Frequently Asked Questions
Here’s what most people ask before their first order.
How It Works
What exactly is Umbrella Union?
Umbrella Union is a creative union. We work directly with a small roster of artists — managing releases, producing goods, and handling distribution. Everything we sell ties back to the art. The union is also a framework: a set of standards about how creative work and the people behind it get treated.
What does “made to order” mean for me?
We don’t hold inventory. When you place an order, your item is produced specifically for you — usually by a third-party print or manufacturing partner who clears our supplier standards. This means a 2–7 business day production window before your order ships. It also means less waste, no clearance rack, and no overstock.
How does the tier system work?
We assess every supplier and product against three tiers. Union Standard is our highest bar — verified ethical production, fair wages, strong environmental accountability. Union Reviewed means meaningfully better than the default: we’ve done the research and found no major flags. Anything that doesn’t clear either threshold, we retire or don’t carry.
About the Standards
Who decides whether a supplier clears the bar?
We do, with research. We draw on third-party ratings (Good On You, B Corp certification, and similar), publicly available labor records, and direct outreach where possible. We’re not a certification body — we’re a small operation making the best calls we can with the information available, and we update our assessments when new information comes in.
Why don’t you carry some products you’d expect a label to carry?
Sometimes the only suppliers who make a particular product at scale don’t clear our bar. We’d rather offer nothing than offer something we can’t stand behind. When a better supplier becomes available, we’ll revisit. This is an ongoing process, not a fixed list.
Are digital goods held to the same standards?
For streaming and downloads, the product is the music. Our standards here are focused on how the artists who made it are treated and compensated — not a physical supply chain. Digital delivery doesn’t involve manufacturing, so it’s evaluated on different terms.
Orders & Fulfillment
How long will my order take?
Physical goods: allow 2–7 business days for production, plus carrier transit time — typically 3–5 business days within the US. We’ll send a tracking number once your order ships. Digital goods are delivered immediately after purchase.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we ship internationally. Orders typically take longer than domestic and may be subject to customs duties and import fees charged by your country — those are outside our control and not included in our prices.
Can I return an item?
Because items are made to order, we don’t accept general returns. If something arrives damaged or incorrect, reach out and we’ll make it right. Contact us through the store and include your order number.