Manage Artists and Illustrators

How to cancel your artists and illustrators subscription: a step-by-step guide for UK readers

About artists and illustrators magazine

Artists and Illustrators is a long-established creative publication that has served the UK's visual arts community since 1986. Published by Anthem Publishing Limited, it delivers expert instruction, materials reviews, and professional guidance to amateur artists, professional illustrators, students, and hobbyists across painting, drawing, printmaking, and mixed media. The magazine operates through a subscription model with both print and digital options, creating a contractual relationship between you and the publisher that you can terminate at any time, subject to specific notice periods and terms.

Understanding how to cancel your Artists and Illustrators subscription is essential if you've decided to end your membership. Whether you're cutting costs, changing your reading habits, or simply moving on, Stopee has created this comprehensive guide to help you navigate the cancellation process without confusion or unnecessary delay. We'll walk you through every step, explain your consumer rights under UK law, and help you avoid the common traps that catch subscribers off guard.

Why readers cancel artists and illustrators

Subscribers cancel for many legitimate reasons. You might find the magazine no longer matches your artistic interests, prefer free online content, or simply want to reduce your monthly spending. Some readers upgrade to digital-only editions and no longer need print copies. Others discover they're not opening the magazines regularly enough to justify the cost. These are all valid decisions, and you have the right to cancel whenever you choose.

How artists and illustrators operates as a service

The magazine uses a postal-based cancellation system administered through its Cardiff office. All cancellation correspondence must be sent by post to the publisher's registered address, which means you cannot cancel online or by telephone. This requirement exists because Companies House regulations require a full postal address for any formal business correspondence. Understanding this upfront prevents frustration and ensures your cancellation reaches the right department.

Subscription pricing and package options

Artists and Illustrators offers multiple subscription tiers, each with different costs, commitment periods, and renewal terms that directly affect how you cancel.

Current subscription packages and costs

The following table shows the standard subscription options available to UK subscribers as of 2024:

Automatic renewal and commitment periods

Your Artists and Illustrators subscription automatically renews at the end of each billing period unless you cancel beforehand. Most subscriptions operate on 12-month cycles, meaning you'll be charged renewal fees annually unless you submit a written cancellation notice before your renewal date. Promotional introductory rates often require minimum commitment periods, after which your subscription reverts to full standard pricing. Check your original confirmation email or account statements to identify your exact renewal date, as this is critical for timing your cancellation correctly.

Your consumer rights when cancelling artists and illustrators

As a UK consumer, you have strong legal protections under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Contracts Regulations, regardless of how Artists and Illustrators structures its cancellation process.

What the consumer rights act 2015 guarantees you

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 protects your right to cancel most distance contracts (including magazine subscriptions purchased by post, phone, or online) within 14 calendar days of purchase without providing a reason. This is your statutory cooling-off period. You do not need to accept the publisher's terms if those terms attempt to remove this right. If Artists and Illustrators claims you cannot cancel within 14 days, you can escalate to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service or your local Trading Standards office, which enforce consumer law across the UK. After the 14-day period expires, you may cancel by providing notice in accordance with the subscription contract itself, which typically requires written notification before your renewal date.

Invoking your right to cancel during the cooling-off period

If you subscribed to Artists and Illustrators fewer than 14 days ago and want to invoke your statutory cancellation right, send a clear written notice to the Cardiff office stating your wish to cancel. Include your full name, subscription reference number (found on your magazine or confirmation email), and the date of purchase. Keep copies of everything you send. The publisher must acknowledge receipt and process your refund within 30 days of receiving your cancellation notice. You should expect to receive your money back to your original payment method once the publisher processes your request.

How to cancel your artists and illustrators subscription by post

Because Artists and Illustrators operates entirely through postal communication, cancelling requires you to send a formal written notice to the Cardiff office. Follow this step-by-step process to ensure your cancellation is processed correctly.

Step-by-step cancellation procedure

1. Gather your subscription information
   • Locate your most recent Artists and Illustrators magazine or confirmation email
   • Note your full subscription reference number (usually printed on the magazine cover or inside)
   • Identify your full name and address as registered with the publisher
   • Write down your subscription start date and current renewal date
2. Compose a formal cancellation letter
   • Use plain white A4 paper or an email printed to PDF if sending electronically via post
   • Include the date you write the letter at the top
   • Address it to: Subscriptions Department, Artists and Illustrators, Anthem Publishing Limited, Cardiff Office
   • State clearly: "I wish to cancel my Artists and Illustrators subscription, reference number [your reference], effective [cancellation date]"
   • Include your full name, address, and phone number
   • Request written confirmation of cancellation and any applicable refunds
3. Send your cancellation by recorded delivery post
   • Use Royal Mail Special Delivery or another tracked service that provides proof of posting
   • Do not send ordinary post, as you'll have no evidence the letter arrived
   • Keep your proof of posting receipt and a copy of your letter
   • Allow 5-7 working days for the letter to reach the Cardiff office
4. Monitor your account for confirmation
   • Wait for a written acknowledgement from Anthem Publishing Limited
   • Expect confirmation within 10-14 working days of them receiving your letter
   • Do not assume cancellation is complete until you receive this written confirmation
5. Verify no further charges occur
   • Check your bank statements or payment method 4-6 weeks after your cancellation request
   • Confirm that no renewal charge appears on your next billing date
   • If a charge does appear, contact the publisher immediately with your cancellation confirmation letter

Finding the correct cardiff office address

The cancellation address is critical. You must send your notice to the registered office address that Companies House requires for official correspondence. This is typically found in the magazine's masthead or on the publisher's website. Always verify the current address before posting, as office locations can change. If you cannot locate the address, contact Anthem Publishing Limited's main switchboard, confirm the correct Cardiff office address with them, and ask for the Subscriptions Department specifically. This extra step ensures your cancellation letter reaches the right department and doesn't get lost in general mail.

Cancellation timing and your renewal date

Timing is everything when you cancel Artists and Illustrators, because your subscription renews automatically unless you provide notice beforehand.

Understanding your renewal date and notice period

Your Artists and Illustrators subscription renews on a fixed date each year. You must submit your cancellation notice well before this date to prevent your next annual charge. Most publishers require notice at least 30 days before renewal, though some require longer periods. Check your subscription terms or confirmation email to find the exact notice requirement. Pro tip: If you're unsure of your renewal date, contact the publisher directly by post and ask them to confirm it. This takes 7-10 days but gives you certainty about when your subscription will automatically renew.

Timeline for different cancellation scenarios

If you subscribed fewer than 14 days ago, you have a statutory right to cancel immediately under consumer law. Send your cancellation notice at once; you do not need to wait for a renewal date. If you've had your subscription longer than 14 days, calculate your renewal date, then count back 30 days from that date. Submit your cancellation letter to arrive at least 30 days before renewal. Warning: If your renewal date is within 30 days, you may be too late to prevent the next charge. In this case, Stopee recommends immediately sending your cancellation notice anyway and requesting a refund if the renewal charge processes. You have legal grounds to dispute it under consumer protection regulations.

Refunds and how to claim them

Whether you qualify for a refund depends on when you cancel and what your contract permits.

Refund eligibility and amounts

If you cancel within 14 days of subscribing, you are entitled to a full refund under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. This applies regardless of whether the publisher has begun delivering magazines. If you cancel after 14 days, you are not automatically entitled to a refund unless your subscription specifically offers pro-rata refunds for unused issues or months. Many magazine subscriptions do not offer refunds for time already paid; instead, your cancellation becomes effective at the end of your current billing period. Check your subscription terms to see if pro-rata refunds apply. If you're unsure, Stopee advises requesting a refund in your cancellation letter anyway; the publisher may grant one even if not legally required, especially if you're within your first month.

How to claim your refund

Include a clear refund request in your cancellation letter. State the amount you believe you're owed, the reason (e.g., cooling-off period, unused issues), and your preferred refund method (original payment method is standard). The publisher must refund you within 30 days of receiving your cancellation notice if you've invoked your statutory right. If you're claiming a pro-rata refund, allow 4-6 weeks for processing. Refunds are typically issued to your original payment method (debit card, credit card, or bank account). If you don't see a refund after 6 weeks, send a follow-up letter to the Cardiff office with a copy of your original cancellation and ask for a refund status update.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling

Many readers make cancellation harder than it needs to be because they don't know the postal-only requirement or the importance of timing.

Mistake 1: assuming you can cancel online or by phone

Artists and Illustrators does not accept cancellations via email, telephone, or online account portals. You must send a physical letter to the Cardiff office. Contacting the magazine online or by phone may get you a response, but it won't cancel your subscription. Only a posted letter to the registered office creates a formal cancellation request that the publisher must act upon. Do not rely on informal cancellation methods.

Mistake 2: sending cancellation to the wrong address

The publisher has multiple offices and contact points. Sending your cancellation to an editorial address, a general inquiry address, or an old office location means it won't reach the Subscriptions Department. Your letter may be forwarded, but this causes delays. Always send to the Cardiff office address listed in the magazine's masthead or on the publisher's current website. Verify the address by telephone before posting if you have any doubt.

Mistake 3: missing the renewal date deadline

If you submit your cancellation notice fewer than 30 days before your renewal date, you may not prevent the next charge. The publisher will process your cancellation after your account renews, leaving you stuck with an unwanted charge. Pro tip: Set a calendar reminder 60 days before your annual renewal date. This gives you a 30-day safety margin to post your cancellation letter without rushing.

Mistake 4: failing to use tracked postage

Sending your cancellation by ordinary post means you have no proof it arrived. If the publisher claims they never received it, you'll struggle to prove otherwise. Royal Mail Special Delivery or similar tracked services cost a few pounds but provide essential evidence. Keep your proof of posting receipt until you receive written cancellation confirmation from the publisher.

Mistake 5: not requesting written confirmation

Always ask for written acknowledgement of your cancellation in your letter. Without this confirmation, you can't prove the publisher received your request or what date they processed it. Confirmation is your only protection if a renewal charge appears on your account. Request that the publisher send you a cancellation reference number and confirm your subscription end date in writing.

What happens after you cancel artists and illustrators

Cancellation isn't instantaneous, and understanding the post-cancellation timeline helps you avoid confusion and ensure no unexpected charges appear.

Magazine delivery after cancellation

You will continue receiving Artists and Illustrators magazines until the end of your current billing period, even after you submit a cancellation request. If you subscribed for 12 months and cancel mid-year, you'll receive magazines through to the anniversary of your subscription start date. Your final magazine will arrive during your last subscription month. After that date, you should receive nothing. If magazines continue arriving after your cancellation date, contact the publisher immediately with your cancellation confirmation and request they stop delivery. These are copies you haven't paid for, and you can return them or report them as undelivered.

Post-cancellation billing and account status

Your payment method (debit card, credit card, or bank account) should not be charged on or after your cancellation date. If a renewal charge appears, you can dispute it with your bank as unauthorised. Provide your bank with a copy of your cancellation letter and confirmation from the publisher. Your bank can recover the charge under consumer protection rules. Stopee recommends checking your statements weekly during the month your subscription is due to expire, so you catch any erroneous charges immediately.

Reactivating your subscription if you change your mind

If you cancel and later decide you want to resubscribe, you can simply place a new subscription order through the publisher's website or by post. There is no penalty for resubscribing. You'll be treated as a new customer and may qualify for introductory rates or promotional offers if they're currently available. Your old subscription history does not affect your ability to subscribe again in future.

When to escalate and seek help

Most cancellations process smoothly, but if the publisher refuses to cancel or disputes your refund request, you have formal avenues for escalation.

Disputing a refused cancellation

If the publisher acknowledges your cancellation letter but claims you cannot cancel or refuses to process it, they are breaking UK consumer law. Write to them again, this time citing the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and demanding cancellation within 14 days. Keep copies of all correspondence. If they still refuse, contact your local Trading Standards office (search "Trading Standards" plus your postcode on gov.uk) or the Citizens Advice Consumer Service at citizensadvice.org.uk. These organisations enforce consumer protection law and can investigate the publisher's conduct. You can also report the publisher to the Competition and Markets Authority if their terms systematically violate consumer rights.

Disputing a refused refund

If you believe you're entitled to a refund (within 14 days of purchase or pro-rata for unused issues) and the publisher refuses, escalate in writing. State the legal basis for your refund claim and give the publisher 14 days to respond. If they don't refund you, you can make a complaint to Trading Standards or take the matter to a small claims court if the amount is less than £10,000. For most magazine subscriptions, Stopee recommends first trying the Citizens Advice Consumer Service, which can mediate disputes without court action.

Checklist for cancelling artists and illustrators

Use this checklist to ensure you've completed every step correctly and have all the documentation you need.

Final address for cancellation correspondence

Send all cancellation letters and enquiries by post to the Cardiff office. Before posting, verify this address on the magazine's masthead or the publisher's website, as addresses can change:

Subscriptions Department, Anthem Publishing Limited, Cardiff Office (confirm full postal address with the publisher before sending)

Always use tracked postage and keep proof of posting. Address confirmation enquiries to the main switchboard if you cannot find the current address in the magazine.

Why cancelling through stopee helps thousands of readers

Artists and Illustrators subscriptions often confuse readers because the postal-only cancellation process differs from digital services. You can't click a button or call a number, and missing the renewal date deadline means you'll be charged again. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers navigate exactly this type of cancellation, flagging the common pitfalls and ensuring readers understand their legal rights under UK consumer protection law. Whether you need to cancel within your cooling-off period or you're several years into a subscription, Stopee's step-by-step process removes the guesswork and protects you from erroneous charges. If you're unsure at any point, return to this guide or contact your local Trading Standards office for free, impartial advice. Your decision to cancel is valid, and you have the right to exercise it without pressure or unnecessary complications.