FAQs
BACKGROUND
Why is Hallmark doing this?
ENTERING
Who is eligible to participate in this contest?
How do I submit my design?
How do I know if Hallmark received my submission?
Can I submit more than one card idea?
Can I submit a card idea with my friends?
When can I submit my design for the YourPets contest?
What are the file format specifications for submitting designs?
Can I manipulate my photo?
What is the definition of a pet?
Can people be in the photo?
Can I submit a photo of a friend's pet or does the pet have to belong to me?
Can my photo have multiple pets in the same photograph?
Is the contest limited to dog and cat photos only, or can my horse/hamster/snake become a star too?
I have multiple pets, can I submit more than one card to this competition so Fluffy and Fido can both have a chance at being on a card?
How do I save my file as a .pdf or .jpg?
When I preview my card, it won't let me move the photo in the design and it's not cropped how I want it to be cropped. What do I need to do?
Anything I should avoid in my photo that could get me disqualified?
I've got a BRILLIANT card idea that doesn't relate to this contest; can I submit that to Hallmark for consideration?
JUDGING
67? That's a strange number, how in the world did you come up with 67 for the number of finalists?
How are the top 67 finalists and Grand Prize Winner chosen?
VOTING
When does voting begin and end?
Can I vote more than once?
What if there is a tie for the Grand Prize Winner at the end of the voting period?
If I am a finalist, do my friends' and family's votes count for my card?
WINNERS & PRIZES
What are the prizes for this contest?
What happens if I'm selected as a finalist in the competition?
How will I know if my idea wins the Grand Prize?
OTHER
Where can I purchase the finalist designs online?
Will there be other contests similar to this one that I can enter?
Answers
BACKGROUND
Why is Hallmark doing this? [top]
One of the top consumer questions we hear at Hallmark is "Where can I submit my designs?" and "Where can I submit my writing?" We care (really) and we know you're talented (truly), and thanks to advances in technology and some crafty thinking, we are excited to say that the time is right and we think we've figured out a way to do this thing right (hopefully).
So here you see the results of our sincere attempt to support your creative efforts and to give you a platform from which to speak, so to speak. We are hoping this is only a start and that you'll be as excited as we are about making greeting cards and sharing them with the world. Creating cards is a fun and rewarding process. But you probably already know that, don't you?
Thanks for coming along on this journey. Please excuse any bumps along the road as we figure how to blaze the trail, together.
ENTERING
Who is eligible to participate in this contest? [top]
You. Maybe. Read on: This contest is open to US residents age 15 and older as of January 14, 2008, but not including employees of Hallmark and its subsidiaries and affiliates and all direct family members of those employees, and employees of American Greetings or Recycled Paper Greetings. More information.
How do I submit my design? [top]
Fill out the Official Contest Entry Form online, completing steps one through four.
How do I know if Hallmark received my submission? [top]
Upon receipt of your submission, you will receive an email confirmation letting you know we received your submission. Please add info@hallmarkcontests.com to your contact list in your email address book- you don't want to miss anything we might want to send you!
Can I submit more than one card idea? [top]
No, you overachiever, you. There is a limit of one entry per person in the YourPets competition.
Can I submit a card idea with my friends? [top]
No. You've got to fly solo on this one. Only card ideas submitted by individuals will be valid. Tell your friends to submit their own card ideas for an opportunity to win. (And maybe promise to still be friends when you're the Grand Prize Winner and all famous and stuff.)
When can I submit my design for the YourPets contest? [top]
Submissions will be accepted from 12:01a.m. CST on January 14, 2008, to 11:59 p.m. CST on February 3, 2008. Precisely.
What are the file format specifications for submitting designs? [top]
Content: You'll be submitting 2 things to us, your pet photo and a birthday sentiment. You can select from two options in this contest:
- Option A: Cropped image, copy on the front cover and copy on the inside of the card.
- Option B: Large image on the front cover only and copy on the inside.
File format & Dimensions: Entries must consist of a photo in a high quality .pdf or .jpg format. Photos must be 300 dpi or higher or your photo will look out of focus and we'll have to disqualify it. The actual photo measurements should be a 4" x 6" photo or 1,200 x 1,800 pixels. Hallmark reserves the right to adjust, modify and crop the image.
Color: Your photo can be in color (RGB) or black and white - whatever you like.
Can I manipulate my photo? [top]
Sure. More power to you. Just manipulate your photo before you upload the image. Know that sometimes that can make a card funnier. Sometimes it can take away from the funny.
What is the definition of a "pet"? [top]
The definition of a pet in this contest is a live animal that you currently own (or one that you have obtained the permission from the current owner to
use). The photo of your pet will not be accepted if it is a stuffed animal, wild animal or zoo animal.
Can people be in the photo? [top]
People can be in the pet photo if they are helping to tell a story, but are not the central focus of the photo. (That is the idea behind this competition. You'll get a chance to get your mug on a card sometime in the future....) (Also note - if there are people in the shot, we need you to get model releases signed by each one of them to have
a legitimate card submission.) If your card submission is selected as one of the 67 Finalists we'll contact you and ask for the releases at that time. Please take a look at the Model Release Form (PDF) so you can see what
we'll need.
Can I submit a photo of a friend's pet or does the pet have to belong to me? [top]
It's fine by us if you submit a photo you've taken of someone else's pet as long as that someone else (the owner) is willing to sign a photo release allowing you to use said picture in this competition. (It's their pet, after all.) In short: No random, wild or unclaimed critter photos accepted.
Can my photo have multiple pets in the same photograph? [top]
You can have one pet or a thousand, as long as you make it into a funny birthday card (and provide a photo release for each). Go nuts.
Is the contest limited to dog and cat photos only, or can my horse/hamster/snake become a star too? [top]
Are you kidding? We do not discriminate on the basis of animal family. ALL pet types are absolutely welcome. In fact, we'll be looking for a range of pet types.
I have multiple pets, can I submit more than one card to this competition so Fluffy and Fido can both have a chance at being on a card? [top]
Sorry, champ. You either have to pick a favorite or submit one with both Fido and Fluffy in it.
How do I save my file as a .pdf or .jpg? [top]
A couple of programs that do this are Photoshop, Illustrator, Paint and Paintshop. Your digital camera will have settings to ensure the correct file size and type as well. We recommend you use your program's "Help" tool for more information on file formats, file size and resolution to ensure your design meets the specifications of the competition. If you're still not sure, we'd recommend using an online search engine to find out more.
When I preview my card, it won't let me move the photo in the design and it's not cropped how I want it to be cropped. What do I need to do? [top]
We're not all that fancy at this point. What you'll need to do is: Hit the Go Back button and get ready to re-upload your photo AFTER you fix it. Then, open the original photo document, re-crop the photo using another software program and re-save the image. Return to the website and upload the image again until you get it just the way you want it.
Anything I should avoid in my photo that could get me disqualified? [top]
Unfortunately, YES. We will review cards for any trademark or brand name that is prominent and could lead the owner of that trademark to object. We will also review designs for any artwork that may be owned by someone else, for instance, a poster in the background or a photo studio portrait. We will also review for famous non-public landmarks (think of the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame), as the owners of some of these claim legal rights in the use of their images (we don't necessarily agree, but it is better safe than sorry).
Also, at the judges' discretion, entries including unsuitable content, insufficient photo resolution, sexually explicit or inappropriate content, descriptions or images of animals in unsafe conditions, or content that is in violation of third party rights (including, but not limited to, copyrights) will be immediately disqualified. Hallmark will use its sole discretion in determining whether an entry should be disqualified. More information.
I've got a BRILLIANT card idea that doesn't relate to this contest; can I submit that to Hallmark for consideration? [top]
Do not submit any designs that do not relate to this contest. We will be calling for additional card ideas later, so just keep that brilliance in your back pocket until it fits with our current contest theme. Okay? Thanks.
JUDGING
67? That's a strange number, how in the world did you come up with 67 for the number of finalists? [top]
Believe it or not, that's how many fit in a card display at a majority of stores. Believe you me, we think it's a weird number too, but we're stoked to get this in stores and make it look pretty.
How are the top 67 finalists and Grand Prize Winner chosen? [top]
A panel of judges, including Hallmark and Pet experts, will select approximately 67 finalists from all eligible entries received. Entries will be judged based on (a) Sendability (30%) - it can be easily sent by multiple people; (b) Appropriateness to Pet Theme (40%) - sticking to the correct theme - a funny birthday pet photo card; and (c) Humor & Cohesiveness of Photo and Caption (30%) - does your photo and writing seem like they were meant for each other.
The judges will determine the 67 finalists' cards that will be produced; then everybody votes online to decide which finalist's design deserves to be the Grand Prize Winner!
VOTING
When does voting begin and end? [top]
The Grand Prize Winner will be determined by the Finalist card design that receives the largest number of online votes from approximately March 3, 2008 to September 14, 2008 at 11:59 pm CST. Also, from time to time during the voting period March 3, 2008 to September 14, 2008, a Sponsor may announce "special" or "category" voting contests for prizes to be announced at those times. For instance, a Sponsor may announce a four-week voting contest for the "cutest pet" photo.
Can I vote more than once? [top]
Yes! You can vote once every 24 hours during the entire voting period. Vote once or vote often, either way you will be heard!
What if there is a tie for the Grand Prize Winner at the end of the voting period? [top]
In the event of a tie at the end of the voting period, there will be rejudging by qualified judges.
If I am a finalist, do my friends' and family's votes count for my card? [top]
Yes, absolutely. Your friends and family can vote for your card every day of the voting period if they want to. Go ahead and spread the good word. We're all for it.
WINNERS & PRIZES
What are the prizes for this contest? [top]
Finalists:
- Card design will be printed and available for sale on Hallmark.com and at participating retailers from approximately June, 16, 2008 through September 15, 2008
- $250 cash award
- 10-pack of your printed cards
- Eligibility for the Grand Prize and Special Awards.
Grand Prize Winner:
- Card design will be available for sale on Hallmark.com for at least a year with the possiblity of becoming part of a regular Hallmark line and sold for a longer time at retail
- An additional $1,000 cash award
- A trip to Hallmark for you, a friend and your pet for a professional photo shoot and workshop with a designer and writer with the potential of your photo and writing being made into another card. Trip is worth approximately $4,000 and includes flight, transportation, a 2 night's hotel stay, and food. If the Grand Prize winner is a minor they must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
What happens if I'm selected as a finalist in the competition? [top]
We'll excitedly notify you of your winning status ("Hooray! You did it! Well done.") in mid to late February and have you sign a few more papers for our legal folks in order to seal the deal. Then we'll post some information about you on our Web site next to your card design (so voters can get to know you a little better) and hand over the cool prizes mentioned above.
How will I know if my idea wins the Grand Prize? [top]
You'll be announced as the Grand Prize winner online, so everyone-all of your fans, friends and family-can celebrate your victory with you.
OTHER
Where can I purchase the finalist designs? [top]
Finalist designs will be offered at participating Hallmark retailers beginning mid-June and will be available through mid-September. All designs will also be offered for sale on Hallmark.com so you'll have at least three whole months to stock up on your favorites.
Will there be other contests similar to this one that I can enter? [top]
You betcha. We're hoping to announce another one or two in the next several months, so be sure to check back for details.
