Tips for Customizing Lighters

Creating Your Design

Follow these best practices to create a design that looks its best when printed.

• Use your own photos or artwork whenever possible.
• Upload images in .jpg, .gif, .png format that are under 10MB, or choose artwork from the Zippo Image Library.
• Use the whole surface area. You have the full face of the lighter to use, so be creative! Extend your photo or image to fill the whole space or leave room for text.
• Combine photos, text, and shapes to create a unique design.
• Remember that you can put text directly over an image or shape. Have fun with the design!
• Don't forget that the lighter opens. Images look great when they cover the entire surface, but pay attention to the placement. On the preview image, there is a hinge and marks to signal where the lighter will open. Be sure that you like the placement before you complete your order, because we cannot manipulate the image position once we receive your order.
• Keep in mind the size of the lighter. If your text is too small, it may be very hard to read. If you're having trouble reading it in the "preview", you should consider revising your design.

Review your finished product. Be sure to make any design changes before you place your order. We are unable to alter your image in anyway once we receive your order. Once the order is placed, the order cannot be cancelled, and customized lighters are not eligible for return or refund.

Engraving Tips

Create an engraving that is clear, meaningful, and easy to read.

• Choose the right message. There is limited space for each surface of the product, the more letters and words you use, the smaller the engraving will appear.
• Use all of the engravable space. You have up to four areas that can be engraved. You can engrave the lid and case, both front and back, of most lighters. However, some lighters have special engraving areas.
• Don't forget the guidelines. Profanity, offensive remarks, or references to drugs, violence, or anything else in poor taste will not be accepted.

Review your finished product. Be sure to make any design changes before you place your order. We are unable to alter your image in anyway once we receive your order. Once the order is placed, the order cannot be cancelled, and customized lighters are not eligible for return or refund.

Designs That Cannot Be Approved

To protect intellectual property rights and comply with our customization guidelines, the following content cannot be accepted.

Copyrighted & Protected Content

You may not use images, artwork, slogans, or words that infringe upon the copyright, trademark, or right of publicity of a third party including names, logos, symbols, or pictures of the following without written authorization from the owner (which must be provided to Zippo):

• Military logos, ships or other insignia of the Armed Forces
• Musical artists; and authors of copyright protected works
• Companies and brands, including food, drink, clothing, and automobile brands
• Television, movie, cartoon, comic book or video game characters
  Celebrities
• Sports teams and athletes
• Fraternities, sororities or other organizations
• Colleges and universities
• Insignia of government agencies, organizations, military branches, or flags of certain countries.

Please Note:

• Do not use photos, logos, caricatures, or other artwork depicting any of the above, even if you created the artwork.
• Do not use an existing piece of artwork, cartoon, photograph, or screenshot, even if you changed it by rearranging the elements of the artwork.
• Do not use images found on the Internet, including from search engines or social media, without written authorization from the owner (which must be provided to Zippo).

Content Intended for Children

Do not use images that would appeal to young children including, depending on regional culture:

• Anime
• Santa Claus
• Cartoon-like characters

Inappropriate Content

Designs containing the following cannot be approved:

• Nudity
• Use of sex toys or subjects portrayed in a sexual act or provocative positions
• Obscene or vulgar material, including material with offensive remarks
• Material that harasses, threatens, defames, or abuses others
• Material that is racist, sexist, or a symbol of hate (i.e. Nazi symbol, gang signs).
• Material that promotes or depicts violence or abuse, including to animals
• Material that glamorizes illegal drug use

Need More Information?

For information about design approval, production, shipping, and returns for customized products, review our Customize It! Policy Information.