Copyright 101: Can I Print This?

Copyright 101: Can I Print This?

If this question pops-up, most probably you are thinking of using an image or text created by someone else and possibly copyrighted. How to know if a design is ready for commercial use?

We Have Prepared a Visual Copyright Guide of What You Can Not Use

More detailed information can be found in our Intellectual Property Guide.

Can I Print This?

Copyright 101: Can I Print This? 1

This article is for educational purposes only, not for commercial use. Images used in this article are the property of their authors and cannot be used for commercial purposes. 

Explore our Catalog, create custom products with your design and sell them on your store. We manage automated order production and shipping directly to your customers – with your branding. 

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26 comments

  1. Becca
    March 2

    The designs available to make a mock up product, are these copyright free? Can we simply create a product in the mockup tool using the graphics available here and upload it straight to our store without copyright problems?

    1. Ariel Summers
      March 4

      Hi Becca,
      Yes, that is correct.

  2. Yuri
    February 18

    Are the graphics from printify mock up generator copyright free?

    1. Ariel Summers
      February 22

      Hi Yuri,
      Yes, the graphics library consists of designs that are free to use. 🙏

  3. Jay
    July 31

    Would I be able to use sat for example a sports team logo if I am printing for myself and not selling to anyone else?

    1. Florence Kingsley
      August 1

      Hi there!
      Any image can be printed, as long as it meets intellectual property policy and does not contain any prohibited content. You are only allowed to use images that you own or have the rights to use. Please see more information here.

  4. Natalie Davis
    July 1

    Hi!! If I currently hold the license to print for college logos am I able to contact printify and have them sign the agreement to allow me to print? Do I need to contact my individual suppliers?

    1. Martha Simmons
      July 3

      Hi Natalie,
      If you have the license to print college logos, then you can do that. You can inform our merchant support team, that you have the licenses for your designs, so they don’t get flagged for infringement. There’s no need to contact individual suppliers, as that is also against our Terms of Service. You can instead simply email [email protected], and they will help you.

  5. Luis G
    June 18

    Can we print anime. With my own design?

    1. Martha Simmons
      June 19

      Hi Luis,
      As long as your designs are original and don’t infringe any copyrights or trademarks, you should be fine. If you have doubts, then I would say, better avoid it.

  6. Parker Jessica
    February 20

    Is a common term like dog mum allowed?

    1. Martha Simmons
      February 20

      Hi Parker Jessica,
      If you have doubts, it’s best to check if this phrase is trademarked. I would guess, it’s not, but better double-check.

  7. John
    January 15

    I see above you cannot use quotes from famous people – does this also apply if you give the name of the person?
    eg: You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.
    ― C.S. Lewis

    Can I print something like that?
    Thank you
    John

    1. Martha Simmons
      January 16

      Hi John,
      It’s best to check this sort of stuff on the appropriate websites or by consulting with a legal specialist.

  8. David
    November 10

    Would I be able to make Pokemon clothing? Would I have to pay royalties to the company that owns it?

    1. Martha Simmons
      November 11

      Hi David,
      I believe, you need to purchase the rights to sell Pokemon designs.

  9. Stephanie
    January 18

    How about Proverbs like Irish, African, Latin proverbs. For example: “Beware of the anger of a patient man – Irish Proverb”. Are those okay?

  10. Alex
    October 26

    can I use a celebrity pic but add words to it?

  11. Dima
    September 21

    Hi all! Can we print original drawings of historical figures (scientists)? Thanks!

  12. Nima Sherpa
    August 27

    can we use quotes like “it is what it is” in our own way for tshirt design ?

    1. Elina Stafecka
      September 9

      Hi Nima! Thank you for the question. We did an article about intellectual property, hope it will help you – https://www.wix.com/blog/ecommerce/2020/06/intellectual-property-for-print-on-demand

      – Elina

  13. Miranda
    August 21

    Having trouble posting individual artwork

  14. John W.
    August 8

    Would witty and or trending phrases be of breach?
    Examples:

    Quarantine Baby or Mama Hair Don’t Care or That’s what she said

  15. Clay LeBeouf
    June 25

    What if I hold a merch license from say Disney or Universal? How do I submit such an agreement with Printify?

  16. Jules
    December 16

    I would also like to know the answer to Laurnie G’s question. It seems everyone is printing quotes and likenesses left and right.

  17. Laurnie G
    December 7

    What if the design is a modification of a brand’s logo? The elements behind the modification are original but there are elements of the original content used.
    How to artists/websites get away with printing and selling shirts that have phrases and quotes from tv shows and songs?

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