Greeting card companies accepting art submissions include Madison Park Greetings, Artists to Watch, Biely & Shoaf, Design House Greetings, Oatmeal Studios, Leanin’ Tree, Northern Cards, and other independent publishers. Many work directly with artists and illustrators, although their submission requirements vary considerably. Below are 10 greeting card publishers to investigate, with official submission links and details about the artwork each considers.
If you want to sell or license illustrations, paintings, photography, or cartoon designs to a greeting card publisher, I would start with companies that already produce cards suited to your style. A publisher specializing in humorous cartoons has different needs from one producing fine art, wildlife, and botanical cards.
I’ve reviewed the publishers’ submission information and included details that can help you avoid preparing the wrong materials. Some want finished card designs, while others will consider standalone artwork. Some require a PDF, while others specifically prohibit email attachments.
Submission information checked in October 2026. Policies, application forms, and deadlines can change. One older publisher invitation is identified separately below because its current availability should be reconfirmed.
10 Greeting Card Companies That Review Artist Submissions
These publishers provide artwork submission instructions, artist inquiry forms, or published invitations to independent artists. Use the table to identify promising companies, then read the individual submission details before contacting them.
| Company | Best for | Submission requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Madison Park Greetings | Animals, florals, contemporary art, occasions | Portfolio link or up to 10 JPGs |
| Artists to Watch | Fine art, painting, distinctive illustration | 5–10 images pasted into email |
| Biely & Shoaf | Illustration, paintings, paper goods | Low-resolution JPGs or PDF |
| Design House Greetings | Bold illustrations, lettering, humor | Up to 5 images in email or website link |
| Oatmeal Studios | Funny cards, cartoons, characters | Email humorous artwork or concepts |
| Leanin’ Tree | Wildlife, landscapes, Western and holiday art | PDF or JPG; check themed deadlines |
| Northern Cards | Hand-drawn card designs with verses | PDF samples and complete card concepts |
| NobleWorks | Cartoons, edgy humor, funny illustrations | Artist inquiry form and submission guidelines |
| LANG Brands | Wildlife, traditional art, holidays, stationery | Digital samples plus signed agreement |
| Tree-Free Greetings | Original art and artist-written card concepts | Published invitation; confirm current process |
I would not submit to all ten without first comparing their existing catalogs. A smaller group of well-matched publishers is usually a more useful starting point than sending the same artwork everywhere.
1. Madison Park Greetings
Madison Park Greetings accepts artwork submissions year-round and considers a wide variety of subjects for its greeting card collections.
Its published categories include birthdays, friendship, sympathy, thank-you cards, anniversaries, weddings, seasonal holidays, dogs, cats, birds, wildlife, flowers, gardens, and other popular occasions.
One useful detail is that Madison Park welcomes artwork even when the artist has not already figured out which greeting card occasion it would fit. That makes it worth considering for painters and illustrators who have strong standalone images rather than finished card layouts.
How to submit: Provide a website link or email up to 10 JPG images with a combined file size under 3 MB per group. Include your telephone number and email address. Do not mail original artwork.
The company asks artists to allow approximately two to three weeks for a response and says it contacts artists whose artwork is selected.
Best fit: Contemporary paintings, animal illustrations, botanical artwork, nature scenes, and other finished images with greeting card potential.
Official Madison Park Greetings artwork submissions
2. Artists to Watch
Artists to Watch publishes greeting cards featuring the work of independent artists, including paintings and illustrations with a distinctive visual style.
The company considers artwork in various media, making it interesting for artists whose work is not specifically designed for greeting cards.
How to submit: Email 5–10 low-resolution JPEG images. The company instructs artists to paste the images into the body of the email rather than sending attachments, which it says it will not open for security reasons.
Artists to Watch does not accept mailed artwork or writing submissions. It reviews artwork throughout the year and says it responds to every submission, although the process may take time.
When choosing samples, I would focus on finished artwork that communicates a recognizable mood or subject without requiring extensive explanation.
Best fit: Fine artists, watercolor painters, illustrators, and artists whose existing work could translate into illustrated greeting cards.
Official Artists to Watch submission guidelines
3. Biely & Shoaf
Biely & Shoaf produces greeting cards featuring independent artists and publishes instructions for submitting new artwork.
The company is particularly approachable for artists with existing portfolios because it explicitly says artwork does not need to be arranged into finished greeting card designs.
How to submit: Send low-resolution JPGs in the body of an email or combine multiple works into a PDF. Include your name, telephone number, email address, and a portfolio link when available.
Biely & Shoaf asks that attachments be labeled with the artist’s name. It does not accept AI-generated content and asks artists to allow approximately two weeks for a reply.
This could be a practical company to approach if you have illustrations, paintings, or decorative artwork that seem suitable for greeting cards but have not yet designed accompanying text.
Best fit: Artists with a recognizable illustration style or a cohesive selection of finished artwork.
Official Biely & Shoaf art submissions
4. Design House Greetings
Design House Greetings works with independent artists and provides detailed guidance about the type of artwork it wants for its cards.
It favors visually strong designs that are easy to understand quickly. Its guidelines mention bold color, high contrast, playful lettering, humor, and original approaches to familiar greeting card occasions.
The company specifically encourages artists to consider how cards appear on retail displays. It recommends placing visual interest in the upper third of the card and making sure any text works naturally with the illustration.
How to submit: Email up to five low-resolution JPEG images pasted into the body of your message, or provide a website address. Do not send conventional attachments.
For completed designs, its published production specifications call for portrait-oriented 5 × 7-inch cards, an additional 0.25-inch bleed, CMYK color, and at least 300 dpi. Those are production specifications, not a reason to send full-resolution production files in the initial email.
Design House says it contacts artists when their work is a potential fit, rather than responding individually to every submission.
Best fit: Graphic illustrators, lettering artists, colorful contemporary artwork, and humorous designs with immediate visual impact.
Official Design House Greetings submission guidelines
5. Oatmeal Studios
Oatmeal Studios specializes in humorous greeting cards and accepts submissions from artists who create funny, original illustrations and cartoon concepts.
Its guidelines emphasize clever visual ideas, expressive characters, colorful illustrations, and humor that can appeal to different ages and interests.
Unlike publishers that only want finished artwork, Oatmeal Studios is willing to review rough sketches of greeting card concepts. It also considers samples from illustrators whose style could be used with ideas developed by its creative team.
How to submit: Email artwork or concept sketches to the contact listed on the official submission page. Oatmeal Studios is distributed by Biely & Shoaf, and its published artist instructions currently direct submissions through Kim Seslar at Biely & Shoaf.
The company does not accept mailed submissions or AI-generated editorial content and designs.
For artwork developed specifically for its cards, it specifies a vertical 5 × 7-inch format. Compensation is negotiated when an artist’s work is selected.
Best fit: Cartoonists, humorous illustrators, character artists, and creators with original funny card concepts.
Official Oatmeal Studios artist guidelines
6. Leanin’ Tree
Leanin’ Tree publishes greeting cards and gift products featuring wildlife, Western themes, landscapes, florals, holiday imagery, and humorous illustrations.
Its submission guidelines are more detailed than those of many smaller greeting card publishers. The company regularly identifies particular subjects and collections for which it is reviewing artwork.
How to submit: Send artwork digitally by email, preferably in a multi-page PDF. JPEG images are also accepted. Leanin’ Tree recommends approximately 25–50 images per category, with two to four images on each PDF page and contact information on every page.
Important restriction: Leanin’ Tree says it does not publish pencil or pen-and-ink images. Artists working primarily in those materials should consider that restriction before preparing a portfolio.
The company’s published schedule includes separate deadlines for different categories. As of October 2026, its listed 2026 deadlines have passed, so check for a newly posted schedule rather than treating earlier dates as open calls.
Leanin’ Tree says payment is discussed when artwork is selected. It also advises artists to assume a submission was not suitable if they have not received a response after four to eight weeks.
Best fit: Artists producing finished paintings, colorful wildlife imagery, landscapes, seasonal art, and other subjects that match the company’s current collections.
Official Leanin’ Tree artwork submission guidelines and schedule
7. Northern Cards
Northern Cards is a Canadian greeting card publisher that accepts artwork from independent artists.
The company favors hand-drawn or hand-drawn-looking card designs and says it is not looking for photographic designs. It considers traditional, contemporary, humorous, and unconventional artwork, provided the content is not profane.
One significant difference from some other publishers is that Northern Cards requires card concepts to include both an outside verse and an inside verse.
How to submit: Send PDF images for initial review using the email address on its official submission page. Its artist guidelines specify a folded 5 × 7-inch card format with 1/8-inch bleed on all four sides for finished designs. They also request vector artwork with outlined fonts.
Northern Cards says compensation is typically around $150 for the first purchased design, although this should be treated as its published indication rather than a guaranteed payment for every project.
The company notes that it receives many submissions and generally responds only to artists whose artwork it intends to publish.
Best fit: Illustrators and designers who can create complete greeting card concepts with accompanying text.
Official Northern Cards artist submissions
8. NobleWorks Cards
NobleWorks is another publisher worth investigating for humorous greeting card artwork.
Its catalog includes cartoons, humorous illustrations, unusual sentiments, and edgy comedy. This is not necessarily the right publisher for traditional floral paintings or quiet fine art, but it may suit illustrators whose work relies on a strong joke or memorable character.
How to submit: Complete the artist inquiry form on the company’s submission page. NobleWorks says it provides its artist, writer, and cartoonist guidelines to prospective contributors and may arrange to review portfolios that fit its requirements.
Its published submission schedule includes separate introductions for fall holidays, spring occasions, and everyday cards, with deadlines for each category. NobleWorks requests no more than 20 verses or images per introduction.
Best fit: Cartoonists, humor writers working with artists, and illustrators creating funny or unconventional greeting cards.
Official NobleWorks artist submission information
9. LANG Brands
LANG Brands considers artwork for several commercial product categories, including greeting cards, Christmas cards, calendars, journals, stationery, drinkware, gifts, and home decor.
Its artwork interests include wildlife, nature, traditional painting, photography, decorative themes, and contemporary designs.
Because LANG produces different product formats, it does not specify one universal artwork sample size. Instead, it encourages artists to submit examples that represent their work and to review the company’s existing catalog.
How to submit: Send digital artwork samples by email. PDF files and online portfolio links are preferred. LANG also requires artists to complete and sign its New Art Submission Agreement Form before artwork can be reviewed.
The company says it accepts submissions throughout the year and contacts artists whose work it wants to investigate further.
Best fit: Artists with finished wildlife, nature, seasonal, photographic, or traditional artwork that could work across greeting cards and related products.
Official LANG artist submission guidelines and agreement form
10. Tree-Free Greetings
Tree-Free Greetings has published an invitation for independent greeting card artists and writers, emphasizing original visual ideas and contemporary messages.
Its published invitation describes an interest in both standalone artwork and complete card concepts combining writing with illustration. It encourages genuine, original messages rather than clichés.
Submission status: The company’s published invitation dates to August 2021 and remains available on its website. It includes an embedded submission form, but I would confirm that the form and review process are still active before preparing a submission specifically for Tree-Free.
Best fit: Independent illustrators and artist-writers creating cards with original visual concepts, humor, or meaningful sentiments.
Tree-Free Greetings published artist invitation
Which Greeting Card Publishers Should You Submit Your Art To?
I would select companies based on the type of artwork I actually make, not just whether they have an open submission page.
If I were submitting detailed wildlife or botanical illustrations, for example, I would compare Madison Park Greetings, Artists to Watch, LANG, and other publishers producing nature-related designs. I would not approach a humor-focused publisher with a portfolio of serious animal drawings unless the images had an obvious humorous angle.
| Your artwork | Companies to investigate |
|---|---|
| Wildlife and nature paintings | Madison Park, Artists to Watch, LANG, Leanin’ Tree |
| Watercolor and fine art illustrations | Artists to Watch, Biely & Shoaf, Madison Park |
| Funny cartoons and character art | Oatmeal Studios, NobleWorks, Design House Greetings |
| Bold graphic illustration and lettering | Design House Greetings, Northern Cards |
| Complete card concepts with original messages | Northern Cards, Oatmeal Studios, NobleWorks |
| Seasonal and traditional artwork | LANG, Leanin’ Tree, Madison Park |
These are starting points based on each company’s published interests, not guarantees of acceptance. Always compare your artwork to the publisher’s current collection.
How to Submit Artwork to Greeting Card Companies
Once I have identified a publisher that suits my work, I would follow its application instructions closely. A strong portfolio can still be ignored if it arrives in a format the recipient does not review.
- Review the publisher’s catalog. Look at subjects, illustration styles, occasions, and the kinds of cards it already sells.
- Read the official submission guidelines. Confirm whether the publisher wants standalone images, complete card designs, a PDF, or artwork pasted into an email.
- Select appropriate artwork. Send pieces that could realistically work on the publisher’s products.
- Prepare the requested previews. Follow image-count, format, size, and contact-information requirements.
- Write a short introduction. Explain who you are, what kind of artwork you make, and why you believe it suits the publisher.
- Keep a submission record. Save the date, publisher, images sent, and follow-up policy.
I would not send full-resolution production artwork unless the publisher specifically requests it through an appropriate process. Initial submissions are generally intended to let someone evaluate the design rather than manufacture it immediately.
For more detailed advice about portfolio organization, artwork files, submission emails, and follow-ups, see my art licensing submissions guide.
Should You Submit Finished Greeting Cards or Just Artwork?
Both approaches can work, depending on the publisher.
Madison Park Greetings and Biely & Shoaf will consider artwork that has not already been formatted as a finished greeting card. Northern Cards has more specific expectations for complete card designs, including inside and outside verses.
I would avoid designing every illustration into a finished card before researching the company. If a publisher wants standalone artwork, an unnecessary layout could make the illustration harder to evaluate.
On the other hand, if you are submitting to a publisher that specializes in humorous cards, a complete joke with suitable artwork may communicate the idea more effectively than an isolated drawing.
For artists building a broader body of licensable designs, an art licensing portfolio can help organize standalone images, collections, and relevant product mockups.
How Much Do Greeting Card Companies Pay Artists?
There is no single standard payment for greeting card artwork. Publishers may pay a flat fee, negotiate a licensing arrangement, or use another compensation structure depending on the company and the rights involved.
Northern Cards publishes an indicative payment of around $150 for a first purchased design. Oatmeal Studios says compensation is negotiated with artists whose work is selected. Other publishers may provide details only after expressing interest.
I would distinguish payment for one finished design from payment for broader rights to reproduce artwork across multiple products.
Before agreeing to a deal, I would want to know which images are being licensed, which products are covered, whether the license is exclusive, how long it lasts, where the products can be sold, and how compensation is calculated.
For more information on royalties and contract terms, see my guides to art licensing royalty rates and art licensing agreements.
Common Mistakes When Submitting Greeting Card Artwork
I would pay particular attention to mistakes that make otherwise suitable artwork difficult for a publisher to review.
- Sending the wrong format: Some publishers prohibit attachments, while others prefer PDFs or portfolio links.
- Ignoring artwork restrictions: Leanin’ Tree, for example, says it does not publish pencil or pen-and-ink images.
- Submitting unrelated artwork: A humorous card publisher may not be interested in a portfolio of serious landscape paintings.
- Sending too many images: Follow the actual submission limit instead of assuming more work creates a stronger impression.
- Using copyrighted characters or text without permission: Make sure you have the rights necessary to offer the proposed design.
- Sending original physical artwork: Most companies listed here specifically request digital materials.
- Failing to track submissions: Keep a record of which publisher received each design and whether a response is pending.
The Greeting Card Association’s tips for artists also emphasize checking whether a publisher accepts outside artwork and following its individual submission guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions About Greeting Card Art Submissions
Which greeting card companies accept artwork from independent artists?
Madison Park Greetings, Artists to Watch, Biely & Shoaf, Design House Greetings, Oatmeal Studios, Northern Cards, and several other publishers provide public submission instructions for independent artists. Requirements differ, so check the company’s official submission page before sending artwork.
Can you sell paintings to greeting card companies?
Yes. Some greeting card publishers license existing paintings or illustrations and adapt them for cards. Others prefer completed designs or artwork developed specifically for their product line. A publisher’s catalog and submission guidelines will help determine whether your paintings are suitable.
Do greeting card publishers accept black-and-white illustrations?
Some do, but not all. Oatmeal Studios says it considers black-and-white artwork, while Leanin’ Tree explicitly excludes pencil and pen-and-ink images. Research the individual publisher rather than assuming a particular medium is accepted everywhere.
Do you need an art licensing agent to submit greeting card designs?
No. Several greeting card publishers accept submissions directly from independent artists. An agent may help with finding opportunities and negotiating contracts, but representation is not a universal requirement for submitting artwork.
Can you submit the same artwork to multiple greeting card publishers?
Potentially, provided you own the necessary rights and are not restricted by an existing agreement or submission terms. Keep track of where artwork has been submitted, and avoid granting conflicting exclusive licenses to different publishers.
How long does it take for a greeting card company to respond?
It varies. Biely & Shoaf requests approximately two weeks, Madison Park asks for two to three weeks, and Leanin’ Tree provides a four-to-eight-week window. Some companies only respond when interested. Always follow the publisher’s stated policy before sending a follow-up.
Where I Would Start as an Artist
If I were submitting nature or wildlife artwork, I would begin with publishers that already sell those subjects. Madison Park, Artists to Watch, and LANG would be worth researching, while Leanin’ Tree might be relevant for suitable painted imagery that meets its published media restrictions.
For humorous or character-driven artwork, I would investigate Oatmeal Studios, NobleWorks, and Design House Greetings. For complete illustrated cards with original inside and outside text, Northern Cards provides a more clearly defined format.
I would then select the artwork most relevant to each company, follow its submission guidelines, and keep a record of everything sent. The goal is to present finished work to a publisher whose existing products give that artwork a realistic place to belong.