Effective Date: 12 August 2025
ART IS LIT — MARKETPLACE TERMS & CONDITIONS
Last Updated: 6 October 2026
1. About These Terms
Welcome to Art is Lit.
These Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) govern access to and use of the Art is Lit website, marketplace, services and associated features (together, the “Platform”).
Art is Lit is an online marketplace connecting independent Artists, makers, designers, photographers, galleries and other approved creative businesses with Buyers seeking original, handmade, limited-edition, personalised, commissioned, digital and other creative works.
These Terms form a legally binding agreement between Art is Lit Ltd (“Art is Lit”, “we”, “us” or “our”) and anyone who accesses or uses the Platform.
By using the Platform, creating an Account, purchasing Artwork, opening an Artist Shop, listing Artwork, communicating through the Platform or otherwise using our Services, you agree to these Terms and our applicable policies, including our:
- Artist Agreement;
- Returns & Refunds Policy;
- Shipping Policy;
- Privacy Policy;
- Cookie Policy;
- Acceptable Use Policy;
- Copyright & Intellectual Property Policy; and
- other policies or guidelines published by Art is Lit from time to time.
If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not use the Platform.
Nothing in these Terms excludes or restricts statutory rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.
2. Who We Are
Business Name: Art is Lit Ltd
Trading Name: Art is Lit
Registered in: England and Wales
Company Number: [INSERT COMPANY NUMBER]
Registered Office: [INSERT REGISTERED OFFICE ADDRESS]
Website: www.artislit.com
Customer Support: support@artislit.com
Administrative & Legal Enquiries: ail.admin@artislit.com
Art is Lit provides the technology and marketplace services that allow independent Artists and Buyers to connect and transact.
Unless expressly stated otherwise, Artwork listed by an independent Artist is sold by that Artist rather than by Art is Lit.
3. Definitions
For these Terms:
Account means a registered User account.
Artist means an approved individual, artist, maker, photographer, designer, gallery, collective, creative business or other entity permitted to list and sell Artwork through the Platform.
Artist Agreement means the separate agreement governing an Artist’s participation in the Art is Lit marketplace.
Artist Shop means the Artist’s selling area/profile on the Platform.
Artwork includes physical or digital original, handmade, limited-edition, open-edition, personalised, commissioned or other creative work offered through Art is Lit.
Buyer means an individual or organisation purchasing or attempting to purchase Artwork.
Buyer Inspection Period means the 48-hour marketplace inspection/reporting period for physical Artwork beginning when the courier or delivery provider records the order as delivered.
Commission means the marketplace commission payable to Art is Lit.
Digital Artwork means Artwork or creative content supplied electronically rather than physically delivered.
Dispute means a disagreement concerning an order, payment, delivery, refund, return, chargeback, listing, intellectual property or another Platform matter.
Listing means information, photographs, descriptions and other Content used to offer Artwork for sale.
Order means a purchase made through the Platform.
Platform means the Art is Lit website and associated marketplace services and functionality.
Payout Reserve Period means the standard 12-day period beginning from the date of successful Buyer payment, during which the Artist’s earnings are normally reserved before becoming eligible for payout.
User means anyone accessing or using the Platform.
4. The Art is Lit Marketplace
Art is Lit operates a marketplace connecting Buyers with independent Artists.
We may provide services including:
- marketplace technology;
- Artist Shops;
- payment facilitation;
- order management;
- communication tools;
- customer support;
- identity and payment verification;
- dispute assistance;
- marketplace security;
- promotional features; and
- other services introduced from time to time.
Unless expressly stated otherwise, the sales contract for Artwork is between the Buyer and the Artist.
Art is Lit is not normally the creator, manufacturer, owner or physical supplier of Artwork offered by independent Artists.
Artists remain responsible for their Listings, Artwork, fulfilment and legal obligations.
Art is Lit does not guarantee that an Artist will make sales or that particular Artwork will remain available.
5. Eligibility
Users must have the legal capacity to enter into relevant transactions.
An Account holder entering into contracts through the Platform must normally be at least 18 years old or otherwise legally capable of entering the relevant agreement under applicable law.
Users must not use Art is Lit:
- fraudulently;
- unlawfully;
- to evade sanctions or restrictions;
- to impersonate another person;
- to infringe another person’s rights; or
- in any way that exposes the Platform or its Users to unreasonable legal or security risk.
6. Accounts
Users must provide accurate information and keep it reasonably up to date.
You are responsible for keeping your login credentials secure.
You must notify Art is Lit promptly if you believe your Account has been compromised.
Where available, Users may register or sign in using third-party authentication services such as Google or Facebook.
Art is Lit may require additional verification even where social login has been used.
We may suspend or restrict Accounts where reasonably necessary for security, fraud prevention, legal compliance or enforcement of these Terms.
Closing an Account does not cancel existing obligations relating to orders, payments, refunds, disputes, chargebacks or other matters that remain outstanding.
7. Buyer Accounts
Buyers must:
- provide accurate contact and delivery information;
- use authorised payment methods;
- review Listings before purchasing;
- communicate respectfully;
- monitor delivery where tracking is available;
- inspect physical Artwork promptly following delivery;
- report genuine concerns promptly; and
- cooperate reasonably with investigations.
Buyers must not misuse the refund, dispute, review or chargeback systems.
8. Artist Accounts
Artists must be approved by Art is Lit before selling.
Artists may be required to complete:
- identity verification;
- address verification;
- business verification where applicable;
- payment account verification;
- bank verification; and
- other reasonable compliance checks.
Approval to sell is not permanent or unconditional.
Artists must continue to comply with these Terms, the Artist Agreement and applicable policies.
Art is Lit may suspend or remove Artist selling privileges where there is a serious or repeated policy breach, fraud, unlawful conduct, intellectual-property infringement, failure to complete required verification or another legitimate marketplace risk.
9. Identity and Payment Verification
Art is Lit and/or its authorised payment or verification providers may require information necessary to verify Users and process transactions.
Information may include identification, address, bank, business, tax or payment information where appropriate.
Failure to complete required verification may prevent an Artist from receiving payouts or accessing particular Platform features.
Personal information will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable data-protection law.
10. Artwork Listings
Artists are responsible for ensuring Listings are accurate, lawful and not misleading.
Where applicable, Listings should clearly explain:
- what is being sold;
- dimensions;
- materials;
- medium;
- condition;
- whether it is original or reproduced;
- edition information;
- whether it is physical or digital;
- framing;
- relevant variations;
- production/processing time;
- delivery information;
- whether it is personalised or commissioned; and
- any material information a Buyer reasonably needs before purchasing.
Photographs should represent the Artwork as accurately as reasonably possible.
Artists must have the legal right to sell the Artwork they list.
Art is Lit may review, suspend or remove Listings that breach marketplace requirements.
11. Pricing, Commission and Fees
Artists set their own Artwork prices, subject to these Terms and applicable law.
11.1 Standard Marketplace Commission
Art is Lit currently charges a standard 15% marketplace Commission on the Artwork/Product selling price, unless another rate has been expressly agreed.
The Commission is normally deducted in connection with the transaction before calculating the Artist’s earnings.
11.2 Artist Delivery Charges
Where an Artist separately charges the Buyer for delivery:
the separately stated Artist delivery charge belongs to the Artist.
Art is Lit does not currently apply its standard 15% marketplace Commission to that separately stated Artist delivery charge.
The Artist is responsible for using the delivery amount as appropriate to arrange and pay for fulfilment.
11.3 Ordinary Payment-Processing Costs
Under Art is Lit’s current marketplace model, Art is Lit bears the ordinary Buyer payment-processing costs associated with a successfully processed transaction.
Those ordinary payment-processing costs are not currently separately deducted from the Artist’s calculated earnings.
This does not mean Art is Lit is responsible for every cost arising from chargebacks, disputes, Artist errors, refunds or other exceptional circumstances.
11.4 Future Changes
Art is Lit may change Commission rates or introduce new fees in the future.
Where a material change affects Artists, reasonable advance notice will be provided where appropriate and required.
12. Payments and the 12-Day Artist Payout Reserve
This section is particularly important.
12.1 Buyer Payments
Buyer payments are processed using payment providers supported by Art is Lit.
The Buyer authorises payment of:
- the Artwork price;
- applicable delivery charges;
- applicable taxes collected at checkout; and
- any other amount clearly disclosed before payment.
12.2 12-Day Artist Payout Reserve Period
When the Buyer’s payment is successfully processed, the Artist’s calculated earnings are normally subject to a:
12-day Artist Payout Reserve Period.
The 12-day period begins from the date of the successful Buyer payment, not from the date of delivery.
The purpose of the reserve is to provide a reasonable period in which Art is Lit can respond to matters including:
- cancellations;
- refunds;
- payment failures;
- suspected fraud;
- chargebacks;
- disputes;
- verification issues;
- security concerns; and
- other legitimate payment or marketplace issues.
12.3 What Happens After 12 Days?
Provided there is no unresolved issue requiring continued restriction, Artist earnings will normally become eligible for payout after completion of the 12-day reserve period.
Becoming eligible for payout does not mean the Artist is guaranteed to receive money in their bank account exactly on day 12.
Actual arrival can be affected by:
- payment-provider processing;
- the Artist’s payout schedule;
- banking processing times;
- weekends and bank holidays;
- verification;
- payment reviews;
- active disputes or chargebacks;
- fraud/security checks; or
- other legitimate restrictions.
12.4 Extended Holds
Art is Lit may continue to restrict or delay payout beyond the standard 12 days where reasonably necessary, including where an order is subject to an unresolved refund, dispute, chargeback, fraud investigation, payment review, verification issue or legal requirement.
Where appropriate and legally permitted, affected Artists will be informed.
13. The 48-Hour Buyer Inspection Period
The 48-hour Buyer Inspection Period is separate from the 12-day Artist Payout Reserve Period.
For physical Artwork sent using a courier/delivery provider:
the 48-hour Buyer Inspection Period begins when the courier or delivery provider records the order as delivered.
It does not begin when the Artist manually marks the order as Delivered.
During the 48 hours, Buyers should inspect the Artwork promptly for issues including:
- transit damage;
- incorrect Artwork;
- missing components;
- significant differences from the Listing; or
- other obvious qualifying problems.
Buyers should retain packaging and provide photographs or other evidence where reasonably appropriate.
13.1 Marketplace Process, Not a Statutory Cut-Off
The 48-hour period is an Art is Lit inspection and reporting process.
It does not remove, reduce or replace statutory consumer rights.
A Buyer may therefore still have legal rights after the 48-hour period has expired.
13.2 Relationship With the 12-Day Reserve
The two periods serve different purposes:
12 days: Artist payout reserve, beginning when the Buyer successfully pays.
48 hours: Buyer inspection/reporting period, beginning when the courier confirms physical delivery.
The expiry of one period does not automatically determine the expiry of the other.
14. Orders and Contract Formation
When a Buyer places an Order, they confirm their intention to purchase the Artwork at the displayed price and applicable delivery charge.
The Buyer will normally receive an Order acknowledgement.
Unless expressly stated otherwise, the sales contract is between the Buyer and Artist.
An Order may be cancelled or refused where, for example:
- payment fails;
- Artwork is unavailable;
- an obvious pricing error occurs;
- fraud is reasonably suspected;
- the Artist cannot fulfil the Order;
- the transaction is unlawful; or
- another legitimate reason prevents completion.
Any refund due will normally be returned using the original payment method.
15. Shipping and Delivery
Artists are responsible for arranging fulfilment of their physical Artwork unless otherwise expressly stated.
Artists are responsible for:
- appropriate packaging;
- dispatch;
- selecting an appropriate courier;
- paying their courier;
- proof of postage;
- tracking where available or required;
- entering appropriate tracking information; and
- keeping shipment information reasonably accurate.
Shipment status may require manual updating by the Artist.
An Artist manually marking an Order Delivered does not override the courier’s actual delivery records.
For the 48-hour Buyer Inspection Period, courier-confirmed delivery is normally the primary reference for determining delivery time.
Full requirements are contained in the Art is Lit Shipping Policy.
16. Original, Handmade and Limited-Edition Artwork
Artists must accurately describe the nature of their Artwork.
Where an item is described as original, handmade or limited edition, the Artist must not knowingly misrepresent its origin or authenticity.
Natural variations in handmade Artwork — including variations in texture, colour, glazing, stitching, brushwork, grain or finish — may be characteristics of handmade production rather than defects, provided the Listing accurately represents the Artwork.
Limited editions should clearly state relevant edition information where applicable.
Certificates of Authenticity must be accurate where supplied.
17. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Art is Lit permits appropriate AI-assisted or AI-generated Artwork subject to transparency, legality and marketplace requirements.
Where AI has played a material role in the creation of Artwork, the Artist must disclose this appropriately in the Listing.
Artists remain responsible for ensuring that:
- they have the necessary rights to sell the Artwork;
- the Listing is accurate;
- the Artwork does not unlawfully infringe another person’s rights;
- AI is not used deceptively to misrepresent authorship or origin; and
- the Artwork complies with Art is Lit policies and applicable law.
Art is Lit may request clarification concerning the creative process or remove misleading/non-compliant Listings.
The previous Terms already included substantial AI disclosure and intellectual-property protections; these principles are retained while updating “Seller” to “Artist.” Pasted text
18. Digital Artwork and Downloads
Digital Artwork is supplied electronically and is not physically shipped.
Listings should clearly explain:
- what the Buyer receives;
- file type where relevant;
- permitted use;
- licence restrictions where applicable; and
- other material information.
Where applicable law permits a statutory cancellation right to be lost once digital content begins to be supplied, this will only apply where the necessary legal requirements — including any required express consent and acknowledgement — have been satisfied.
Nothing in these Terms removes mandatory rights relating to digital content that is faulty, materially misdescribed or otherwise fails to meet applicable legal requirements.
The physical Artwork 48-hour Buyer Inspection Period does not apply to digital downloads in the same way as courier-delivered physical Artwork.
19. Cancellations, Returns and Refunds
Returns, cancellations and refunds are governed principally by the Art is Lit Returns & Refunds Policy and applicable law.
Buyers should contact the Artist promptly where they wish to cancel before dispatch.
Where a full refund is legally due, Art is Lit’s own payment-processing costs will not be deducted from the amount legally due to the Buyer.
Different rules may apply to:
- personalised Artwork;
- commissioned Artwork;
- bespoke Artwork; and
- digital content.
20. Refunds and Artist Earnings
If an Order is refunded before Artist earnings are paid out, the Artist will not be entitled to retain earnings relating to the refunded amount.
If an Artist has already received a payout and a later refund occurs, Art is Lit may recover an Artist-responsible amount where permitted under the Artist Agreement and applicable law.
Recovery may include:
- offsetting the amount against future Artist payouts;
- deducting it from amounts otherwise payable to the Artist; or
- requesting repayment where appropriate.
The Artist is not automatically responsible for every refund.
Responsibility will depend on the reason and circumstances.
Art is Lit normally bears its own ordinary payment-processing costs under the current marketplace model. That does not prevent Art is Lit from recovering other legitimate Artist-responsible amounts.
21. Chargebacks and Payment Disputes
A Buyer may have rights to dispute payments through their bank or payment provider.
Where a chargeback or payment dispute occurs, Art is Lit may:
- provide transaction evidence;
- request information from the Buyer or Artist;
- temporarily restrict related payouts;
- investigate the transaction;
- cooperate with the payment provider; and
- recover Artist-responsible amounts where permitted.
Users must cooperate reasonably with genuine payment investigations.
Fraudulent chargebacks or deliberately false claims may constitute a breach of these Terms.
22. Reviews and Communications
Reviews must reflect genuine experiences and must not contain unlawful, threatening, discriminatory, defamatory or deliberately misleading material.
Users must communicate respectfully.
Where available, Buyers and Artists are encouraged to communicate through Art is Lit so relevant transaction records can be considered if a dispute later occurs.
23. Intellectual Property
Artists retain ownership of their intellectual property except where rights are transferred separately.
By uploading Content to Art is Lit, Artists grant Art is Lit a non-exclusive licence to use, display, reproduce and promote that Content as reasonably necessary to:
- operate the Platform;
- display Listings and Artist Shops;
- promote Artists and Artwork;
- market Art is Lit; and
- provide marketplace services.
Artists must not upload or sell Content they do not have the right to use.
Art is Lit may remove Content reasonably believed to infringe intellectual-property rights.
24. Prohibited Conduct and Content
Users must not use Art is Lit to:
- commit fraud;
- sell unlawful or prohibited items;
- infringe intellectual-property rights;
- impersonate another person;
- manipulate reviews;
- circumvent Platform fees;
- abuse refunds or chargebacks;
- distribute malicious software;
- unlawfully collect personal information;
- harass other Users;
- publish unlawful discriminatory or hateful material; or
- interfere with Platform security or operation.
Art is Lit may investigate suspected breaches and take proportionate action.
25. Suspension and Termination
Art is Lit may suspend, restrict or terminate Accounts where reasonably necessary because of:
- serious or repeated policy breaches;
- fraud;
- unlawful conduct;
- intellectual-property infringement;
- security concerns;
- unpaid amounts;
- abuse of Buyers or Artists;
- failed verification;
- payment-provider requirements; or
- legal/regulatory requirements.
Where appropriate and legally permitted, Art is Lit will explain significant enforcement decisions.
Termination does not extinguish existing payment, refund, dispute or legal obligations.
26. Art is Lit’s Responsibility and Limitation of Liability
Art is Lit will exercise reasonable care in providing its marketplace services.
However, because independent Artists create, list and fulfil their own Artwork, Art is Lit cannot guarantee every Listing, Artist statement, delivery or transaction.
Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability where doing so would be unlawful, including liability for:
- death or personal injury caused by negligence;
- fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation;
- statutory rights that cannot legally be excluded; or
- other liability that cannot lawfully be limited.
Nothing in these Terms removes mandatory consumer protections.
Your previous Terms already expressly preserve non-excludable liability and Consumer Rights Act protections, and those protections remain part of this replacement. Pasted text
27. User Responsibility and Indemnity
Users are responsible for their own conduct, Listings, Content and transactions.
To the extent permitted by law, a User may be responsible for reasonable losses suffered by Art is Lit that arise directly from that User’s:
- breach of these Terms;
- unlawful or fraudulent conduct;
- intellectual-property infringement;
- materially inaccurate or unlawful Listing;
- misuse of the Platform; or
- other breach of their legal or contractual obligations.
Artists may additionally be responsible for losses arising from matters for which they are responsible under the Artist Agreement, including misdescribed Artwork, infringement, unlawful Artwork or failure to fulfil Orders appropriately.
Nothing in this section makes a User responsible for losses caused solely by Art is Lit’s own negligence, fraud or legal breach.
28. Privacy and Data Protection
Art is Lit processes personal information in accordance with its Privacy Policy and applicable data-protection legislation.
Users must not misuse another User’s personal information.
Artists who receive Buyer information for fulfilment purposes must use it only for legitimate transaction, legal or related purposes and must protect it appropriately.
29. Taxes
Artists remain responsible for determining and meeting their own applicable tax obligations.
Art is Lit may collect, report, withhold or remit tax-related information or amounts where required by law.
International transactions may also involve import taxes, duties or other charges as described in the Shipping Policy.
30. International Use
Art is Lit may facilitate international transactions where supported.
Users are responsible for complying with laws applicable to them.
Art is Lit may restrict transactions, Accounts or territories where necessary because of:
- sanctions;
- export restrictions;
- payment-provider limitations;
- regulatory requirements;
- security concerns; or
- operational limitations.
31. Platform Availability
We aim to keep Art is Lit available and functioning reliably, but continuous uninterrupted availability cannot be guaranteed.
Maintenance, security incidents, technical failures, third-party service interruptions or events beyond our reasonable control may temporarily affect availability.
Art is Lit may modify or discontinue Platform features where reasonably necessary.
32. Third-Party Services
Art is Lit relies on third parties for certain services, which may include:
- payment processing;
- identity verification;
- hosting;
- authentication;
- courier services; and
- other technical or operational services.
Use of some services may also be subject to third-party terms.
Art is Lit is not responsible for failures caused solely by independent third parties where responsibility cannot reasonably or legally be attributed to Art is Lit.
33. Disputes Between Buyers and Artists
Buyers and Artists should first attempt to resolve genuine transaction concerns reasonably through the Platform where possible.
Art is Lit may assist by:
- reviewing communications;
- requesting photographs or evidence;
- considering courier records;
- reviewing Listings;
- considering payment information; and
- applying relevant marketplace policies.
Art is Lit may take reasonable action regarding payments or Accounts while a dispute is investigated.
Art is Lit’s marketplace dispute process does not remove any legal rights a User may have.
34. Changes to These Terms
Art is Lit may update these Terms to reflect:
- legal changes;
- new Platform features;
- payment changes;
- security requirements;
- operational improvements; or
- changes to marketplace practices.
The updated version will display its effective or “Last Updated” date.
Where material changes significantly affect Users’ rights or obligations, reasonable notice will be provided where appropriate and required by law.
35. General Provisions
If part of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue to apply to the extent permitted by law.
Failure by Art is Lit to immediately enforce a provision does not automatically waive our right to enforce it later.
Users may not transfer their rights or obligations under these Terms where doing so would be unlawful or materially affect Art is Lit without appropriate consent.
Electronic acceptance and communications may satisfy writing requirements where legally permitted.
The English version of these Terms will prevail where translations are provided for convenience, except where applicable law requires otherwise.
Provisions intended to continue after Account closure — including provisions concerning payments, refunds, intellectual property, disputes and liability — will survive where appropriate.
36. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms and related non-contractual matters are governed by the laws of England and Wales, subject to mandatory rights that may apply to consumers in other jurisdictions.
Nothing in this section deprives a consumer of protections or rights to bring proceedings that cannot lawfully be excluded under the laws applicable to them.
37. Contact Art is Lit
For customer and marketplace assistance:
Art is Lit Support
support@artislit.com
For administrative or legal enquiries:
Art is Lit — Legal & Administrative Team
ail.admin@artislit.com
Art is Lit Ltd
Registered in England and Wales
Our Marketplace Commitment
Art is Lit exists to connect people who create with people who value creativity.
We want Artists to understand how their money is handled, Buyers to understand how their purchases are protected, and both sides to know what is expected of them.
For clarity, two important Art is Lit protections operate independently:
12-Day Artist Payout Reserve
Begins when the Buyer successfully pays.
48-Hour Buyer Inspection Period
Begins when the courier confirms delivery of physical Artwork.
The 12-day reserve helps Art is Lit manage payment and transaction risks before Artist earnings become eligible for payout.
The 48-hour inspection period encourages Buyers to identify and report delivery-related problems promptly.
Neither process removes statutory consumer rights.
By combining clear Listings, responsible Artists, informed Buyers and transparent marketplace processes, Art is Lit aims to create a fair, trusted and inspiring place to discover and sell creative work.