At Napkinshop.co.uk, we celebrate creativity by offering a wide selection of beautifully designed napkins and rice papers. Many of our products feature original artwork protected by decoupage copyright law.
Why Decoupage Copyright Matters
Today, decoupage has grown from a niche craft into a popular hobby enjoyed by thousands of crafters around the world. As more people began creating handmade items for craft fairs, online marketplaces and small businesses, copyright and licensing rules became increasingly important.
Many crafters still assume that buying a napkin automatically gives them the right to use the design on products intended for sale. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Different brands work under different licensing agreements, and some designs may only be used for personal projects.
Before You Start
This guide aims to help hobbyists and small craft businesses understand the most common copyright considerations when using napkins and rice papers for decoupage.
Before selling handmade decoupage items, it is important to understand that not all papers and napkins are subject to the same licensing conditions.
1. Rice Papers Are Generally Safe for Commercial Decoupage Rice papers are specifically produced for decoupage and are generally intended for decorative and craft applications. In most cases, they can be used on handmade items created for sale.
2. Personal Projects Rarely Present Copyright Issues If you are creating decoupage items for your own use, as gifts for family and friends, or purely as a hobby, copyright restrictions are rarely a concern. The questions below mainly apply to crafters who intend to sell their finished products.If you plan to sell handmade decoupage items that feature napkin designs, take a few moments to work through the following checks before you begin.
Selling Handmade Decoupage Items Made with Napkins
1. Check the Product Title:
Some products may include the artist’s name in the title, such as Carola Pabst. This is often an indication that the design originates from an individual artist rather than a generic decorative collection. Before selling handmade items decorated with these designs, always check the brand’s licensing policy. Unless commercial use is clearly permitted, the safest approach is to treat the design as personal-use only.
2. Check the Brand Before You Sell:
Not all napkin designs come with the same usage rights. Some brands, such as PPD, feature artwork created by individual artists and illustrators. These designs are generally intended for personal crafting projects and should not be used on handmade items intended for sale.To make identification easier, our product titles clearly show the brand name. Before starting a commercial decoupage project, always check which brand produced the design and review any applicable licensing restrictions.
3. Look for the Artist’s Signature on the napkins:
Check our product photos closely. A visible signature or a “©” mark printed on the napkin is a clear indicator of a protected artistic motif that should not be used for resale.
4. Be Aware of Artist-Licensed Brands:
Avoid PPD & Wrendale for Resale: These specific brands strictly prohibit the commercial use of their designs and may pursue legal action against unauthorised resale.
5. Look for Commercial-Friendly Brands:
Ambiente is one example of a manufacturer that supports the crafting community and confirms that many of its printed designs may be used for commercial decoupage on small-scale handmade items.
6. Understand Brand Licensing Policies:
Not all brands take the same approach to commercial decoupage. Many manufacturers distinguish between handmade craft production and mass manufacturing. In practice, this often means that crafters may create and sell small quantities of handmade items, while large-scale production is not permitted. However, some brands apply much stricter licensing policies, particularly when the designs are the work of individual artists. These brands may limit the use of their artwork to personal projects only, regardless of the quantity produced. For this reason, it is important to understand the policy of each brand rather than assuming that all napkin designs follow the same rules. Brands such as PPD and Wrendale Designs should be treated with particular care, while other manufacturers may operate under different licensing terms.When in doubt, always check the brand’s policy before offering handmade items for sale.One of the challenges for crafters is that licensing policies are not always communicated in a clear and consistent way. While some brands provide specific guidance regarding commercial decoupage, others use broader terms such as “commercial use” or “mass production” without defining exactly where those limits apply.This can create uncertainty for small handmade businesses. For that reason, we recommend treating each brand individually and reviewing the guidance provided by the manufacturer whenever possible.
7. Use Our Commercial Crafting Filter:
For total peace of mind, use the “Suitable for Commercial Crafting” filter in our shop’s sidebar and select “Yes” to view products identified as suitable for commercial decoupage.
The safest approach is to check the brand’s policy before selling handmade items rather than assuming that all decoupage papers can be used commercially. If you are unsure whether a design is suitable for commercial decoupage, visit our Brands Page to identify the manufacturer and review the relevant brand information. If you still need assistance, please contact us and we will be happy to help.
Support Original Artists. Craft Responsibly.
— The Napkinshop Team