Cashin’ in on CafePress
Almost everyday I get at least one “you’ve made a sale” e-mail from CafePress. I just gotta say it’s the coolest thing to earn cash from something I forget about. When I get an e-mail that I’ve made some money it’s a pleasant reminder of the few hours I spent a couple months ago creating some designs and putting together a little shop on CafePress. I’m sure things will slow down a bit after Christmas, but so far it’s been a steady stream of commissions with no work on my part after uploading the designs I created. I really need to do some more… I could be making more sales!
You’ve got some nice designs on Cafepress. One thing to keep in mind though - a lot of the designs for EMTs and other healthcare stuff are similar; they are taken from common sayings or symbols, like a backwards ambulance and a star of life. No one can lay claims to those type of designs. However, there are some things that are more original works and although they may not be able to be copywrited, it is in good taste as an honorable shopkeeper not to copy those designs and maybe change the wording slightly. Legally, I don’t believe the other shopkeeper has any real recourse, but ethically it’s something that a lot of us cafepressers try not to do. It’s frustrating when you put up a creative and original design and someone else basically copies it and essentially steals some of your sales. Just something to keep in mind, eh?
I agree with you whole-heartedly. Public Domain designs, like the star of life, I only do as a staple and I try to make the quality of the graphic top-notch to give my version an edge. I would NEVER copy someone else’s original design — bad business all around. If you think I have, please let me know so I can figure it out.
There are many similar designs on CafePress, and that’s OK, it gives customers a wide range of styles. A common phrase that I used in a design may not appeal to someone, yet the same phrase the way you design it might be just what they’re looking for.
Thanks for the comment and the good tips you’ve shared.
Bob.