Our goal is to build a community of photography lovers and to provide a market use for the many wonderful images that get created, but rarely seen. From the winner(s) of each competition, we create a high-end set of note cards which are sold as gift sets on our site. Winners are paid for our use of their image and each card has a short bio printed on the back about the photographer and their image. They also receive on-going recognition on our site as a contest winner. Our concept is totally supported through on-line card sales. Our mission is to garner community support to participate in the contest and to support their fellow artist by purchasing their product. Card sales support the program.
Our note cards are sold in limited edition sets using the finest environmentally friendly papers available. The note cards (set of 6) are packaged along with classic columns envelopes in a beautiful theme-inspired carrier. Each set includes a caddy designed to hold stamps, address labels or a retail gift card. Currently, we offer stamps as an add on purchase option.
Once a theme is announced, the schedule is posted on hotshoecards.com home page. Look for the tab announcing the contest. Submitting is FREE; however, limited to one entry per person.
First off, we can't print an impressive image from a 72 dpi cell-phone image. So, please don't waste your time uploading one of those. We will bounce it back to you if you do. Image requirements are minimum 300 dpi in a 4x6 format (1200 x 1800 pixels) and 600 dpi (2400 x 3600 pixels) maximum.
Please, no smut!
Unlike juried competitions, our contests are intended to be fun and less structured. Our ultimate goal is to create a fabulous note card. So, if software enhancement enables you to submit a better entry, we're all for it. We tend to favor creativity and originality rather that to debate each entry.
We post the theme for upcoming contests weeks (sometimes months) before the competition will begin. We can send you an alert if register and provide us your email information.
Once a theme is announced the schedule is posted on hotshoecards.com home page. Look for the theme tab. Sumbitting is FREE; however, limited to one entry per person.
We will post the time line for submitting for each contest. After the close of submission, the judges will choose the top finalists. Only the finalists will have their images posted into the voting gallery. Come back to vote for your favorites once each day during the voting stage. Winners are announced according to the posted schedule date.
We're an on-line note card company creating beautiful cards through our fun and interactive photography contest. Our cards are packaged and sold in beautifully designed gift sets. HotShoe Cards is independently owned by two printer from Dallas, Texas.
First and foremost, the judges look at the images to determine which entries are most suited to being printed as a commercially successful note card. After all, if the cards we make do not sell, we can not continue to pay the artist. From there, the entries are judged on the basis of creativity, image quality, color reproduction, detail, focus and general appeal.
Once the scheduled submission time has ended, the judges will then choose top finalists.
You can vote for your favorite finalist once a day for the posted voting time. Please don't try to skew the numbers. Play fair. Votes are calculated by a point system.
The Judges:
John & Cathy and a third person from the local Graphic Arts Community in Dallas, Texas
Submitters:
Anyone who has a camera and owns an image that fits the theme & dpi requirements.
Voters:
You do not need to register to vote.
After the winner(s) is announced you will be able to pre-order that set. There will be a short window of time for us to print the cards and package the sets...we're fast though since we're professional printers. Card sets will be available for purchase anytime during the month.
We have three payment options; credit card, paypal and checks.
Please note that your check must clear before we can ship your product.
We've assigned two line items for regular service and expedited service. Some distances will require additional time since all shipping occurs from Dallas, Texas. We will alert you with the approximate ship date and once the item has shipped we will then provide to you a shipping notification via email.
No. Registration is only required if you you want to submit a new image during the submission stage of any given contest or you wish to make a purchase.
We offer USPS – regular and expedited.
USPS – The United States Postal System for two reasons. One, they are inexpensive and we can track the shipment. Two, they are the only carrier who can ship to APO/FPO addresses and post-office boxes.
Your delivery arrival will depend on the zone and area you live in.
Urban deliveries arrive faster than rural areas.
Only to FPO/APO boxes (military installations) at this time.
Shipping costs are passed along at our cost. We have searched out the most cost effective shipping alternatives in an effort to provide our customers the best value and service possible. Shipping is not a profit center for us.
Depends on where you live and what delivery option you chose.
Delivery schedules vary based on destinations from the shipping location of Dallas, TX.