Last Revised April 21, 2008

WHAT IS CODE CREATIONS?

Code Creations is a lot of different things. As a division of EARTH M.A.P., Inc., it is part of a values-based company that is focused on the triple bottom line: People, Planet and Profits. It has been founded as a way to promote talented artists (People) via “wearable art” while also engaging in sustainable, earth-friendly practices and promoting a healthy lifestyle and organic living (Planet), and to funnel financial and other resources (Profits) to various local, national and international animal welfare, rescue & adoption organizations.

Even though we create and commission our own unique designs, Code Creations is also a unique and Revolutionary Design Challenge website, where talented artists around the world can submit unique ideas that are voted on by a wonderful community of Designers and those who love graphic design and all sorts of Wearable Art. The winning Designs are then printed on various apparel. We use only earth-friendly materials such as Organic Cotton, Hemp and Bamboo. All Designs are printed with eco-friendly ink. 

In some ways, this website is also my journal and scrap book. I’m Amber. I’m the hostess of this website. It is my gig to meet and greet, introduce challenges, answer questions and wear many hats. As you’ve probably noticed by now, all sorts of illustrations, designs, music and videos interest me and will always be mentioned and promoted on this website.

Code Creations is also an interactive, secret adventure website. It is filled with secrets and hidden codes, ciphers, and alternative reality games, treasure and scavenger hunts, Letterboxing, Geocaching events and more, that revolve around on-going Graphic Design Challenges & competition.

In case you don’t know by now, we are the creators of SECRET CODE CLOTHING and our exclusive Code Creatures.

Anyone can submit a design to our Design Challenges. If it is chosen by the Code Creations community and crew it will be printed and sold from this website and perhaps elsewhere.

Most of the products found on Code Creations are a result of the various Design Challenges. A few of the Designs are commissioned by me or the Code Creations staff.

Designs can be submitted anytime and they can be accepted by us for printing at any time. We typically allow the community to vote for 1 month - 6 months before we decide whether or not we want to print submitted designs.

Winning Designs are printed to order. Sometimes we print more than we initially need, but most of the time we don’t. That means that once they are sold out, they are gone forever unless there is a great demand to reprint them. We do not intend to print any more than 2,000 of any particular Design; which would keep the design as a Limited Edition. However, we may sometimes print more than 2,000 of popular items.

What is the CODE PAWS Project?

We donate a large% of our net profits to animal rescue, adoption and welfare groups. Our ultimate goal is “no more homeless pets.” As part of our CODE PAWS Project, we offer to fully pay the adoption fee for any Winning Designer (during the year they won) to adopt a cat or dog from their local animal shelter or animal rescue organizations.

What makes your Design Challenge(s) different than others out there?

Well, for starters, they don’t have me as their hostess. Second, we are a company with a green, earth-friendly, socially conscious business model and values-driven system. We’re doing this to make friends and help animals and nature. We want to make a difference. Third, our apparel is Grown, Sewn & Printed in the U.S.A. with earth-friendly materials.

Also, we offer a variety of really awesome Design Challenges. For example, in addition to our Revolutionary Design Challenge, we also offer Amber’s Theme challenges. You imagine it. You design it. Submit your ideas and you just might win.

Oh, yeah, and we also work with various companies that sponsor their own challenges and offer cool prizes. We call those the Inspired Design Challenge. (Get, it? The Artists’ Designs are to be “inspired” by the product or service of the sponsor.) Every once and awhile we may even have an “Airbrush Art Challenge.”

We also promote our original K-9 Design Challenge. That’s right — designs for dog T-Shirts! Hey, people shouldn’t be the only ones in their families who get to wear cool, original, Limited Edition Designs! What about the dogs? This is your chance to create a design that a dog would be proud to wear if he or she had a choice. Do the dogs justice. Show them they deserve to look awesome, too!

Got an idea for a Slogan? Then you’ll love our SLOGAN CHALLENGE!

You don’t need to have any amazing Design abilities to enter this challenge. Do you have an idea for a slogan that would be great on any of our apparel for humans or their companion animals? If so, just e-mail your slogans directly to me.

If, however, you have an idea for a Slogan that can also be a cool-looking Design, then please submit your idea to our other Design Challenges.

What’s with the name: Code Creations? Do all the designs need to have secret codes and stuff in them?

Well, C-O-D-E stands for Casual, Organic, Designer, Eco-Adventure Wear.

We have various lines. Code Creations is a line we have created to appeal to a people who are interested in cutting edge designs on Limited Edition shirts who might not normally be interested in purchasing apparel made out of great materials like Organic Cotton, Hemp or Bamboo. We are focused on great apparel and great designs. The fact that the materials and inks are earth-friendly is a plus for everyone. This is our way of pleasing our audience and making the earth a better place.

In reference to secret codes, well, my friend, some of our designs and pages may have secret codes hidden in them.

In fact, we are the creators of our exclusive “Code Creatures Collection.” Basically, these are Substitution Ciphers. That is, they are cool images of all sorts of things, ranging from monsters, creatures, fruit, vegetables, etc. that represent Letters in the English language alphabet. The Designs themselves are cool enough to wear on any garment. However, the fact that the Design is actually a secret code that says something makes it much more interesting. The only way someone else can figure out what a Design on a garment says is if they have access to the Code Key. The Code Key is hidden on a secret page in the website. You need to find it.

Personally, I am interested in printing designs that have secret codes and messages in them that can lead to exciting stories and narratives and be part of on-line or real-word treasure hunts and Alternative Reality Games, so long as they do not interfere with the beauty of the Designs. So if you have any cool ideas, then let me know. Rev your engines. Let’s tell stories! Let’s have some fun!

Is there anything else I should know about your apparel?

I’m glad you asked! As if the above were not enough, Code Creations’ unique Limited Edition designs are Grown, Sewn and Printed in the U.S.A.

Each garment is 100% organic cotton or hemp or bamboo or a combination thereof, with designs that are made with eco-friendly inks. In fact, one type of ink we use is a “secret formula” that we guard with our lives. Same goes for our “Scentsory” dyes.

All of our apparel is manufactured and printed in cooperation with the highest organic and environmental standards.

We always plan on being honest and transparent with our friends and audience. We feel that consumer awareness about our eco-adventure wear is the first step towards a cleaner earth.

OK, that sounds really cool. What can you tell me about the Organic Cotton shirts?

Want some good news? According to the Organic Cotton Trade Association (OTA) over 60% of Americans purchase organic foods and beverages. As consumers become aware of the health and environmental risks associated with conventional farming practices, the demand for organic production for other goods and services has increased. Greater public knowledge of the ecological devastation caused by conventional cotton farming has been influencing consumers to choose organic fibers. The growth in the organic fiber industry reflects this greater awareness; the industry is expected to grow 44% over the next 5 years.

OK, but why should I care? Seriously, how does it affect me?

Hmmmmm. Try these facts on for size: Organic production reduces health risks. Many EPA-approved pesticides were registered long before extensive research linked these chemicals to cancer and other diseases. Organic agriculture is one way to prevent any more of these chemicals from getting into the air, earth and water that sustain us.

Conventional cotton is the most pesticide-intensive crop grown in the United States. For every organic cotton T-Shirt and pair of jeans you buy, you save the planet from a pound of pesticides. It takes approximately one-third of a pound of chemicals (pesticides and fertilizers) to grow enough cotton for just one T-shirt.

Organic farmers build healthy soil. Soil is the foundation of the food chain. The primary focus of organic farming is to use practices that build healthy soils.

Organic farms respect our water resources. Building topsoil in combination with the elimination of polluting chemicals and nitrogen protects and conserves our water resources.

Organic farmers work in harmony with nature. Organic agriculture respects the balance demanded of a healthy ecosystem: wildlife is encouraged by including forage crops in rotation and by retaining fence rows, wetlands, and other natural areas.

Organic producers are leaders in innovative research. Organic farmers have led the way, largely at their own expense, with innovative on-farm research aimed at reducing pesticide use and minimizing agriculture’s impact on the environment.

Organic producers strive to preserve diversity. The loss of a large variety of species (bio diversity) is one of the most pressing environmental concerns. The good news is that many organic farmers and gardeners have been collecting and preserving seeds, and growing unusual varieties for decades.

Organic farming helps keep rural communities healthy. The USDA reports that half of U.S. farm production came from only 2% of the farms in 1997. We can do better than this! Organic agriculture can be a lifeline for small farms because it offers an alternative market where sellers can command fair prices for crops.

You’re making my head spin, Amber. Give it to me straight. What do I really need to know? I mean why do YOU care?

I am deeply concerned about the environmental impact of PVC. The U.S. screen printing industry uses an estimated 1.5 million gallons of plastisol ink every year, and between 30% to 50% of that ink contains PVCs. PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) often referred to as “vinyl” is one of the most versatile of the plastic materials and yet most hazardous for the environment, both during production and disposal. Dioxins, one of the most toxic chemicals and potent carcinogens known to science, are created and released during the production of PVC.

PVC? Really? I had no idea that was bad for the environment.

Oh, yeah it is! And this creates several environmental hazards. Here are more facts to consider: At the end of its lifetime, PVC must be either burned or buried. Burning releases dioxins and hydrochloric acid that contributes to acid rain that can contaminate land and water.

Dioxins are extremely long-lived in the environment, and, because they are fat soluble, they concentrate in the tissues of humans and other species. Dioxins from manufacturing plants migrate on the winds and land in our water supply. The Dioxin exposure of the average American already poses a calculated risk of somewhere between 1 in 100 to 1 in 1,000 times greater than the usual standard for acceptable risk.

PVC is difficult and expensive to recycle; so much of it ends up in landfills where, over time, harmful additives, such as phthalates can leak. Phthalates (pronounced ‘ thal-aytes’) are found in plastisol ink and is what gives the ink stretch and flexibility. It is unclear how much damage this man made material is causing, however the European Union recently banned two Phthalates, DEHP and DBP, from use in cosmetic and personal care products.

So, if I really care about my health and the health of those around me, I should only be wearing Organic Cotton and other earth-friendly materials?

You got it. And you can take my word for it. I live by example.

All right that sounds interesting and all, but are the garments good quality?

Yes they are. In fact, you’ll be amazed at how wonderful they look and feel. Most people say after the first or second wash our apparel is the most comfortable they’ve ever worn. You’ll be proud to wear them.

All right, all right, you got me curious, but are the prints good quality?

Of course they are! Once again, you’ll be amazed. The art-work is printed on the apparel using the highest quality, earth-friendly screen-printing methods. 

How are the Designs printed?

The Designs are printed using the highest quality screen-printing.

Beware! A lot of companies claim to sell an environmentally-friendly T-Shirts. In reality, only half of their item is environmentally-friendly. They are probably still printed using either plastisol-based inks or other less-than-earth-friendly inks.

Hey, look, this is interesting and all, but I’m not some earth-loving hippie!

You don’t have to be a tree hugger to enjoy our garments. They just look and feel great! Don’t settle for less than a 100% all natural pure organic products. Our garments are the natural choice if you want the highest quality apparel. You deserve them.

Yeah, OK, but heck, there are companies out there selling T-Shirts for less than $20. Organic Cotton and hemp and bamboo shirts are sometimes twice that!

That is all true. However, you deserve more than a cheap T-Shirt that is made with cotton covered with pesticides and insecticides. Chances are that cheap T-Shirt was made in a sweat-shop with child labor. Even if it wasn’t, the material and inks are not good for you or the planet.

Furthermore, the more organic cotton and hemp and bamboo apparel that people buy, the more demand there is in the marketplace, which will bring down the prices.

Sometimes in life you just have to choose sides. What’s right and what’s wrong. You have a lot of power with your purchases. Sure, everyone wants a $10 or $20 item, but at what cost? What about the long-term health benefits to people and the planet?

Once again, you don’t have to be a tree hugger to enjoy our garments. They just look and feel great! Don’t settle for less than a 100% all natural pure organic products. Our garments are the natural choice if you want the highest quality apparel. You deserve them.

Those are some good points. Thank you, Amber!

No need to thank me. Just try to always do the right thing. This is your chance to make a positive difference. Let’s work as a team. We can’t accomplish much without your help.

What sizes do you offer?

Most of our high-quality garments are Unisex. We carry S - 3XL for adults. We also offer Youth and Infant sizes. We haven’t had much of a demand to carry other sizes than what we offer. We are confident that the size you are looking for is available.

Can you give me some washing instructions?

Sure! Turn the garment inside-out. Machine wash cold. Wash dark colors separately. I wouldn’t use any bleach at all. Tumble dry low. Do not iron the Design print. Do not dry clean.

Who can enter the Design Challenges?

Our Design Challenges are open to anyone who would like to enter. You must register and be a current newsletter subscriber to submit a design.

How come?

Because, my friend, I use the newsletter to give updates on the challenges, prizes, sponsors, rules and to announce exciting information about Code Creations.

Can I unsubscribe from the newsletter?

Yes, you can do that anytime. But please remember that unsubscribing from the newsletter will automatically remove any Design submissions you have in the system.

How do the Design Challenges work?

Visit our website. Log in. Check out the list of current Design Challenges. Click on the one you are interested in and you’ll be brought to a separate page with more information. Read and agree to the Submission Terms and Conditions. Submit your Design to us.

We review each design at H.Q. to make sure it meets our criteria for approval. If you followed all of the rules and specifications, your design will be posted on the site to be rated and critiqued and votes on by the Code Apparel community.

We take into consideration a great deal of factors to determine which Designs will be printed. Chosen Designers will receive lots of cool prizes. Their Designs may be printed on really cool apparel and/or other merchandise.

Remember, the winner isn’t necessarily the one with the most votes or the most glowing comments. After all, we are always on the look-out for Voter Fraud. We hope and expect everyone will play fairly and help get some truly great Designs out there.

After the winners are announced, we begin to accept orders. Limited Edition orders are pthen rinted and shipped around the world.

We may change the time-line for any of the above at any time to run the Design Challenges more efficiently for everyone.

How do you choose which submissions to print?

My team and I consider such things as board users’ ratings and comments, ratings, and our own strict criteria, etc. You will be interested to know we are specifically looking for Designs that display a great deal of creativity and originality.

What are the maximum numbers of colors a Design can be?

To help us keep the cost of the shirt at a sensible level, we limit the primary colors to four (4). Remember that those 4 colors can be used to create other colors. By the way, white and black count as colors, too.

How do I submit a design?

Step One

You need to register an account with Code Creations.com to submit or to vote. You can register here. After you have received your confirmation e-mail setup your account. Let people know as much about you as you feel comfortable. You can upload an avatar, link to your site and share your instant messenger information.

Step Two

Once you have registered, download our photoshop template for the design preview. You can design in either Illustrator or Photoshop, but you must use our Photoshop template dimensions when you submit your design preview for rating. The preview dimensions are 300px by 435px. If the design preview is not 300px wide and 435px tall your design will not be approved until it is submitted with the correct dimensions. The design preview must also be submitted as an RGB jpeg file.

Step Three

Log in to your account. Post your design. It will go into the queue for approval. Plagiarism, profanity, obscenities, etc. will not be approved. Please be creative and tasteful.

Step Four

Once your design is approved it will show up on the Let’s Vote page. You can vote for your design once and only once. After you have scored your design, check out all the other designs that people have made and leave your own score and comments. Feel free to promote your design on your own website, to your family an friends and co-workers, and all communities you participate in.

Who owns the rights to the Design if I win?

If your design is chosen, we own the exclusive right of use to print on textiles. We also have the right to the Design itself for use on the Code Creations website and on any Code Creations promotional materials.

If your design is chosen, you may not print that Design on textiles or submit it to another Design Challenge or Competition any where, any time.

Can I promote my Design?

Definitely! Promote as much as you can. You may display or archive your Design in a portfolio or personal collection and use it for your own promotional purposes (such as promoting your Design to others to attract them to Code Apparel)

The more promotion you do, the higher your chances of getting lots of votes and critiques and comments that might help you win the Design Challenge and earn prizes.

As a Designer, can I submit the same Design to another Design Competition website after submitting to Code Apparel?

You can only do this if your design does not win here. But you must wait at least sixty (60) days after your submission because we need that amount of time to determine whether or not your Design will be chosen for production for either our Design Challenge(s) or our Code Creations Collection.

If your Design does not win, or was not used for production, and you want to use it for commercial purposes, please notify us via e-mail so we can remove it from our archives.

Can I submit more than one Design to each Design Challenge?

Of course! You can submit as many Designs as you want. There is no limit as to how many Designs you can submit. In fact, the more designs you submit, the better.

Can I submit designs to all of the Code Apparel challenges?

Definitely! You can submit designs to the “Revolutionary Design Challenge” and the “Amber’s Theme” and the “Inspired Design Challenge” and the “K-9 Design Challenge” and any other challenges that might be going on at the same time. Cool with me! But all the Designs must be different from one another. Also, the same Design can NOT win more than one of our Design Challenges.

What kind of Designs is Code Creations looking for?

You have the freedom to design anything under the sun as long as it’s your original artwork and has never been published.

Hey, keep it PG 13, OK? We are not interested in Designs that contain profanity, trademarks, logos and copyrighted works or intellectual property of any 3rd parties. We’re also not interested in anything political, religious, sexual, violent or offensive in nature. If you knowingly submit anything that meets the above criteria your Design will be removed as soon as possible and your account may be cancelled. Please just exercise some common sense.

How will I know if my Design wins?

You will be notified via e-mail if we choose your design, so please provide us with your correct e-mail address.

Does my Design automatically go into Voting after I submit it?

No. The design is reviewed by our community and our Code Creations Team to make sure it meets our criteria. If it is accepted, your Design will be viewed in the “Let’s Vote” page. On the bases of some of the comments, Designs can still be rejected before going into the Voting stage. After all, someone might notice something we don’t; such as something offensive or plagiarized.

Don’t worry too much, though. If you get rejected you can always resubmit another Design as long as the voting process hasn’t started.

I’ve submitted a design but I’ve done a better version. Can I resubmit?

Yes, you can resubmit your design.

If I don’t win, is there any chance you might print my Design anyway?

We sometimes choose to print other Designs, too. We have two categories. One is called the “Code Creations Collection” and the other is “Amber’s Selection.”

ORDERING INFORMATION

How do I place my order online?

That is really simple. You just browse through the site until you see the Design you want to order. Hop on over to the GIFT SHOP page and find the Design you want. If available, choose the color and size and type of garment you want the Design on. You can continue shopping for other great items, too. Once you’re done shopping you can zoom over to check-out. Verify what you ordered, and the shipping info, and then complete the transaction.

How will I know you’ve received my order?

I’ll send you a confirmation e-mail acknowledging receipt of your purchase.

What is your cancellation policy?

We allow an order to be cancelled within 24 hours of your transaction being processed. 

Will the Designs / merchandise look the same as they do on your website?

The prints and the products will be identical to what you order. However, because we sometimes use an earth-friendly organic ink that is made-to-order for each print run, there might be slight variations in color tone. Same holds true for the color of the actual garment. But these slight variations, for the most part, are hardly noticeable — if at all — to an untrained eye. This, of course, adds to the uniqueness and Limited Edition aspect of every item you order.

Is your site secure?

Code Creations’ server will secure your personal information with up-to-date firewall and encryption techniques during the ordering process.

In order to protect customers to the fullest extent, we do not store your credit card information at any time.

Can I change the username on my Code Creations account?

You can’t change your username unless you cancel your current account and sign up for a new one. But remember — all statistics concerning your buying and voting history, etc. will be lost if you cancel your account, so think long and hard about it.

Do you charge extra for X-large?

Nope. Yes, it costs us more, but we just don’t think it’s right to charge more because of someone’s body size.

Do you charge more for girl / lady T-Shirts?

Nope! We do not charge more girl / lady T-Shirts. We try to treat everyone fairly, even if we have to absorb some costs ourselves. It just seems like the right thing to do.

Can I combine orders with items purchased from any other Code Creations websites?

Due to different warehouses and printers and prize programs, we are unable to combine orders at this time. Any order you place at other Code Creations websites will be sent separately, with their separate S&H charges.

SHIPPING INFORMATION

Is it going to take forever to get my stuff?

Woe! Nothing takes “forever.” However, because we are trying to keep Code Creations’ environmental footprint as small as possible, we have chosen to print to order instead of keeping a massive number of merchandise in inventory. As a result, my team takes all of the orders that come during the order period and print them once we tally the #s up. By doing a week’s worth of each design at a time, we can operate our printing plant efficiently; and that keeps our costs and our prices and environmental impact down. I am sure you can appreciate that.

Hey, that makes sense! But I really want my stuff quick.

Believe me; I want you to have your apparel as quick as you do. Kindly remember that our apparel is very high quality, will last a heck of a long time, and will always be a treasured Limited Edition piece of Wearable Art. We are 100% confident that you will agree that they are worth waiting and extra day or two for.

OK, I ordered. When do I get my stuff?

We ship all packages via U.S.P.S. with Delivery Confirmation. The estimated time for delivery is: U.S.A: 2-3 business days. International: 6-8 business days after it leaves the warehouse.

How about some speedy delivery?

Sorry, but we do not offer express or overnight shipping at this time. Simply put, it’s not earth-friendly

Can I track my order?

Our packages are shipped U.S.P.S. with delivery Confirmation. If you do not receive your merchandise within the expected time, please let us know and we’ll provide you with the Delivery Confirmation #.

What are your shipping and handling rates?

To keep things simple and fair to everyone we are keeping these prices at our actual costs (including the supplies and handling). Don’t forget that we absorb a lot of costs for the times you receive cool “mystery gifts” as part of your order. But we don’t mind. It is fun.

S&H is $5.00 for the first item and $2.00 for each additional item, no matter where you are in the U.S.A. International orders are $9.00 for the first item and $3.00 for each additional item.

These charges are subject to change at anytime at my discretion. After all, postal rates go up and that is beyond our control.

Note: Certain countries charge additional fees, such as custom fees and independent carrier fees. Please contact your local customs office or branch office of the U.S. postal service to find out what kind of fees you can expect before placing your order. We are required to put your full invoice amount on the “Customs Form” and on the packing slip within your package.

Can I designate my package as a gift?

Of course you may. Our apparel makes a great gift. Remember to click the “gift” check box during the check out process that way we won’t include an invoice and we’ll double check the address in case you are sending it somewhere besides your billing address.

If your package is going through customs you might want to check with them to find out what qualifies a package to be classified as a gift, and how it affects the charges you will incur locally such as taxes, duties, or other tariffs. Misuse of the “gift” designation may result in your package being delayed at customs, or even returned to us.

Can you gift wrap the gift?

Great question! I’m actually one of the best gift-wrappers you could ever meet. However, gift wrap is really not earth-friendly at all, so it makes sense to use re-usable bags made out of earth-friendly materials that can be used to wrap the gift and can also be “recycled” and used when the recipient goes shopping. JUST SAY NO to paper or plastic!

As part of our mission to make our customers happy and offer products that are earth-friendly, we sometimes offer Organic Cotton bags on this site, with or without original Limited Edition Designs. Feel free to order one or more of those and use them in place of gift wrap and everyone, and the planet, will benefit.

Do you ship to military addresses?

Of course! Please make sure you address your mail properly so it will be routed through the military mail system. Military addresses must show the grade, full name with middle name or initial, and PSC number, unit number, or ship name. Replace the city name with “APO ” or “FPO,” and the state with “AA,” “AE,” or “AP,” and use the military zip code. Regardless of the country you are stationed in, the country you should always select is United States. If you have any further questions, please send me an e-mail.

I have not received my order yet. What’s going on?

Well, you should consider the fact that orders can take several days after leaving our warehouse. There might be delays on the part of the U.S.P.S., especially if your order was processed during the holiday season.

International orders can take anywhere from 6 to 8 business days after leaving the U.S.A. If your international order has not arrived within this time frame, please send me an e-mail. Also, there is a chance your package is being held at the local customs office.

We are not responsible for lost or stolen packages but will make every effort to work with you to file the appropriate paperwork to help recover the package and/or help you get reimbursed for the item by the carrier(s).

RETURN / EXCHANGE POLICY

What is your Return/Refund Policy?

Due to the made-to-order, Limited Edition nature of our apparel, we do not accept returns and do not offer refunds. If, for some reason, you are unhappy with your item, please remember that it can be a great and generous gift to someone else.

Incidentally, I would appreciate it if you send me an e-mail and let me know why you were unhappy so I can take measures to improve your experience in the future.

What is your exchange policy?

If you received the wrong item or an item that is defective, then we will exchange the item for the one you originally ordered - if it is still available.

If the original item you ordered is no longer available, the item must be exchanged for any in-stock item only or we will offer you a store credit for the original amount of your order, minus the original S&H costs.

The returned item must be returned to us before your exchanged item is shipped out.

The returned item must be new, unworn and in the original condition. It must be in re-sellable condition. We simply can not accept back any item that has been washed or has a stain or cat or dog hair on it or smells like cigarettes, etc. Need I continue? If any item is sent back to us that is not in new condition we will offer to send the item back to you, but we will not pay the S&H costs.

All returns must be made within 30 days of your purchase.

The item I received was defective or incorrect. Do I have to pay to ship it back to you?

If you received the wrong item, or if the item is defective, we will reimburse you (via store credit) for the cost of shipping the item back to us. Please send the item back regular mail and include your postal receipt with the return.

We do not accept postage-free packages. We will not reimburse for express shipping.

Are you going to charge me for S&H when you send me my new item(s)?

No. We will pay the shipping and handling charges when we replace the faulty or incorrect items.

How do I return a defective or incorrect item?

We are sorry that this happened. Please do the following:

• E-mail me and tell me what’s wrong. Please describe in detail any problem with the garment.
• We will reply with a unique Return Authorization #.
• Let me know what size and garment you want in exchange. We can only offer you the same item if it is still in inventory.
• Return the merchandise via the same carrier that delivered the item to you. Please include any original paperwork that may have arrived with your item. If you do not have any paperwork, please include your name, e-mail address, order information and mailing address.
• E-mail me and let me know the carrier tracking number.

I sent back an item for an exchange, but I haven’t heard anything back.

Exchanges can take 1-3 weeks to be processed once we receive them. When your return is processed, we will send you a notification e-mail. Check your spam folder to make sure the notification didn’t get marked as spam.

Three weeks?

Sometimes we’re just busy running the show. I promise you’ll get your new item(s) ASAP.

GIFT CERTIFICATES

Do you offer Gift Certificates?

Yes, we do. In fact, Code Creations Gift Certificates are a perfect gift! PLEASE NOTE: Gift certificates are NOT sent in the mail.

How do I Purchase Gift Certificates?

Gift Certificates are available for purchase from the Gift Shop Page.

During the checkout, you will be asked to provide SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR COMMENTS ABOUT YOUR ORDER. Please let us know your e-mail address and the e-mail address of the recipient.

Once you place the order, you will receive an e-mail giving you the option to either print out the Gift Certificate and give it to the recipient or enter their e-mail address and have the gift certificate e-mailed to them. Do not enter the recipient’s e-mail address during checkout or they will receive your order confirmation!

If you choose to have the Gift Certificate sent to the recipient, he or she will receive an e-mail with the code and you will also receive a confirmation e-mail with the code. If you or the recipient do not receive the e-mail, please send me an e-mail me: and I’ll resend it.

How do I redeem a Gift certificate?

Gift Certificates work the same way as coupons. In step 1 of the Check Out process, the recipient may enter the unique Gift Certificate code in the coupon / gift certificate field. The code will be written on the certificate in the e-mail notification or on the printed gift certificate.

The coupon or Gift Certificate will be deducted off the total of the order.

How long are the Gift Certificates good for?

Gift Certificates are good for One (1) year from the original purchase date. After one (1) year the Gift Certificate will be removed from the system and there will be no refund.

Are the Gift Certificates refundable?

No. Gift Certificates are non-refundable.

I have a Discount Coupon Code. How can I use it?

In order to use your Discount Coupon Code you need to add at least one product to the cart. In the first step of the checkout process enter the Discount Coupon Code in the appropriate place and click “apply.”

Discount Coupon Codes must be used within the specified time-frame only. Once they are used, they can not be used by you or anyone else, unless otherwise specified.

OUT OF STOCK

Why are you out of stock of an item?

Even though I sometimes keep a limited quantity of apparel in inventory, for the most part my team prints all apparel to order. Remember, we all want these Designs to be Limited Editions, and we (purposely) have limited storage space. Second, our focus is on introducing new apparel into our stock rather than restocking old Designs. Third, I am serious when I tell everyone that we are trying to keep Code Creations’ environmental footprint as small as possible.

Is it possible to buy an out of stock item?

Yes. If you would like to buy an item, but your size is all out of stock, please request a reprint. If we get enough requests, we’ll reprint the item and notify our friends and audience. Make sure you are signed up for the Code Creations news letter so I can notify you if and when that great event happens.

How does a reprint request work?

Reprint requests don’t happen on an individual basis, unless you plan on ordering the item in a large quantity (at least 500).

COMMUNITY STUFF

What do I need to know about submitting photos?

You should take a photo of yourself — or someone you know — wearing a Code Creations item and submit it to us right away so it can be posted.

Please make sure your photo is PG13, to ensure that it gets posted.

If your photo is really incredibly, we may send you a free T-Shirt and other awesome prizes throughout the year!

VOTING

Who can vote in the Design challenges?

You must be a current newsletter subscriber to participate in the Voting process. Unsubscribing from the newsletter will automatically remove any current Votes you have in the system.

How do I Vote on Designs?

To score Designs, you simply need to join the Code Creations community, navigate to the LET’S VOTE page and start making comments and voting. The system will keep track of which designs you have scored so when you come back you will be all ready to score new designs. There may or may not be an I’D BUY IT BOX. If so, this will be one of many ways we gauge the response to the Designs. Don’t worry. I’m not going to force you to purchase it if it wins. But, hey, it would be cool if you kept your word.

Can I see how my Design is doing during the Voting?

Nope.

Can I create multiple accounts and Vote on my Design 3.1415 times?

We at Code Creations do not tolerate any form of cheating. If we find out that you are doing this then your design will be removed from the Design Challenge. Remember, no one should win an empty victory. I mean, if you encourage everyone in your family to vote for your Design and we print it, and no one buys a single item with your Design on it, then what do you really win? That is why we have other criteria and factors to consider before choosing what Design(s) will be printed and why we pay Designers a commission off of sales instead of offering cash prizes up-font. Let’s work as a team and do things right; OK?

Do I have to Vote on all Designs at once?

No, you can Vote on the Designs over time. When you log in, the system remembers what you have Voted on already.

How many times can I Vote on any Design, including my own?

Once.

Can I use someone else’s work and submit it for Voting?

Code Creations does not tolerate plagiarism. If you use some body’s work and we print them, Code Creations will not be liable for copyright infringement.

If you feel that someone has submitted any creative work, which belongs to you or someone else, please send me an e-mail. Please do not post your concerns in the forum.

Who sets the price of the merchandise?

The owners of Code Creations determine the Retail prices of all merchandise.

M.I.S.C. STUFF

Is there a Code Creations store?

Not yet, but someday soon there just might be a Code Creations store near you, offering Limited Edition designs on awesome designs from all of our different lines, and more!

I would like to buy Code Creations for my on-line site/retail store. Can you give me more information about wholesale buying?

Please send me an e-mail. Put WHOLESALE BUYING in the subject line.

How do I become a Code Apparel vendor?

Please send me an e-mail. Put VENDOR in the subject line.

I own/represent a really cool company with products Code Creations would love. I’d like to give them away as “mystery gifts” and prizes. Who do I talk to about that?

Please send me an e-mail. Put PRIZE VENDOR in the subject line.

I own/represent a really cool company and would like to sponsor an, “Inspired Design Challenge.” Who do I talk to about that?

Please send me an e-mail. Put SPONSOR INFO in the subject line.

I am in an awesome band and I’d like to either sponsor a design challenge or give away CDs or both. Who do I talk to about that?

Please send me an e-mail. Put I’M IN A BAND in the subject line.

Do you donate any money or shirts to non-profit organizations?

At the end of each year, I donate money and merchandise to local, national and international animal welfare, rescue, adoption, rights and protection organizations. These can range from well-known organizations such as the A.S.P.C.A. all the way down to local animal rescue groups in various cities throughout the U.S.A.

I am interested strictly in no-kill organizations that support wildlife, domestic companion animals, and farm animals, oppose animal experimentation and testing; as well as organizations that protect aquatic life, the rain forest and its inhabitants. I am also interested in supporting organizations that are focused on nature conservation.

Feel free to submit your own wish list of organizations you are familiar with and explain why you feel they deserve a financial contribution.

I still have a question that hasn’t been answered on this page, what do I do?

Wow, really? I thought I covered everything. OK, then. Send me an e-mail. You probably have it memorized by now anyway. Amber@Code-Apparel.com

So, there you have it! All of the FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS and all of my FREQUENT ANSWERS.

Wear different!

Amber

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