Cross Stitch Photos For Magazines
How to Send Needlework Images for Publication
There is nothing quite like seeing photographs of your cross stitch in print; however, how do you go about sending images of your work to magazines?
Many cross stitch magazines welcome photographs from readers. These photographs are used in letters and readers pages and provide the magazine with feedback as to what their readers are working on and also allows readers to see their fellow readers' work.
Most magazines have clear policies for the submission of cross stitch photographs or other material. This is called a submission policy and is available from one of the editorial staff or more frequently online. The outline will normally describe how the magazine wishes to receive photographs and other information. It is important to take note of each magazine's individual requirements. The type of information that a magazine might state are:
- Digital file or paper photograph – most magazines will prefer digital files sent in by email or on CD. This is more straightforward for the art team to work on and saves time scanning images into the computer. However, some magazines will accept both. If a digital image is being used make a note of the file type required, for instance most magazines will require jpegs.
- Image size - the magazine will state what size image it prefers. This is important to note, as a magazine is not going to want a photograph that is so small that it will not show up clearly when printed or so large that the files clog up the magazine's inbox.
- Return policy – the magazine will state a return policy and generally magazines will either not return photographs or images, or will only return them if a stamped and self-addressed envelope (sometimes shortened to SASE) is enclosed.
- Details – the magazine will require that certain information is included with the photograph. This will include your name and address, the cross stitch design and threads used, any copyright information and other information that is specific to the magazine. Copyright is very important to note, magazines will have a clear policy about this. A telephone number or email address will be useful if the magazine has any queries.
- Address - make sure that photographs are correctly addressed and sent to the appropriate person. Wrongly addressed envelopes may get lost in transit resulting in disappointment.
It is important to note magazines requirements. While it is tempting to believe that your photographs of your cross stitch work are so fantastic the magazine is bound to want to see them, the chances are that if you don't follow their submission guidelines to the letter, the pictures won't get used. This is because busy magazine offices do not have the time to work with formats or file types other than those requested. If in doubt, give the magazine a call or send them an email to clarify what their requirements are.
Before sending photographs to magazines, take a look at what sort of photographs are normally published for guidance – this should help you send in just what the magazine is looking for.
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