TeePublic is for all artists, bottom line. No matter your style, viewpoints, or subject matter—we want to help you share your creativity with the world.
Generally speaking, the TeePublic marketplace is an open platform, and you are free to upload and sell any artwork you create (assuming you possess the necessary rights to do so; intellectual property rights are a separate topic covered here). If your design pertains to controversial topics, including but not limited to the topics outlined below, it may not be suitable for sale on TeePublic.
These Content Standards (hereafter referred to as “Standards”) are here to provide you with more information on what is not acceptable to upload and sell on TeePublic. If you or your content violates these Standards, which is determined by TeePublic in its sole discretion, we may take any action we deem appropriate, including but not limited to sending you a warning, disabling children’s apparel options for your design, removing your design from sale and/or promotion, and deletion of your user account.
Sexual Content
Designs that involve nudity or sexual elements are allowed. However, depictions of certain sexual content is strictly prohibited, including the following:
- Sexual material: Explicit and gratuitous displays of sexual intercourse or foreplay depicting genitalia unobscured and in direct contact. Depictions of masturbation where the act itself is clearly visible and hands come into contact with genitalia.
- Semen and/or vaginal fluids. Urine when considered in a sexual context. Unobscured depictions of “sex toys” in direct contact with genitalia. Manually spread vaginas or anuses by hand or artificial means.
- Penises and vaginas: Any image that is deemed to be gratuitous - definition of gratuitous: "unnecessary or unwarranted". This will generally include close-up vagina images or images that show intimate details of a vagina, an exposed erection that is clearly visible, or images where the penis is the focal subject.
- Nude or 'sexualized' children: We take a conservative approach on images of children, which we define as anyone real or fictional who is under the age of 18. Children should be appropriately clothed. As a general rule, 'appropriately clothed' means no genitalia, no uncovered bottoms, and, for pubescent children/teenagers who are assigned female at birth or identify as female, no bare chests.
- General titillation: Images constructed with the primary purpose of sexually exciting the viewer and where no attempt at an artistic statement has been made.
Hate Speech
TeePublic does not tolerate hate speech in any capacity. For these Standards, hate speech refers to any text or image that is intended to harm, or incite violence against, a group of people.
Any content that can reasonably be interpreted to express a hateful message violates these Standards.
Racism
TeePublic has zero tolerance for racist designs, or designs intended to incite racism.
Designs that use racist terms, even in a casual way, are not permitted. Whether your content violates this standard may depend on the context in which the words are used, like if your content is critical of racism or consists of some other legitimate commentary.
Symbols and icons with strong racial connotations can potentially be used in your content, but only with extreme care. Your content may be removed if it is ambiguous, needlessly provocative, or if it violates applicable law or is otherwise objectionable in a country.
Violence
Content that glorifies or trivializes violence is not permitted. This includes, but is not limited to, graphic depictions of violence, trivialization of violent acts, and content where the intent may reasonably be interpreted as inciting violence or hatred. Content that deals with catastrophic events (such as genocides or mass shootings) must be sensitively handled, and any content that may cause the victims serious distress or other harm may violate these Standards.
Defamation or Libel
Any content or behavior that TeePublic reasonably determines to be defamatory or libelous is not permitted. Designs which are presented as an opinion or a criticism on a subject of public interest may not fall under this definition.
While these Standards are designed to address a wide range of situations, they’re not exhaustive. TeePublic reserves the right to review and—if in its sole discretion deems necessary—remove any content from the website should that content be found to breach your agreement with us, or any applicable laws or otherwise. TeePublic may modify these Standards at any time in its sole discretion with or without notice, and they are incorporated by reference in our Terms & Conditions. As such, compliance with these Standards is a precondition to using the TeePublic marketplace.
We always appreciate when TeePublic users report content that violates our Standards, so please do not hesitate to report any inappropriate content through the Report a Design tab on our Contact Us page.
If you’ve read this far, thank you! Please reach out to legal@teepublic.com if you have any questions or concerns about these Standards. Thanks again, and have an awesome day.