Zippo Lighter Not Worth The Trouble!

onshidesigns
Contributor

Why does Zippo always deny any public domain images on their Lighter's?  Do they not know public domain law?  I guess they only want repeating flower patterns.  Even when I use one of my original designs.  I suspect Zippo would interrogate me about the design.  Zazzle, I would suggest not even doing business with Zippo.  How many times has a customer transferred a design onto a zippo lighter, only to be told we can't sell it?            

14 REPLIES 14

CrazyMermaid
Valued Contributor II

I tried to put colorful palm leaves on one a few weeks ago and it was rejected. I have never had one approved either. 

I got rejected like twice before, and I stop bothering with this lighter. I haven't even sold a single one yet. I hate products that are too strict with designs.

Two and 1/2 years later and they still reject leave patterns no matter what you do to them.  

Leatherwood Design

Barbara
Esteemed Contributor

Maybe they don't know the difference between a pot leaf and an oak leaf?

Colorwash's Home

Mytown
New Contributor III

I am not sure where the product rules are posted these days since we are on the new board but I remember reading that public domain images are not permitted on Zippos. They might be allowed if they are significantly altered - maybe someone remembers or can weigh in. 

Barbara
Esteemed Contributor

Besides not allowing public domain images, there's quite a list of if's, and's, and but's in what's acceptable and what isn't acceptable. If they think, for instance, that the design might attract children, it's rejected. My experience with that rule has shown me how very subjective it is. I have a cute cartoon cat playing a saxophone, but the not-cute sax was rejected when I tried to use it all by itself.

Look at it as either a dead end or a challenge. It can be both.

Colorwash's Home

PLdesign
New Contributor III

For us they reject flags (other than USA) and designs that appeal to children. 

https://help.zazzle.com/hc/en-us/articles/227351367-Review-Policy-for-Custom-Zippo-Lighters

Barbara
Esteemed Contributor

Just an aside: How many of us who've dealt with toddlers have had to rescue them from small, shiny objects that were no prettier than a bolt or washer? Not being "attractive to children" is a laudable thought but not necessarily effective.

Colorwash's Home

Cat
Honored Contributor III

Gosh. I've sold quite a few of them, and I don't think they've ever rejected one of my designs. Just lucky, I guess!

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Cat @ ZingerBug Designs

JLynnW
Contributor III

Only 1 of 21 designs I've submitted have been rejected, but I can't remember what was not accepted. All were created February of this year...no sales yet, but forever hopeful.

WHS_Designs
Honored Contributor II

I seem to recall that the Z mods were asking for more designs on the Zippo lighters (in the old Z forums).

I've never submitted any designs for the Zippo lighters, because what is considered acceptable content isn't clearly defined or black and white (this was much better defined for hand sanitizers, masks, and matchbox favors).

Then again, it was the Z content management who would vet for the latter products, whereas it was Zippo would who aye or nay the lighter designs, correct?

W.H.

onshidesigns
Contributor

It does not matter how old and popular is the public domain painting.  It's always rejected.  I take the time to find the highest highest resolution public domain art.  I clean up the images in photoshop.  Many other PD stores just download off google and that's all.  Some of my PD art isn't even on public display, I need to find it in a collection.  I just saying it's not rejected form zippo for low quality in my case.       

Connie
Honored Contributor

I had trouble with a design where I used a public domain old map from the 1800's, just for the background of a pattern. you can hardly even see it! It took several emails back and forth before they accepted it. They wanted an email from the site I got it from confirming that I had a license to use it, but naturally that site couldn't provide an actual license, because it's public domain, which means NOBODY has or needs a license! The poor people I emailed back and forth with must have thought I was nuts! Finally we figured out some wording in the email that Zazzle would accept, without actually being a license.