I'm constantly surprised by your product prices. I seriously wonder how this is justified? Take the mugs, for example—the prices are outrageous! You can get brand-name porcelain for that. I could understand it if it were full-surface printing. But the design placement is so limited, and sometimes you can't even use the entire surface. On the Favor Jars, the print band doesn't even go all the way around. There's a gap. It's incredibly embarrassing! And the scented candles, $40? Seriously? That's a cheap glass jar. You can get them at any discount store for $3. Even if the personalization argument is valid, and maybe that's why they find buyers, the price is still completely exorbitant because the printer doesn't care whether it's a name or just a pattern. So, there are cups, including espresso mugs. Great! But where are the saucers? Or even porcelain plates? That's so sad. But that's just a side note. My real concern is the prices and how low our earnings have become. What I love about Zazzle is the enormous product variety. You won't find that anywhere else, and that's what makes Zazzle unique for me. That's why I'm still here. But it's becoming very worrying when prices for buyers keep rising while commissions for designers plummet. Especially considering the current economic and political situation in some countries. I hope you still have a good time, stay creative, and don't let the madness of this time get you down. All the best grafXthings ... View more

What Dark Cottagecore Really Is Dark cottagecore isn’t just lace and lanterns in the woods, it’s the other side of the fairytale. It’s what happens when the roses start to wilt and the moon rises over the garden. It’s where beauty meets melancholy, and nature shows her mysterious edge. At its heart, dark cottagecore is about romanticism, the longing for quiet places, for overgrown gardens and candlelight, for the feeling that something ancient and untamed still lingers beneath the charm. It borrows the softness of cottagecore , florals, tea sets, handwritten notes , and mixes it with shadow: deep colors, worn textures, and a touch of the gothic. It’s not about perfection. It’s about depth. It’s the scent of wet earth after rain, velvet drapes in an old parlor, the hum of a storm outside while you light another candle. It’s cozy and eerie all at once , a celebration of the beautiful and the strange. If classic cottagecore is sunlight and linen, dark cottagecore is moonlight and lace. It’s the same story, just told at night.   ... View more

I made my store banner at the recommended Zazzle size: Image Asset Sizes Needed for Your Store If you’re a new Creator or Maker and you’re building out your storefronts for the first time, don’t rely on the default image sizes to represent what it is you’re selling. Spruce it up as a way to brand your store and yourself! Tell a story with the images so customers will want to learn more about you and what you create. Below are the image sizes we suggest you use so you can have your store looking in top-tip shape: Banner The main banner to your store should be at least 2280 pixels wide by 380 pixels in height (e.g. 2280 x 380). When creating a banner at this size, during the upload the crop forces a smaller size. After experimenting, I discovered that 1380 x 380 worked almost perfectly.  WHY would Zazzle recommend the 2280 pixels when there is a forced crop to make it smaller?  Thanks, GwenV   ... View more

Why do you all take away earnings from people's accounts?  There is no noble reason you can come up with.  Even though my account doesn't sell much, primarily because i don't actively promote ... you have been receiving free advertising from me for years without even being worth much. You want to charge me for associating with you? What real value does Zazzle even have? (Rhetorical Question)  The fact that you take away earnings from people that bring you attention is pure evil.  despicable.  Your site is so hard to take seriously as it is from a promoting standpoint.   ... View more

In my niche, I don't make Halloween products, so I have no stats to go by. But Halloween sales may be a bellwether for the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. That's why I'm asking the larger Zazzle community: How were your Halloween sales? Good, bad,  or indifferent? I suspect this holiday season will be a make-or-break one for many Zazzlers sitting on the fence about whether to stay on the platform or go, given the many changes that have been made since April. So, my curiosity is far from idle.  Stats? Thoughts? Comments? ... View more

I ordered some invitation samples and the colors are lacking. Is this normal? One in particular is supposed to be sage green but it arrived in a dull grey color.  The color works nicely it’s just not what I ordered and now I’m worried about large print jobs.  Is this a one off issue, or am I going to run into different colors with the printing job?  ... View more

Benable is an app to share your favorite things, and earn from 40,000 brands. Skip the waitlist with my link: https://benable.com/i/QU5DF ... View more

I’m reaching out with a review update request that customers leave on our storefronts. I recently received a low-star rating that had nothing to do with my design or product quality it was entirely based on a shipping delay. The customer even noted they hadn’t opened the envelope, yet the review still appears under my product and affects my overall store rating.  All new customers see that review and must think that my store is a “slow shipper” There is no way for me to remove the shipping BAD review, so I guess I am stuck with it? As shopkeepers, we have no control over Zazzle’s production or shipping timelines. Yet when delays occur, the negative feedback is publicly tied to our work, misrepresenting our creative products and damaging our reputation. This not only affects our visibility and sales, but also undermines trust in our brand.  (word of mouth must be terrible). She could be telling her family, friends and social media followers not to shop at my store due to slow ship) I urge Zazzle to consider updating the review system to: Separate product design feedback from shipping/service feedback Clarify to customers that designers are not responsible for fulfillment. Allow shopkeepers to flag or respond to reviews that are out of their control like shipping. We need a fairer system that protects the integrity of our creative work while still allowing customers to share their experiences transparently.   I hope Zazzle will take this into serious consideration.  it’s not fair that I now have the low star review on my store for something that is out of my control. ... View more

For the last month they have been giving 40% discount for business card purchases. It's killing my royalties on my sales. I was shocked when I saw the 40% off. No wonder my royalties have dropped. I figured it would be over on the 1st, but it's still there. Any one know when this will end? The majority of my income comes from business card sales. ... View more

Hey there, fellow Zazzlepreneurs, Having seen the wonderful 'organic' artworks of our recent contest winners I have been giving some thought to the rise of AI art on Zazzle and other platforms (there have been a few topics on Zazzle forum recently regarding AI Art), reflecting on the concerns of natural artists who create their own art with brush, pencil, chalk and pen. And I wanted to give some reassurance that this will come full-circle so that YOU once more hold the cards and have the greater value. Before getting into it, let me emphasize that your concerns are valid, and they're shared by artists all over the world. There's a sense of unease, a feeling of 'will our art be overshadowed? Can our authenticity compete with AI?' These questions are entirely natural, and I hope to address them and provide some insights to help you navigate this evolving landscape. Firstly, what is AI Art and why is it capturing the spotlight? AI art, in simple terms, refers to artworks created with the assistance of artificial intelligence algorithms. These algorithms are programmed to analyze vast amounts of data, learn from it, and generate art based on the patterns and styles they've learned. This can range from creating entirely new pieces to imitating the styles of famous artists and lesser-known ones. The allure of AI art (for the buyer) is partly due to its novelty. People are fascinated by the idea that a machine, a non-human entity, can produce something as deeply human as art. There's a curiosity to see what AI can create and how it mimics or deviates from human artistic expression. BUT there is the flip side in that the buyer doesn't know (in all cases) that the art is NOT human-made. AI can now mimic watercolors which is one of the hardest (in my opinion) to recreate without it being a clear 'machine effort' and yet it is seemingly being accomplished. A few key concerns Competition with Machines: The very existence of AI-generated art raises the fear that you'll have to compete with machines for recognition and value in the art world. Will your art still be appreciated when AI art can be generated at the push of a button? Devaluation of Creativity: There's a concern that AI art might lead to a devaluation of human creativity. If machines can replicate styles and techniques, what happens to the artistic uniqueness that has always been at the core of human-made art? Loss of Artistic Identity: Artists often put a piece of their soul into their work. The worry is that as AI art gains prominence, you might feel a loss of identity or that your art no longer carries the same emotional depth. Accessibility vs. Exclusivity: AI art, being digital, is incredibly accessible. It can be shared instantly, printed at will, and even modified with ease. In contrast, traditional art often carries an air of exclusivity, which might be jeopardized by the mass availability of AI-generated art. Copyright and Authenticity: When AI generates derivative works, questions about copyright and authenticity arise. Who owns these new creations, and how do you prove the authenticity of the original work? Artistic Integrity: Artists often have a vision and a message they wish to convey through their art. The fear is that derivative AI-generated art may not capture the essence and intention of the original piece. Commercial Implications: If AI can create art that is similar to existing pieces, what happens to the value of the original art? Will it be perceived as less unique or less valuable? It is a lot cheaper! Prices for graphics packs containing digitally generated art is ridiculously low. Thousands of images for under $10 and often with resale rights because the creator does not have the 'connection' to their AI art that a regular artist would due to it being created in seconds and they can recreate hundreds more in a single day. They themselves do not value their AI art. These concerns are very real, and it's crucial to acknowledge them. AI's impact on the art world is undeniable, but it's also important to understand that there are ways to navigate this while retaining the essence of what makes your art unique. Sounds impossible? It isn't!! Take a lesson from history! One thing that has been a constant in the art world and how it holds the key to preserving the value of your art – scarcity. The concept of scarcity is not new in the world of art. In fact, it's a principle that has been driving the value of artworks for centuries. The basic idea is that the rarer an artwork is, the more valuable it becomes. Scarcity Facts Historical Artifacts: Think about historical artifacts such as the Mona Lisa, the works of Vincent van Gogh, or Michelangelo's sculptures. Their value is immensely high not just because of their artistic excellence but also because they are one-of-a-kind pieces. There's only one original Mona Lisa, and that uniqueness adds to its mystique and value. Precious Stones: Precious gemstones like diamonds, sapphires, and emeralds also operate on this principle. The rarer the stone, the more it's worth. Artificial diamonds may look the same, but they don't carry the same allure because they're not as scarce as natural diamonds. Art Curation: Art curators have long known the power of scarcity. They limit the number of exhibitions, prints, or displays of a particular artwork to create a sense of exclusivity. This not only maintains the artwork's value but also builds excitement and anticipation among art enthusiasts.   So, how can you leverage the scarcity principle in the context of AI-generated art and derivative works?   One of the most significant advantages you have as artists and creators is the authenticity of your work. Make it a point to emphasize that your art is born from your personal experiences, emotions, and creative journey. Your customers will value the authenticity and uniqueness of your art. You can do this via:   Profile Bio Collection details Product description Craft a BIO-style Media image to accompany ALL your products! This is essential to let all your customers know that this art is hand generated and YOU are your own brand! Perhaps in the future Zazzle can implement a feature that will allow us to add a generic media image to ALL products or to those we select 'enmasse' to avoid the arduous task of trying to add retrospectively to thousands of products  @James ? Create Showcased Videos: Videos offer an intimate glimpse into your creative process. They allow your audience to connect with your art on a deeper level, seeing the passion and effort you put into every piece. It reinforces the idea that your art is organic and created with love and care. Add Your Signature: Your signature is not just a formality; it's a mark of authenticity. Sign your work, both physically and digitally. It's your personal stamp, a guarantee that each piece is a unique expression of your talent.  With the rise of AI art this is imperative! it will not devalue your art it will increase it's value. In the face of AI-generated art and derivative works, remember that your originality is your greatest asset. Your art has a story, a depth of emotion, and a personal touch that AI cannot replicate. In an evolving art world, your work will continue to shine brighter, just as scarcity has always added value to artistic treasures. Your art will forever be a beacon of authenticity in a world of machines. This might not seem the case now, BUT as AI increasingly begins to dominate Print-on-demand sites and every other corner of the art world, it will become the case, so hang in there!!! I am rooting for you. Ps. With regard to photographers, you should also start to add signatures to your work and apply the same details as advised above to ensure your customers know that YOU and not AI (or public domain) are the origin of the art. ... View more

Hello I always chose the same thing (Expressions > Fun & Laughs and Anyone) because none of my merch is really meant to be event or recipient specific.  Thanks ... View more

It looks like Benable is becoming a revolution among Zazzlers. Share your invitation code here if you want. I also have a Pinterest board to share lists there, feel free to join. Benable invite link   Pinterest board    ... View more