How to Apply for a Cardmaking Design Team (and Get Noticed!)

I still remember the first time I stumbled across a design team call. I was sipping coffee, scrolling through Instagram, when a post from one of my favorite stamp companies popped up: “Design Team Call – Apply Now!” My heart raced. The idea of having my cards featured on their blog and social media felt like a dream. I imagined creating with their newest releases, connecting with other talented cardmakers, and being part of a creative family.

Of course, I had no clue what a strong application looked like back then. I threw together a few photos, wrote a quick paragraph about myself, and hit “send.” Spoiler alert: I didn’t make it. But that “no” taught me something important—a polished, thoughtful application can make all the difference. Over the years, I’ve learned exactly what companies look for and how to put your best crafty foot forward, and today I’m sharing those tips with you.

How to Apply for a Cardmaking Design Team (and Get Noticed!)

Finding the Right Team for You

Not all design teams are created equal, and that’s a good thing. You’ll thrive when you’re working with products you genuinely love and in a style that feels natural to you. If your heart sings when you’re ink blending backgrounds, a company that specializes in layered die cuts or a company that mainly focuses on coloring might not be the best fit—and vice versa.

I like to keep a running list in my planner of companies I’d love to work with. Whenever I see a design team call, I check that list first. If it’s a company whose products already have a place on my craft table (and in my heart), that’s a green light.

Pro Tip: Follow your dream companies on Instagram, sign up for their newsletters, and join Facebook groups where calls are often posted. Many companies announce open spots to their email subscribers first, so being on that list gives you a head start.

Building a Strong Portfolio

Think of your portfolio as your creative résumé—it tells your story through your cards. When I applied for my first successful team, I spent an entire afternoon curating my favorite projects from the past year. I made sure there was a mix: bright and bold ink-blended scenes, soft watercolored florals, and clean-and-simple designs with lots of white space.

High-quality photography is non-negotiable. If you’ve ever taken a photo at night under yellow kitchen lighting, you know how it flattens and distorts your colors. Natural daylight or a lightbox will make your projects shine. I use a simple white foam board or a white woodgrain photo backdrop for my background so the focus stays on the card. A great card can get lost in a poor photo, and you don’t want that to be the reason your application gets passed over.

Pro Tip: Keep a folder on your computer labeled “Portfolio” and drop your best, well-edited photos there throughout the year. When a design team call pops up, you’ll be ready.

Writing a Compelling Bio

This is your chance to connect on a personal level. Companies want to know the person behind the cards. I like to share how I started cardmaking (my story involves a box of mismatched cardstock, a single rubber stamp, and a lot of creative trial and error) and what excites me about the brand I’m applying to.

Keep your bio warm, friendly, and authentic. Imagine you’re chatting with someone at a craft retreat. You want them to get a sense of your personality and why you’d be a great fit for the team, without oversharing or drifting off-topic.

Pro Tip: If the company makes products you already use and love, include a sentence or two about how you’ve used them in the past. Bonus points if you can link to a blog post or Instagram photo of a card you’ve made with their stamps, dies, or papers.

Following the Application Instructions to the Letter

It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many applications are dismissed because they don’t meet the requirements. If the call says “three project photos,” send exactly three. If they want links to your social media, make sure they’re clickable and correct.

One year, I accidentally sent a link to my private Pinterest board instead of my public gallery—and yes, I realized it right after hitting “send.” Lesson learned! Those little details show you’re careful, organized, and able to follow directions—all qualities team leaders value.

Pro Tips for Standing Out

Even before a design team call is posted, you can put yourself on a company’s radar. Engage with them on social media: comment on their posts, share their content, and tag them when you use their products.

If I know a company I admire tends to post calls in the spring, I’ll start creating with their products more often in the months before. By the time the call goes live, they’ve already seen my name and my work, which makes my application more memorable.

Another tip—don’t just post your cards, tell the story behind them. Share why you chose a certain stamp set, how you created the background, or the inspiration behind your design. Storytelling makes your posts engaging and shows you can connect with an audience, which is exactly what design teams need.

Applying for a design team can feel a little nerve-wracking, but it’s also an exciting opportunity to grow as a cardmaker, connect with a wider creative community, and share your love of paper crafting with others. With the right preparation and a little strategy, your next application might just turn into that long-awaited “Welcome to the team!” email.

In Part 2 of this series, we’ll dive into what happens after you apply and how to handle the waiting game—including a few mindset shifts that make the process a lot less stressful.

Thanks for dropping by today I hope that you found a little spark of creative inspiration with my project today.

Happy Crafting,

Rick Adkins

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