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!

[MOM]

I just promoted my last created product on Facebook. Zazzle really makes it hard on me to stay motivated to create a design I am actually putting some effort into it (and I see plenty of just totally blank items in the market place - even from Pro and above sellers!) and I also create cover photos and videos for my designs and all I get is a tiny sliver of prime screen real estate which barely shows the title of my own product? Really? Talking about feeling deflated here. 😞

Designing and promoting takes time - please give us at least a fair share here with all we will have to eat up coming April first. Please, pretty please?

[PrintablePretty]

I absolutely feel this. I was unmotivated for a long time and just decided to try and REALLY step up my game this year. I was going to open a bunch of new niche specific stores (20 in total, yeah a bit ambitious lol) mapped a whole plan and everything, do less slap it up quick cookie cutter stuff using clip art and try to focus on using my actual design skills to make truly unique stuff.

I've been taking courses, doing research, trying to up my Pinterest game, started a blog. I was REALLY ready try to push myself where I wanted to go with this. I was making enough to pay the bills and figured okay I can afford to up my effort and time investment big time so that maybe I can do better than just being able to pay the bills lol. I was super excited and motivated about it and I would still LOVE to do that but man... None of my prepping and planning had this new TOU in there 😅

[Fiorenzo]

This is, indeed, an unfair move for the designers taking care of promoting themselves, and confusing for buyers. The top bar is absolutely ridiculous, and the "other designs" bars under the product should move down UNDER the product and design description.

[Westerngirl2]

So......I changed my royalty on one particular product across 16 stores. Took most of a day and a half to find them, update tags, etc., change the royalty. Spot checked and all were showing the upcoming change in royalty on the royalty page. Went back today and (spot checking again) they seem to have reverted to the old royalty on the royalty page...no upcoming change.

Has anyone else seen this?

[Deb]

Yup.. just coming here to see if anyone else having issues today with new changes royalty and digital.. neither are sticking.. and actually the digital royalty reverts to zazzles default which I have never used.. and you would think this is happening because Im trying to increase royalty.. but in this small test shop Im actually trying to lower it as a test.. go figure.. just when were pinched for time .. 

[LMGildersleeve]

I had changed my royalty rates yesterday @Westerngirl2 and the Products page tab still says my older rate. But! I just sold some items at the new rate as found in the earning report recorded them. So maybe not a problem if the system from the Products tabs or product edit is not what you changed last night.

[sharonrheafords]

May I ask if you lowered or increased? I increased across all stores, and it showed as such unless it changed again. I thought it wouldn't until the 20th.  I did keep this poster low.

Also, I was just thinking, they picked a heck of a day to implement change: April Fool's Day ....

https://www.zazzle.com/daddy_always_said_photo_print-256413879521830684

[LMGildersleeve]

@sharonrheafordsI raised my % last night using the products tab. I filtered out the product type I wanted to change and used the "edit" feature going category by category. This enabled me to check to see if there were outliers that would trip up the process and do them individually.

I did not use the My Account > Default Royalty settings to change my royalty rate.

From the announcement above;
"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. "

[sharonrheafords]

Thanks!

[sharonrheafords]

Maybe it won't go into effect until the 20th since that always was the case before?

[Laura]

This is what was happening for me, I reported it in another thread after I noticed the changes took effect. Note: "I edited the royalty again", and "Now the royalty has updated" (the rest hasn't been addressed).

My point, this is how I "edited the royalty again": I selected the max 204/pages of my store products tab, bulk selected all, action: edit details. At this point, all I needed to do was click out of the box (no cancel or checking of boxes,etc.), then refresh the page. That is when my royalty updates took effect (don't ask me why). I default changed my royalties yesterday and needed to do the same (many pages) this morning; they now all show my updated rate. 

Hope this works for you.

[Westerngirl2]

Just wanted to update & let you know that my royalty rate changes DID take effect; it just took longer than the 24-48 hours stated. Probably because a bunch of us are changing them.

[BevStuff]

You can change your royalty in one simple stroke in Account Settings under "Creator Account". Go to "Default Royalty." That is where you should go to change to 10%.

[BevStuff]

...that is, If you don't want to have to pay an excess royalty fee (updated user details didn't say what that was, but it used to be $5) 
  I made only $50 in 2024---despite advertising on Pinterest, X & MeWe regularly, keeping store updated and all that at a royalty rate of 14.9. (That was the scale that used to avoid a fee.)
I blame the recession for lack of sales Though, my sales have greatly improved since the Election. 
I'd like to have heard some rational reasons explained before that decision to put on a fee on a royalty above 10%.
I'd like to know how Z thinks that will benefit me, the Creator?

[Wesha]

Hi, would anyone please explain what is the percentage of ERF to be deducted from royalty if set over 10% ? Also what will be the 3rd party referal fee percentage in new system ? It is currently deducting 20% from our royalty earned.... sorry, am a little confused ...

Could you please give examples with a royalty set at 17% as default 

[Windy]

People have given answers to this in the major thread over at 

https://community.zazzle.com/t5/general-zazzle-discussion/upcoming-changes-to-zazzle-s-terms-of-use/...

[Wesha]

Thank you for the link 🙂

[Windy]

You will find a place at the top of this thread to pose your questions on a form that Zazzle employees will read and respond to at some point.

https://community.zazzle.com/t5/general-zazzle-discussion/upcoming-changes-to-zazzle-s-terms-of-use/...

[ColsCreations]

Because somewhere in this very long thread a couple people asked about the spreadsheet I'm using in all my screenshot calculations - here you go - I've made a temp one available you can download

https://community.zazzle.com/t5/external-tools-materials/earnings-calculator-no-math-required/m-p/19...

[Saints_Aplenty]

@ColsCreations .... Many thanks! As I said before, you are a treasure!

[Mariholly]

Curiously, after years without a single self-reference, yesterday physical invitations and digital downloads were sold. WoW!!! I don’t know whether to laugh or cry... Meanwhile, others are still reporting technical issues, and the new terms and their consequences will fall upon all of us in a few days—we’ll see.

On the other hand, I’ve decided not to change my royalties for already published items and will adjust or keep them depending on how things unfold. For new items, I’m considering setting them above 20%, which seems like a reasonable figure. My motivation right now is zero, but after so much time invested in Z, I’m not going to give up.

[sharonrheafords]

I just replied to LM with something odd that hadn't hit me, and it isn't a solution .... just qurky: They are implementing this on April Fool's Day?

[dbvisualarts]

sorry meant to post most of this as a new comment, but, I just think the April 1st is a first of the month after the announcement day to start.

[PopParrot]

April 1st is the start of Q2, 2nd fiscal quarter.

[jophb]

they thought it was 'funny' to write 'no joke' in their e-mail blast, yeah I don't find this funny.

[klstock]

I never got any email. Anyone else who didn't receive the email others are referring to?

[jophb]

I got March 23rd if that helps track it down

[klstock]

Thank you, I didn't receive the email. Not even in junk or spam. 

[Amy_Daniels]

Same here. Checked junk and spam with no results. The date helped but again confirmed nothing received. 

[idraw]

It states very clearly in the email I received days ago:

This email is a required update, which means you’re receiving it even if you’ve opted out of marketing emails.
So, you might want to contact tech support about your issue.

[Amy_Daniels]

Thanks so much. Have done that now. Appreciate it! 

[idraw]

It states very clearly in the email I received days ago:

This email is a required update, which means you’re receiving it even if you’ve opted out of marketing emails.

So, you might want to contact tech support about your issue.

[Mecpublications]

Thanks. I found it in terms of service when I did a search for referrals.. So I may risk z rank demotion but Zazzle allows a much higher royalty so I'm taking advantage of it. I remember the discussion eons ago when 10% royalties were going to be prioritized in the marketplace. I figured I had a better chance of selling 1 of something at a high royalty than 3 at a low one. It's all good now. I just needed the figures to do the earnings math. 

Changes are irritating. But they happen and I adjust. i still like the old forum better. And hate writing things using my phone. That's because I'm old. 😂

Thanks again and thanks Zazzle. I'm not going anywhere 

[klstock]

Thank you, I did email Zazzle to let them know that I did not receive it and to request them to send it. 

[klstock]

Just to update - they did reply and essentially said not to worry that I didn't get it, that they will be posting a full FAQ on April 1st. 

[dbvisualarts]

I think April 1st,  is just a convenient starting point at the first of the month following the announcement. It is happening I am sure.
Not sure though, what I will do with my royalties. I have had them at 14.9% for a good while, having experimented with going as high as 25% in the past. I stayed at 14.9 due to the marketing that was supposed to happen at that rate or below. Now I am considering going back up a bit.
As for self marketing, I have to do it on all my other venues so that is normal for me, though I hate doing it.
Still I only use IG, sometimes FB and rarely Pintrest.
I haven't had a sale in 7 days though so I need to make some decisions. Too much work and 17 years on Z, really do not want to bale out now.

[Andrea]

Maybe it's an April Fools. 🤣

[PopParrot]

Is anyone else considering today's announcement of a new class action settlement to be related to the fee changes? https://www.leipricingsettlement.com  

[Connie]

It's not very likely. Sounds like one of those frivolous cases, but it's not a very big lawsuit, so I don't think they would do something so drastic over that. The good thing about the case is that it should result in a lot of short-term sales!

[JerryLambert]

I noticed this in the new UA. 

33.5. Jury Trial and Class Action Waiver; Agreement to Binding Arbitration

33.5.1. Jury Trial and Class Action Waiver: EXCEPT AS THIS AGREEMENT OTHERWISE PROVIDES, YOU WAIVE YOUR RIGHTS TO TRY ANY CLAIM OR DISPUTE IN COURT BEFORE A JUDGE OR JURY AND TO BRING OR PARTICIPATE IN ANY CLASS, COLLECTIVE, OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVE ACTION TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

33.5.2. Agreement to Binding Arbitration: You and we acknowledge and agree that any Dispute shall be resolved through confidential, binding, individual arbitration, rather than in court.