Got a knack for making people laugh?
Why not turn that sense of humor into extra cash?
If you’ve ever read a greeting card and thought, “I could write something better,” now’s your chance.
Oatmeal Studios is on the lookout for witty, relatable, and downright funny card ideas — and they’ll pay you $100 if they choose yours.
In this guide, we’ll quickly cover how to get your jokes and clever quips published — making someone laugh and earning a little cash along the way.
Let’s get started.
What is Oatmeal Studios?
Oatmeal Studios is a humorous greeting card company that’s been spreading laughs for over 40 years.
Founded by artist Helene Lehrer in 1978 in Rochester, Vermont, the company began with silkscreen cards inspired by her pet rabbit, Oatmeal.
Today, Oatmeal Studios is one of the leading names in funny greeting cards, known for its bold designs, colorful artwork, and laugh-out-loud messages.
With over 275 designs and new ones launching regularly, they help people say everything from “Happy Birthday” to “Get Well Soon” in their own hilarious way.
They’re now owned by Biely & Shoaf Co. and operate from both Washington and Vermont.
What kind of content do they accept?
Oatmeal Studios accepts funny, conversational greeting card ideas for the following occasions:
- Birthday
- Milestone Birthday
- Relative Birthday
- Belated Birthday
- Get Well
- Anniversary (from friend to couple)
- Retirement
- Thank You
They want ideas that feel real and relatable — cards that sound like something you’d actually say to a friend or loved one.
The humor should be broad and shareable, not too niche or oddly specific.
What are their writing guidelines?
Here are some quick tips to keep your submission on point:
- Make it conversational. Write how real people talk.
- Keep it funny. Run it by friends to see if it gets laughs.
- Don’t get too specific. The idea should work for a wide audience.
- No drawing skills needed. But do provide a short visual description if the joke depends on an image.
- Send only your best. They prefer quality over quantity.
Avoid these dealbreakers:
- Puns
- Gross or mean-spirited humor
- Long poetry or prose
- Hyper-specific scenarios (e.g., a card for a quintuplet birth)
Who can write for them?
Anyone!
Whether you’re a seasoned humorist or someone who’s always cracking jokes in the group chat, you’re welcome to submit.
How much do they pay?
Oatmeal Studios pays $100 per accepted idea.
Note:
You do not get paid just for submitting.
You get paid if your piece is accepted and published.
Why should I write for them?
Writing for Oatmeal Studios is fun, flexible, and surprisingly rewarding.
You get to be creative, make people laugh, and potentially see your humor printed on cards sold across the country.
There’s no formal application or required experience — just bring your wit and originality.
And with $100 paid per accepted idea, it’s a great way to earn for a few well-crafted lines.
If you enjoy wordplay and finding clever ways to say the everyday, it’s a low-stress opportunity worth exploring.
How do I get started?
Here’s how to send in your funniest ideas:
- Edit carefully. Only send your best, most polished ideas.
- Label each line. Mark whether it’s for the outside (O) or inside (I) of the card.
- Include a visual description if your joke depends on one (but you don’t need to draw).
- Attach files (if any) that are under 1MB in size.
- Include your full name and address in every email or attachment.
- Email your submissions to:
cathy@oatmealstudios.com
Ready to send your funny greeting card idea?
Head over to their website to get started.
Final thoughts
Oatmeal Studios offers a lighthearted way to earn money doing what you love — writing short, funny messages that people actually want to send.
If you’ve got a sense of humor and a few clever ideas, give it a shot. You might just see your joke on a store shelf soon.
Start a blog & earn a fulltime income
Freelance writing is a good way to monetize your writing skills — but blogging is even better.
With your own blog, you can write what you want, build a loyal readership, and earn from your writing in more ways than per-article gigs.
My beginner-friendly guide shows you exactly how to start your blog from scratch, step by step, and grow it into a fulltime income — on your terms, from home or wherever life takes you.
START A BLOG ➤Looking for more sites that pay you to write?
Here’s a curated list of sites that pay writers.
You’ll find magazines, websites, and platforms in all kinds of niches, from poetry, fiction, and greeting cards to travel, lifestyle, parenting, and more.
Each site includes everything you need to know — from the type of content they’re looking for, to how much they pay, to how to submit your work — so you can confidently land your next paid writing gig.
SEE THE FULL LIST ➤
