Redbubble Account Suspended After a Decade: My Experience and Lessons Learned

Redbubble Account Suspension: Lessons from 10+ Years of Selling on the Platform

After over a decade of hard work and dedication, my Redbubble account was unexpectedly and permanently suspended. Losing access to the store I had meticulously built over 10 years—with more than 1,400 original designs uploaded—was a devastating blow. My shop had finally grown into a reliable income stream. However, the suspension occurred without warning or a chance to address the issue. The design I had uploaded at the time was completely uncontroversial: a simple St. Patrick’s Day design featuring a clover.

An artistic depiction of Redbubble as a villain pursuing an independent creator, capturing the struggles faced by designers when navigating platform policies and account suspensions.

Hours later, I received an email stating that my account had been suspended, citing "possible" violations of their terms of service. The email listed three generic reasons, none of which were applicable to my situation. I filed an appeal only to receive an impersonal, automated response rejecting it. Redbubble provided no clear explanation for the suspension—just vague claims that I had violated their terms. Despite submitting multiple support tickets requesting clarification, I was met with silence. It was disheartening to see a decade of work and collaboration with the platform dismissed without so much as a detailed explanation.

Unpredictable Moderation and Copyright Concerns

Redbubble has always been unpredictable, but what frustrates me most is the lack of transparency in enforcing its rules. It’s particularly upsetting when you compare my experience to what others seem to get away with. A simple search on the platform often reveals blatant copyright violations. For example, I once reported a shop that featured designs consisting solely of Coca-Cola, Sprite, and other major brand logos. Despite my reports at three, six, and nine-month intervals, the shop remained active for over a year before it was finally removed.

Another major issue I encountered was the theft of my own designs. On multiple occasions, I discovered shops directly copying my work—clearly using screenshots and reposting my designs as their own. One particular shop had 20 designs, 12 of which were exact replicas of my work. Although the stolen designs were removed after I reported them, the offending shop was allowed to remain operational. This lack of accountability creates a frustrating and demoralizing environment for creators.

Advice for Aspiring Print-on-Demand Sellers

If you’re considering print-on-demand, I strongly advise against using Redbubble. If this can happen to me, after 10 years and thousands of designs, it can happen to anyone. Adding to the challenges, I’ve read that Redbubble is facing financial difficulties, which isn’t surprising given how many creators they’ve alienated with changes like their tiered fee system that penalizes new sellers.

That being said, creating your own website and working directly with manufacturers isn’t always the best alternative. The harsh reality is that generating traffic to a new website is extremely challenging. Without ranking on the first page of Google search results, it’s difficult to attract visitors—being on the second page often means your store goes unnoticed.

No matter which platform you choose, whether it’s TeePublic, Amazon, or Etsy, you’ll always be at the mercy of that platform’s policies. Automated moderation systems often result in accounts being suspended, sometimes even by mistake. That’s why it’s crucial to maintain a backup platform. For example, my backup is Amazon. Unfortunately, I had neglected it for a while because Redbubble had been my primary source of income—until it wasn’t.

Moving Forward

I’ve recently discovered a new platform that I’m excited to explore, but until it’s fully set up and running, I’ll focus on growing my Amazon store. My experience with Redbubble has taught me the importance of diversifying your revenue streams and not putting all your eggs in one basket.

For anyone navigating the world of print-on-demand, my advice is to stay flexible, always have a backup plan, and prioritize platforms that value transparency and fairness. Learn from my experience and protect yourself from potential setbacks.

My Amazon Storefront Visit

Red Skull and Crossbones. T-Shirt ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ $17.77

I never said all that - Confucius T-Shirt ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ $17.77

$10,000 Bill from 1918 novelty tee T-Shirt ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ $17.77

 Disclaimer: Some of the links to the products you can by on this websites are affiliate links where I'll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you. You pay the same price whether you buy it through the link here, or buy it 'on your own' when on the Amazon site.

My designs get stolen

It's hard to be a popular design on RedBubble (my print on demand provider), but even harder when you have to compete against yourself because you design was blatantly copied. 

 I woke up early and couldn't fall asleep, so I took my most popular design and decided to start posting it on other print on demand sites. I had to refresh my memory on the tags I used, so I simply searched for my own design on RedBubble to find what I had used. Three results came up, all 3 appeared to be the same design, but only one was by me! 

Luckily RedBubble has a copyright infringement reporting tool, so the two stolen copies should be gone from the site in the next day or two. Some of my designs have transparent areas to let the the shirt color show up in the clear areas as the background color. I use this sparingly as a blue shirt would make a good 'transparent' background color for a section of a design showing sky, but on a yellow shirt, not so much. There is a watermark feature on redbubble, but I find their watermarks are too small and too spreadout, so they can probably be edited out rather quickly.

When a person steals a design on RedBubble it is usually through a screenshot of what they see on their monitor, so if my design is shown on a default black shirt, those transparent areas will ALWAYS be black on shirts regardless of what shirt color the customer selects. 

The following is a pretty good example of a stolen copy of my design, compared to my original design file. A typical screenshot is usually 72 dots per inch (dpi), while my original design files are set at 300 dpi  (The highest resolution the human eye can see is about 170 dpi).  This difference in resolution explains the jagged and rough arcs you see on the various circles.  The image file format and compression level used often by apps that create screenshots is not optimal either.  This can easily seen by the noise and fuzziness around each character.   Even the colors are off.

Check out my original (and optimal) design at https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/82156743

Remember:  If it is not Past Expiry, chances are it is rotten.

https://follow.it/pastexpiry?action=followPub

[DESIGN] The Media is the Virus

 

From fueling riots to being political presstitutes, the media is the true virus.

Buy it here: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/57995546

Short link: https://rdbl.co/32LCazx
cartoon watermark and link are not in final design

[DESIGN] Minneapolis Looters

Dedicated to the idiots that take advantage of a peaceful protest and turn it into a riot, which leads to looting. In the end they end up hurting their own community, but are too stupid and short-sighted to see it.



Buy it here: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/49219766

Short link: https://bit.ly/looters1

[DESIGN] Fake News

Buy it here: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/48721604

cartoon watermark and link are not in final design


Short link: https://bit.ly/fakenews4u

[RANDOM] Corona PSA

Day 2 of working from home.

[DESIGN] Covid-19

As of today, I now know 1 person who is currently recovering from COVID-19.  I made this design weeks ago, but it was only approved today, followed by 1 sale the same day.  Maybe this shirt will go 'viral'?

No longer available on my Redbubble store, but fortunately, this design is now available on CafePress at https://www.cafepress.com/dd/120969981

Available on over 115 different products. Shot glasses, aprons, pillows, stickers, bags, clocks, balloons, pins, magnets, and even thongs!

The Covid-19 shirt

January 7, 2015: Charlie Hebdo magazine attack

Charlie Hebdo magazine attack

Twelve people died and 11 others were injured today in Paris after gunman opened fire at Charlie Hebdo magazine offices in Paris. Notable victims included.

Charlie Hebdo Editor, Cartoonist Stéphane Charbonnier
Charlie Hebdo Cartoonist Georges Wolinski
Charlie Hebdo Cartoonist Jean Cabut



Religion, a mediaeval form of unreason, when combined with modern weaponry becomes a real threat to our freedoms. This religious totalitarianism has caused a deadly mutation in the heart of Islam and we see the tragic consequences in Paris today. I stand with Charlie Hebdo, as we all must, to defend the art of satire, which has always been a force for liberty and against tyranny, dishonesty and stupidity. ‘Respect for religion’ has become a code phrase meaning ‘fear of religion.’ Religions, like all other ideas, deserve criticism, satire, and, yes, our fearless disrespect. - Salman Rushdie

"I am Charlie"

Collection of cartoons responding to the attacks

[CARTOON] Heinz Ketchup Instructions: put on food.

Initially this started as a wry comment I left on Yahoo news story about Blackberry getting rid of their CEO. It got quite a few thumbs up, so I made it a facebook status update, which got quite a few likes, so I thought why not make it a cartoon...

[CARTOON] Too Much News Coverage

An oldie. Published on March 22, 2007 in the paper 24 Hours (Toronto, Circulation 354,000). Most Americans probably aren't familiar with Conrad Black, but you can pretty much substitute any name that is in the news too much lately.
All about Conrad Black

[CARTOON] Meteor Strike

Russian meteor blast injures at least 1,000 people in Russia. Meanwhile Asteroid 2012 DA14 threads the needle between Earth and its weather satellites.
All about asteroid 2012 DA14

[CARTOON] The Pope Quits

The Music Video

[CARTOON] Pope Benedict Resigns

Pope Benedict XVI

[CARTOON] iPad Newspaper

If everyone starts getting their newspaper off of the internet, what will line a parrot's cage?

[CARTOON] We are the 99%

A more likely scenerio....

[CARTOON] Steve Jobs Hype

[CARTOON] London Riots 2011

[CARTOON] Hide the Weiner

[CARTOON] Osama Bin Laden Killed

It was only after I was finished this cartoon that I noticed that the 11 in 2011 could symbolize the twin towers. Pretty deep huh? Anyhow, looks like Osama is now... Past Expiry. Here's a collection of various jokes I found around the internet: Bin Laden was shot twice in the head ... I didn't know Dick Chaney was a Navy Seal. Bin Laden's favorite game was Duck, Duck, DUCK! The Bin Laden coctail ... 2 shots and a splash of water. Due to a mix up in the translation, Bin Laden is trying to figure out why he's surrounded by 72 mice, rats and squirrels, in other words...vermins. I understand that Donald Trump is DEMANDING to see the death certificate. Real justice would have been to capture Bin Laden alive and MAKE him pass through airport security every day for the rest of his life. Bin Laden ... the former Hide and Seek Champion Of The World. The Republicans are so happy about bin Laden they've granted President Obama full citizenship. –David Letterman Osama bin Laden, as we speak, is living with Spongebob in a pineapple under the sea. –Jimmy Kimmel BREAKING: Osama bin Laden to run against Hitler for mayor of hell. BREAKING: Osama been killed by an elite killing force ... in other news Chuck Norris just returned home from his trip to Pakistan. Bin Laden's final words: I need a house full of Navy SEALs like I need a hole in my head. Osama bin Laden was apparently shot twice in the face. It looks like Dick Cheney may have been involved. -Jay Leno Osama corpse into ocean + BP oil spill + Fukushima radiation = Zombie Terrorist. I bet Osama Bin Laden accidentally hit the Add your location button during his last tweet. Past cartoons about... Osama lead news Royal terrorist violence

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[CARTOON] Osama Bin Laden found!

From CBC news in late April: Hackers have stolen account information, likely including names, addresses, passwords and possibly even credit card information from Sony Corps PlayStation Network and Qriocity service, the company announced. Sony said the subscriber information that was likely compromised by the cyber attack include: * Name, address (city, state, postal code), country, email address, birthdate, PlayStation Network/Qriocity password and login, and handle/PSN online ID. * Profile data, including purchase history and billing address (city, state, postal code), and the subscriber's PlayStation Network/Qriocity password security answers. The same data with respect to a dependent may also have been obtained. Could it be that Osama Bin Laden was playing with a Playstation that led the Americans to find him? Past cartoons about... games terrorist internet Osama news

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