FAQ
You've got questions, we've got answers.
Q: How do I know if I am eligible to submit artwork?
A: Submissions for our partnerships are open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States (including the District of Columbia) who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry. Minors may participate with the permission of their parents/guardians through a minor consent form (please get in contact with Softside for more information). All federal, state, and local laws apply. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.
Q: Does my submission need to be something new or can I send in my portfolio of past work?
A: The quick answer: we are open to either!
The longer answer: we understand creating art takes time, effort, and resources. Therefore, we do not require our creative community to create an entry from scratch in order to participate in our partnerships.
We feel that the best solution for fans who’d like to be considered without having to create something new is for them to submit their portfolio websites and/or social media pages that highlight their past work. This will give us an idea of their visual perspective and style so that we can get a sense of the type of artwork we’d be working with. If selected, these fans will be given a firm deadline to send in their final work.
However, we also realize that not everyone has a portfolio to submit. We do not want this to be a barrier holding fans back from participating, nor do we want to require anyone to go out of their way to create one. So, we encourage entrants to submit their completed, original artwork inspired by the relevant campaign we have going on if that is their preferred submission option.
There is no advantage to either submission option. We do not care about social media numbers or how much experience one has. We simply want to get to the core of the art while ensuring our partnerships feel accessible and flexible to various types of creatives.
Q: Will I be paid if my artwork is selected for a merchandise design?
A: Yes, selected fans are compensated for their work.
Our Submissions page will cover these details whenever we have a partnership going on.
Q: Where do you ship?
A: We ship worldwide.
However, there are certain countries we cannot ship to due to legal restrictions and/or shipping carrier limitations. At this time Softside cannot ship to: North Korea, Russia, Belarus, the Gaza Strip region in Palestine, Ecuador, Cuba, Iran, Syria, and Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk regions in Ukraine. This list may change periodically depending on world events.
Q: How long will it take for me to receive my order?
A: It takes us approximately 4-5 business days to create & fulfill orders before we ship. Our average shipping period is approximately 3-7 business days after the order is fulfilled. Please be aware that these timelines may vary.
For non-US orders: if your package has not arrived during the suggested delivery time in your confirmation email, please check with your local customs office, as they might be holding it there.
Q: What is your return/exchange policy?
A: Please see our Return/Exchange Policy here.
Q: How do I cancel my order?
A: Please see our Cancellation Policy here.
Q: Do I have to pay any import duties? (Non-US)
A: Some shipments outside of the U.S. may incur additional processing/customs charges upon arrival. The fee varies depending on the order value, country limits, and other factors based on the item itself. These charges are out of our control and the responsibility of the customer. If you have any questions regarding potential import duties, please check with your local customs office.
Q: Do you accept submissions for Softside's social media?
A: Yes! Our social media submissions are open to all artists worldwide. We love all forms of artwork: paintings, doodles, illustrations, photography, animations, graphic design, etc.
Submissions may be sent to hello@softsidemerch.com.
By sending us your work you acknowledge that you created and own the contents of your submission in its entirety (your work is not copied, adapted, or reproduced from any other source and does not contain material that violates or infringes on another's rights).
Q: How can I get in touch regarding a partnership?
A: Inquires can be directed to erin@softsidemerch.com. We’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.
Q: Why are you called Softside?
A: We're actually asked this often, so here it is on our FAQ!
"Softside" has a double meaning. Quite literally, we love physically soft merchandise, of course.
Ultimately, however, the name represents something more emotional: the vulnerable, creative side of being human, which is something we believe every single one of us carries (hence our motto "We're All Artists").
We want fans to tap into their "soft side," so to speak, by letting us into their creative world; to fully be themselves and embrace their imaginations. To support each other's art.
We want Softside to feel like a warm home for all types of creators — a place where they can feel welcome and empowered. Softside is both an encouragement and an invitation; it's the word we are motivated by in our dedication to centering mutual inspiration and uplifting beautiful creations.
Q: SOS, my question was not answered here.
A: No worries, feel free to send your question over to hello@softsidemerch.com.