How should imprints be used on election and political campaign material? 

What is Election Material?

If your material is aimed at the public or a section of the public, or justifiably intended to influence voters to vote for or against a political party then it is classed as election material as per The Electoral Commission.

What is an imprint and do I need to include one?

According to The Electoral Commission, an imprint must be added to any and all printed marketing materials that can be categorised as election material. An imprint includes certain details that show who is responsible for the mailing. This is to help ensure complete transparency about who is campaigning.

What does an Election Material imprint need to include?

On printed election material such as Leaflets and Posters, you must include the name and address of:

• the printer
• the promoter
• any person on behalf of whom the material is being published (and who is not the promoter)

The promoter is whoever has caused the material to be published.

You must use an address where you can be contacted. You can use a home address or an office or business address. You can also use a PO Box address or other mailbox service.

If you are being paid to publish election material, the material must include an imprint which includes the details of whoever is paying you. This is because either they are the promoter, or you are publishing the material on their behalf.

In all cases, you must make sure that the imprint lists all the organisations involved in publishing and promoting the material.

It is an offence for a printer or promoter to publish printed election material without an imprint.

Example of a standard imprint:

Printed by Printed.com, Unit 2 Arcot Court, Cramlington, Northumberland, NE23 1BB.

Promoted by (Promoters name and address) on behalf of (the campaign group).

For more information please visit the Electoral Commission website here.