GUIDELINES FOR CREATORS:

As with any section of Gladrags, there are a few rules and guidelines to keep in mind:

• Gladrags is a moderated forum, meaning new threads require approval before appearing publicly.
• Keep the SS Board Rules and the Gladrags rules in mind
• Images can be bigger than the SS requirement and in the event that they are please make sure to keep these images under a photocut or a spoiler tag:

  [photocut=la dee da]images go here[/photocut]
  [spoiler=la dee da]images go here[/spoiler]

• All reference images and images of your own creations must be uploaded to your own image-hosting account to ensure links remain stable and to respect image ownership. Absolutely no hotlinking.
  
  If you’re unsure what hotlinking is or why we avoid it, you can find a helpful explanation here.

Image Size Regulations:
All graphics shared in threads, worn by members, or created for others must remain within the following maximum size limits. These are upper bounds rather than strict targets - smaller dimensions are always welcome.

• Avatars: 100x100px, 20kb
• Signatures: 450x200px, 60kb
• Profile/Bio images: 350x350px, 60kb
• GIFs: 350x350px, 60kb
  
  GIFs are absolutely welcome for requests and reactions. To keep pages loading smoothly for everyone, please make sure they meet the size guidelines above. Larger GIFs can always be shared via an external link to your image hosting account.

Plagiarism:
Using someone else’s work — or AI-generated content — and presenting it as your own without proper credit or disclosure is not permitted. Altering another member’s graphics without permission also counts as plagiarism and will result in moderation action.

Please see the following post for more specifics on AI content.

CREATING A THREAD:

Locate the at the bottom of the forum page and give that a click. You will be brought to a new page with a blank text field where you can submit the first post of your thread. Please make sure to include the following:

• A title! This can be whatever you’d like it to be. We suggest including your username in the title so people know its yours when it pops up on the side bar
• A prefix! Select the appropriate prefix for your thread: Portfolio, Potter100, Magical25, or Spellbound Spectrum! There is a drop down menu beside the "Title" field. Make sure to highlight the appropriate option.
  • Please do not submit Graphic Requests threads here. Those belong in The Wardrobe Workshop.
• A description! Let people know what kind of creations they can expect to find in your creative thread.
• An index! To help keep your thread organized and easy for everyone to admire your work, we suggest maintaining a running index linking to your pieces.

  [url=link to your post]piece name/description[/url]

GUIDELINES FOR ADMIRERS:

Commenting in threads is allowed and, in fact, encouraged! However, we do have a few rules in place in regards to help protect our SS creators:

• All posts must comply with the SS Rules. Simple
• Please do not spam in any Gladrags threads
• Please treat others with respect at all times. This is a safe environment and we’d like to keep it that way
• Please do not harass another member. This will result in a site warning/infraction and you might find yourself banned from the site depending on the severity of the harassment
• Please do not post graphic requests in these threads. These threads are purely there for admiring work. If you’d like to make a request, please use one of the request shops or contact the member privately about their policy on taking requests

If you have any questions or concerns, please make sure to contact one of your Gladrags mods and we’ll be happy to help you out.

IMAGE HOSTING:

To keep your images looking great and loading smoothly, you must upload and link images from your own image hosting service account. Here are some great free options to get you started:

• postimages.org: Postimages is a free, reliable image hosting service that’s especially popular with forum communities. It offers quick uploads, provides direct links and BBCode for easy embedding, and doesn’t require an account to get started (though creating one is recommended so you don’t lose track of your uploads). Images are hosted long-term and remain accessible, making this a dependable option for sharing graphics, references, and finished work on SnitchSeeker.
  
  
• Lensdump: Lensdump allows you to upload images and neatly organize them into albums. One of its biggest perks is the ability to create private albums that are only accessible via direct link — perfect for sharing images on SnitchSeeker without making them publicly browsable. This makes it a great choice for reference images, graphics in progress, or anything you’d prefer to keep low-key while still easily shareable.
  
  
• imgpile: imgpile is a simple, no-nonsense image hosting site that supports a variety of file types and offers direct image links for easy forum use. When uploading, users can adjust privacy settings before finalizing their upload, giving you more control over how your images are shared. Its clean interface and straightforward linking make it a convenient option for hosting images used in Gladrags threads.

You may use alternatives (such as Imgur), but please ensure you are uploading to your own account.


Finally, above all else — be kind, be respectful, and have fun.

Gladrags is a space for creativity, experimentation, and community. If you have any questions or concerns, please make sure to contact a Gladrags mod and we’ll be happy to help you out.

HAPPY CREATING! We cannot wait to see your talents!

AI IMAGE GENERATION & AI ASSISTANCE GUIDELINES

AI tools are becoming increasingly common in creative spaces and SS recognizes that they can be useful support tools when used thoughtfully and transparently. However, because SS is a creative community built on personal effort, skill development, and original work, the use of AI needs to be limited and clearly disclosed.

We, the Gladrags mod team, strive for these guidelines to protect creators, maintain fairness, and prevent plagiarism whether unintentional or otherwise.

We also want to acknowledge that many popular creative programs, such as Photoshop, Procreate, Clip Studio, and Canva, include helpful AI powered features such as smart selection tools, background removal or extension, content aware fills, noise reduction, color adjustments, layout suggestions, and so on. These tools are widely used as part of the normal creative process and are generally okay when they're helping you refine, clean up, or enhance work you've created yourself. This is different from using external AI image generation platforms (such as text-to-image tools like Sora or similar services), which generate large portions of an image on their own. The heart of the distinction is simple: tools that assist your creativity are welcome while tools that replace it need to be handled much more carefully and transparently.

PERMITTED USE: CONSIDER THE 30 / 70 RULE

For personal graphics, portfolios, and non official SS event creative threads and work, Gladrags follows the 30 / 70 Rule of Thumb:

• No more than 30% of a work may be generated or directly assisted by AI
• At least 70% of the final piece must come from the creator’s own effort, including:
  • Manual editing, repainting, or redraws
  • Original composition and layout
  • Significant transformation beyond simple filters or touch-ups
  • Personal artistic decision-making

AI should function as a support tool similar to how calculators are used in mathematics. This means they may be helpful for efficiency, but never a replacement for skill or creativity.

Examples of acceptable AI use under this rule:

• Using AI as a reference base that is heavily painted over or reworked
• Generating a texture or background that is then substantially altered
• Using AI for ideation, color exploration, or rough concepting

Examples of unacceptable AI use:

• Posting largely unedited AI-generated images
• Making only minor adjustments (cropping, color correction, filters) to AI output
• Presenting AI generated imagery as primarily hand made work

Mandatory Disclosure

Any use of AI in graphics, portfolios, or creative threads must be clearly declared in the post description for the piece.

This declaration should state:

• That AI was used
• The general role AI played (e.g., reference, base image, texture generation)

Failure to disclose AI usage will be treated as a rule violation, even if the work might otherwise fall within the 30 / 70 guideline, and may carry further moderation action depending on severity.

Absolute Prohibition for Official SS Events

AI assistance is not allowed in any capacity for official SS events, including but not limited to:

• Site wide contests and competitions
• Seasonal site wide events (such as Days of Potter)
• Gladrags specific challenges, competitions, or showcases (including Seektober)

This includes:

• AI generated images
• AI assisted bases
• AI generated textures, elements, or compositional aids

These events are designed to celebrate personal creativity, skill, and effort, and AI use undermines that spirit.

Any confirmed AI usage in official events will result in disqualification and may carry further moderation action depending on severity.

The Fine Line: AI Use vs Plagiarism

Plagiarism is not limited to copying another person's work directly and AI image generation presents a unique plagiarism risk because:

• AI models are trained on vast datasets of existing artwork
• Generated images can replicate styles, compositions, or specific visual elements from identifiable artists
• Users may unknowingly reproduce copyrighted or recognizable works

Posting AI generated imagery as original art (or without clear disclosure) constitutes misrepresentation, and in many cases, functional plagiarism. If a piece is primarily the product of an AI model rather than the creator's own artistic labor, it cannot be claimed as original work, regardless of intent.

When in doubt:

• Disclose
• Transform further
• Or do not post

Text Cut: AI in Use: An Example of Appropriate Assistance vs. Creative Ownership

special thanks to Charely Potter for providing the example

Below is an example that illustrates acceptable AI-assisted use, as well as where that use would not meet the threshold for original graphic creation.

In this case, the creator used an AI tool that generates variable outputs when the same source photo is uploaded in the form of Yearbook photos. Each time the image is processed, the AI randomizes elements such as clothing and styling. From the same original photo, the tool produced variations including a sweater vest, a polo shirt, and a blazer with a tie:



From one of these outputs, the creator then manually selected, cropped, and composed the image into a larger piece, where the AI-generated face is one element among many:



This usage demonstrates AI as a starting tool, not a finished product. The final signature involved a significant amount human decision-making, composition, and intent, which places it within acceptable bounds for personal use on the site.

That said, it's also important to when the line is a little more blurred and less clear.



The profile image above is a borderline case. The primary subject is largely AI-generated, with human adjustments applied to elements such as colouring, background, and texture. While those edits add refinement, the overall piece may or maynot meet the Gladrags 30/70 threshold for original graphic creation.

As such, it may be acceptable for limited uses - such as a character biography, where the image functions mainly as a visual reference - but it would not meet Gladrags standards for the following::

• graphic contests, under any circumstances
• portfolios, unless AI use is explicitly outlined
• Graphic Requests shop examples and fulfilled requests, unless AI use is explicitly outlined
  
  Any graphic maker running a shop must clearly disclose AI use if AI-assisted images are used to fulfill requests. This allows members to make informed choices and helps maintain trust within the creative community.

The goal here isn’t to discourage experimentation, but to ensure clarity, fairness, and respect for creative labor with AI as a tool rather than a replacement.

At its heart, these guidelines are meant to support creativity. We believe the most meaningful work comes from personal imagination, effort, and growth. Where tools, when used thoughtfully and transparently, can enhance rather than replace that process. Whether you're experimenting, learning new techniques, or refining your style, your voice and vision are what matters most. Creativity here is about exploration, integrity, and celebrating the work you put into bringing those ideas to life.