For Newly Approved Unseenpress Collective Vendors
Welcome to the Unseenpress Collective — we’re glad you’re here.
This FAQ is for makers, photographers, artists, and small presses who’ve just been approved as vendors. Think of it as your guide to getting your shop live, managing your distro, and joining the wider Unseenpress network.
Getting Started
I’ve just been approved — what happens next?
Log in at /my-account and open your Vendor Dashboard. That’s your control panel — where you’ll set up your shop name, upload a banner and logo, and start adding your first products (zines, books, prints, posters, or editions).
See the How to Set Up Your Shop guide for a full walkthrough.
Where do I find my Vendor Dashboard?
After logging in, click Vendor Dashboard in the menu. You’ll see tabs for Products, Orders, Settings, and more.
Can I change my shop name or description later?
Yes — anytime. Go to Dashboard → Store Settings → General to update your shop name, banner, and bio.
What should I write in my shop description?
Keep it short, personal, and in your own voice. Tell visitors what kind of work you make, what drives you, or what themes you explore. Think of it as a conversation starter, not a sales pitch.
Payments & Payouts
How do I get paid?
Payments are sent to your PayPal account (or other payout method you select). Make sure your PayPal email in Store Settings → Payments is accurate and active.
When do I get paid?
Once an order is marked Completed, it’s automatically added to the next payout run. Depending on our schedule, that might be weekly or monthly. We’ll confirm payout cycles in your welcome email.
Are there any fees?
Yes — a small commission goes to Unseenpress Collective to help cover hosting, maintenance, and community events. The rest of the sale goes directly to you.
Shipping & Orders
How do I set my shipping rates?
Go to Store Settings → Shipping and choose how you’d like to charge:
- Flat rate per region (UK, Europe, Rest of World)
- Free shipping (cost included in your price)
- Local pickup, if relevant
You can also set specific rates per product when you list it.
What’s the best way to handle international orders?
Keep things simple — use Royal Mail small parcel rates or your local equivalent. If in doubt, round up slightly to cover materials and handling. Transparency is key.
How will I know when someone orders my work?
You’ll receive an email notification and see it listed under Dashboard → Orders.
How do I mark an order as shipped?
When you’ve posted the item, open the order and click Mark as Shipped (or Completed). You can add a short note or tracking number if you have one.
Products & Listings
How do I add my first product?
Go to Dashboard → Products → Add Product.
Add your title, price, description, and upload a few images (front cover, inside spreads, maybe a detail shot).
Then click Submit for Review — or Publish if you already have publishing permissions.
How many items can I list?
There’s no set limit. You can list as many editions, zines, or prints as you like — just make sure they’re in stock and described clearly.
Can I edit or remove products?
Yes. Go to Products → All Products, hover over the item, and click Edit or Delete. You can update text, images, or stock numbers anytime.
What kind of images should I upload?
Use bright, natural light. Show the object as an artefact — not just a page spread.
Ideal image height: 1020px or larger.
Zines are tactile; let people feel that through your photos.
Storefront & Identity
Can I customise my shop?
Yes! You can upload a banner image (wide) and logo or avatar (square). These appear on your shopfront and product pages.
Can I link to my personal site or socials?
Please do — this helps build your network. Add them in Store Settings → General.
Can I update my shop URL?
We’ll generate one automatically (like unseenpress.co/vendor/yourname).
If you’d like a custom format (like your collective or imprint name), just email us at su*****@*********ss.co.
Orders, Refunds & Problems
What if a customer has an issue or requests a refund?
First, reply directly and try to resolve it politely and fairly — that’s the spirit of the collective.
If something needs platform-level help (e.g. refund processing), contact su*****@*********ss.co and we’ll step in.
What if something gets lost or damaged in the post?
Offer a replacement if you can, or a refund if not. We know things happen — what matters is how you communicate and look after your buyers.
Distro, Community & Promotion
What is a “distro”?
A distro (short for distribution) is how your work gets into people’s hands — peer-to-peer, direct, without a middleman.
When you publish through Unseenpress, you’re part of that grassroots network — not just selling a product but circulating ideas and art.
Can I promote my shop elsewhere?
Absolutely. Share your shop link on Instagram, your newsletter, your imprint site — anywhere your readers or collectors hang out.
Will Unseenpress feature my work?
We regularly feature new or standout releases in our newsletter and “Recently Added” section. Keep your shop active and up to date — it helps us discover what to highlight.
Can I collaborate with other vendors?
Yes — please do! Joint projects, zine swaps, and distro bundles are what make this community thrive. If you’d like a feature or bundle listing, drop us a line.
Troubleshooting
My images won’t upload / my changes won’t save.
Try refreshing the page or clearing your browser cache. Large images can sometimes take a moment to process. If it still doesn’t work, email su*****@*********ss.co.
My shop looks strange on mobile.
Keep your banner wide (not too tall) and use similar aspect ratios for product photos. The site adjusts automatically, but consistent images help it look professional.
I’m stuck. Who do I contact?
Email su*****@*********ss.co or message us through your dashboard.
We’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.
🌟 Remember
You don’t need a gallery, a publisher, or permission to share your work.
Your shop is your exhibition.
Your distro is your audience.
Welcome to the Collective.