Ellen Million Graphics: Fantasy art, cards, stationery, coloring books, and more!

Ellen Million Graphics is a different sort of company, run by and for artists. Why "Ellen Million Graphics" when I've got work by dozen of artists? Because I take responsibility for my work and pride in my craft and service. I answer the emails, balance the books, select the artwork, make the products, file the paperwork, publish the books, find the artists, fix the webpage (to a point, anyway!), organize the projects, pack the orders and even do some of the artwork. I'm accountable for all of that, and more, I'm accountable to my artists. They deserve a place to license their work that isn't restrictive, where they can easily find answers to their questions and feel safe offering their artwork because they know that quality, service and kindness are important. They aren't coming to a big overseas conglomerate who can't remember their name, they are coming to me, Ellen Million, because they know they'll be treated right.

EMG (as it is affectionately called by people who can't bear to type it all out over and over again...) was started in 1993, selling five stationery designs in a very simple mail-order business model with $80 in start-up cash. Over the years, I gradually added to my product line, improving in quality and efficiency bits and pieces at a time. I invited new artists to join my endeavor - I enjoyed making products and felt like everyone ought to have a chance to see their talents given exposure. With more artists and more happy customers, I was able to get better equipment and take advantage of buying in bulk. Now, we've got more than 150 artists, a whole range of exciting products and loyal customers.

Don't let that fool you, everything is still made by hand (except the books and calendars), and it's still a small, if growing company, not even quite to the point of a 'real' employee (not even me - I have a day job!). You won't get rich with an EMG contract, and you won't get famous. I can't pay much, but I do pay fairly. You will be treated respectfully and given opportunities. You will have complete control of what products your designs are available on, and can remove your contracted designs at any time so that if better opportunities come along, you can feel free to take them. Our agreement isn't even exclusive - if you want to try out several venues, please do! If you have qualms, questions, problems, or just want to say 'hi,' I'm always available. (The inbox does tend to get a little overstuffed! But if you haven't heard from me in a week, that's unusual, and you should write again.)

If you haven't already, please explore the on-line catalog to get a good idea of the kinds of art I carry. I am always interested in new artists and new products to offer, and I am always open to any suggestions or ideas that you might have. (Even if I'm not always open for submissions.)

I am looking for artwork that falls into the themes of fantasy and science fiction, including (but not limited to) mythical creatures, knights in armor, princesses, elves, fairies (or faeries!), magicians, fairy tales, castles, urban fantasy, angels, science fantasy, tame horror, Celtic designs, sword and sorcery... even a few mundane flowers and animals stuff (but only if it's really spectacular and has a fantasy "flavor").

Naturally, I can accept nothing that uses material copyrighted to anyone else, including characters, worlds, photographs, etc. Avoid blatant sexuality and gore... I have a lot of young customers and watchful mothers to deal with, and EMG is strictly family-friendly. Absolutely no nipples or genitals. Non-sexual nudity is fine as long as the important bits are entirely covered. (Mermaids with stategic hair, etc.)

There is a completely electronic method for submitting to EMG. This is the only way to submit work. I do not accept snail-mailed or e-mailed submissions. I can't look at your webpage or gallery and pick pieces I want that way. I simply don't have time, sorry! Please select your best and favorite pieces (reading and following the tips below would be great!) and I'll let you know if I can use them and why, if I can't. (Though if you'd prefer just a yes/no answer, just let me know.)

When you submit your work to EMG, there is an understanding that you have read the contract, and agree with the terms. Please don't tease me with fantastic work if you aren't willing to sign the standard contract! I require an email address to contact you with; I do not do any snail mail artist transactions any longer.

For new artists, you will not actually be able to submit work until I have a signature page on file. To begin, download, print and mail me a signed copy of this signature page. It basically states that you agree to the terms listed online. I MUST have a hard copy of this contract on file before you are given permission to submit work. There are no exceptions for folks overseas, etc. Make sure you include your email with the signature page somewhere! Once you have sent in your contract, and I have received it, I will email you a link to the backend of EMG, where you will need to register as a new user (unless you have an account already as a member of Portrait Adoption). Your account will be given 'contract' permissions and you will be able to submit work. Mail the contract to: Ellen Million Graphics, PO Box 82851, Fairbanks, Alaska 99708, USA. If you wish a copy for your own records, include two copies, and a self-addressed envelope. Failure to include a self-addressed envelope means I keep both copies. I pay return postage, please meet me halfway!

You must have smallish (at least 800 pixels on the longest side) versions of your art in RGB jpg or gif format ready to upload and you may simultaneously upload your high-resolution files. You must check back to find the results of your submissions.

You must have print files of your work available! EMG does not do scanning or accept originals. Print files must be 300 dpi files at print size, eg: 2400 x 3000 pixels for an 8 x 10 print. High-resolution files for any work not accepted are deleted. If you are unable to upload the high-resolution files due to slow Internet connections, I will also accept files through the mail on a CD.

Copyrights remain the property of the artist. The publishing rights are ONLY for the design in question and do not cover any kind of character or idea copyrights. At the end of the contract, all rights revert to the artist. It is fine to sell the original of any design I have contracted.

I no longer require any exclusive publishing rights. You can sell through me and anywhere else you like at any time you like. I like having 'exclusive' products, but I'm not here to keep artists from making money elsewhere as they are able, so I removed this restriction in Jaunary of 2007. You can control which designs are available on which products yourself, and change them at any time.

Your files, submissions, sales and contact information are always completely private, and none of that will ever be shared with anyone else.

If you have any concerns, feel free to ask me. See below for more contract details.

You (the artist) get a certain amount of money for each item with your design on it that I sell. Below is a chart showing how much you would receive for each kind of item that I sell. Updated 20 January 2007

Item		You Get retail/wholesale
Bookmarks		$0.50/0.25
Stationery		$1.00/0.75
Cards		$0.50/na
pkg of 10 cards (or collections of 9-12 cards)		$2.00/.75
Magnets		$0.50/0.25
Stickers		$0.25/0.10
Keychains		$0.50/0.25
**Prints 8.5 x 11 inches		$3.50/1.00
13 x 19 inches		$6.00/2.00
Mousepads		$2.50/1.00
Coloring Book Pages		$0.10 each/2.5 cents, rounded up
Calendar Pages		$0.10 each/0.05 each
Totes		$2.50/1.00
Mini-totes		$1.00/.50
T-shirts, aprons and baby rompers (includes all styles)		$3.00 each/1.25 each
Teas, soaps and other oddball things		negotiated separately

The master contract is: here! It is in rich text format, and last updated 20 January, 2007. For current prices see above. The signature page (see above) stays on file at Ellen Million Graphics and absolutely must be signed and delievered in hard copy. This contract is at-will, which means either of us can back out at any time if you decide you just don't want to be part of EMG (or you get a better offer!).

I appreciate correspondence that has had the care of a spell check, or at the very least, a passing attempt at capitalizing the first words of sentences. I'm not picky, but this is a great way to garner brownie points. And please don't swear at me. I didn't think I had to mention this, but you'd be surprised.

When composing a design, remember that a single image or person is not generally very interesting. Add a background or some kind of frame to finish the scene. Make sure the subject is something that people will remember, care about, or collect.

Remember that someone has to use the stationery to write a letter on, don't design a border that takes up half the page. Do design a border that frames the stationery on more than one side. A single image in a corner isn't as effective as a border. Stationery does not sell as well, or make you as much, as interesting, full-color designs for cards and prints and t-shirts.

Images that can be printed as large prints are more desirable than images that are too small to be printed on all EMG products.

Are you a portrait or character artist looking for an outlet for your work? Please check out Portrait Adoption.

You may have art that doesn't really fit in with Ellen Million Graphics, or you may just want to sell your own stuff, but you need some good quality prints or mousepads? Ellen Million Graphics offers competitive prices, for as small or large a print run as you need. Cards, magnets, bookmarks, prints, calendars, coloring books, mousepads... check out the printing services page. Some of the best prices around, careful attention to quality and great personal service. On-demand and drop-shipping order systems available.

Here's a handy way to link to your products on EMG. Copy the graphic to your server and add the snippet of html code to your webpage.