DSF

We print just about everything and have in the past!

I draw the line at illegal images and those which are very much on the wrong side of decency, I am pretty well versed in the ways of the world and have seen and heard most offensive things in my time so if it offends me then its got to be really bad.

We have reported a customer on 2 occasions for child porn, really wasnt pleasant, but the biggest surprise was his return the following year with similar images despite the police involvement.

Luckily I do not have to deal direct with customers otherwise I think I would struggle on this subject. If I were to deal direct then I think I would say to myself, if it is not illegal then I would be happy to do it. The problem is that many organisations (such as the EDL) sit just inside the law and I would not feel comfortable printing their merchandise. Having said that, freedom of expression and the right to free speech is something I am very proud of in this country. I do not agree with many organisations yet I respect their right to free speech and their right to raise funds through merchandise. So, if we took the EDL as an example I think I would print it, but I would certainly make my feelings known on the subject which would open up a whole new ball game.

I suppose it depends on which way you view it. If you look at it as though you are supporting their cause then you are entitled to say yes or no. Another way is to say, everyone is entitled to freedom of speech in this country and by agreeing to print you are defending that right (regardless of the theme).

Having said all that I recently turned down a job for a major music artist. They wanted print on some very skimpy hot pants (I have hankies that are bigger than these things!!!). The target demographic of this particular artist is 14 year old females. I questioned the choice of clothing for the demographic. Fortunately they agreed and we went for something else. Printing the job would not have been illegal but I still turned it down and worked with them to find something more suitable, so I have just done what I said above I would not do!!!!

Thanks for all the comments.
I started this thread because i wanted to try to establish a 'rule' - so that me and my team could be consistent, and have a solid argument for what we would or wouldn't do.
There are extremes in all walks of life! If we get a hen do job in, - and they ask about printing cheeky nick names on the backs, - I often hide a silent smirk.....yet on the vast majority of occasions the nature of the nic names is very mild, - but on the odd occasion, they can be...... Oh! so crude
I am sure we have all come across some of these!
As an aside, - the initial 'Hen do' inquire sometimes comes from a work email, - and I point out that the actual order should maybe not come from the work email just in case the company has a policy on 'anything that might bring the company into disrepute' - if the list of cheeky names is attached!
SO - as you can see, I am open minded, and yet sensitive....
Back in the days of running photo-labs, we printed anything that was not governed by the obscene publications act. WE were happy to print drug parties, and even advertised specifically when Boots or similar were reported in the press for 'busting' some students who had a suspicious looking cigarette!
T-shirts are the same but different.
With photos, you only facilitate someone else's creativity, but with a T there is an additional component put in by the T printer; we are sort of co-creators, and hence my feeling of responsibility.
The extreme left have recently bullied many pro-Thatcher supporters on FB/Twitter etc, and no-one wants bad publicity from anyone, let alone a vocal extreme group of any persuasion. ( I am Thatcher neutral btw)
T's have historically been used for statements, and the recent (commercial) trend of the "Slogo" (statement logo) t-shirt have renewed the medium to all our favour.
Anyhow.
Back to the original post.
can anyone suggest a 'rule' that I (or anyone) can apply to govern what we might print. This is a ethic/moral question here, one that applies when the boss is on holiday, and is solid enough to be used to both say 'No' and be fare, or as justification for a 'Yes' to a crowd that might not be happy with your printing decision.
It is complicated!
I don't like the 'they paid so .....'
Or 'It is none of my business so ....'
keep it coming!
Phil

dont see how anyone can come up with a rule for you as the replies on here show we all have varying views . i think its something you need to decide for yourself reallY

This thread reminded me of a mug we had in the house many years ago, where the end line of the verse on it was "There's nothing bad that I would do -- except perhaps for money.. :biggrin: