[Updated July 2026] Artists are at the heart of Minted, and it’s important to us to compensate artists fairly through a variety of earning opportunities. Based on years of artist feedback, we’re updating our prize structure to increase our investment in Editors’ Pick payments, create more opportunities for artists, and reward a broader range of design-forward, diverse work.
Below, you’ll find answers about what’s changing and why.
What is changing?
We’re making several updates to the Minted Design Challenge prize structure:
- Minted is standardizing Editors’ Pick (EP) payments for all customizable stationery categories based on the number of files required.
- We will increase EP payments amounts for nearly all stationery categories!
- We are introducing a new top prize category: the Forefront Prize! Forefront Prizes celebrate exceptional, design-forward entries and a broader range of design styles. They will be available in all Minted Design Challenges across all categories.
- We’re adding a new Special Prize for each assortment recognizing the Top Rated design as chosen solely by the artist community.
- Top Rated will remain our highest prize. As we have already started doing, we will reduce the number of Top Rated prizes to truly represent the top of the top of each assortment.
This new structure will allow us to reinvest into earning opportunities that we’ve heard from you are more meaningful. The total amount of prize money available to artists remains the same, but more stationery artists will benefit from the higher EP prize amounts.
How was the new prize structure developed?
The new prize structure was informed by artist feedback, including feedback shared through Artist Roundtable discussions, and developed in close partnership with our merchandising team. These changes are designed to better meet the needs of our artists, our team, and our customers.
When does the new prize structure take effect?
We will introduce this new prize structure starting with the upcoming 2026 Party Invitations challenge, and all challenges going forward.
Important note: there will be no changes to the 2026 Holiday challenges in assorting now. 2027 Holiday challenges will include this new prize structure.
Impact of EP Standardization
Our new standardized formula ensures consistency across all customizable stationery categories
- With our new formula, the vast majority of products will see rates increase or remain stable year-over-year.
- We will maintain current EP payment for non-customizable products (ie Greeting Cards, Repeat Pattern, and Artwork)
Note: the increase in EP prize amounts will not impact the number of EPs. The prize increases are funded by reducing the number and size of Top-Rated prizes. We will continue to evaluate the right number of EPs per challenge year-by-year; this will still fluctuate with the business opportunity.
What exactly will the new prize structure look like?
- Top Rated will always be the largest prize amount, with the Forefront prize being the next highest.
- Editor Pick rates for customizable stationery will be standardized, based on the number of files required.
- The number and value of Top Rated prizes will be reduced to better represent the top of each assortment.
- All prize structures will be included in challenge briefs.
Where can I learn more?
For additional details about the updated prize structure, you can watch our 2026 July VoiceIt Call Recording (password is i*ZvQW32) or review the accompanying presentation slides.
If you have additional questions, please reach out to the Artist Relations team at artists@minted.com.
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