# Etsy says my item is resold or not handmade — how to respond

> Why Etsy flags genuine handmade items as resold or mass-produced, how production partners and the “made by” category work, and how to show the item is yours.

Updated 2026-10-27 · https://makersentry.com/removed/etsy-flagged-item-as-resold-or-not-handmade

Etsy's [Creativity Standards](https://www.etsy.com/legal/creativity) require every item to be made, designed, handpicked or sourced by the seller. When Etsy decides a listing is a resold factory item, it removes it — and sometimes restricts the shop.

## The usual reasons a real maker gets flagged

- **Your photos are on mass-market sites.** Factories and dropshippers copy maker photos. Automated checks then see the same image on AliExpress or Temu and treat your listing as the copy. This is the most common cause — see [Creativity Standards removals](/guides/etsy-listing-removed-creativity-standards).
- **An undisclosed production partner.** If someone else manufactures or prints for you, Etsy expects that partner listed in the listing's production partner field.
- **The wrong "who made it" answer.** Choosing "another company or person" without a production partner, or "I did" for an item you buy finished, both cause trouble.
- **Listing wording.** Phrases like "wholesale", "dropship" or "factory direct" read as reselling. Our [listing risk checker](/tools/etsy-listing-risk-checker) flags them.

## How to respond

1. Check the listing's "who made it" answer and production partners are accurate, and correct them.
2. Gather proof of making: process photos or video, material receipts, design files, original camera files.
3. If copies of your photos exist, list them with the date you found each — and the date your listing went live.
4. Appeal with a clear, factual letter. The [appeal letter generator](/tools/etsy-appeal-letter-generator) builds one from your answers.

## Keep it from happening again

Take a few process photos for each new design, keep your original files, and send [takedown notices](/report) for copies as you find them.

*General information, not legal advice.*

## Questions

**I use a laser cutter or a print shop. Is that allowed?**

Etsy allows tools and production partners if you designed the item and disclose the partner in the listing. Tools you operate yourself, like a laser cutter or 3D printer, count as making it yourself.

**Does selling the same item elsewhere count against me?**

Selling your own work on other sites is fine. Problems start when your photos appear on factory and dropship listings, which makes your item look resold.