[Disclaimer: I have zero first-hand information to provide and minimal second-hand information to form a proper opinion... So I'm totally guessing at circumstances surrounding this.]

Update: I just got an email from one of my peers who does have first-hand information. As soon as I get notified that they have a statement or comment on their blog I’ll post the link here. At that point – I’ll defer the topic to them.

FINAL UPDATE: As promised, here’s a link to Nitsupak’s blog regarding the issue. Since this artist is directly involved in the matter (and clearly affected by it) I will let them describe, define, and update on the subject, as they see fit.

My original post, prior to updates above:

I’ve had only two conversations now (hardly makes for a comprehensive review of the topic, I agree) but here’s what came from them.

The first person gave the impression Zazzle was trying to encourage more “adult” level designs by wanting PG-13 or stronger material.
The second person gave the opposite impression that the contact was to encourage friendlier, milder material… mostly G-Rated.

Truth be told – I am having a hard time not seeing this as anything other than a non-issue. I don’t work for Zazzle. It’s not my company. It’s not my place to tell them what to do. I’m not saying that others might not have an interest in the issue (if there is one) either way, but I don’t.

There’s a benefit to a company desiring to promote family-friendly products on their publicly viewable marketplace (or wherever). However, there’s certainly nothing wrong with a company deciding they want to appeal to a demographic that appreciates adult humor or themes.

From my perspective (again, having very little to go on) I’d say it’s a good thing when a company decides to delineate, one way or the other, how they want to present themselves to customers when it comes to the subject of family-friendly versus mature products.

So (and I’m making a guess here), Zazzle may (may) simply be fine-tuning their publicly viewable presentation (what shoppers might see who are not logged-in). Zazzle, from what I’ve ever seen, doesn’t lean strongly either way. They’re not the Disney Store but they’re also not TShirtHell.

In the end I haven’t seen anything to indicate this has a strong impact either way for the average Zazzle shopkeeper.

It would appear that, unless someone demonstrates otherwise, the Z is just working on their shopper-experience like any company would.