I've been wrestling with how to say this in a positive way. I recently searched GCU with KEY WORDS to see if what I'm about to design had been done, and I was happy to see that what popped up was not swamped with what I have in mind (not yet at least- LOL), but what I did run across was a card design that seemed to go on and on page after page with every known version that could be possible... Happy Easter brother... sister, mother, wicked step mother... (you get the idea). I couldn't wait to wade through it to get onto other cards. I wonder if a shopper feels the same way? Could there be some way to show one (or maybe a few) facings of the card and somehow indicate all the various relatives the card could be for? But then, I guess GCU's strength is showing every single variation of the same card?  I thought there was a limit on the number of times you could use an image, but if it can be the same image for different categories (I believe that's correct?) then the card could go on for what seems like eternity of pages. When Zazzle stopped showing a product in all its forms, it opened up their pages to more variety and less frustration to those who are looking. Or is it just me having a cranky day?

I struggled with this when I first started at GCU too.  However, after more experience, I began to realize how well this site is set up.  A customer comes looking for a specific card (cards) for specific occasion (occasions) for a specific person(s) and by using the site categories and subcategories, etc. can easily find the selection of cards they are looking for without the many repeats of the same card that you speak of.  Granted if the customer is not used to searching using categories, it takes a while to catch on.  But by using the categories, a wonderful array and variety of cards come up.  Once in the category, then search with key words for theme or art work or whatever.  GCU works very hard to make the shopping experience customer-friendly and successful and are always adding neat tweaks to the process.  That's one of the reasons the card review process involves the checking of categories.
 
I get very positive feedback from customers and friends who shop on GCU.  I cannot say that for Zazzle, even with their refined search.

To add one more note to give an idea how it works without duplicates,
 
I just received notification of card sale.  In that email the source of the order is given as follows:
The source of this order was a customer browsing the category: Holidays (115,166) » Valentine's Day Cards (13,845) » Birthday on Valentine's Day (352)
 
The card that sold was for 56th birthday on valentine's day.  So they either went through all 352 cards or clicked the age specific subcategory and then did a key word search in that subcategory for 56.
 
Typing "56th birthday on Valentine's Day" in search all cards also works.

I know it's annoying BUT to stand on the side of the sellers that make multiple versions for age specific cards, in this society of speed, people don't have the patience to wait around for something to be customized.  Where there is one nice card, there might be others... so why request a customization of a card when you can just scroll down a bit more and find exactly what you need NOW.  Think about that and I think it's smart to just go for it right away while designing them and have the cards immediately available instead of hoping someone will like your design and want to request customization to a specific age.

Good morning Laura,
 
I had my own rant on this subject many months ago, but you learn that it's one of the things that make GCU unique and so appealing.  Also keep in mind as previously mentioned, 9 out of 10 customers wouldn't see what you saw, they would be been refining their search to specifics not 'design theme'.
 
Just FYI Steve & all, in case you didn't know.  Customers at Zazzle can only change your work IF YOU ALLOW IT.  I have many customizable products, but my design is locked, what they customize is name, age, product style.  Some who join Zazzle don't realize that you have very specific tools when you create a product to allow you to protect your design from being changed, yet still allow text to be modified.

Correct Robin!  In Zazzle, you lock 'layers' just like you might do in Photoshop.  For example, on products other than cards, I always add that store's URL to gain return and new business.  I add it very small and often faded, but it's there somewhere.  I always lock that layer so that a customer can not remove it and another store owner can not replace it with their own.

Hi Guys! I'm finally awake (after drawing til 4 a.m.and I'm on west coast time) to respond to all of your wonderful comments. Wow! What a thread I've created and can't tell you enough how much I appreciate your input and supportive comments.
 
I just want to be clear about one thing... I wasn't implying at all that the customer should have the option to change the front of a card. I was talking about the number of times a card appears. Thank god they can't mess with it! LOL!!  
 
On Zazzle, not only can you lock the art, you can lock type, too. And there's also the option for customization. That site I have down pat. Thanks for your comments Doreen!
 
Now on to why I originally posted... I totally get it now... coming from the designer side of things (as you all are) I'm thinking customers are searching by keywords of visuals instead of categories (duh!! A blonde moment for sure). Of coarse customers would be searching by categories, and then on to refine the search which clearly GCU excels in and therefore they can get literally any card they want in the universe (ahhh... hence the name, very clever GCU)! They wouldn't be searching for a visual in their head! Or maybe a few do??! But surely it's mainly by category.
 
So to sum it up... as an artist looking for cards that could be similar to what I'm designing as far as art is concerned, I will see every single card on earth that a particular artist has designed in the theme that I'm thinking (so it's my personal torture) while the customer will only see just one of that particular card in the particular category they're searching in. See... you can teach an old dog new tricks!!!!  
I'm so happy to know that the customer doesn't get tortured. LOL!!
 
Thank you all  for not making me feel like too much of a newbie!
 
Hugs to you all!
 
Laura

Thank you so much Kathleen! Very helpful. Much appreciated! I just uploaded an image for an invitation and what a breeze it was to make a whole bunch of age specific versions. I can see why it's so often done as it was a snap to do... of course, we won't go into the # of hours spent in Photoshop! HeHe!!
 
Thanks again for your wonderfully helpful suggestion!
 
Best always,
Laura