Papyrus produces a diverse selection of quality greeting cards and paper products.  Much of the artwork featured on our products is purchased from freelance artists, and ranges from graphics, traditional, whimsical, humor and contemporary pieces to photography.  We are always searching for additional freelance artists whose art will enhance the quality of our products, and welcome the opportunity to review your submissions.

Please do not send final artwork for unsolicited consideration.  Slides or printed pieces are preferred, although we will consider good color copies and color photographs.  As color is one of the main criteria by which we judge your work, make sure that the samples you send represent your actual color style as closely as possible.  For photography, send duplicate slides or color prints.

Please submit no more than 12 pieces of your work, preferably in a neat notebook format.  When we review the samples, we look for concept, style, drawing skill and color usage.

In addition to greeting cards, Papyrus also produces a variety of other items from original art including gift wrap, gift bags, gift boxes, journals and stationery.  Our standard counter card size is 5" x 7" single-fold.  Vertical orientation is preferred.  We also produce more elaborate cards, so let us know if you have ideas for die-cut, multi-panel, pop-up or other premium card designs.  If you have experience designing repeats for gift wrap (or textiles), please include any printed pieces, roughs or color copies of those designs.  In general, we do not publish fantasy, erotic or occult illustrations.

Papyrus buys exclusive world rights to reproduce artwork as greeting cards, packaged cards, stationery, gift bags, gift boxes, gift wrap and a variety of other products.  Advances, royalties and flat fees are relative to the type of product being produced.  Original artwork is returned to (and remains the property of) the artist.

When submitting unsolicited artwork:

1. Do not send final artwork. Send slides, color copies, printed pieces, photographs or roughs. Include your name, address, phone number and © somewhere on each piece.
2. Include a self-addressed envelope with sufficient return postage. PLEASE NOTE: Your artwork will not be returned without a stamped self-addressed envelope, and we are not responsible for artwork lost or damaged by the postal service.
3. Please allow six to eight weeks for us to respond.
4. Address your submissions to:

Papyrus
Attn: Portfolio Review
500 Chadbourne Road
Caller Box 6030
Fairfield, CA 94533

Witty humor is always in demand!  Cute remarks, silly puns, clever quips, double entendres and simple visual gags all have their place within Papyrus humorous division. However, we tend to avoid off-color and sophomoric humor.

Please note that, in general, we do not publish rhymed verse outside of our juvenile card line.  We also do not use long verse, and rarely do we choose a poem, as a whole, as greeting card text.  Any "poetic" verse needs to be paired with an appropriate occasion-specific greeting.  For example:

"A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of Nature" —Ralph Waldo Emerson
Happy Birthday to my dear friend

Please remember before you submit an idea, it needs to be sendable!  Try putting yourself on the receiving end.

When submitting unsolicited text:

1. Please type all copy. Submit your copy on 3" x 5" index cards, one idea per card. Include your name, address and phone number on the back of each card.
2. For more complicated concepts, you may submit ideas in dummy form, mocked-up to read like cards. Submit your best work. Edit your submission to no more than 10 ideas at one time. Label the outside front of the envelope with the type of verse enclosed, i.e., Birthday, Valentine's Day, Friendship, etc.
3. Include a self-addressed envelope with sufficient return postage. PLEASE NOTE: Your work will not be returned without a stamped self-addressed envelope, and we are not responsible for text ideas lost or damaged by the postal service.
4. Allow six to eight weeks for us to respond.
5. Address your submissions to:

Papyrus
Attn: Text Editor
500 Chadbourne Road
Caller Box 6030
Fairfield, CA 94533

All Product categories:  Flat Fee