Read the submission guidelines of the company you have chosen to send your work to. Assemble your designs. Spread them out over a table and choose 6 to 12 examples of your very strongest work. Take the designs to a printer and have them color copied at 8 1/2" by 11" in size so they fit into the folder. Sort the copies so they are all in the right direction. Vertical designs should be together, and horizontal designs should be together. If you have holiday designs, then each holiday should be grouped, not intermingled.
Choose a folder that is simple and businesslike with no graphics or design on it. You want your work to be the focus, not someone else's. The folder should have two interior pockets.
Write a cover letter explaining in three brief paragraphs who you are, what you do, the medium you work in and where you found out about the company. If you were referred by someone, this is where you would write that. In the conclusion of the letter, thank the reader for his time and consideration. At the bottom of the page, add all of your contact information, including your email address and your website address if you have one. You want the art director or editor to have every opportunity to reach you. Make sure to spell the art director or editor's name correctly. Check with the company to see if that person is still the one you should be trying to reach.
Place your assembled color copies in the pocket on one side of the folder. Tuck your SASE into the other side pocket and place the unfolded cover letter in front of it inside the pocket. Include your business card. It is optional to place a self-addressed postage-paid postcard into the packet so it can be sent to you to verify that the package was received.
Wait at least 30 to 60 days before contacting the company by email or postcard as a reminder that you haven't heard from them.