Dapple
Submission management software for creative industries
What is Dapple? Complete Overview
Dapple is a specialized submission management platform designed for creative industries. It streamlines the entire process of collecting, reviewing, and managing submissions for magazines, journals, literary agents, contests, competitions, and exhibitions. The platform solves key pain points like disorganized submission processes, overflowing inboxes, inefficient review workflows, and poor communication with submitters. Dapple targets creative professionals and organizations that regularly handle creative submissions, including editors, literary agents, contest organizers, and exhibition curators. With its intuitive interface and powerful features, Dapple helps these users spot the next big creative talent while saving hours of administrative work.
Dapple Interface & Screenshots
Dapple Official screenshot of the tool interface
What Can Dapple Do? Key Features
Customizable Submission Forms
Create beautiful, branded submission forms in seconds using pre-built templates or by describing your needs. Forms can include unlimited customizable fields, accept any file type and size, and be configured with specific visibility dates. Unique features include the ability to save form versions mid-opportunity and allow creators to withdraw submissions.
Advanced Review Management
Dapple provides powerful tools for reviewing submissions efficiently. Features include automatic validation of submission guidelines, easy attachment viewing without downloads, and quick toggling between submissions. Reviewers can see creators' previous submissions and tags, while managers can create custom review panels with automated or manual assignment.
Visual Workflow Management
Track submission progress through customizable stages with drag-and-drop functionality or automation. Create unlimited stages from collection to publication, each with bespoke actions and automations. The visual board provides clear status updates and helps teams manage large volumes of submissions efficiently.
Bulk Communication Tools
Communicate with creators using fully customizable message templates. Send bulk messages to communicate decisions to multiple submitters at once. The platform also enables team collaboration through comment tagging and easy reassignment of submissions between team members.
Flexible Payment Processing
Dapple integrates with Stripe to handle submission fees with low transaction costs (2.5% + $0.65). Configure different payment requirements for different projects and receive immediate payments without waiting periods. The system supports both free and paid submission models.
Multi-Project Management
Run multiple competitions, calls, or awards simultaneously without confusion. Each project can have different rules, dates, requirements, and review panels while all data flows into a centralized dashboard. This allows organizations to scale their submission operations efficiently.
Best Dapple Use Cases & Applications
Literary Magazine Submissions
A literary journal uses Dapple to manage hundreds of manuscript submissions for their quarterly issues. They create customized forms for different genres, automatically validate word counts, distribute submissions to their editorial team for review, and communicate acceptance/rejection decisions efficiently.
Art Competition Management
An art organization runs an annual competition with thousands of entries. Using Dapple, they handle submissions, collect entry fees, distribute works to multiple judging panels across different rounds, and eventually announce winners - all within one organized platform.
Literary Agent Query Management
A literary agency replaces their overwhelmed email inbox with Dapple's submission system. Authors submit queries through branded forms, agents review materials efficiently with tagging and collaboration features, and response times improve dramatically from months to weeks.
University Creative Writing Program
A university writing program uses Dapple to manage applications for their limited-seat workshops. Faculty members review submissions through dedicated dashboards, score applications collaboratively, and maintain clear records of all decisions made during the competitive selection process.
How to Use Dapple: Step-by-Step Guide
Create your submission form by selecting a template or describing your needs. Customize fields, branding, file requirements, and submission windows. Set up any payment requirements if applicable.
Configure your review workflow by creating stages (like Initial Review → Jury Round → Final Selection) and assigning team members to review panels. Set up any automation rules between stages.
Launch your submission call and share the link with potential submitters. Monitor incoming submissions in real-time through your dashboard as they come in.
Manage the review process by tracking submissions through each stage. Reviewers can score, comment, and make decisions while managers can compare reviews and oversee the entire process.
Communicate decisions to submitters using templates or bulk messaging. Export final data or winning submissions as needed when the process is complete.
Dapple Pros and Cons: Honest Review
Pros
Considerations
Is Dapple Worth It? FAQ & Reviews
Dapple offers a free plan with 10 submissions per month. For higher volumes or advanced features, paid plans start at $29/month. You can try all features during a free trial period.
Dapple accepts all file types - documents, images, audio, video, and more. There are no file size limits, making it ideal for creative submissions of any kind.
Dapple integrates with Stripe to handle submission fees. Transaction fees are 2.5% + $0.65, lower than many competitors. Payments are immediate with no waiting period for payouts.
Yes, Dapple supports multi-user access with role-based permissions. You can have reviewers, judges, and administrators all working within the same account with appropriate access levels.
Dapple uses AWS data centers (SOC 1, 2, 3 compliant) and encrypts all personal data. Payment information is handled by Stripe (PCI Service Provider Level 1), ensuring enterprise-grade security.
Yes, Dapple offers data migration services to help you move from other platforms. Contact their support team for assistance with importing your existing submission data.