What is an Angel Policy?
An Angel Policy can be described as a type of limited license stating how purchased products can be used for producing and selling hand made products.
Purchased products are any craft items, such as, scrapbook papers, rubber or acrylic stamps to include digital stamps designs, fabrics, 3D templates, even buttons, etc, that were designed for the hobby crafter. I will tell you a story about buttons in a minute.
Hobby crafters are permitted to use these craft products and designs to create their favorite projects. These projects can be for personal use or for gifting. The hobby crafter really doesn’t have to worry about any Angel Policy because there is no selling of the finished products that are being produced.
But because there are a growing number some of us hobby crafters that have turned our passion into a business, rules were developed and those rules are called an Angel Policy.
In short, Angel Policies apply when there is selling of products.
JHB Buttons by JHB International
JHB Buttons are some of the cutest buttons imaginable. I love them. When my kids were growing up, I made sweaters for them. I was fond of intarsia knitting and all the cute pictorial characters that I put on the sweaters. Intarsia is a colorwork technique that involves color changes.
JHB was my favorite brand of buttons. With all the different characters like ducks and elephants and flowers, I was usually able to find a button that match my pattern theme.
But the JHB Angel Policy states very clearly that there buttons cannot be used in any finished products that are sold. I was able to make these sweaters for my children and I was able to gift these sweaters to friends, but I was not allowed to sell any of my sweaters because of the buttons.
Why are Angel Policies so Confusing?
The answer to this question is because there is no standard for Angel Policies in this Industry and these policies are determined by the individual company producing the products.
For example, JHB is the only button company that I know of, that does not allow you to sell your finished products if you use their buttons.
I sell a lot of doll clothes that have buttons on them and I don’t have a problem with an Angel Policy.
Why the JHB Button Story?
The JHB Button story is the best example of why you need to check with the individual companies.
Buttons are such a commonly used notion, that you would not expect an Angel Policy prohibiting the sale of the finished products. But there is the requirement that the JHB Buttons only be used for personal use project or gifted projects. Not even fund raiser projects are allowed.
The Best Practice When Dealing with an Angel Policies
I have found that the best practice is to always ask the company that you are dealing with. Most company websites have an Angle Policy or a Frequently Asked Questions link listed in the footer of their website. If the answer cannot be found, then use their Contact Us Tab and ask the question.
It is unwise to put all your hard work into a business only to find out that you have violated an Angel Policy, especially if that business becomes a success.
Angel Policies that You Might Want to Know
Okay, now that we have a basic understanding of what an Angel Policy is, let’s get specific and talk about “asking the question” and those individual companies that I was talking about.
Because I am a Stampin’ Up Demonstrator, let’s start with Stampin’ Up.
Stampin' Up Angel Policy
Stampin’ Up understands that there are customers and demonstrators alike that love using the Stampin’ Up products in their card making businesses.
Here is the link for the Stampin’ Up Angel Policy.
Yes, you are allowed to make and sell Cards using your Stampin’ Up products that you purchase.
Card Recipes - Resource Tab
Each stamp set that you purchase can be made up into not less than 10 different beautiful cards. As your Stampin’ Up Demonstrator, I will make sure you never run out of card making ideas.
In addition to Card Recipes, Color Cards can help you keep track of all your cardstock, markers, and supplies.
These Color Cards are located in the Resource Tab in the Main Menu. You are welcome to check out these Resources. This is also where you can find downloadable Stampin’ Up Catalogs.
Why Use Stampin' Up for Your Card Making Business?
The Stampin’ Up Angel Policy contains great news for all the business minded crafters.
Stampin’ Up products present you with a fantastic opportunity to start card making business that will prosper for years to come. The quality of the Stampin’ Up products is consistent. The color are spot on with their coordinates. The papers, inks and markers all match. I have never had a problem with colors matching even when buying multiple packages at different times. I have never had a problem with dye lots. I have never experienced a problem with the consistency of the product quality.
Many Ways to Save Buying Stampin' Up Products
With any business there are going to be expenses. But there is more good news.
And larger orders get you big savings at the checkout. You will save big on all orders over $150. But there is another post coming that will explain the Hostess Codes and the Stampin’ Rewards Program for this site.
Where Can I Sell these Stampin' Up Cards?
You are allowed to sell your Stampin’ Up Cards at craft shows, at retail locations, or online sites like Esty, E-bay. You can also sell on social media accounts like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and others. For those of you who have personal blogs like WordPress and Blogger, you are also allowed to sell on those sites.
You can add your cards to your portfolio on Behance. You might not get any sales from promoting on your portfolio, but you can certainly showcase your work and promote your online shop, social media site or blog.
Are There Restrictions on Making the Cards?
Really the only restriction that the Stampin’ Up Angel Policy addresses is mass production. The cards that you sell need to be hand made and not mass produced.
Mass production is when you hire an assembly team in a work setting.
This does not mean that you can’t get the kids involved. This does not mean that you can’t get a couple of family members or friends to help make the cards.
For example, a Mother with her 3 daughters can make the cards and sell them together in a Mother and Daughter Shop setting. This would be similar to the many Mom and Pop Stores across the country.
Using the Stampin' Up Logo
You cannot use the Stampin’ Up Logo to promote your card selling business. You can tell people that you use Stampin’ Up Products to make the cards, but you can not use the Stampin’ Up Logo in any of your advertising for your card business. You also can not use the Stampin’ Up Logo in any card description when you are trying to sell them. You can not put the Stampin’ Up Logo on your cards.
Okay, I can't use the Stampin' Up Logo, why are you using it?
This is a really good question.
Yes, I am using the Stampin’ Up Logo to write this blog post. But I am also explaining the Stampin’ Up Angel Policy and I am not promoting my card sales.
The Stampin’ Up Logo is being used in this instance to show you what the Stampin’ Up Logo looks like, so that you can recognize it as the Stampin’ Up Logo.
Okay, how do my customers know that I used Stampin' Up Products if I can't use the Stampin' Up Logo?
That is another good question. You certainly want your customers to know that you used the best products the industry has to offer when making and selling your cards.
So instead of using the logo, you will use the copyright symbol, see image below.
In each catalog there is usually a stamp set that contains this copyright image. You may have seen it. This is a convenient way to add the copyright information into your design. For cards, I usually put this on the back of the cards.
Selling Sublimation and Other Designs
If I am working with sublimation, yes sublimation, I will usually put the copyright in the bottom corner of the design.
If I am working on a quilt project, I may not put the copyright on each and every image, instead I will include the copyright on the Quilt Tag that I sew onto the back of the quilt with all the information on it.
Stampin' Up - Next Level
Maybe Card Making isn’t for you. You can still use these amazing designs in many other ways. I have a lot of post and tutorials planned. I hope you stick around because it is going to be fun.
