With an average of over 130,000 new designs uploaded every week, CafePress is often seen as a barometer for social and cultural hot topics.  When a hot topic surfaces; a T-shirt appears. An election argument breaks out, and you can sport a CafePress hat voicing your opinion within days. We here at CafePress also bring you a way to view these trends through our Cultural Barometer® tool.  Just one of the would-never-trade-it perks of living in a time of fast technology and instant gratification.

CafePress’ role as a cultural bellwether has been particularly noteworthy for 2012 (in this roller coaster ride of a political year). Pick a topic, and, if it stirs the emotions of the populace, there’s practically a guarantee that topically designs will hit T-shirts, hats, bumper stickers, pins, and other gear and then sell on CafePress.

Professor Tim Hagle, political expert at the University of Iowa, notes, “The 2012 presidential election will be the first where Twitter, Facebook and CafePress have come into their own. Campaign utterances such as ‘corporations are people,’ ‘the 47%,’ ‘fair share of taxes,’ ‘you didn’t build that,’ and ‘culture of dependency’ are here to stay—via tweets, pages and product designs. Due to pop culture, politics watchers will long remember these sound bite moments.”

From the curious comments about dog carriers and dogs for dinner, the new normal of print-on-demand products and omnipresent social media creates a 2012 presidential race that’s far from “politics as usual.” A candidate misspeaks or expresses a belief, and designers are there jump with a marketable conversation documenting every marketable “oops” moment along the campaign trail.

Biden’s “chains” remark – we’ve got a shirt for that.

Romney’s 47% – we’ve got a shirt for that.

Ryan’s marathon time – we’ve got a shirt for that.

Obama’s “You didn’t build that” remark – we’ve got a shirt for that.

Got a hot topic?

Make a political misstep?

Guess what?

We likely have a t-shirt for that.

Hot Buttons. We’ve all got ‘em—and every single one of us gets our undergarments in a twist about one thing or another. Maybe you’re anti-Romney, anti-“hope,” anti-taxes, anti-second amendment or even just anti-workin’ for a living. Wait—that’s good. Everybody break and put their feet up…excellent!

Point is, people have been voicing complaints, compliments and out-loud observations about society since the term was first coined. Sticking their views right on their lapels via buttons. This habit of button-wearing for a cause actually goes back centuries; even America’s iconic, powder-wigged original leader himself had these campaign tchotchkes to pass out. Yes, way back in 1789, little brass “G.W.—Long live the President” buttons were sewn right onto the jackets of George Washington’s supporters. In 1860, President Lincoln similarly offered up campaign buttons, as did McKinley in 1896, etc., etc.

So, what’s your 2012 issue or passion you’d love to stick out there? Wanna give a shout out for recycling? Trekkie conventions? Your favorite candidate? Whatever it is, we’ve got a button for you (or if not, you can design your own!). That’s the beauty of CafePress—it’s “any button for one, or one button for all. You pick.” Can’t imagine why that slogan hasn’t taken off.

Top button collectors say it’s a timeless form of expression. “By removing the barrier for individuals to produce unique items in limited quantities, CafePress provides today’s users with the ability to create tomorrow’s collectibles,” says Chris DiGiovanna of Trader Chris Consignments in Pittsboro, North Carolina. “Who knows what sort of things you’ll see from CafePress selling on eBay in 5, 10, or 20 years?”

To sew it up, political campaign buttons are a great way to get your point across. CafePress buttons are subtle, yet also provide a message with a lot of sticktoitiveness. The perfect 2012 political companion!! And you can get ‘em now at CafePress.

We’re not talking about vampires here, but something much bigger—imagine that! We’re talking about yard signs! November 6th is just around the corner, so gear up for the big Election Day. Are you hopeful in giving President Obama and Vice President Biden another term, or are you all for Mitt Romney and his recently announced running mate Paul Ryan? Maybe you are a die-hard fan of Ron Paul and Gary Johnson. Support YOUR candidate(s) with one of our $15* yard signs! Stake one or three in your front lawn or potted plant—whichever you have available.

Be sure to check out this hilarious video featuring some of our popular yard signs.

Stake your claim for your favorite candidate here!

* Only applies to yard signs, subject to availability. Excludes bulk orders. Discounted prices are set forth on the website, no coupon code required. Promotion starts on August 14, 2012, at 12:00 a.m. (PT) and ends on August 20, 2012, at 11:59 p.m. (PT). Discount can be combined with other coupon code offers. All orders must be from the CafePress Marketplace. Offer valid online at CafePress.com only, and may change, be modified or cancelled at anytime without notice. This promotion cannot be applied to past orders.

You could win $100 to spend at CafePress!  Winners will be selected daily.  Both new and current users are eligible; simply use our new Design & List service to enter.

Here’s how:

1) Upload an your artwork to the CafePress Design & List service and tag it with some keywords.
2) We’ll automatically apply your design to our great products like t-shirts, drinkware, caps, bags and more.

Daily winners will be picked at random.  Read below for complete rules and information.

ENTER NOW >>

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DESIGN & LIST SWEEPSTAKES OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER. A PURCHASE DOES NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING.

1.            HOW TO ENTER:  The CafePress Design & List Sweepstakes (the “Sweepstakes”) begins at 12:00AM PST on August 9, 2012 and ends at 11:59PM PST on August 16, 2012 (the “Sweepstakes Period”).

To enter, you must:

• Upload an image to CafePress through the Design and List service (http://members2.cafepress.com/CnL/GetStarted).
• Tag the image with relevant keywords. AND
• Complete the account registration process.

There is no limit to entries; each entrant may enter an unlimited number of images during the Sweepstakes Period. All entries become the sole and exclusive property of CafePress and receipt of entries may not be acknowledged or returned. Proof of submission will not be deemed to be proof of receipt by CafePress. By entering the Sweepstakes, entrants fully and unconditionally agree to be bound by these Official Rules, the CafePress’ Terms of Service, Content Owner Agreement, Content Usage Policy, Privacy Policy and the decisions of CafePress, which will be final and binding in all matters relating to the Sweepstakes.

2.            DRAWING:  During the Sweepstakes Period, for every 2000^th image uploaded to the Design & List service a potential winner will be randomly selected from the pool of entrants. A maximum of fifteen (15) winners will be selected during the Sweepstakes Period.  Limit one win, per person. Odds of winning in each drawing are estimated at 1/2000. The potential winners will be notified by email. The potential winner may be required to execute and return a notarized Affidavit of Eligibility/Release of Liability and (except where prohibited) a Publicity Release within three (3) days of issuance of notification.  If a potential winner does not contact CafePress within three (3) calendar days of the first notification attempt, return prize documentation within the required time frame, or in the event of noncompliance with these Official Rules, such prize will be forfeited. Upon prize forfeiture, no compensation will be given, and an alternate winner may be chosen by CafePress, in its sole discretion.

3.            ELIGIBILITY:  Open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are eighteen (18) years or older at time of entry. Void where prohibited by law.  Employees of CafePress, its respective parents, affiliates and subsidiaries, participating advertising and promotion agencies and prize suppliers, and the members of their immediate family and/or those living in the same household of each are not eligible to enter.

4.            PRIZE:  Fifteen (15) winners will each receive a $100 CafePress Gift Certificate (approximate value $100 USD).

5.            CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION:  No transfer, assignment or substitution of a prize permitted, except that CafePress reserves the right to substitute a prize for an item of equal or greater value if the offered prize is unavailable, in CafePress’ sole and absolute discretion.  Prizes may not be redeemed for cash.  No portion of any prize may be sold, bartered or exchanged by winners.  All prizes are awarded without warranty of any kind from CafePress, express or implied, without limitation.  All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply.  All taxes are the sole responsibility of the prize winners.  All prize details are at CafePress’ sole discretion.  By accepting a prize, winner agrees to hold CafePress, its respective directors, members, officers, employees and assigns (collectively, “Released Parties”) harmless for any injury or damage caused or claimed to be caused by participation in the Sweepstakes and/or acceptance of any prize.  CafePress is not responsible for any typographical, printing, technical, human or other error in the printing of the offer, administration of the Sweepstakes or in the announcement of the prize. The Released Parties are not responsible if a prize cannot be awarded due to delays, technical problems or interruptions due to acts of God, acts of war, natural disasters, weather or acts of terrorism.

6.            INTERNET:  The Released Parties are not responsible for technical, hardware, software, telephone or other communications malfunctions, errors or failures of any kind, lost or unavailable network connections, website, Internet, or ISP availability, unauthorized human intervention, traffic congestion, incomplete or inaccurate capture of entry information (regardless of cause) or failed, incomplete, garbled, jumbled or delayed computer transmissions which may limit one’s ability to enter the Sweepstakes, including any injury or damage to entrant’s or any other person’s computer relating to or resulting from participating in this Sweepstakes or downloading any materials in this Sweepstakes. If for any reason the Internet portion of the program is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Sweepstakes, CafePress reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes.  In such event, CafePress reserves the right to select winners from eligible entries received as of the termination date.

7.            USE OF DATA: CafePress will be collecting personal data about entrants online, in accordance with its Privacy Policy, unless otherwise set forth in these Official Rules. By participating in the Sweepstakes, entrants hereby agree to CafePress’ collection and use of their personal information and acknowledge that they have read and accepted CafePress’ Privacy Policy.

9.            ADDITIONAL TERMS:  Any potential winner may be requested to provide CafePress with proof that such winner is a United States resident and was at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry.  All winners will be required to sign a release for the use of their name in marketing and advertising materials distributed by CafePress, including the announcement of the winner.  Any automatic, programmed, robotic or similar means of entry are prohibited. CafePress reserves the right at its sole and absolute discretion (i) to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes; and/or (ii) to disqualify any individual it finds, in its sole and absolute discretion, to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes or website. CafePress may prohibit an entrant from participating in the Sweepstakes or winning a prize if, in its sole and absolute discretion, it determines that said entrant is attempting to undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes by cheating, hacking, deception, or other unfair playing practices (including the use of automated quick entry programs) or intending to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other entrants, CafePress or users of the CafePress Service.  Any attempt by an entrant to deliberately damage any website or undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes is a violation of criminal and civil laws and should such an attempt be made, CafePress reserves the right to seek damages from any such entrant to the fullest extent of the law.   In the event of a dispute as to any online entry, the authorized account holder of the email address used to register will be deemed to be the entrant.  The “authorized account holder” is the natural person assigned an email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted address.  Entrant may be required to show proof of being the authorized account holder.  Trademarks of companies other than CafePress are intellectual property of the trademark owners and are used for identification purposes only.

12.          WINNERS LIST: For a list of winners, mail a self-addressed envelope to: CafePress Inc., Attn: Public Relations, 1850 Gateway Drive, Suite 300, San Mateo, CA 94404.  Mail must be received by August 30, 2012. List will be sent once all prizes have been awarded.

13.          SPONSOR:   CafePress Inc., 1850 Gateway Drive, Suite 300, San Mateo, CA 94404.

Hello, Summer! Take advantage of the warmer weather months and soak up the sun! Sport a pair of cool flip flops when you go scuba diving, beach bumming, to an afternoon baseball game, or to a backyard barbeque. You’ll be the talk of the town in these awesome customizable flip flops! Whether you call them flip flops, zoris, Hawaii chappal, thongs, Japanese sandals, or jandals (Wikipedia), there’s a pair for every occasion or non-occasion — from bacon-themed flip flops to Van Gogh ones, you’ll find ‘em all here!

With the mercury on the rise in most parts of the country, doctor’s orders are to stay cool and hydrated! We will do as told, especially if that means carrying an ultra-chic KOR water bottle doing it! (Fun fact: a KOR water bottle made an appearance in a scene of The Hunger Games movie – cool, eh?) So go ahead and gift your favorite cheerleader or runner one of these stylish bottles, or personalize one for yourself! Never feel limited with our wide selection of water bottles offering. You can create your very own one-of-a-kind Trek or SIGG™ water bottle here, too!

While you decide which one to get, we’ll share some of our favorite summerthings:

At CafePress we’re all about creativity so we’re introducing Design & List, a new way for you to translate your creativity into CafePress sales. This new offering allows you to quickly and easily create products and list them for sale in the CafePress Marketplace.  You don’t need your own website or web traffic nor do you need to create and manage an online shop.  With Design & List all you need is five minutes and your creative design.

Simply:

1)      Upload and tag your image
2)      We’ll automatically add your image to our products
3)      Share your creativity with friends and family (and you’ll make money when your products sell!)

Get creating with Design & List now!

Design & List is one of three great options for making money at CafePress.  For more choices, check out our affiliate program or open a CafePress shop.  After all, you can’t have creativity without flexibility.

We’re not exactly sure when 4^th of July and barbeques became inseparable, but we do know it’s been 236 years since our beloved America became an independent country! In the powerful words of our founding fathers, this marks the day we celebrate our “unalienable rights [of] Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”. Pursue we shall with a delicious hot dog topped with every condiment in sight! If you prefer a juicy burger or want to get a little fancy with seafood and steak, we say go for it! This big day calls for a full on celebration, fireworks and all! Whatever festivities you take part in this year, be sure to have all the essential gear to pay homage to the founding fathers. In our opinion, there’s no better way to show your patriotism and create unforgettable memories this Independence Day than sporting a little red, white, and blue! See some of us share our most memorable Fourth of July in the video below!

Here are some of our top picks:

Take a look at our annual 4^th of July t-shirts—just $7 apiece!

Apparently there are a lot of awesome dads out there! With a lot of proud kids (of all ages) to brag about ‘em. And we absolutely love it. Our CafePress Father’s Day Pin-fest was such a success, we think every single entry will make Dad, Pops, Daddy, Pa (or whatever else he’s called)…one proud Poppa. But as you know, only one son or daughter can win the Grand Prize, and in this case, that winning entry was submitted by Sarah Swillen. Her flying, singing, guitar-playing, shag-dancing, balance-beam-building (and obviously amazing) father looks like one we’d all be proud of. So what does Sarah have to say?

“I am so excited! Thank you for the opportunity to show my dad how proud I am of him! My dad, Rick Swillen, is a man of many talents and wonderful qualities. The CafePress contest was a wonderful way to express what he means to our family, and how much we love him! Through the photos on Pinterest he was able to see himself from a different perspective. He was not aware that I had entered the contest and called to thank me for making him feel “like a hero” when he saw my board. It was a fun and meaningful way to show how much I admire and appreciate him.”

Thanks for entering our Pin-fest Sarah, and congratulations! We hope you enjoy your Grand Prize $100 CafePress Gift Certificate and $50 AMEX Gift Card. (Maybe you’ll even want to share with Dad…but he didn’t ask us to say that, we promise.)

Just in time for Father’s Day and Fourth of July, we’ve expanded our catalog to bring you 3D and animated products. What are they, you ask? Ranging from Greeting Cards to Notebooks, our newly added 3D products offer the illusion of depth and will have you reaching out to touch—just like in a 3D movie (sans the clunky 3D glasses). The animated effect works similarly, allowing you to view two images as you flip the card between the photos.

Making your personalized photo gift is super fun and a cinch. Just choose your product, pick from a variety of awesome designs, then upload your photo (or photos if you’re creating an animated design), and prepare to be dazzled.

Draw some inspiration from some of our favorite styles below, and then get started on your own picture-perfect print!

Father’s Day is around the corner and we’re honoring Dad with a contest all about him!  Is your Dad silly or serious?  Is he into baseball or is camping more his thing?  Maybe he’s a super geek.  We want to know!  Enter the CafePress Father’s Day Pin-fest Challenge*.  Create a Pinterest board showcasing your Pop’s unique personality and you may be the lucky winner of a prize package worth $150.  That sure will come in handy when picking out the perfect gift for the “Big Guy”.

Here’s how to enter:

1)      Follow CafePress on Pinterest
2)      Create a board all about your dad – his style, his hobbies and interests, and how he inspires you.
3)      Title your board “CafePress Father’s Day Pin-fest.”
4)      Pin at least 10 images that represent your dad.  At least 5 should be CafePress products.
5)      Tag each image #cafepressfathersday
6)      When your board is ready, email the URL of your board to contests@cafepress.com

The deadline for submission is June 12^th, 2012.  See contest rules for more information.

Need inspiration?  Check out the CafePress Father’s Day Pin-fest board below.

*NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT IS NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of the 50 US & DC, 18 or older. Void where prohibited. Starts 8:00 a.m. PT 5/29/12, ends at 11:59 p.m. PT 6/12/12. See Official Rules for complete details.  Sponsor: CafePress Inc., 1850 Gateway Drive, Suite 300, San Mateo, CA 94404.