Quote from Patricia_C_414228 on Feb 28^th, 2019, 6:59am:

I usually make about 8 - 10 different cards with each image. Any more than that and I couldn't come up with a unique enough description. I want to spread my designs around to various categories though so they have a better chance of being found and purchased.

Personally I think this topic it is a double edge sword.  
If you create one card, then the design will only be found in that particular category or included in a keyword search (if you have the right keywords that match a customer's search). That could be a huge disadvantage when it comes to sales. If you do more than one card for several categories, then the image has a greater chance of being seen by customers. It is a little more time consuming but worth the effort for greater exposure.  
Next, you have to consider, you only have so many opportunities to submit designs, so submitting one design in many categories will cut into your opportunities to create more designs.  
You might just look at the design and try to consider which categories your design would do the best in. Does it offer anything different than what is available in that category? Then choose categories you feel it would do well in and offer customers a wider variety to choose from.  
At least that is my take on it. Others may feel differently or offer more insight.  
As far as the question, is it good or bad? Well I think that is subjective. There is really no correct response. I choose by design anymore. If I think it is something that would do well in certain categories, that is where I place it. I try to be selective because I can only submit so many. Custom front designs come in handy for this purpose. You can always feature cards in your store front to help them gain exposure. But write your own list of pros and cons and do what works for you I say. Good luck!

Wow, thanks everyone! As you can probably tell, I'm very new at this (17 cards in my shop and not all are unique images). What I was imagining is when a search is very broad, e.g., "Birthday" and up comes a bunch including several pages of the same card with differences only in recipient ("Birthday for Brother/Sister/Aunt/etc). I figured that was self defeating because you've used a tonne of slots with one image. What a waste! As an artist, I want more of my work to be seen, not less. On the other hand, once an art work has been processed to fit GCU's parameters, it's done and so easy to recycle that image.  
 
Everything you guys have brought up is so important to consider. Thank you so much in helping me with this. I think I shall set limits on the number of times I recycle an image and then spread them around whatever categories seem appropriate.  
 
I feel so much better now.

Brilliant!
 
Quote from Sandra_133229 on Feb 28^th, 2019, 7:56am:

Now I'm getting confused. If I use the same art but different wording on the cover, it's a different "image." But if I use the exact same image (art and wording) it is a concept series? Is that right? How would that concept series work? It's one card? I think I need an example. The only thing I can think of is an image with not wording that is used all over the place - but then that goes against the 3 times per image rule. I really don't understand this "image series" or Concept Series idea at all. Can someone explain? I hate not understanding something. Thank you!
 
Quote from Card_Review_Team on Feb 28^th, 2019, 10:30am:

Hi Patrica,
 
Sorry to confuse.
 
The 3X use rule applies to an identical card front in every way, same image, same text, same color, the only difference being that the verse inside is different and speaks to a different category. For example -
Use 1. A verse that speaks to thinking of you.
Use 2. A verse that speaks to get well soon.
Use 3. A verse that speaks to happy birthday.
Card front is used three times. No more allowable versions of this identical card front unless the text on the card front changes.
 
Which brings us to -
If the card front artwork or design is the same BUT the text on the card front speaks to a different occasion, age, relationship, occupation, etc.
Use 1. Card front has text Thinking of You.
Use 2. Card front has text Get Well Soon.
Use 3. Card front has text Happy Birthday.
Each of these examples make this a different card and you could use it in unlimited categories as long as the image is appropriate for the occasion chosen. This usage would be considered a series and subject to the  Concept Series Review process as advised in our initial reply and would undergo additional considerations for marketability, competitiveness and appropriateness to the proposed categories.
 
 
Similarly, per your example, the same basic image used for an age specific birthday series where only the age changes is also considered a series and subject to the Concept Series Review process as advised above.
 
Hope that clarifies it a little further for you.
 
Ella
Reviewer 758