YourStuffMade AI Policy

YourStuffMade AI Policy

We believe AI should support creativity — not replace, copy, exploit or undermine human creators.

YourStuffMade works with artists, brands, businesses, schools, agencies, events and creative communities to turn original ideas into ethically made custom products. As AI tools become more common, we want to be clear about how we use AI, what we will not manufacture, and how we protect artists, designers, illustrators, creators and IP owners.

This policy explains how we use AI responsibly, how we review orders, and why we may reject projects that appear to misuse AI, copy another creator’s work, imitate living artists, infringe intellectual property or breach our community standards.

🎨 Creator-first policy 🤝 Ethical manufacturing 🚫 No exploitative AI orders ✅ Human creativity protected
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Our AI Stance

YourStuffMade supports responsible technology, ethical manufacturing and human creativity. We may use AI internally to improve workflows, organise information, draft internal notes, improve accessibility, help with translation, assist customer support and make our team faster — but we do not use AI as an excuse to devalue human creative work.

✅ AI can support better service We may use AI to help with admin, support, translation, product education, content drafting, research organisation and internal process improvement.
🚫 AI cannot replace creator rights We will not knowingly manufacture projects that appear to copy, imitate, exploit or misrepresent another artist, designer, brand or rights holder.
🎨 Human creativity comes first We exist to help people make real products from real ideas, original artwork, approved brand assets and properly licensed creative work.
🤝 Ethical production includes ethical artwork Responsible manufacturing is not only about factories. It is also about respecting artwork, ownership, culture, communities and creative labour.

How We Use AI

We use AI as a tool to support our team and customers. We do not treat AI as a replacement for creator permission, artwork ownership, ethical sourcing or human review.

Customer support and education

We may use AI to help organise support information, suggest helpful replies, summarise product questions, explain production options and direct customers to useful pages such as our Product Guides, Free Design Templates and Contact Request page.

Translation and accessibility

We may use AI-assisted translation and editing tools to help more customers understand our products, policies and ordering process. We still aim to review important customer-facing content and keep our core policy pages clear, accurate and respectful.

Internal workflow improvements

We may use AI to organise internal notes, summarise enquiries, improve team efficiency, draft checklists, identify missing information and help route requests. Our team remains responsible for decisions about quotes, production, order acceptance and customer communication.

Content drafting and research support

We may use AI to help draft educational content, product explanations, outlines and internal summaries. AI-assisted content is not a substitute for our policies, community standards, ethical commitments or respect for creators.

What We Will Not Manufacture

We may refuse, cancel or request changes to any order where the artwork, files, references, prompt notes or surrounding context suggest that the project may misuse AI or harm creators.

🚫 Artist imitation We may reject designs that intentionally imitate a living artist, illustrator, designer or creator without permission.
🚫 Stolen or scraped artwork We may reject artwork that appears copied, scraped, traced or generated from another creator’s work without rights or consent.
🚫 Brand or IP infringement We may reject designs using logos, characters, trademarks, copyrighted works or fan art without clear permission or licensing.
🚫 Misleading attribution We may reject projects that claim to be handmade, artist-made, licensed, official or original when the supplied work suggests otherwise.
🚫 Harmful synthetic content We may reject AI-generated or edited content that harasses, sexualises, exploits, humiliates or impersonates real people.
🚫 Community standard breaches We may reject orders that include hate, abuse, targeted harassment, unsafe content, explicit exploitation or harmful misinformation.

AI Artwork and Creator Protection

We understand that many artists and designers use AI tools in different ways. Our policy is not designed to punish ethical creative experimentation. It is designed to protect creators from exploitation, imitation, theft and unfair manufacturing of work that should not be commercialised.

Allowed: AI as a support tool

We may accept projects where AI was used as a support tool and the final artwork is meaningfully directed, edited, owned or approved by the person placing the order. Examples may include moodboarding, rough concept exploration, layout planning, background removal, colour testing, copy editing or accessibility support.

Not allowed: AI used to copy creators

We may reject projects where AI appears to have been used to mimic a specific artist, replicate a creator’s style, produce lookalike artwork, recreate copyrighted characters or generate commercial merchandise from someone else’s work without permission.

Case-by-case review

Not every AI-assisted file is automatically rejected. We review context, references, ownership, permissions, customer notes, artwork quality and potential harm. If we need more information, we may ask for proof of rights, licensing, original source files or written permission before manufacturing.

When in doubt, ask first

If you are unsure whether your design can be produced, please contact us before ordering through our Contact Request page. We would rather help you adjust a project early than cancel an order later.

Our Community Standards

Our AI policy works alongside our wider community standards. We want YourStuffMade to be safe for artists, customers, communities and production partners.

Respect creators Do not submit artwork that copies, traces, imitates or commercialises another person’s creative work without consent.
Respect identity and culture We may reject designs that exploit cultural symbols, sacred imagery, marginalised communities or real people in harmful or disrespectful ways.
Respect safety We may reject content involving hate, extremism, harassment, threats, abuse, exploitation, non-consensual imagery or unsafe instructions.
Respect honesty Do not misrepresent AI-generated, copied or unlicensed artwork as official, licensed, handmade, original or creator-approved.

How We Review Orders

We cannot guarantee that every issue will be identified, but we use a review process to help reduce harm and protect creators.

Artwork and context review We look at the artwork, references, file notes, product type, customer instructions and obvious signs of copying, imitation or misuse.
Rights and permission check If needed, we may ask whether the customer owns the artwork, has permission, has a licence or can provide proof of rights.
Community standards review We assess whether the order may breach our standards around hate, harm, harassment, exploitation, unsafe content or misleading claims.
Approve, request changes or reject We may approve the order, request adjustments, ask for more information, cancel the project or refuse manufacturing.

What Customers Are Responsible For

By submitting artwork or placing an order, customers confirm they have the rights, permissions and authority needed to manufacture the design.

You must own or have permission to use the artwork

You are responsible for ensuring that your artwork, logo, characters, brand assets, references and files are original, licensed, approved or legally usable for commercial production.

You must not submit copied AI-generated work

You must not submit AI-generated or AI-edited artwork that intentionally copies, imitates or recreates another creator’s work, brand, character, product, likeness or protected style without permission.

You must provide proof if requested

We may ask for source files, licensing information, written permission, creator approval or other evidence that your project can be manufactured ethically and legally.

This page is not legal advice. Intellectual property, copyright, trademark, privacy and AI rules vary by location. Customers should seek independent legal advice if they are unsure whether they have the right to manufacture a design.

Helpful Resources

AI, copyright and intellectual property rules are changing quickly. These external resources can help creators and customers better understand the wider conversation.

WIPO: Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property Learn how the World Intellectual Property Organization discusses AI, copyright, innovation and creator protection.
WIPO: Generative AI and Intellectual Property Explore guidance on IP risks and considerations when using generative AI tools.
U.S. Copyright Office: Copyright and AI Review copyright policy work related to AI-generated and AI-assisted material.
FTC: Consumer Protection and AI Claims Understand why honesty and transparency matter when making claims about technology and products.

Related YourStuffMade Resources

Explore more pages to help you create ethical, production-ready custom merchandise.

Custom Ethical Products Explore custom pins, patches, charms, stickers, apparel, packaging and branded merchandise.
Free Design Templates Prepare artwork correctly before requesting a quote or starting production.
Product Guides Learn about custom product options, artwork setup, packaging and production choices.
Brand Projects See real examples of ethical custom merchandise projects and creator-friendly production.

FAQs

Do you ban all AI-assisted artwork?

No. We do not automatically ban every project touched by AI. We are focused on preventing harm, exploitation, copying, impersonation, IP infringement and misleading commercial use.

Can I use AI for moodboards or rough concepts?

Yes, AI-assisted moodboards, rough concepts, colour tests or layout exploration may be acceptable when the final artwork is original, permitted, human-directed and not copied from another creator.

Will you manufacture fan art?

We may reject fan art, character art, logos or brand references if the customer cannot show permission, licensing or legal authority to produce the design commercially.

What happens if an order is rejected?

We may ask for changes, request proof of rights, cancel the order or decline manufacturing. Our goal is to protect creators, communities, customers and production partners.

Can I report artwork misuse?

Yes. If you believe a submitted or manufactured design misuses your artwork, brand or creative rights, please contact us through our Contact Request page with clear details.

Work With a Creator-First Manufacturer

YourStuffMade is built for artists, brands, businesses, schools, agencies and communities who want ethical custom products made with care. Our AI policy is one more part of our commitment to protecting creative work and supporting responsible manufacturing.

If your project uses original artwork, licensed assets or approved brand files, we would love to help bring it to life.

Contact Our Team Explore Custom Products Get Price Estimate Email hi@yourstuffmade.com