The Shirt Design Factory's policy on Mock-ups

Though The Shirt Design Factory agrees that requesting and providing free mock-ups is not an industry standard, we have no control over private conversations or agreements between buyers and designers after a project is posted. Buyers and designers are free to privately discuss and negotiate the terms of work for a project. If both a buyer and a designer mutually agree that free mock-ups are part of the terms of work, this is the agreement that they form.

The Shirt Design Factory will continue to reject projects where requests for free mock-ups are made. In addition, at this time, we will reject projects where a buyer is seeking to run a contest.

Designers, who choose to provide free mock-ups, do so at their own risk. Furthermore, designers may only offer free mock-ups through PMs with the buyer.

If a buyer asks a designer to provide free mock-ups, and the designer does not wish to do so, then he/she may decline the buyer's request, and move on to the next project opportunity.

In summary, free mock-up discussion is NOT appropriate within:

1. Buyer project postings (if found when submitted for approval, the project will be denied until the request for mock-ups is removed)
   
2. Reply posts on the Job Board. Reserve all discussion of mock-ups to PMs.

Free mock-up discussion is at the discretion of professionals and employers within:

1. Bids and proposals sent through PM.
   
2. Any other private conversation (i.e. telephone, email)