Upcoming Changes To Zazzle’s Terms of Use

[Heather]

Hello Creators,

We’re making updates to Zazzle's Terms of Use, including the Creator License Agreement, and introducing our new Ambassador Program Agreement, which replaces our Associates Program Agreement. While the onsite experience will not be updated until April 1st, you can preview the updated Terms of Use here. 

We understand you might have additional questions or feedback. Please use this form to share them directly with us. While we may not be able to respond individually at this stage, we’ll review all submissions and address frequently asked questions after the Terms of Use go into effect.

To keep the conversation organized, all community discussions on this topic will be redirected to this thread.

Thank you for your understanding and for helping us make Zazzle a thriving community for all Creators!

Best,

The Zazzle Team

UPDATE 3/24/25: 

Hi Creators - Thank you all so much for your valuable feedback and for taking the time to submit your questions through our form. We truly appreciate your engagement and insights. Rest assured, we are carefully reviewing each question and will address the most commonly asked ones soon.

Timely Update Regarding Royalty Rates: We understand your concerns about adjusting royalty rates, and to support you through this transition, we will be processing royalty rate changes daily from now through April 15th, allowing creators time to make any necessary adjustments. Please note that updates may take 24–48 hours to appear. After April 15th, we’ll return to our regular schedule, with royalty updates processed on the 20th of each month. 

*To clarify: Setting your royalty to 10% exactly will not trigger the Excess Royalty Fee. Royalties above 10%, will trigger the Excess Royalty Fee when changes go into effect 4/1. 

UPDATE 4/7/25

This forum post is now closed for new replies. Please see our most recent update for information about the Terms of Use Changes and information about the new Ambassador Program. Thank you!

[wheresthekarma]

Aww Sharon, I will say a prayer for you too my friend. I hope your situation improves too.

[sharonrheafords]

You brought a smile. Thank you from the heart.

You are younger, and you need to take care of yourself. I swear everyday I'm going to have a stroke over stress, so .... we all need to step back, breathe for minute, and if something like this situation doesn't work out, we've become Zazzle friends who might have solutions if we can share them. I have no answers, but am open to suggestions.

Take a day to focus on something else if possible .... even if it's nothing other than to read a good book or watch TV,  write poetry ... : ) Eat a chocolate or few ... : )

On top of this, I just spent 4 days (I desperately needed) having my taxes rejected 4 times ... and on the phone with an agent for hours each day redoing them. I was told that buying a Glock and shooting my laptop was NOT a solution! (These tax guys don't think I'm funny ... : ) So I'm not the one with solutions, but as I said, I'm open to hear them.

[Cherie]

WELL SAID!!! KUDOS X 1,000,000,000

[LindaS1]

Since there was such late notice on this, there should be more time to the change royalty % on products instead of having to wait until April 20. At least give until March 31 to make changes. You shouldn't be forcing people into negative earnings because of a rule change, by disallowing changes in royalty % to accommodate that rule change.

[tamirazdesigns]

Check your email.

I received a Heads up email regarding this from Zazzle a little while ago, with what's new and noteworthy.

Ambassador Program Agreement link has a lot of info. such as,  

2.2. Cross-Promotional Marketing Efforts

2.2.2. Your Referral Commission for a Referred Sale of a Product is the percent of Net Referral Sales specified in the Referral Commission Table (with a link to view the different tables)... there's a lot there!

[tamirazdesigns]

ETA:  For all of us wondering and speculating about the changes for posting products at 15% or higher, as it had been before the latest TOS changes about to go into effect soon:

Via their email last night to everyone:

Under Creator License Agreement -  there's a lot of info. explaining royalties for different types of sales!   So it's important to try and read through it all.   

And there's a link there for 3.3.2 Excess Royalty Fee.

Click on their link for the full details of it all.  But it says that they'll retain 5% of your Gross Royalty for sales of Products for which you select a Royalty rate that is greater than 10%.  So that's what many were wondering about, and that's a bummer it was reduced that low now!

[LJ]

If I understand correctly, if I have my royalty set to 15%, they will deduct 5% from that. For a $100 product, that’s $15 - $0,75, so my royalty will be 14,25%.
Better than the 10%.

[tamirazdesigns]

I'm keeping my royalties set as they are for now.  Because if I lower them that low at 10% or steeper then the royalty I'll receive for full priced items sold with my Original designs will be less, and there's always sales so then it would be an even lesser amount!  Nevermind all of the other types of fees going on - getting even less peanuts for sales made!  So will just keep it as is and see what happens.

[AirTwin]

Same. Wait and see.

Over the decade plus that I have been here.... nothing moves the needle for my account. I hold out hope because I liked this place (and it's products) at times... every time I return the newest change is more off-putting and I feel nothing but apathy.

[Will]

I remember when many creators from CafePress came to zazzle because CafePress made everyone change to 10% commission because CafePress was getting some competition from zazzle, what’s going to happen to zazzle now

[AlePinnaArtwork]

More clarity and above all more synthesis would be a good and right thing! I will have to have my accountant read the
new terms of use to avoid a headache, even if I will then have a double headache!!!
Jokes aside, I find that the alternatives for us artists are very few!
Let's remember that our existence (Zazzle vs Artists) is reciprocal not unilateral.
I will decide what to do as soon as the headache passes 😉
Best regards.

[MyDigiDesigns]

Can anyone clarify if we should definitively change our royalties to 9.9 or 10%? 

[wheresthekarma]

Yes,  am wondering this too.

[LMGildersleeve]

No higher than 10% will avoid the carve out. Avoid 10.1% and up to comply.

[sharonrheafords]

If we don't go back and change thousands of royalties, will Zazzle .... or will the products be deleted I wonder? I swear if that's the case, I'm about ready to do the Southern sittin' on the veranda and having the vapors thing!

It's not just the time we all spend, but I've spent so much on art that some sites know me all too well (and have become friends from afar).

[LMGildersleeve]

Relax, have an iced tea Sharon. Zazzle won't delete your products just because of a royalty. Wait till they chime in with answers and procedures. Just go about your normal Zazzle routine. 😉 🍹

[sharonrheafords]

I'm smiling. Thanks Lynn-Marie! FYI, I caught that's not iced tea next to the smiley .... Here's a toast to all 🍹🍹

[Mistica]

Could some one simplify this for me? Either lower way down my 22.2%  to 10% or...what happens? Sorry...have been focused on personal issues. I have about 12.k products. I still make some money...about 50% less each year of what I made before.

Also...is there a risk of losing what would have been pulled out for a payday before April 1 and deposited by the 15th in paypal? I am seeing all kinds of things including that they will take the money you recently earned?
Does it help if you create a website in the sense I would get at least 15% as a referral... if anyone ever found my site?

[SBS]

If you leave your royalty at 22.2, then for a $100 item:
Gross royalty: $22.2
Excess royalty fee: 5% of the $22.2, that's $1.11
Your royalty left: $21.09

But that's not all, just the penalty for your royalty set to more than 10%. They will also deduct other fees, like Secondary content royalty share, Marketing royalty fee (35-50% as per the new TOS), etc. from your Gross royalty.

[Mistica]

I thought - way back -  that I lost 5% from 22.2 do I would get 14.5%

I like your math better 🙂

[Saints_Aplenty]

Ummm...  It's not so much the 5% on 10% royalties instead of 15% royalties that I find worrisome, it's the Marketing Royalty Fee (% of Gross Royalty) that concerns me if I'm reading things aright here (lower middle of the page): https://help.zazzle.com/hc/en-us/articles/30810357489175-Ambassador-Referral-Commissions-Creator-Roy....  We need precise examples.

[Connie]

Me too!

[SandyMDesigns]

So Zazzle can terminate our accounts for no reason and keep our earnings.

17. Termination

17.1. You agree that Zazzle, in its sole discretion, may terminate this Agreement, in whole or in part, including but not limited to termination of your password, Account (or any part thereof) or use of the Site, and remove and discard any Content you may have contributed to the Site, at any time for any reason or no reason. Zazzle may also in its sole discretion and at any time discontinue providing the Site, or any part thereof, with or without notice. You agree that any termination of your access to the Site under any provision of this Agreement may be affected without prior notice, and acknowledge and agree that Zazzle may immediately deactivate or delete your account and all related information and files in your account and/or bar any further access to such files of the Site. Should Zazzle deactivate or delete your Account due to your violation of this Agreement in any way, as determined in Zazzle's sole discretion, Zazzle reserves the right to withhold payment of any Royalties, Referral Commissions or other monies associated with your Zazzle Account(s). Further, you agree that Zazzle shall not be liable to you or any third-party for any termination of your access to the Site. Should you object to any terms and conditions of the Agreement or become dissatisfied with the Site in any way, you may contact useragreement@zazzle.com, but ultimately your only recourse is to immediately discontinue your use of the Site and/or terminate your Account.

[TabbyG]

Is this new?

OK, I gave it a quick look, it looks the same as the old agreement, apart from the last line where they've added an email you can contact?

AAAAnd now I've checked properly it IS the same on both old and new, apart from the last line which changed from

"Should you object to any terms and conditions of the Agreement or become dissatisfied with the Site in any way, your only recourse is to immediately discontinue your use of the Site and/or terminate your Account."

to

"Should you object to any terms and conditions of the Agreement or become dissatisfied with the Site in any way, you may contact useragreement@zazzle.com, but ultimately your only recourse is to immediately discontinue your use of the Site and/or terminate your Account. "

[TabbyG]

just making it clear, my above post refers to section 17 only.

[sharonrheafords]

Well that's good, yes?

[Anne]

@SandyMDesigns  OMG!!!

Shows how bad I am with small print, missed that one. Thanks for pointing that out. That is just beyond unreasonable.
So, trying to get my head around this whole thing:
Zazzle says they will lower our earnings anywhere from 50-95%  AND may kick us off the site altogether without any reason.

I get this high number of a cut in earnings because I set my royalty (on best selling products) higher after the deplorable Great Collection Downgrade. So if that needs to go to 10% royalty to stay competitive, the loss is sky high. In my simple calculation (I'm a designer, NOT an accountant, lawyer or marketeer) lowering a royalty from say 20% to 10% means a 50% cut. Add the "marketing fees" of 50% and nothing's left. Please correct me if I am wrong.

[sharonrheafords]

I haven't even read it all - 'am too busy being 13 years deep in tragic problems (as I always say though - after a beautiful life). Hopefully it will all work out; yet, the sad part if it doesn't is that I spend far too much time on Zazzle now and regretfully now when my parents were alive as opposed to turning off the laptop and being with them .... spending far more than I earn now .... and time I need otherwise, because I enjoy it, have put so much into it over all the years, and have pride in it.

Instead of making a $2.00 sale and sweating bills or a grocery order since my parents died (and I am older), I could be selling one of 2 houses I do need to sell that have me deeeeeeeep never before ever but now DEEEEEEP in debt. Rather than making my $2.00 on a Zazzle product which is not profit, I could sell one house 13 hrs away ransacked by a contractor after a major flood - loaded with 30 years of family stuff and 5 PODS emptied into it for 400k  .... or the other still recovering from 2 hurricanes for 1million450k .... SO .... both should have gotten the time I give Zazzle. Not too bright on my part, but Zazzle is my escape.

I'll focus on the houses, but will continue Zazzle and hope for the best.

[Windy]

 My reason for stepping away from Zazzle last year was that I had some houses to sell, and not located in my town. Massive pain, and emotionally difficult, but completing those sales puts me in a position where I am saving more money every month than I will ever make in a month by selling my Zazzle products. Sitting at the computer and designing is so easy and seems more valuable, compared to cleaning out the homes other people did not take good care of. So I had to rise above that illusion..........
You can do this thing.

[sharonrheafords]

Thank you! I should have done it right after my parents died. I didn't listen to anyone. I have a spine injury after being super woman, have had one tragedy after another - MAJOR .... was suddenly alone without my parents, wouldn't see friends due to the injury, and didn't have my 150 art students daily (and 3 salaries .... gone), and more. Zazzle was the only remaining constant - not for the earnings certainly, but the familiarity; HOWEVER, you are so correct. To sell one or both houses (after going through everything in them) is going to be difficult; yet, to not sweat groceries (after a loving overprotected and even country club life), to not sweat money for the vet for my sweet pups, etc. .... to be rid of property taxes that are OUTRAGEOUS, and all involved ... yes, it will change my remainng years! I think I can do it - will certainly try!

[Mistica]

Yeah...I get it. I would work up to 16 hours a day. I have lots products that I am proud of and I wanted to give something to my son as his inheritance. The clipart I used, of course , has a license that must be adhered to. It is not mine. It still belongs to the artist.

How does the new referral work? If I sell your item as an affiliate...do I get the full 15% referral...oh wait...that will be much smaller too? If I can make money selling yours than mine...maybe finish that website?

[sharonrheafords]

I worry about the art I purchase also since we either pay a substantial license fee to use it commercially ... or agree in good faith with good people to NOT SHARE, to use for our own use commercially, etc. As most are I'm sure, I am good for my word and would never betray the trust of Etsy and other artists who have become friends through far too much I've purchased, and I abide by the law, so .... this is a concern.

As my adored parents (with whom I was extremely close and will forever miss every hour) died a year apart of each other, and it was so easy to be hooked on the laptop designing on Zazzle rather than sitting on the patio with them after dinner .... having a cup of coffee and visiting ... even though I'm sure you give your son a fantastic life and your time, I can only say out of my own regrets, give him your time .... and that's far better than an inheritance in my opinion .... and the profits will never be cut!

[SandyMDesigns]

I was forced to sign a contract for another POD that I would allow them to sell my stuff at 10% or less. I thought it was the worst contract I have ever seen. Looks like Zazzle is following the same way.

[MOM]

😳 Oh my gosh!! I better trigger a pay out tonight. I was thinking to just let my earnings grow to a certain amount (to make it actually worthwhile to withdraw). This fact doesn’t install much confidence in my opinion. 🤔

@SandyMDesigns Thanks Sandy for pointing this out, I had overlooked that matter. 🤯

[TabbyG]

it's OK, it's not changed from the old agreement, so no need to panic!

[Saints_Aplenty]

Umm...  TabbyG...  To be sure, I don't think the payout section has changed.  But, I  made pdf copies of the new April 2025 agreement and the current October 2022 agreement (to which 2025 links at the bottom of the page) and ran the two pdfs through a free online comparison tool.  It marked deleted passages in red and new passages in green.  Suffice it to say, there's a whole lot of green.  I think we all need to read and reread the fine print and hope that Zazzle provides some clear, jargon-free, easy-to-understand scenarios.  

[TabbyG]

Sorry, I meant section 17 hasn't changed, apart from adding a contact email.

[SandyMDesigns]

Reading from others that the Zazzle agreement hasn't changed all that much other than the earnings part. I honestly don't know, since I have not made a copy from year to year. Though a good time to start.

[kab]

Trying to understand the Marketing Royalty Fee (% of Gross Royalty) . Does that kick in if a sale comes from Zazzle without our marketing involved? For example if I have a 20% markup on items in the Zazzle marketplace and an item sold carries a 40% marketing fee, my commission would be brought down to 12%. So, to get my target commission percentage of 20-25% , I would then have to boost my mark up to 40% on the Zazzle marketplace or have products direct linked only and self promoted on my websites to keep the 20%?  Or does that marketing fee apply to any sale?

[jophb]

I believe it is anything marked as '3rd party' on your sales history list