How to Become a Greeting Card Illustrator

Use your creativity to share inspiring messages with others.

Illustrators face tough competition for jobs, because so many people want to live the dream of being an artist. Employment in the industry is expected to grow by 12 percent between 2008 and 2018, about the average rate for all occupations, says the Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS. If you're a determined illustrator, though, you can make a niche for yourself in the greeting card industry, especially if you're willing to explore creative ways to use new technologies.

Things You'll Need

• Acrylic paints
• Charcoals
• Pastels
• Drawing pencils
• Crayons
• Colored pencils
• Drawing paper
• Canvas

Instructions

1. Take classes. You don't need to earn a degree in graphic arts, unless you want to. However, art courses can help you to learn more about the technical aspects of drawing, as well as computer-generated art, while exposing you to a variety of different art forms. School can be inspiring as well as educational. Take basic business courses while you're there to gain business savvy. If you do earn a degree, pursue a graphic arts internship in the process.

2. Explore different mediums. Try painting with acrylics and pastels, sketching with watercolor pencils, charcoals and crayons, and mixing media. Experiment with different textures, sewing fabric pieces together and gluing on embellishments. Don't limit yourself to just one, but when you find the medium that most inspires you, hone your skill through practice. Create larger pieces, as well as cards; you can always resize images and use them on greeting cards later.

3. Find your style. Just like a writer has to find her voice, an illustrator has to find her artistic style and the type of message she likes to communicate. If you love drawing funny cartoons, hone your sense of humor and the distinct look and feel of your images. You'll become more marketable when people associate you with a particular style, instead of a random assortment of styles that doesn't give you a cohesive identity.

4. Set up a website. After you've created greeting card images you're proud of, create a website that introduces your work to the public. Design your site carefully, since the overall design will speak to your artistic abilities.

5. Join field associations to link with other professionals and learn about jobs. The Greeting Card Association lists jobs in the field, and joining makes you look professional. Learn the lingo, as the website advises. For example, "Spring Seasons" is a term that covers holidays from Valentine's Day through Father's Day.

6. Market yourself. Sixty percent of artists work for themselves, says the BLS. Most greeting card illustrators work for themselves, though large greeting card companies do hire illustrators. Many greeting card companies accept freelance work, and post guidelines on their websites. Write a professional, generic letter that you keep saved on your computer, introducing yourself and your work, and modify it when contacting companies. If a company doesn't specify that it accepts freelance work, find the contact info on the website and send an email inquiring about submitting work.

7. Create your own greeting card company if you prefer to work independently. Remember that running your own company requires more marketing, but if you've honed your marketing skills as a freelancer or believe you have business savvy, become the CEO of your own company. Start by contacting local stores about selling your work, and work your way up to larger chains.

Tips & Warnings

• If possible, join a local artists guild to connect with other artists in your area. This isn't just helpful for networking; it can also bring useful information and moral support.

References

• BLS: Artists and Related Workers
• Greeting Card Association: Freelance Artists
• Education Portal: Greeting Card Illustrator