MAD Content Standards

Last Modified: 12/06/2025

Statement of Principals:

MAD recognizes the value of custom apparel and accessories as a means of fostering unity within groups and communities. MAD is committed to assisting customers in creating products featuring designs that are meaningful and cohesive, while acknowledging that customers may hold a wide range of viewpoints and perspectives, which may be expressed through the designs they submit.

MAD applies the following standards to appropriately balance customers’ objectives and their freedom of expression with the potential effects on third parties and the public at large. MAD regards its function as an expression platform as a significant responsibility and is committed to operating in a responsible and conscientious manner.

Content Standards:

MAD’s Content Standards are established to provide comprehensive guidance to customers in the creation and submission of designs for customized products. These Content Standards utilize a graduated evaluative framework, ranging from “no” to “go,” in order to address the broad spectrum of potential design submissions and to facilitate collaboration with customers in developing artwork that complies with these requirements.

The examples and descriptions contained within each category of the Content Standards are illustrative in nature and are not intended to constitute an exhaustive list of permitted or prohibited content. MAD retains sole and absolute discretion to determine whether any design, in whole or in part, meets the requirements of these Content Standards. All final determinations regarding the approval, modification, or rejection of submitted designs shall rest exclusively with MAD’s Content Standards team.

MAD may review, amend, or update these Content Standards at any time and from time to time, as it deems necessary or appropriate, to ensure continued alignment with legal, ethical, and operational considerations.

NO – MAD will not produce or print any designs when MAD has a reasonable basis to conclude that such designs:

  1. Intellectual Property
    Violates the intellectual property rights of others

  2. Unlawful or Fraudulent Content
    Content that constitutes libel, fraud, misrepresentation, or any other violation of applicable federal, state, or local law.

  3. Violence, Abuse, and Dehumanization
    Content that encourages, incites, or glorifies violence, abuse, or dehumanization directed at any individual or group. Limited exceptions may apply only in the context of authorized United States military activities, as determined solely by MAD.

  4. Graphic Violence and Self-Harm
    Content depicting graphic violence, injury, or acts of self-harm. Certain historically significant images may be considered on an exceptional basis at MAD’s discretion.

  5. Hate Speech
    Content that constitutes or includes hate speech, including but not limited to abusive, threatening, demeaning, or derogatory language, symbols, or imagery targeting individuals or groups on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.

  6. Harassment of Private Individuals
    Content that promotes, encourages, or incites hatred, harassment, or targeting of private individuals, regardless of the reason.

  7. Threats Toward Public Figures
    Content that threatens or encourages physical harm, harassment, or discriminatory portrayals of public figures or their family members.

  8. Promotion of Hard Drug Use
    Content that promotes, glorifies, or encourages the use of hard or illegal drugs.

  9. Explicit Sexual Content
    Content featuring explicit sexual material or nudity that is not clearly within an artistic, educational, medical, or health-related context.

  10. Sexual Content Involving Minors
    Any sexually suggestive imagery, language, or implication involving children or minors is strictly prohibited.

  11. Animal Cruelty
    Content that promotes, depicts, or encourages animal abuse or cruelty, as generally defined under applicable law.

  12. Underage Substance Use
    Content that promotes, glorifies, or encourages underage drinking, smoking, or marijuana use.

  13. Insensitive or Harmful Depictions of Grief
    Content that displays gross insensitivity toward individuals or communities experiencing grief, mourning, or loss.

GO – MAD will print designs that:

  1. Utilize language and imagery that is appropriate for audiences of all ages, including both adults and children.

  2. Promote a sense of community and inclusivity, and avoid content that is reasonably likely to offend or alienate any individual or group.

  3. Respect intellectual property rights by incorporating only images, text, or other content that the customer is legally authorized to use, including content owned by the customer or for which the customer has obtained proper authorization.

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