Skip to content

Wanted New Cards: Persian New Year

February 16, 2023

Wanted Cards – Persian New Year


The protests and human rights issues in Iran currently, Persian New Year cards this year may carry a different message then usual years.  Consider creating new cards that have a message of support, solidarity and hope for the first day of Spring celebration, Persian New Year. 

Please consider creating new cards for the appropriate sub-category under:

Holidays >> Persian New Year

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!

 
 
 
 

 

 

Freebie Wednesday: Vibrant Watercolor Florals

February 15, 2023

Vibrant Watercolor Florals

Here’s a wonderful collection filled with Watercolor Florals all with a Vibrant theme to it (jpeg only)!

800_3524233_fao8cvw6tv7ngccq036b3v7aaxq891c3a97u324b_free-vibrant-watercolor-florals

 

Only available on the Hungry Jpeg site for another 6 days, so don’t miss out.

Comes with complete License.

Nuts & Bolts: Announcing In-Store Pickup is BACK!

February 10, 2023

Nuts & Bolts – Announcing In-Store Pickup is BACK!
 

We are very excited to announce that GCU’s same day in-store pickup option is back and it’s better than ever!  We are even more excited to announce our new partner …

image (1)
FedEx Office brings not only expansive nationwide coverage but also the ultimate in printing services and customer service expertise. GCU is currently offering this service at 900 U.S. FedEx Office locations. Let me tell you the print quality is excellent!
 
A few things to note about this offering for shoppers:
– order size minimum is 5 cards and maximum is 99
– cardstock is 100 lb vs 110 lb
– card finish is semi-gloss only (in between our matte and glossy) 
– promotion codes are not eligible 
– purchase is charged online at GCU not paid upon pickup
 
 
Our two teams have worked diligently since 2020! Finally all the pieces have come together. In-store pickup is now live on the site. We are monitoring it closely and if there are any hiccups we can take it offline for adjustments. If you noticed anything strange with the site that may have started today, please let us know. 
 
We are elated to offer this again for shoppers who need their cards asap. It increases our sales opportunities for cards right up to the holiday or occasion date. What does this mean for GCU artists?  Business as usual with the bonus of more card sales!
 
Please see these other related posts on In-store Pickup.
 
 
The difference is made in the details!
 

Mindy

GCU Community Manager

 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Wanted New Cards: International Day of Women Judges

February 9, 2023

Wanted Cards – International Day of Women Judges


International Day of Women Judges is celebrated on March 10 each year to promote equal and complete participation of women at different levels of the judiciary.

Please consider creating new cards here:

Holidays >> National & International Days >> International Day of Women Judges  cid#37420

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!

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

Freebie Wednesday: Gladiolus Watercolor Floral Clipart

February 8, 2023

Gladiolus Watercolor Floral Clipart

Delicate and tender Field Wildflowers Watercolor Clipart

800_3524224_3arwccl1b012kn1sa3pbf13eymfbbl72k8atz0dc_free-gladiolus-watercolor-florals

This set is ideal for creating card template designs, for your logo, on your blog, invitations, digital projects, sites, scrapbooking, wedding invitation, albums, greeting cards, stickers, mood boards, social networking and promotions, packaging, covers, etc.! Each element was painted on watercolor paper. Sizes can be manipulated in editing software such as Photoshop or an online

  • 22 PNG with original watercolor floral elements, all with transparent
  • 2 PNG with original bouquets size: from 3000 px x 3000 px
  • 4 PNG with original borders size 12 inches* 6 inches

All images are 300 dpi, colored and ready to use. You can follow the artist on Instagram: @LABFcreations

 

Only available on the Hungry Jpeg site for another 6 days, so don’t miss out.

Comes with complete License.

Nuts & Bolts: Artist Interview Trudy Wilkerson

February 3, 2023

Nuts & Bolts – Artist Interview Trudy Wilkerson
 

One of the many perks of being a GCU Design Challenge winner is an interview.  These mini-interviews are fun reads and a peek into the makings of the winning card.

Here is September 2022 Design Challenge winner, Trudy Wilkerson, interview.

Congratulations to Trudy on her winning design.

1745168_3d
 
See 2023’s first Design Challenge, Viva Magenta! Submit your entries by Tuesday, February 28th.  As well as the long awaited Founders’ Choice Awards soon to be announced. 
 

The difference is made in the details!
 

Mindy

GCU Community Manager

 
 
 
 
 

 

 


Wanted New Cards: Baby Dedication African American

February 2, 2023

Wanted Cards – Baby Dedication African American


Serving a variety of audiences, ethnicity shown via skin and hair color is one way to help shoppers find the perfect card.  


Please consider creating new cards here:

Occasions >> Congratulations >> Baby Dedication >> General  cid#5698

Occasions >> Congratulations >> Baby Dedication >> Boy cid#5696

Occasions >> Congratulations >> Baby Dedication >> Girl  cid#5697


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/ 

Be sure to fortify your meta-data for Ethnicity Variations

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”. (stock cards are automatically fast tracked).

 

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!

 

 
 

 

 

Freebie Wednesday: Floral Creator

February 1, 2023

Freebie of the Week this time around is a really cute Floral Creator!

800_3524221_ukc0ggvrecouuacic5n9y4tb8hfjxtyohubl1618_free-floral-creator

800_3524221_9sugmso0lzdh2xsl1faygnpa0b2ml28ts7eracjn_free-floral-creator

800_3524221_xdxjqyevuy6u52q6qw38lxgbct8sy85cttvhmomk_free-floral-creator

800_3524221_d49agbsv6sdmsk3wbja77p0qohdj203m5enthhi5_free-floral-creator

800_3524221_y0g438okey4no1uz5o7je6tqvn8owgp4nsfkzep6_free-floral-creator

800_3524221_a34vb41ojlip87jhiyt18basi5oeeaf1mxqeb548_free-floral-creator


What will you get in this pack?

  • 106 Floral Elements in EPS and PNG Format. 

BONUS:

  • 6 Wreaths in EPS and PNG Format. 
  • 6 Ribbons with 2 colors in EPS and PNG Format. 


What are the file specifications?

  • EPS files are vector based and can be scaled to any size. 
  • PNG files are transparent and easy to use!  (300dpi, Smallest file at 2480px x 2480 px) 

 

Only available on the Hungry Jpeg site for another 6 days, so don’t miss out.

Comes with complete License.

Dash of Inspiration: February 2023 Design Challenge

February 1, 2023
  • DashInspirationBanner_2015

Well – I’m off to a late start this year it seems! My sincere apologies for letting January blast right by without a design challenge. I didn’t remember until last week and the funny thing is, no one reminded me! We must all be off buried in our design studios creating as I’ve been. 🙂

……………………………………………………………

Theme: Pantone Color of the Year 2023 – Viva Magenta Magentaverse

Requirements:

  • Create a new design using the 2023 Pantone color:  Viva Magenta
  • Any category which your card speaks to.
  • No Stock card creations will be accepted.
  • Blank verse will not be considered for entry in this challenge.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please do NOT use trademarked terms “Pantone”,Magentaverse” or “Viva Magenta” in your meta-data.  You can however use individual terms like: magenta,color of the year, etc. 

……………………………………………………………

Entry Deadline: Tuesday, February 28th

……………………………………………………………

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.

……………………………………………………………….

Category:

Any 

…………………………………………………………….

Rules:

  • Submission must meet GCU’s Submission Guidelines and be Approved through the usual Review Cycle– Fast Track your submission with this in the Notes to Reviewer: Febuary 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.
  • Stock Card Creations entries will not be accepted.
  • Your designs should differ from those already offered in the category of your choice to offer shoppers a variety of choices, not more of the same.

……………………………………………………………………

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.

……………………………………………………………………

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: 5.36K!
  • 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.
  • 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!
  • Winning card will be posted on GCU’s Instagram with 2,000 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!

………………………………………………………………………

Tips:

………………………………………………………………………

Be inspired to create and learn something new!

47f4083a56e73908aa5ad1172851f8b3

Nuts & Bolts: Menorah Usage

January 27, 2023


Nuts & Bolts – Menorah Usage


Covering so many different occasions, cultures, hobbies, etc., here at GCU we honestly learn something every day.  Perhaps this is new and helpful for you too.

The menorah remains one of the most widely used symbols in Judaism. There are actually two different representations which are not interchangeable in their usage. 

Menorah – 7 branches

image1

 

Hanukkah Menorah (Chanukiah) – 9 branches, reserved for the Hanukkah holiday

image2
Here is a helpful article Menorah vs Chanukia
 
In a nutshell, every Chanukiah is a Menorah, but not every Menorah is a Chanukiah.
 
So as always suggested, if you’re designing cards for an occasion, culture, event you are not familiar with, spend a little time doing your due diligence to make sure your design is appropriate, relevant, and most importantly not offensive or incorrect. 
 
 
 

The difference is made in the details!

 
Mindy

 

GCU Community Manager