Print basics

"Paid for by": campaign disclaimer basics

Almost everything a campaign prints needs a disclaimer. Here's what that usually means, and how to design for it without wrecking your layout.

Published Sat, Aug 29, 2026 · Updated Sat, Oct 17, 2026

• Disclaimers
• Design

What the disclaimer is

A political disclaimer is the small "Paid for by [committee name]" line that tells voters who funded a piece of campaign material. Federal races follow FEC rules; state and local races follow state election law, and the details vary: some states require the treasurer's name, some require an address, some have specific rules for signs versus mail versus tiny items like buttons.

The rules are your campaign's responsibility. We're printers, so take the authoritative answer from your state or local election authority (most publish a one-page disclaimer guide) or your campaign attorney. Five minutes on your Secretary of State's website beats any forum thread.

The design mistake everyone makes

Campaigns design the piece first and cram the disclaimer in last. It ends up shrunk to near-invisibility in a corner, breaking the layout it lands on. Flip the order: reserve the disclaimer space before you design anything else.

• Yard signs and banners: a strip along the bottom edge, in a flat color band so it stays legible against the background
• Mailers and postcards: bottom of the back panel is conventional, near the indicia on EDDM pieces
• Palm cards, flyers, brochures: bottom of the back page
• Small items (buttons, stickers): some jurisdictions exempt items too small to print on legibly. Confirm that locally before assuming

Legible means legible

A disclaimer that can't be read can cause the same trouble as a missing one. Keep it small but honest: on print pieces that's roughly 8pt as a floor, solid contrast, no script faces. When we design your piece, a readable legal line is part of the layout. If you send your own print-ready file, it prints as sent, so check this before you send it.

One line, saved forever

Write your exact required disclaimer once, with the correct committee name and each required element, and save it in the same folder as your logo. Each piece, reorder, and rush job then pulls from that one approved line. The campaigns that get burned are the ones retyping it from memory at midnight before a deadline.

← More print basics · All guides