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Content Guidelines

Version 1.0

These guidelines define what is and is not permitted on the Surfaced Art platform. They apply to all artists, all listings, and all content submitted to the platform. By creating a profile or listing on Surfaced Art, you agree to abide by these guidelines.

These guidelines are incorporated by reference into the Artist Agreement.

The Core Standard: Handmade by You

Surfaced Art is a curated gallery for genuine handmade work. Every piece on this platform must be:

  • Made by you — the artist whose profile it is listed under
  • Made by hand — involving your direct physical skill and labor
  • An original work — created by you, not copied or reproduced from another artist’s work

If a piece does not meet all three criteria, it does not belong on Surfaced Art.

What Is Permitted

Original Handmade Work

Any original piece made by hand by the listed artist is welcome, across all nine platform categories: ceramics, painting, print, jewelry, illustration, photography, woodworking, fibers/textiles, and mixed media.

Limited Edition Prints

Prints are permitted when they meet all of the following criteria:

  • The edition is limited — a defined, declared print run number
  • Each piece is signed by the artist
  • The artist is meaningfully involved in the production process beyond uploading a digital file
  • Production is archival quality

Open-edition prints, print-on-demand services (Printful, Printify, or similar), and unlimited runs without artist involvement are not permitted.

Artistic Nudity

Work depicting the human form, including nudity, is permitted when it is created with genuine artistic intent — figure drawing, sculpture, painting, ceramics, and other traditional fine art contexts.

Requirement: Any listing containing nudity must be flagged as sensitive content using the platform’s content flag at the time of listing creation. Flagged listings display a warning to viewers before the image is shown. This flag is your responsibility to apply accurately.

Explicit or sexual content is not permitted. If you are unsure whether your work falls within artistic nudity or explicit content, err on the side of flagging and contact the platform team.

Process Documentation

Photos and short video showing your process — works in progress, studio shots, tools, materials — are encouraged and may be uploaded to your profile’s process section. This content must be your own original documentation of your own work.

What Is Not Permitted

AI-Generated Work

Work created in whole or in part by AI image generation tools (Midjourney, DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, or any similar tool) is strictly prohibited. This applies to:

  • Listings of AI-generated images
  • AI-generated elements composited into otherwise handmade work
  • AI-generated process documentation

Surfaced Art’s identity is built on genuine human craft. AI-generated work is incompatible with that identity and will result in listing removal and potential account suspension.

Drop-Shipped or Mass-Produced Goods

Reselling goods made by others — whether purchased wholesale, sourced from a manufacturer, or drop-shipped from a supplier — is not permitted. Every piece on your profile must be made by you.

Replicas and Reproductions of Others’ Work

You may not list reproductions, copies, or close replicas of another artist’s work, whether that artist is on this platform or not. This includes:

  • Fan art reproduced for sale where the underlying IP is owned by another party
  • Copying or closely imitating the distinctive style or designs of another living artist in a way that could mislead buyers
  • Unauthorized reproductions of copyrighted artwork, characters, or iconography

Being inspired by a tradition, movement, or historical style is not the same as reproducing another artist’s work. Drawing on shared cultural traditions is permitted. Copying someone else’s specific work is not.

Explicit or Sexual Content

Explicit or sexual content is not permitted. This includes explicit depictions of sexual acts or genitalia presented outside of a recognized fine art context. If you believe your work occupies a genuine fine art context, contact the platform team before listing.

Illegal Items

Any item whose sale is prohibited by US federal or state law is not permitted on the platform. This includes but is not limited to: weapons, controlled substances, items subject to trade restrictions, and counterfeit goods.

Misleading or Inaccurate Listings

All listing information must be accurate and truthful:

  • Photos must represent the actual piece being sold — not a similar piece, not a prototype
  • Dimensions must be accurate within reasonable measurement tolerance
  • Materials must be accurately described
  • Edition information (for prints and limited works) must be truthful
  • “Handmade” may not be used to describe work that is not genuinely hand-produced by you

Misrepresentation — whether intentional or careless — is grounds for listing removal, order cancellation, and account suspension.

Harassment and Abusive Conduct

Surfaced Art is a professional community. Harassment, discrimination, or abusive behavior toward other artists, buyers, or platform staff is not permitted and is grounds for immediate account suspension.

Image Quality Standards

Listing images should meet the following standards to represent your work at its best and maintain the gallery’s visual quality:

  • Format: JPEG, JPG, or PNG
  • File size: Under 2MB per image
  • Preferred format: Square
  • Background: Plain, neutral background preferred for primary listing images
  • Required angles: Front view (full piece), back view (full piece), and at least one detail shot
  • Lighting: Well-lit, true-to-color representation of the piece

Dark, blurry, or heavily filtered images that misrepresent the piece are subject to removal. The platform will provide photography guidance during onboarding.

Artist Statement and Description Standards

  • Artist bio: 80–140 words. Describe yourself, your story as a maker, and your artistic style in your own voice.
  • Listing description: 40–100 words. Describe the piece, its materials, and any story or inspiration behind it.

Descriptions must be written by you. AI-generated bios or descriptions are not permitted and undermine the authenticity the platform is built on.

Enforcement

Reporting Violations

If you believe a listing or profile violates these guidelines, please contact the platform team. We review all reports.

Platform Response to Violations

Depending on the nature and severity of a violation, the platform may:

  • Request that you correct or update a listing
  • Remove a listing without prior notice
  • Suspend your account temporarily pending review
  • Terminate your account permanently

For violations involving payment holds or disputed orders, the platform’s dispute resolution policy applies.

Repeat Violations

Artists who receive three or more valid content violation notices may have their accounts permanently terminated. Artists who receive three or more valid DMCA copyright takedown notices will have their accounts terminated, as required for the platform to maintain DMCA safe harbor protections.

Appeals

If you believe a listing was removed in error, contact the platform team within 14 days of removal. We will review the decision and respond within 5 business days.

Questions

If you have a question about whether specific work is appropriate for the platform, reach out before listing. We would rather help you find the right approach than remove work after the fact.

These guidelines are subject to change. Artists will be notified of material changes with 30 days’ notice.