Brandy Jesperson
Recently there have been several blogs posts sharing tips for getting published in the pages of Paper Crafts. First, Paper Crafts Go-to Gal Teri Anderson shared a few tips on her blog (you’ll see a few of her what-not-to-do tips below). Then, Cath gave a few fabulous suggestions on the Moxie Fab World blog. We got a tremendous response to both of these posts and today I’d like to answer a few of your questions.
Q: Why does PC want images free of watermarks when the e-mail address and card information give away the identity of the designer?
A: Editor Susan Opel looks at EVERY SINGLE project that’s submitted. She’s also responsible for printing these submissions in preparation for our submission judging meetings. The image of the card is printed on one side and the designer contact information is printed on the other. Susan is the only person who knows who made what card and with hundreds of projects coming in for each issue, she can’t possibly remember who made what just by looking at the image. The rest of the editorial staff participates in the submission judging meetings and we have no idea who created what. Consequently, images free of watermarks help keep our submission judging blind and fair.
Tip ala Teri: Next time, please no watermarks, Penelope!
Q: Do you accept submissions from people living overseas?
A: ABSOLUTELY! To date we have published projects from designers living in Croatia, Australia, Canada, Mexico, England, Singapore and many more! We love local and international designs alike and encourage everyone to submit.
Tip ala Teri: Even if you are photogenic, please ONLY submit an image of the card.
Q: Do my submissions need to be made from the most current supplies? I tend to make a lot of my own embellishments and use items I’ve had for quite some time.
A: We like to publish projects that inspire our readers. We love it when people reinvent product and create their own embellishments. That being said, we don’t like to publish projects that use product that is no longer available. If the product can no longer be purchased, we are less likely to accept the project.
Tip ala Teri: Please don't resort to begging!
Many people also commented on these blog posts that they were scared to submit. To this I say, push your fears aside and simply send in your submissions! You can instantly increase your odds of publication by submitting. And the more projects you submit the better your odds. We pride ourselves on presenting the freshest and most inspiring projects around. We can’t do this without designers like you. So get creating and get submitting!
We love hearing from you, so if you have a burning question, please send it our way!
Brandy
P.S. Interested in submitting some projects? We just posted a call for our Card Creations: Favorite Occasions special issue! Click HERE for more details!
P.S.S. Voting has begun for round 1 of Gallery Idol 2010! Click HERE to view the Top 20′s cards and to cast your vote. Voting will end at noon (MDT) on Thursday, June 10, so don’t delay!
thanks, brandy! i did see cath and teri’s tips-both were very helpful. teri’s post was so fun and entertaining:)
Thanks Brandy! This together with Teri and Cath’s posts have been very helpful! Thanks again!!
Still laughing at the photos you posted… hilarious… us crafters would never resort to that !!!! LOL!!!!
I am a papercrafter, scrapbooker, stamper and cardmaker. Over the years, I have done every craft there is. I have a dedicated craft room where I keep my supplies and a crop room where I work and host crops. I don’t have room to keep individual packages of everything I buy and instead store my supplies together. Jars of buttons, beads, bling, etc. Cardstock by color…you get the picture. While I have created tons of really cute projects, I don’t submit them because I have NO idea who made them. I don’t really understand the need to know who made what or what is the newest and latest. When I see something that gives me inspiration I use what I have on hand or make my own embellishments to suit my taste and style. Creativity and originality should be what’s important.
Thanks for the tips, Brandy! I also saw Teri & Cath’s posts which were humorously insightful as I haven’t attempted getting published yet. I do have a question: I noticed in your calls for submission, there are multiple deadlines. One for idea/digital, project acceptance, and completed project deadline. I have no idea what the first two are… idea/digital? project acceptance? Do most of the completed cards submitted for publication fall under the “completed project” deadline? Thanks in advance!
Thanks for all the great comments.
Barbara, I agree that creativity and originality are important and I love that you create based on what inspires you. We are happy to publish projects that use basic everyday supplies (like solid buttons and cardstock) without sources. However, our mission is to inspire and instruct and we have many readers who see the designs in our magazines and want to recreate them for themselves. We’ve found that recreating projects is much easier when the products are clearly sourced and currently available for purchase. If someone sees a patterned paper used on a project they want to know who makes it so they can purchase it for their own project. Hopefully this helps explain why we strive to balance creativity with current product in our publications.
Jaemom, ideas/digital projects are simply photos of the projects you’d like considered for publication. If we look at these images and decide we’d like to publish one of your cards then we send you a project acceptance letter. If you do not hear from us by this deadline it means we will not be publishing your submissions and you are free to send them to another publication for consideration. If you do receive a project acceptance email from us then we give you a project deadline. This is the date that we need your physical project mailed to our offices so we can write and photograph it.
Oh, I get it now.
Thanks for taking the time to explain, Brandy!
Thanks for answering some questions….I have one….I know you said that PC doesn’t really like publishing cards that use products that can’t be purchased anymore….my question is actually a comment on that:::
I know several of us crafters cannot afford to always buy all the new products. That being said, I like to go through magazines (old and new issues) and find cards that inspire me. If I don’t have that exact paper…I just use something in my stash that looks like it or has the same colors/etc.
Because supplies cost a lot….I know I get turned down because of my products. So here is a question…Any suggestions on how to have “available” or “new” products without going broke??? I know that if we are accepted on Design Teams that you sometimes get free product….but other than that….???
Thanks so much for your wonderful post–and for Teri and Cath’s posts as well:) LOVE reading and visiting!
Savannah, I love that you use your stash and don’t just hold onto those beautiful papers! When making projects for your friends and family you should definitely use up those old papers. Your recipients don’t know how old product is and they will be thrilled to get a handmade creation from you. When it comes to purchasing new product at a discount I have a few suggestions.
1. Try a product swap. You and your friends could each by a different collection. Then divide up the paper and embellishments so you all end up with a few items from several different manufacturers. Especially when it comes to making cards, all you really need is a little bit of patterned paper so you could easily make several projects from your select items.
2. I’d also encourage you to comment on our Freebie Friday blog posts and Cath’s Moxie Fab World giveaway posts. We are always giving away brand new goodies.
3. I really like shopping online. Lots of online stores sell new products and offer great discounts.
4. Getting on design teams is really one of the best ways to get free product. So push those doubts out of your mind and take the plunge. Keep your eyes peeled for open calls for design teams and throw your hat in the ring. You just might surprise yourself.
5. Finally, many of my very favorite cards from the pages of Paper Crafts are created with basic cardstock, simple buttons, and alphabet stickers. Clean and graphic cards are simple and ideal for using your basic card supplies. Next time you sit down to craft try making a card that highlights your less expensive card-making basics.
I know this hobby can be an expensive one, but it sure is fun. I hope these suggestions helped!
I recently submitted a card I am very proud of to you and have a few questions I hope you will email me a response so I don’t miss seeing the answer.
1. How long does it usually take to find out whether a card I submitted to you was chosen? Is there somewhere I can go online to check the “status”? (excited)
2. How long should I wait, before assuming my card has not been chosen?
I’d like to post it on my blog and artfire store if it’s not going to be chosen (I am willing to wait until your descisions are made of course!)
3. Am I able to send my card to Stampin’ Up! for consideration in their demonstrator only newsletter while I’m waiting?
Thank you!