SECTION 01

Our Definition of Handmade

At Handmade.com, “handmade” means that a maker’s hands were meaningfully and skillfully involved in the creation of every item sold on our platform. If a maker’s hands never touched the final product in a meaningful way, it does not belong on Handmade.com.

On Handmade.com, the seller and the maker may be the same person, and often are. A seller may list items they personally made, or items made by a maker with whom they have a direct personal connection. What is never permitted is purchasing goods from a factory, wholesaler, or unknown source and reselling them. Every item must trace directly back to the hands of a real, individual maker.

Production cannot be outsourced to a factory or any automated system. The maker’s individual artistry, technique, and judgment must have shaped the final form of the item.

The finished item must also be meaningfully transformed from the individual parts, supplies, or materials used to create it. A collection of purchased components is not a handmade product unless a maker’s hands and creative decisions turned those components into something distinctly new.

Finally, every listing on Handmade.com must result in a tangible physical product being delivered to the buyer. Digital-only products and intangible services are not permitted. For a full list of prohibited items, see our Prohibited Items policy. [LINK PLACEHOLDER]

These definitions are designed to celebrate the world’s vast diversity of artisans, handmade products, and crafting styles. This remains a living document, reviewed periodically to reflect the ever-evolving needs of the handmade community.

SECTION 02

Seller Eligibility Requirements

On Handmade.com, a “seller” is the person who operates the shop and lists items for sale. A “maker” is the person whose hands created those items. In many cases these are the same person — and that is wonderful. But they don’t have to be. A seller may also represent a maker with whom they have a direct personal connection, such as a family member, a partner, or a fellow artisan they know and work with closely. What is never acceptable is sourcing goods from a factory, wholesaler, or any commercial supplier and presenting them as handmade.

All products listed on Handmade.com must adhere to the following requirements:

• Made by the seller or a directly known maker — Products must be made by the seller or by a maker with whom the seller has a direct personal connection. The seller must be able to speak knowledgeably about how the item was made and by whom.
  e.g., A seller listing their own handmade ceramics; a seller listing furniture made by their spouse or a local woodworker they work with personally; a small artisan co-op where members sell each other’s work.

• Artist facilitators — Approved fair trade artist facilitators may represent multiple makers on the platform, listing and selling on their behalf. Facilitators must maintain a direct, documented relationship with each maker they represent and must be able to speak knowledgeably about how each item was made and by whom.
  e.g., A gallery or collective that manages sales for a roster of independent artisans, maintaining direct contact with each maker and full knowledge of their process.

• Not mass-produced — Products cannot be produced in large quantities by an automated mechanical process. Purchasing finished goods from a factory, distributor, or wholesaler for resale is strictly prohibited.
  e.g., A maker who personally throws and glazes each ceramic mug qualifies. A seller who orders mugs from a factory does not, regardless of whether they add a label or minor decoration.

• Hand tools, light machinery, and studio equipment are permitted — Makers may create their products using hand tools, light machinery, or home/studio equipment, including shared community maker spaces.
  e.g., Using a pottery wheel, band saw, sewing machine, or a shared community kiln is acceptable.

• Hand-crafted customizations to pre-existing items are permitted — Sellers may list items where the maker has hand-crafted customizations or alterations to pre-existing items, provided a maker performed the work personally.
  e.g., A maker who personally hand-paints designs onto blank canvas tote bags qualifies. Sending blanks to a third party for decoration does not.

• Upcycling and vintage materials are allowed — Upcycling existing products or using vintage supplies to create something new is allowed. This includes items that are fully deconstructed, worked on by hand, and reassembled as something transformed.
  e.g., Turning vintage fabric into a new quilt; repurposing antique hardware into jewelry; deconstructing a denim jacket at the seams, hand-embroidering each panel, and reassembling it as a one-of-a-kind wearable piece.

• Limited-run and small-batch clothing & textiles is permitted — Makers who produce items in limited runs using hand-operated equipment or a small studio team may qualify, provided the maker personally designs each item and remains directly involved in the production process. Industrial mass production does not qualify.
  e.g., A maker who personally designs and cuts patterns, then works with studio assistants to sew and finish a limited run of 20 garments qualifies. A seller who sends designs to a factory to produce 500 units does not.

Prohibited Items

The following items are never permitted on Handmade.com under any circumstances. Some of these restrictions are required by our payment processor; others reflect platform policy. For a full breakdown, see our complete Prohibited Items policy.

• AI-generated content used as the primary creative element — see Section 4 for full details
• Digital-only products — all listings must result in a tangible physical item
• Perishable food and beverages requiring refrigeration or freezing — see Section 8 for full details
• Taxidermy — see Section 12 for permitted animal product guidelines
• Applied graphics on commercially produced, non-handmade blanks — see Section 6 for full details
• Sex toys
• Tobacco products
• Products containing cannabis or derived substances, including but not limited to CBD, THC, and CBG
• Guns, fireworks, or other explosives
• 3D printed weapons

SECTION 03

Content & Community Standards

Handmade.com is a marketplace that celebrates creativity in all its forms. We welcome a wide range of artistic expression, including work that explores mature themes. At the same time, we are committed to maintaining a community that is safe, respectful, and accessible to all. The following standards apply to all content on the platform, including listing images, titles, descriptions, tags, shop media, and profile content.

Hate Speech & Prohibited Language

Handmade.com does not allow content that promotes hatred, discrimination, or harm toward any individual or group. This includes, but is not limited to, content that demeans, threatens, or attacks people based on:

• Race, ethnicity, or national origin
• Religion or religious beliefs
• Gender or gender identity
• Sexual orientation
• Disability or health status
• Age
• Immigration or citizenship status

This list is not exhaustive. Any content that a reasonable person would consider hateful, dehumanizing, or designed to harass or intimidate will be removed. Language in listings, titles, and descriptions must be civil and respectful. Profanity in the context of artistic expression is not automatically prohibited, but language designed to degrade, threaten, or harass is never permitted.

Nudity & Sexual Content

Handmade.com allows the sale of items that depict nudity or explore sexual themes, including artistic works and mature-themed goods, subject to the conditions below. We do not allow pornographic content.

• Main listing photos must be suitable for general browsing
• Nudity in an artistic context is permitted — Paintings, sculptures, illustrations, ceramics, and other handmade works that depict the human form, including nudity, are permitted. The work must be the seller’s own original creation.
• Nudity depicting minors is never permitted — Any content that sexualizes, depicts nudity of, or presents minors in a sexual context is strictly prohibited, without exception
• Models in listing photos must be clothed — Explicit nudity in photos used to sell an item is not permitted, even if the item itself is adult-themed.
• Sexual language referencing familial relationships is strictly prohibited — This applies to any listing content, titles, tags, or descriptions.

Adult-Themed Items

Sellers offering adult-themed items must clearly identify their listings as mature content by including a tag such as “mature” or “adult content,” or by including a clear disclosure at the top of the listing description.

SECTION 04

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

Handmade.com is built on the belief that every item sold here is a product of genuine human skill, creativity, and effort. Our AI policy exists to protect that integrity.

Not Permitted — AI-Generated Content

The following are not permitted on Handmade.com under any circumstances:

• Any visual artwork, illustration, or design substantively generated by an AI tool (e.g., Midjourney, DALL·E, Stable Diffusion, Adobe Firefly, or similar), whether sold as a physical product or in any other form
• Physical products featuring AI-generated art or designs as the primary creative element
• Physical prints of AI-generated work
• Any item where AI was used to substantively create the final design, even if the seller made manual edits or alterations afterward

An artist who generates an image in Midjourney, prints it on canvas, and sells it as “wall art” — not permitted. An artist who generates the same image and then repaints it entirely by hand from scratch — permitted with disclosure.

Permitted — AI as a Reference Tool

Using AI as a reference — in the same way an artist might use a photograph, a sketch, or a mood board — is permitted, provided the final item listed for sale is entirely the result of the maker’s own hands and skill. To qualify, all of the following must be true:

• The AI-generated image was used only as a visual reference or compositional starting point
• The final item was created entirely by hand by the maker, using their own artistic skill and technique
• The AI-generated image is not reproduced, traced, or transferred onto the final item — it was the inspiration, not the artwork
• The listing must include a disclosure stating that AI was used as a reference in the creative process

Handmade.com reserves the right to verify any artwork listed on the platform. Sellers may be asked to provide process photos, sketches, raw files, or other documentation to confirm that their work was created by hand.

SECTION 05

Original Artwork & Photography

All artwork and photographs sold on Handmade.com must be original creations by the artist or photographer. The seller must have a direct personal connection to the artist whose work they are listing. Work that is copied, imitated, or derived from existing pieces that do not belong to the maker is strictly prohibited. Sellers should include a copyright notice within their listing stating that the maker retains all rights to the original work.

Selling Prints of Original Work

Artists and photographers may sell physical prints of their original work on Handmade.com. The following requirements apply:

• Verify the print is your own original work — Print listings must include a statement verifying that the print is a reproduction of the maker’s own original artwork or photograph.
• Include at least one photo of the original — Sellers are encouraged to include at least one photo of the original artwork or photograph in their listing.
• State the print material and ink type — Listings must clearly state the print material and ink type where relevant (e.g., archival pigment inks).

Using a Print Lab

Artists and photographers may use a professional print lab to produce physical prints of their original work. The following conditions apply:

• Maintain a direct relationship with your print lab — The lab produces prints on behalf of the artist — it is not an automated fulfillment service. e.g., An artist who works with a local or online fine art print lab, reviews proofs, approves color accuracy, and manages orders is using a print lab appropriately.

• Traditional print-on-demand (POD) is not permitted — Automated services where a seller uploads a design and the platform prints and ships directly to the buyer without the seller’s involvement (Printful, Printify, Redbubble, or similar) are not allowed, even for original artwork.

We strongly encourage all artists to hand-sign their prints. A signature keeps the human touch present in every piece and connects the buyer directly to the maker behind the work.

SECTION 06

Applied Graphics

We recognize that vinyl design, sublimation, heat transfer, and print-on-demand are legitimate creative crafts that take real skill. Handmade.com respects that work. However, our platform is specifically built around a definition of handmade that requires the maker’s hands to be directly involved in the creation of the physical item itself — and applied graphics on commercially produced blanks fall outside that definition.

The following are not permitted when applied to commercially produced, non-handmade blanks:

• Vinyl decals or vinyl graphics as the primary design element on store-bought items (mugs, tumblers, shirts, signs, etc.)
• Print-on-demand (POD) products of any kind — items printed and/or shipped by a third-party service
• Sublimation printing on commercial blanks — designs heat-transferred onto store-bought products
• Heat transfer vinyl (HTV) applied as the primary decoration on commercial apparel or accessories
• Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing on commercially sourced blanks
• Screen-printed items produced by a third-party printer on non-handmade blanks

SECTION 07

Surface Design & Decorative Techniques

Surface design is one of the oldest and most celebrated forms of handmade craft. Screen printing, block printing, hand painting, resist dyeing, batik, and other decorative techniques have been practiced by artisans for centuries, and they are fully at home on Handmade.com — when the maker’s hands are doing the work.

Always Permitted — When Done by the Maker

• Screen printing — The maker personally prints their original design onto fabric, paper, or other surfaces using their own screens and inks in their own studio.
• Block printing — The maker carves their own block and hand-prints designs onto fabric, paper, or other surfaces.
• Hand painting — The maker applies original painted designs directly using brushes, sponges, pens, or other hand tools.
• Resist dyeing — The maker personally applies wax, paste, or other resist materials and dyes fabric by hand (batik, wax resist, paste resist).
• Tie-dye and hand dyeing — The maker personally folds, binds, and dyes fabric or finished garments.
• Stenciling — The maker personally applies paint or ink through a stencil they have made or use themselves.

Not Permitted

• Screen printing performed by a third-party print shop on commercially sourced blanks
• Any surface design technique applied by an automated or outsourced service rather than the maker

SECTION 08

Food & Consumables

Handmade.com allows the sale of certain food and consumables for home or personal use, subject to the guidelines below. All items must meet applicable health, safety, and labeling requirements. Because these requirements vary by product type and jurisdiction, it is the seller's responsibility to research and comply with all relevant laws and regulations for every market they sell into.

Permitted items include shelf-stable food products such as spice blends, properly canned jams and jellies, shelf-stable baked goods, and small-batch roasted coffee. Personal care and home goods such as handmade soaps, lotions, body butters, non-medical cosmetics, and hand-poured candles are also permitted. Perishable food, beverages, dairy products, and any product making medical claims are not permitted at this time.

For a full breakdown of what is and is not permitted in this category, see the Handmade Category Standards. [LINK PLACEHOLDER]

Note: Handmade.com is actively preparing to expand our food and beverage policies to allow additional categories in the future, including items that are shelf-stable but require refrigeration after opening, and cured or dried meat products such as jerky. Please check back for updates. Sellers interested in listing these items should not do so at this time.

SECTION 09

Personalization & Custom Work

Personalization is one of the most meaningful things a maker can offer. Adding a buyer’s name, a date, a monogram, or a custom detail makes an item uniquely theirs, and on Handmade.com, we celebrate and encourage it. How personalization is applied determines the rules. There are two types of personalization on Handmade.com, and they are treated differently.

Hand Personalization

When the personalization itself is performed by hand using traditional craft techniques, it qualifies as handmade regardless of what it is applied to.

• Hand embroidery — names, monograms, or custom designs stitched by hand or hand-guided machine onto any item
• Hand-stamping — custom impressions made by hand using stamps and ink or paint onto any surface
• Hand-painting — custom lettering, imagery, or designs painted by hand directly onto any surface
• Hand-lettering — custom text applied by hand using brushes, pens, or calligraphy tools
• Hand-tooling or hand-carving — custom designs carved or tooled by hand into leather, wood, or other materials

Mechanical Personalization

When personalization is applied using a machine or automated tool such as a vinyl cutter, laser engraver, or heat press, the base item must itself be handmade.

• Vinyl lettering or names cut by machine — permitted only on handmade base items
• Laser engraving or Cricut scoring — permitted only on handmade base items
• Heat transfer or sublimation — permitted only on handmade base items

SECTION 10

Children’s Items

Items intended for children are allowed but must meet strict safety standards. Because these requirements vary by product type, age range, and jurisdiction, it is the seller’s responsibility to research and comply with all relevant laws and regulations for every market they sell into.

Prohibited Children’s Items

• Face masks for children under 2 years old
• Car seats and safety seat accessories that function as restraints
• Cribs, bassinets, cradles, and all infant sleeping furniture (Moses baskets, bedside cribs, slatted cribs, rocking bassinets, swings intended for sleeping, baby boxes, inclined sleeping products)
• Infant sleeping accessories that pose a safety risk (crib bumpers, crib rail covers, crib liners, crib toys, pillows intended for babies or infants to sleep on)
• Baby formula or other consumables for infant or toddler consumption
• Teething items of any kind

Children’s products are subject to additional restrictions around sleepwear, jewelry, choking hazards, lead paint, and surface coatings. Because these requirements vary by product type, age range, and jurisdiction, sellers are solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws before listing. For the full breakdown of requirements, see our Children’s Products policy.

SECTION 11

Rocks, Crystals & Lapidary

Rocks, crystals, and lapidary items are permitted on Handmade.com only when the seller has meaningfully altered, worked, or incorporated the material into a handmade item. Raw, unaltered specimens may not be sold on their own.

Qualifying work includes carving, engraving, painting, cutting, faceting, polishing, and setting stones into handmade jewelry or other pieces. Reselling pre-polished stones, unaltered geodes, or pre-packaged crystal collections from a supplier does not qualify.

For a full breakdown of what qualifies in this category, see the Handmade Category Standards. [LINK PLACEHOLDER]

SECTION 12

Animal Products

Handmade.com allows the use of ethically sourced animal materials in handmade items, provided they comply with all applicable laws. The key distinction is between animal materials used as a component in a handmade creation versus a preserved animal presented as a finished product.

Permitted: Animal Materials Used in Handmade Items

• Feathers, bones, claws, teeth, or shells incorporated into jewelry, art, or accessories
• Ethically sourced animal hides or fur used in handmade garments, bags, or accessories
• Altered or worked animal bones, antlers, or horns incorporated into handmade items

Taxidermy & Preserved Animals

Taxidermy and preserved animals are not permitted on Handmade.com, regardless of how skillfully the preservation was performed. This includes:

• Mounted or preserved animals of any kind, including full mounts, shoulder mounts, and display pieces
• Freeze-dried or preserved animals or animal parts sold as decorative objects
• Wet specimens or animals preserved in liquid for display

For a full list of prohibited animal products, see the Prohibited & Restricted Items document.

SECTION 13

Cremated Remains & Memorial Products

Memorial products custom-made with pet or human cremains are allowed on Handmade.com. These are deeply personal items and we take their quality and integrity seriously. All of the following requirements apply:

• Cremains must be fully enclosed and permanently sealed — There must be no possibility of remains escaping, leaking, or becoming exposed during normal handling, wear, or shipping.

e.g., Ashes cast within a sealed glass orb, set in resin, or fired into ceramic glaze are fully enclosed. A locket or open vessel containing loose ashes does not qualify.

• Listings must include USPS shipping instructions — Listings must include detailed instructions on how the buyer should ship cremains to the maker via USPS Priority Express, as per United States Postal Rule 451.22.
• Handle cremains with the utmost care and respect — Listings should clearly describe the process so buyers understand exactly how their loved one’s remains will be incorporated into the final piece.

SECTION 14

Gift Baskets & Kits

Gift baskets and kits are welcome on Handmade.com as long as handmade items are at the heart of what’s being sold. The primary items in any basket or kit must be handmade by the seller or a maker they personally represent. Commercially sourced items may be included as complementary additions, but they cannot be the main event.

• Primary items must be handmade by the seller or a maker they personally represent
  e.g., A gift basket featuring the maker’s own handmade soaps, candles, and lip balms with a commercially purchased loofah included – qualifies. A basket of store-bought goods with a single handmade gift tag – does not.

• Sellers must list every item included in the basket or kit in their listing description

Mystery Boxes & Grab Bags

Mystery boxes and grab bags are not permitted on Handmade.com at this time. This policy is under review and may be updated in a future release.

SECTION 15

Charitable Activities

We encourage sellers to support charitable organizations that matter to them. Each listing supporting a charitable organization must include a tangible product for the customer.

• 501(c)3 organizations using our platform to support their own cause must clearly state this in their seller profile and individual listings
• Include clear information about the donation details and the organization you’re supporting in your listing descriptions
• You must obtain appropriate consent before using a charitable organization’s name and trademark
• We prohibit listings that fund organizations supporting weapons and military activities, or those that endorse terrorist, extremist, or hate groups

SECTION 16

Intellectual Property & Information Sharing

The seller represents that they have all necessary rights to list and sell each product they offer on Handmade.com, including all intellectual property rights.

Handmade.com respects the intellectual property rights of our sellers. We aim to connect customers directly with the artisans who make their purchases. The rights you grant us are limited to promoting your products and helping you grow your business on Handmade.com.

By creating a store and listing products on Handmade.com, you agree that Handmade.com may share information about you or your products (including images) through websites, mobile applications, and other online points of presence, as described in and subject to our Terms and Conditions

Handmade Category Standards

Handmade.com maintains detailed category-specific standards that define what qualifies as handmade across all product types sold on the platform. These standards are reviewed periodically to reflect the evolving needs of the handmade community.

For the full breakdown, see the Handmade Category Standards. [LINK PLACEHOLDER]

Handmade.com reserves the right to take legal action against sellers who misrepresent their products as handmade. Handmade.com also reserves the right to revoke selling privileges at any time and for any reason. We may update these terms at our discretion. If you have any doubts about whether your products meet our criteria, please contact us for clarification.

Last updated: May 2026