10 Greeting Card Companies Accepting Submissions (2026)

Updated August 31, 2026

Greeting card companies still work with freelance writers, illustrators, photographers, cartoonists, and designers—but submission policies change often. This guide replaces an older 50-company list with 10 publishers whose official websites currently provide submission instructions.

These are freelance or licensing opportunities, not guaranteed work-at-home jobs. Review each publisher’s current guidelines before sending anything, submit only work you own, and keep a record of what you send.

Does American Greetings accept submissions?

No. American Greetings does not accept unsolicited creative ideas or materials. Its current company FAQ says unsolicited creative work will be returned to the owner. If you want to work for American Greetings, use the careers link on that official page rather than sending card concepts to customer service.

This distinction matters because many people search for “American Greetings submissions” when they really need a publisher that welcomes freelance work. The companies below currently publish official submission instructions.

Greeting card companies accepting submissions in 2026

Submission pages can close or change without notice. The links below go directly to each company’s own current instructions.

1. Blue Mountain Arts

Blue Mountain Arts accepts original contemporary prose and poetry based on personal experience. Its current guidelines seek writing about relationships, special occasions, and life experiences, generally from 50 to 300 words.

The company currently lists payment of $300 per accepted poem for worldwide exclusive greeting-card and product rights, or $50 for one-time use in a book. It specifically says it does not want AI-generated or AI-assisted content, rhymed poetry, religious verse, or one-liners. Follow its seasonal deadlines when submitting holiday material.

2. Oatmeal Studios

Oatmeal Studios’ writer guidelines invite short, conversational humour for occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, retirement, thank-you, and get-well cards. Writers do not need to draw; a brief visual description can accompany the idea. The page currently states a rate of $100 for each purchased writing idea.

Artists can also review the separate artist guidelines. Oatmeal seeks original, clever, fun artwork and negotiates artist payment based on the work.

3. Warner Press

Warner Press publishes non-denominational Christian products, including boxed greeting cards. Its guidelines ask for encouraging, conversational messages that communicate care without sounding preachy or overly poetic.

Read the rights section carefully: Warner Press says it purchases full rights to accepted greeting-card material, and payment varies by product. Only submit if that arrangement works for you.

4. NobleWorks

NobleWorks says it considers humorous work from artists, cartoonists, writers, and photographers. Its FAQ links to a submission inquiry form for the company’s detailed guidelines.

Study the company’s humour before applying. NobleWorks emphasizes funny cartoons, illustrations, photography, verses, and poems rather than sentimental material.

5. Allport Editions

Allport Editions currently seeks hand-rendered art in specific categories, including regional scenes, quirky animals, art-and-literature humour, landscapes, and florals.

Its guidelines say it does not publish photography, abstract or figurative artwork, religious imagery, surface designs, stock images, or submissions containing copy without artwork. Allport reviews art only a few times per year, so expect a longer response window.

6. Bug Art

Bug Art welcomes work from artists and designers. It wants polished, commercially viable concepts that can become cohesive ranges of roughly 8 to 16 cards—not isolated images or a mixed collection of unrelated samples.

Bug Art does not accept written submissions because its cards do not use text. Its page says successful artists receive an advance, followed by royalties after the advance threshold is reached.

7. Calypso Cards

Calypso Cards invites submissions from illustrators, designers, painters, printmakers, photographers, and independent creative brands. It is particularly interested in illustration, fine art, pattern design, hand lettering, contemporary graphics, humour, and photography.

Send a concise introduction, a portfolio or social link, representative artwork, and—if available—a line sheet or catalogue. Calypso reviews work for greeting cards as well as gift wrap, stationery, notebooks, journals, seasonal programs, and licensing partnerships.

8. Caspari

Caspari reviews artwork based on artistic merit and how well it fits the company’s current product range. It does not accept photographic artwork.

Review Caspari’s current products before submitting. The company accepts email attachments up to its stated size limit and suggests a cloud link for larger files. It responds only when interested in seeing more.

9. Leanin’ Tree

Leanin’ Tree maintains an official contact option for artists who want to submit work for consideration or discuss art licensing. Use the “Art Submissions and Art Licensing” route rather than a general customer-service message.

Because the contact flow can change, read every instruction shown after selecting that option and submit only the file types and information requested.

10. Woodmansterne

Woodmansterne welcomes work from artists, photographers, cartoonists, and humour writers. Its official page asks for a short introduction and a selection of low-resolution PDFs, JPEGs, or portfolio links.

The design team reviews every submission and may take up to a month to respond. Woodmansterne also invites creators to try again later with a different concept if the first submission is not a current fit.

One company to watch rather than pitch as open

Avanti Press currently says its roster of verse contributors is full. It does, however, explain how writers familiar with its line can send samples for possible future consideration. Treat this as a watch-list opportunity, not an active opening.

How to improve your greeting card submission

Match the publisher before you pitch

A technically good idea can still be the wrong fit. Review the publisher’s current catalogue, price point, tone, occasions, and visual style. If the company requests humour, do not send a sentimental poem. If it excludes photography, do not ask for an exception.

Follow every formatting instruction

Use the requested subject line, file type, attachment size, and number of samples. Do not mail originals unless a publisher specifically asks for them. A clean, easy-to-review submission demonstrates that you can follow a creative brief.

Send only original work

Submit work you created and have the right to license or sell. Keep dated source files and a copy of every submission. If a company offers a contract, confirm which rights are exclusive, how long the licence lasts, which products and territories it covers, and when payment is due.

Track submissions like a business

A simple spreadsheet should record the company, submission date, material sent, response window, follow-up date, outcome, rights offered, and payment. If you begin earning from creative work, the free income and expense tracker can help organize basic records.

Compare freelance submissions with other remote-work options

Greeting-card work is selective and irregular, so it should not be treated as predictable income. You may also want to compare virtual-assistant work-at-home jobs or explore these ways to make money online.

Frequently asked questions

Can I submit ideas to American Greetings?

No. American Greetings’ official FAQ says the company does not accept unsolicited materials or idea disclosures. Use its careers site if you want to apply for an advertised position.

Which greeting card company pays writers?

Blue Mountain Arts and Oatmeal Studios publish current rates on their official guideline pages. Warner Press also pays for accepted material, but says the amount varies by product. Terms can change, so verify the rate and rights before submitting.

Do I need to be both a writer and an artist?

No. Some publishers accept writing without finished artwork, while others accept art only. Oatmeal Studios, for example, tells writers they can briefly describe a visual rather than draw it. Match your submission to the company’s stated category.

Can I send the same idea to several companies?

That depends on each publisher’s rules and any contract you have already signed. Keep careful records, disclose simultaneous submissions when required, and never submit work elsewhere after assigning exclusive or full rights.

Are greeting card submissions a reliable work-at-home income?

No. Acceptance is competitive, review times vary, and payment is usually tied to selected work. Treat submissions as freelance business development rather than a guaranteed job or steady paycheque.

Bottom line: skip unsolicited pitches to American Greetings, choose a publisher that explicitly welcomes your type of work, follow its current instructions exactly, and read the rights and payment terms before accepting an offer.