Copyright and copycats

So about once a week, I get a request to copy another press’ design (usually, it seems, the beautiful work of Bella Figura)–last week, someone even asked me to include an estimate the cost of printing a specific pattern from another press, along with an estimate for our own work. And last month, I was about to send a job to be plated, when I happened to be looking at Minted, and found that that client had sent me a design from Oblation Papers+Press! Needless to say, the job stopped there. This is the only part I don’t like about my job; I guess some people think that if it’s up on the internet, it’s fair game. I tell them we absolutely cannot print another’s design, and they usually go away. What do you all think of this problem?

ugh. I totally agree. What is with this philosophy? ? I want this exactly and I what I really want is for you to copy it for a cheaper price, and I want it yesterday. It also kills me when I come up with a design completely independently and then see something ridiculously similar online, I would hate for someone to think that I copied their work when I really didn’t!

I hear you. I now have a clause in my contract for clients who are providing me with a design that says the design must be original and/or they must have a license for reproduction. I don’t know that this solves the problem, but I can’t possibly know what every other press is doing. You’re lucky to have caught that before printing.

I’m with ya girls, i had a similar experience. It felt terrible. I also ask where the design came from before moving forward. Really lucky to have caught that one, Kseniya. Good job! Just because I might be cheaper than other big presses, doesn’t mean I will print their designs. what are those people thinking?

I find a hard thing is that many presses have similar design styles and use the same stock (hello dover) which I myself use on occasion. Be aware of your competition and be familiar with other presses so when someone comes to you, you know who they are trying to rip-off (emulate) and then offer custom design as an alternative. My usual lingo is this and it usually doesn’t send them running:Hi ____,As a fine letterpress printer I value the copyrights associated with this design and feel it a conflict of interest to re-produce said design. These are beautiful invitations however and give me a good idea as to the look and feel of the event you are looking to have!I generally employ a non-compete policy in that I choose not to replicate other designer’s work due to copyright and licensing infringement. I’d be happy to work with you on custom invitations though and we can use those images as a starting point for inspiration, let me know if that’s something you are interested in…In saying this, I’m not reprimanding someone for wanting to rip another designer/printer off and am confident enough that I can come up with something unique that will satisfy my client in the end. By the end of the design phase we are light-years away from the initial design presented (not that it’s better but it suits the clients needs without losing one’s integrity).If you want to use this wording please be my guest as I want others to respect my designs as I try to respect theirs!Lastly, If someone comes to me with camera ready artwork, I make them sign a release stating that they have permission to use said file, and that I’m not responsible for printing said file if it does indeed infringe on copyright of someone else.

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