Feel Better >> Pregnancy Discomforts cid#37532
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:
https://gcucommunity.com/2022/06/10/nuts-and-bolts-new-artist-enhancements/
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!
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Let’s roll …
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Theme: Getting Older Humor
Requirements:
- Funny imagery and message to support any category where this theme would fit. Does not have to be a birthday category, so be imaginative.
- 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 in addition to a unique and captivating message that tells the story of the stock image you choose. Your added value needs to wow the judges!
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Entry Deadline: Monday, July 31st
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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:
Any category that supports the theme.
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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: July Design 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 2023!
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 2023!
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Tips:
- Visit all the available tips, tricks and guidelines offered on the Big Stock Creation blog page!
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Be inspired to create and learn something new!
GCU Community 