About Us | Terms and Conditions

FORGED CONCEPTS TERMS & POLICIES

1. About Us

Forged Concepts was the first company to introduce this unique style of high-quality custom badges to the car community. Before we started, most companies only offered low-quality stickers or epoxy-domed decals. Since then, many have followed our lead, but we remain the original creators of this style and the only badge company using state-of-the-art, American-made lasers.

Based in Bentonville, Arkansas, we have proudly shipped our products to all 50 states and over 30 countries worldwide.

Founded on January 1st, 2019, Forged Concepts quickly made an impact in the car scene with our one-of-a-kind custom art badges. We were even featured on 1320’s YouTube channel just days after launching.

If you are looking for something completely unique, let us bring your vision to life with a badge that is truly one-of-a-kind.

2. Business Days and Production Schedule

2.1 Production Days

Our shop is open for production three days a week: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. These are the days we manufacture and ship orders.

2.2 Design Days

On Wednesday and Friday, we work remotely and focus on designing custom orders, but no manufacturing takes place on those days. We are closed on weekends.

2.3 Turnaround Times

If your order has a stated turnaround of 7 business days, only Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday are counted toward that timeline.

2.4 Made-to-Order Products

Please note that all items are made-to-order and considered custom orders. We do not keep products in stock; every piece is created specifically for each customer in the order it was received.

3. Returns, Cancellations & Refunds

3.1 Custom Order Policy

Because every Forged Concepts product is custom-made to order, once an order is placed and design work has begun, it cannot be refunded for any reason. Each piece is created specifically for you, and the time and labor involved cannot be recovered.

3.2 Artwork Issues

Requests to cancel due to dissatisfaction with artwork are not eligible for a refund. Our designer will work with you through revisions to help achieve your vision within the scope of the original order.

3.3 After Delivery

If your order arrives with an issue, please contact us within 3 days of delivery so we can review and resolve it. Orders are not refundable, but we will replace any item that is damaged during shipping or contains a confirmed manufacturing defect at no cost with the exact same item.

3.4 Proof Required

To process a replacement, clear photos of the item and packaging must be provided.

3.5 Claims Beyond 3 Days

Damage or defect claims made after 3 days of delivery will require the customer to cover replacement and shipping costs.

3.6 Final Sale

All Forged Concepts products — including fully custom designs and the pre-designed items listed on our website — are made to order. We do not keep badges pre-made or in stock. Every item is produced individually after an order is placed, using materials and labor dedicated specifically to that customer’s order.

Because all products are created per order, whether custom artwork or existing designs, these items are considered custom-made and are final sale. Orders cannot be canceled, returned, or refunded once production has begun.

4. Why Returns and Cancellations Are Not Possible

4.1 Production Begins Quickly

Production begins shortly after an order is placed. Our production team is commission-based and is paid per job, and materials are allocated to each specific order. For this reason, changes, cancellations, and returns are not permitted once an order has entered production.

4.2 Design Costs

Once an order is placed, it is immediately assigned to our commissioned designer, who is paid per order. Because of this, we incur real costs right away, and those costs cannot be recovered if an order is canceled.

4.3 Custom Service and Physical Product

Each order includes both custom design work and the production of a physical product. Once an order is placed, we begin the design process before moving into manufacturing after approval.

4.4 Protection of Design Work

Due to past experiences, we strictly enforce this policy. In some cases, individuals have requested extensive design work during this phase and then attempted to cancel their order, claiming they no longer wanted the product. We have later discovered instances where those designs were used without permission, meaning the order was placed primarily to obtain custom artwork.

Additionally, we have encountered situations where competitors have placed orders with no intent to complete them, either to obtain design work they could not create themselves or to disrupt our workflow.

While these situations are not representative of most customers, this policy is necessary to protect the time, effort, and commissioned work that goes into every order.

4.5 No Partial Refunds

Because each order is an all-inclusive custom service covering both design and production, we do not offer partial refunds at any stage of the process. Even if manufacturing has not yet begun, design work, time, and commissioned costs have already been incurred once your order is placed.

5. Redelivery and Shipping Address Policy

5.1 Incorrect Shipping Address

If an incorrect shipping address is provided at checkout and your order requires redelivery, the customer will be responsible for purchasing a new shipping label. Standard USPS Flat Rate packages require a $10 label.

We are not responsible for incorrect addresses entered at the time of purchase. Refunds or cancellations will not be honored in these cases. Please double-check your shipping information during checkout to ensure accuracy and avoid delays.

5.2 International Orders

International shipping is not flat rate. In the event of an incorrect address, the customer will be required to pay the full original shipping cost again, plus any additional carrier fees. These costs vary by country and package size.

6. Replication

6.1 Reproduction Rights

We reserve the right to reproduce any item for sale at any price that we choose.

6.2 Exclusive Rights

If you wish to retain exclusive rights to your custom design, meaning we will not reproduce or resell it, please contact us before ordering to discuss exclusivity options.

7. Right to Refuse Service

We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone, at any time, without providing reason. Additionally, we reserve the right to cancel and refund any order without providing reason. In the event an order is canceled by us, you will be refunded in full.

8. Disclaimer

Items on this website, unless otherwise stated, displayed in conjunction with or involving the use of any recognized trademark or copyright, are not represented as being approved by or affiliated with their respective owners, nor are they represented as being available for purchase. Images found on this website are for informational display purposes only. Any person submitting a request for such items is asserting themselves to have express permission from the mark-owning company.

9. Custom Design, Revisions & Approval

9.1 Design Deviation Policy

At Forged Concepts, every design we create is fully custom and requires significant time and effort from our designers. To ensure fairness to both our customers and our team, small adjustments to the original concept, such as color changes, minor shape adjustments, or text/font edits, are included in the design process.

Requests that substantially change the original concept are considered a design deviation. This includes changing the design into another design entirely, switching from one animal, logo, theme, vehicle concept, character, or idea to a completely different one, or requesting a new direction after significant work has already been completed. These types of requests require starting over and may incur an additional design deviation fee.

Without this policy, it would be possible for customers to request multiple completely different designs under one order, effectively receiving two or more unique custom artworks for the price of one. This ensures our designers are fairly compensated for their time and that all customers receive the same level of fairness and professionalism.

We value creativity and collaboration, and our team is always happy to work with you on revisions. This policy simply protects against situations where a new design direction is requested after significant work has already been completed.

9.2 Render Approval Process

Every custom order includes a digital proof that must be reviewed before we begin production. We ask that customers reply within 7 days with either approval or any requested changes. Most customers stay in great communication and everything moves smoothly.

All proof communication is handled through email so nothing gets missed. If we do not receive a reply after several emails, we will send friendly follow-ups. If there is still no response after 14 days, the order is placed on hold for an additional 7 days to give you extra time to respond.

9.3 Non-Response Timeline

If we still cannot reach you by day 21, we may approve the latest proof on your behalf and move the order into production. At that point, the order will be completed and shipped as designed, and no refunds or free remakes will be available, since all reasonable attempts to contact you were made.

This policy only applies when communication stops completely. If you are actively communicating with us or need more time, this timeline does not apply. We are always happy to work with you.

Our goal is simply to keep production running smoothly for all customers and to make sure your design is exactly how you want it before it is created.

9.4 Text Message Communication

The design process is handled through email only so that all approvals, revisions, and communication are properly documented in one place. We do not use text messaging for design revisions, artwork approval, or production instructions.

Text messages may only be used if we are having difficulty reaching you by email. In those cases, a text may be sent simply to notify you to check your email or spam folder in the event you may have missed our messages. Any actual design discussion, revisions, or approvals must still take place through email.

In rare cases, if a text message shows as read yet we still receive no email response, we will allow three final days from the read time for a response before applying the non-response timeline described above.

10. Digital Files, Design Rights & Ownership

10.1 Digital Files Are Not Included

All products sold by Forged Concepts are finished physical items. Digital design files, source files, vector files, or production files are not included with any purchase and are not available for release.

10.2 Digital Renderings

Digital renderings are provided for custom orders only and are used strictly for the purpose of design confirmation, creation, and revisions. This includes correcting mistakes, making adjustments, and ensuring final approval so both parties are aligned on what will be produced and delivered.

These renderings are not production files and will not be released, shared, or sold under any circumstances.

10.3 Ownership of Forged Concepts-Created Designs

Forged Concepts retains ownership of the designs, artwork, layouts, renderings, and production files that we create as part of our custom design process. When a customer gives us an idea, concept, description, reference, or general direction and our team creates the artwork from that guidance, the resulting design work is considered Forged Concepts-created artwork.

Purchasing a finished physical product does not grant the customer rights to reproduce, print, copy, manufacture, distribute, or resell the design in any format, including but not limited to stickers, decals, vinyl, 3D printing, digital files, or any other form of replication.

This policy does not mean Forged Concepts claims ownership of a customer’s legally protected artwork, logo, character, brand, or intellectual property that existed prior to the order and was provided to us by the customer. If the customer already owns or controls rights to specific artwork before working with us, those original rights remain with the customer. However, any modifications, layouts, renderings, production files, or design work created by Forged Concepts during the order process remain the property of Forged Concepts unless a separate written licensing or ownership agreement is made.

10.4 Customer-Provided Artwork and Files

If a customer provides their own logo, artwork, protected design, or intellectual property that existed prior to working with Forged Concepts, all rights to that specific original material remain with the customer. Forged Concepts does not claim ownership of customer-provided content that was created or owned by the customer before the order.

However, this only applies to original materials supplied by the customer that do not require our creative design work beyond preparation for production. Any enhancements, edits, layouts, redraws, arrangements, renderings, or production files created by Forged Concepts remain the property of Forged Concepts and are not released.

For inquiries regarding licensing or design rights, please contact us directly.

11. Customer-Supplied Content Policy

Any images, references, logos, artwork, or files uploaded at the time of purchase will be used as the foundation for the design.

By submitting content, the customer confirms that they either own the rights to the provided material or have lawful permission for Forged Concepts to use it for the purpose of creating their order. The customer also confirms that the submitted material accurately represents the direction they would like the design to follow.

Initial renderings will reflect the submitted concept unless otherwise specified. If the customer provides material they do not own or do not have permission to use, the responsibility for that submission remains with the customer.

12. Fitment, Installation, Hood Props & Door Props

12.1 Badge Installation and Surface Requirements

All badges are produced using rigid materials and are designed for flat mounting surfaces only. Forged Concepts does not bend or contour materials. Installation on curved, uneven, textured, flexible, or non-flat surfaces is at the customer’s discretion.

It is the customer’s responsibility to make sure the intended mounting area is flat, clean, and has adequate surface space for the adhesive to properly hold. Adhesive requires enough contact area to bond securely. If a badge is installed on a surface that is too curved, too narrow, uneven, contaminated, or does not provide enough surface contact, adhesion may be affected.

No badges include hardware. Badges are intended to be installed using adhesive only unless otherwise stated.

12.2 Curved Surfaces

While many customers successfully install badges on slightly curved surfaces, we recommend verifying fitment prior to purchase. Because our products are rigid and flat, we cannot guarantee fitment on curved or non-flat surfaces.

12.3 Hood Props, Trunk Props & Door Props

Forged Concepts hood props, trunk props, and door props are manufactured as the custom acrylic prop piece only. Hardware is not included unless specifically stated in the product listing.

Bolts, nuts, washers, spacers, brackets, or any other mounting hardware are the customer’s responsibility. If hardware is needed, customers may supply their own. Many customers commonly use 1/4-20 bolts, but the required bolt length, style, and hardware setup can vary depending on the vehicle and the customer’s specific installation needs.

Our hood props generally fit most vehicles and are especially commonly used on Dodge Challengers and Chargers. However, some vehicles may have different hood latch, trunk latch, or door latch designs that may not fit our general setup perfectly. Because vehicle designs and latch styles can vary, it is the customer’s responsibility to verify fitment before purchase and before installation.

Forged Concepts is responsible for creating the custom prop itself, but we are not responsible for supplying or determining hardware requirements for every vehicle application.

13. Damaged Item & Replacement Policy

If an item arrives damaged or is broken during shipping, we will replace it with the exact same item.

To qualify for a replacement, the issue must be reported within 3 days of delivery, clear photos of the damage must be provided, and the damage must have occurred during shipping or transit.

This policy is strictly for replacement purposes only. Damaged items do not qualify for refunds, and replacements will be made for the same design and specifications as originally ordered.

14. Chargeback & Dispute Policy

By placing an order, the customer agrees to all terms outlined on this page.

Any chargeback or payment dispute related to completed design work, delivered renderings, change of mind, cancellation requests, or customer-supplied image quality will be formally contested using order records, design files, and communication history.

Forged Concepts maintains detailed documentation of all orders and design activity.

15. Product Appearance & How Our Badges Are Made

15.1 Product Construction

All design proofs you receive are the actual artwork used to create your badge. We do not alter or enhance designs to make them look different from the final product.

Our badges are made from solid, high-quality acrylic, typically 1/8” thick, that is precision cut to shape. The design is then professionally applied and finished on the surface using high-detail equipment.

A simple way to think about it is that it is like a custom-cut, rigid plate with a permanent design on the face — not something that is molded, cast, or sculpted.

15.2 Flat Artwork and Visual Effects

Because of this process, the badge itself is solid and has real thickness, but the face remains flat. Sometimes the design can look like it has depth, shine, raised areas, or beveled edges on a screen, but that is how the artwork appears digitally — not something that is physically shaped into the material.

All edges are straight-cut, not angled or beveled. Finishes that may appear reflective, glossy, chrome-like, or metallic in a digital design are part of the artwork or visual rendering only. Our designs are not actual metal, chrome, plated metal, or physically metallic unless specifically stated otherwise.

Some designs may use layered materials for color and contrast, but everything is still cut clean and flat, without sculpted or contoured shaping.

15.3 Gloss and Matte Finish Options

We also offer gloss and matte finish options. The render you receive will clearly indicate whether gloss is included in the design. Gloss is applied as a clear coating over selected areas and does not add thickness or raised texture.

Because renderings are 2D, they cannot fully show how gloss will appear under real lighting. It is the customer’s responsibility to confirm whether they want gloss or a matte finish during the design process. If you would like gloss added or adjusted, please let us know before approving your render so it can be applied exactly as requested.

16. Why This Matters

Certain designs naturally create the illusion of depth or shine when viewed on a screen. This is normal and comes from the design itself — not from physical shaping or special finishes.

Your final badge will match the approved design while reflecting the real-world characteristics of a flat, precision-cut material.

17. Finished Product Characteristics

17.1 Edge & Finish Characteristics

All Forged Concepts products are manufactured using high-end, precision laser equipment, including American-made systems valued at over $100,000. This allows us to produce extremely clean, consistent cuts with a high level of detail and accuracy.

Because acrylic is cut using heat rather than traditional machining, slight edge variations can naturally occur. These may include subtle edge transitions, minor ridges, or areas that reflect light differently depending on angle and lighting conditions — especially on gloss surfaces.

These are not tooling marks or burrs, as no physical cutting tools are used in our process. Instead, they are inherent characteristics of laser-cut acrylic and can be more noticeable in certain areas of intricate designs or under close inspection.

These characteristics do not affect the structural integrity, fitment, or overall quality of the product. All items are produced and inspected to meet our quality standards.

Products are designed for normal viewing conditions, and minor variations that are only visible under close inspection or specific lighting are considered normal. Because these characteristics are inherent to the material and manufacturing process, they may be present to some degree in any produced item and are not considered defects.

17.2 Side Profile & Finish Details — Colorized Designs

Our finishing process is designed to produce a clean, durable, and high-quality result on every piece. During production, color is precisely applied to the face of the acrylic to create a vibrant, long-lasting finish.

In some cases, a very subtle amount of color may be visible along the sides of the acrylic badge. On darker materials, this can occasionally appear as light or grey-toned speckling along the side walls. This is limited to the sides only and does not affect the front-facing surface or overall appearance of the badge, and it is a normal characteristic of the manufacturing process.

These characteristics are minimal, typically only noticeable upon close inspection, and have no impact on the durability, fitment, or overall quality of the product. Fully engraved designs that do not include applied color will not exhibit this.

18. Customer-Supplied Image Quality

18.1 Customer-Provided Images

When a customer provides their own image, that file serves as the foundation for the final product. Our team will carefully review and make professional adjustments where possible to improve clarity, balance, and overall presentation.

18.2 Equipment Accuracy

Forged Concepts utilizes high-end, precision equipment designed to reproduce artwork with exceptional accuracy and detail. As a result, the final product will closely reflect the quality and characteristics of the image provided.

18.3 Vector Designs vs. Customer-Supplied Images

Vector-based or fully custom designs created from the ground up are built using high-resolution, lossless artwork and are produced with maximum clarity and precision. Customer-supplied images, however, can vary in quality due to factors such as resolution, compression, lighting conditions, and overall image detail.

18.4 Image Quality Limitations

Images that are taken in low-light environments, captured with flash, sourced from screenshots, downloaded from social media, compressed through messaging apps, or otherwise low in resolution may contain limitations that affect how the final product appears.

While we always apply our design expertise and professional tools to enhance submitted images wherever possible, there are natural limits to how much improvement can be achieved without altering the integrity of the original image.

18.5 Customer Responsibility

The overall quality of the final product is directly influenced by the quality of the image submitted. It is the customer’s responsibility to provide clear, high-resolution images with proper lighting for the best possible results.

By submitting an image, the customer acknowledges that the provided file will be used as the primary source for production, and that the final result will reflect the quality and detail of that file.

18.6 Not a Manufacturing Defect

Variations in clarity, sharpness, detail, or lighting resulting from the source image are not considered manufacturing defects and are not grounds for refunds or replacements.

19. Design Usage Policy

All designs created by Forged Concepts are the result of custom, professional design work. Designs may not be reproduced, replicated, copied, manufactured, printed, or used for production by third parties without written permission.

20. Custom Order Agreement

By placing an order with Forged Concepts, the customer confirms that they have read, understood, and agreed to all policies listed in our terms. 

 

21. Badge Styles & Construction Methods

21.1 Design-Dependent Construction

Forged Concepts offers multiple construction styles depending on the design, size, and level of detail required. These may include engraved designs, layered or stacked designs, contour-cut or hollowed designs, and full-color designs.

Not every design is compatible with every construction method. The way a badge is produced is determined by what will provide the best overall result based on the artwork, size, detail level, readability, durability, and physical limitations of the material.

21.2 Layered or Stacked Designs

Layered designs involve stacking multiple pieces to create depth and separation between elements. While this can produce a more dimensional appearance, it is not always possible depending on the size of the design, font thickness, spacing, or fine detail.

Very small text, thin lines, tightly spaced elements, or highly detailed artwork may not allow for layering without compromising durability, readability, or overall appearance.

21.3 Contour-Cut or Hollowed Designs

Contour-cut or hollowed designs require all elements to be structurally connected. Designs with floating pieces, disconnected elements, complex layouts, or fine interior details may need to be modified or simplified in order to maintain structural integrity.

In some cases, certain design elements may need to be removed, connected, thickened, or adjusted to allow for this style of construction.

21.4 Engraved Designs

Engraved designs are best suited for clean, simplified artwork. Designs that contain heavy color variation, gradients, shading, very small details, or low-quality image sources may not translate well into an engraved format.

Engraved designs are typically the most durable because the design is physically engraved into the material.

21.5 Full-Color Designs

Full-color designs are used for artwork that includes fine details, small elements, multiple colors, gradients, shading, or complex imagery. This method allows us to accurately reproduce designs that would not be achievable through engraving, layering, or cut-out construction.

In many cases, designs with small text, tight spacing, or high levels of detail will be produced using this method to maintain clarity and overall visual accuracy. This ensures that the final badge closely matches the approved design without compromising readability or durability.

21.6 Final Construction Determination

Forged Concepts will always select the construction method that best suits the design while maintaining durability, clarity, readability, and overall visual quality. Our team will work with you during the design process to determine the best possible way to bring your design to life.

The digital render you receive will accurately reflect the final construction method, layout, and appearance of your badge.

21.7 Customer Acknowledgment

By approving your design render, you are approving not only the artwork itself, but also the construction method used to produce the badge.

Because each design is unique, it is not guaranteed that your badge will be produced using the same method as other badges you may have seen. Differences in design, size, detail, font thickness, color variation, and overall layout will result in different construction approaches.

Variations in construction style are not considered defects and are not grounds for refunds or replacements.

22. Care, Washing & Product Longevity

22.1 Recommended Care

To help preserve the appearance and longevity of your badge, we recommend gentle handwashing only. Use mild automotive soap, water, and a soft microfiber cloth when cleaning around the badge.

22.2 Automated Car Washes

We do not recommend drive-through or automated car washes. Many automated wash systems use harsh chemicals, high-pH cleaners, low-pH cleaners, rotating brushes, strong spray cycles, and high-pressure water that may affect the adhesive, finish, or long-term appearance of the badge.

22.3 High-Pressure Water

Avoid spraying the badge directly with high-pressure water, especially around the edges or sides. High-pressure water can place unnecessary stress on adhesive areas and finished surfaces.

22.4 Full-Color Designs

Full-color designs should be treated with extra care to help maintain their appearance over time. Handwashing is strongly recommended for these items.

22.5 Engraved Designs

Engraved designs are generally the most durable style because the design is physically engraved into the material. However, even engraved products should still be cleaned gently and cared for properly.

22.6 Customer Responsibility

Forged Concepts products are designed to be durable, but proper care is important. Damage or wear caused by automated car washes, harsh chemicals, high-pressure water, improper cleaning, or improper installation is not considered a manufacturing defect and is not grounds for refund or replacement.