Dear Sellers:

We love all of the custom items available on Etsy, and we hope that the return of Alchemy will make it easier for buyers to request custom pieces and for sellers to list them.  However, there are some things to keep in mind when making and listing custom and personalized items.

With such amazing artists and designers here, there's a great opportunity for buyers to request handmade creations like custom designed invitations and promotional materials.  Typically, sellers post the images of the custom item for the buyer to see before they checkout.

This is where sellers need to take an extra step to ensure the privacy of their buyers.  If you (the seller) have created an item for a buyer that includes sensitive information such as an address, phone number, or personal email address, please make sure the images do not show the buyer's information! 

Sold listings cannot be edited, so the best thing to do is first send the images to the buyer for approval (through convo or email) instead of using them as one of the images in the listing.   Then, when you're ready to post the listing, either upload a generic image, or take a photo that doesn't show the private details (take the photo at a further distance so you can't read the text or blur out the info in Photoshop).

Here's how you attach an image to a convo:

This will protect your buyers and prevent you from having to email support to remove the image.  It's the whole "ounce of prevention vs. a pound of cure" theory.

Have fun making your custom items!