I’ve been asked the following question via one of my websites:
I sell my handmade cards via a website and have also recently started entering sketch challenges. My question is, is it ok to sell my finished card that has been made following a sketch (designed by someone else) on my website?
I thought the answer might be useful for a wider audience, so I’m going to attempt to answer it here.
Many scrapbooking and card sketches on the internet are made freely available for personal use, meaning you can use the sketches for your own private projects at home. This means you can make a page for your own scrapbook based on a sketch idea. You can also make a card based on a sketch idea and give the card to someone special in your life. Pretty simple so far.
Selling cards based on sketch ideas adds a commercial aspect which changes the landscape considerably.
I can’t speak for all sketch designers, but being one myself – do I mind if someone uses one of my sketch ideas to make a personal scrapbooking project? Absolutely not. Conversely, do I mind if someone makes a profit from something I invested time and effort in creating? Well yes I certainly do!
What I’d suggest is that you check the conditions or license under which the sketch you’re wanting to use is provided. (In the stamping world, this is often referred to as an Angel Policy. An Angel Policy specifies how stamped images can be used. Some companies allow limited use of their stamp designs in handcrafted products made for sale.)
Search the website where you found the sketch for the license, and if there is no licensing information visible, email the designer directly to ask under what conditions sketch can be used for commercial purposes. Many designers may be willing to allow commercial use of their sketch idea, providing you give them appropriate credit for their design on your handcrafted products.
It’s always better to be safe than sorry, especially if you’re running a business. The last thing your business needs is to be sued by a disgruntled designer.
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