Understanding Copyright for Custom Printing
Why This Matters
Copyright isn’t just legal jargon—it protects creators’ work, including yours. When you understand copyright, you can:
- Avoid having orders cancelled
- Protect your own original designs
- Make informed decisions about images you use
1. What IS Copyright?
Copyright is automatic legal protection for creative works. The moment someone creates an original drawing, photograph, design, logo, written text, music, or video, they own the copyright. No registration is required.
What Copyright Protects
The expression of an idea (how something looks), NOT the idea itself.
Example:
❌ You can’t copyright “a picture of a sunset”
✅ You CAN copyright your specific sunset photograph
2. Common Copyright Myths
Myth: “I found it on Google, so it’s free”
Reality: Almost everything on the internet is copyrighted. Google just indexes it.
Myth: “I changed it, so now it’s mine”
Reality: Modifying someone else’s work (even significantly) still infringes copyright. This includes tracing, colour changes, adding text, or flipping/rotating.
Myth: “I’m not selling many, so it doesn’t matter”
Reality: Copyright infringement isn’t based on quantity. One copy is still infringement.
Myth: “I credited the artist”
Reality: Giving credit doesn’t grant permission. You need explicit authorisation.
Myth: “It’s for personal use”
Reality: Custom products you pay to have printed are commercial transactions, not personal use.
Myth: “I paid for Canva/design software, so I can use everything”
Reality: Software licences don’t automatically include rights to every image in their libraries. Check each asset’s licence.
3. What You CAN Legally Print
Your Own Original Work
Anything you create yourself from scratch, such as your drawings, photographs, digital designs, or handwriting.
Licensed Images
Images where you have explicit permission, such as stock photos with commercial licences, designs purchased with print rights, or images from creators who’ve given you written permission.
Public Domain
Works where copyright has expired or been waived (e.g., very old artworks generally pre-1928, CC0 licensed works).
Creative Commons (with conditions)
CC-licensed works, following their terms:
- CC-BY: Credit the creator
- CC-BY-SA: Credit creator + share alike
- Avoid CC-NC: “Non-Commercial” doesn’t allow products for sale
4. What You CANNOT Print
Someone Else’s Artwork
Without permission, you cannot print downloaded images, traced artwork, “inspired by” recreations that are too similar, or screenshots from games/shows.
Brand Logos and Trademarks
Corporate identities like Nike, Adidas, Supreme, sports teams (NRL, AFL), car brands, or tech company logos.
Copyrighted Characters
Characters owned by studios/publishers, including Disney (Mickey, Marvel, Star Wars), cartoon characters (Simpsons, SpongeBob), anime characters, and video game characters.
Celebrity Likenesses
Photos or illustrations of famous people without their consent or a valid licence.
5. “Fair Use” – Does It Apply?
What Fair Use Actually Is
A legal defence (mainly in the US) allowing limited use for commentary, criticism, parody, education, or news reporting.
Why It Probably Doesn’t Apply to Your Product
Fair use is determined by purpose (commercial = less likely fair use), nature of work, amount used, and market impact. Printing on products for sale is commercial use and typically does NOT qualify as fair use.
Australian Context
Australia has “fair dealing” which is narrower than US fair use. It covers research, study, criticism, review, parody, satire, and reporting news. Printing on products is none of these.
6. Protecting Your OWN Designs
Automatic Protection
Your original designs are automatically copyrighted the moment you create them.
Proving Ownership
Keep evidence of creation: original files with creation dates, screenshots of work in progress, and dated notes/sketches.
7. Consequences of Infringement
For You
- Order cancellation and refund
- Account suspension on our platform
- Legal cease and desist letters
- Financial damages in court
For Your Business
- Reputation damage
- Lost customers
- Legal fees
- Potential business closure
8. How to Stay Safe: Checklist
Before uploading any design:
- ☐ Did you create it yourself entirely?
If yes → Safe to proceed - ☐ If not, do you have a licence?
Check it allows commercial use and print-on-demand. Keep a copy. - ☐ Is it public domain or CC0?
Verify at the source, not just claims. - ☐ Does it contain any logos, characters, or celebrity images?
If yes → Don’t use it. - ☐ Is it “inspired by” something specific?
If too similar → Create something more original.
9. Resources
- Australian Copyright Council
- IP Australia
- See our “Image Search Online Guide” for free image sources
Our Policy
CustomPrintz reserves the right to refuse orders containing infringing content, request proof of licence for suspicious designs, and suspend accounts for repeated violations. We’re not trying to be difficult—we’re protecting you, us, and original creators.
Questions?
Not sure if your design is OK?
Email: contact@customprintz.shop
We can’t provide legal advice, but we can tell you if we’ve seen issues with similar content before.
Create original. Create safely.
CustomPrintz.shop