Well, first thing's first.  You need to register an account here to be able to submit themes.  As soon as you're approved, all you have to do is sign in and look for the 'Add Theme' link at the top, and click to reach the submission page.

Check out the forums for requirements for sizing and formatting, guides on what programs submitters use to create themes, and for requested themes people are looking for.

And here are links for templates/skinners posted in the forums:

• R4/M3 Simply
• M3 Adaptor
• Moonshell
• CycloDS

The imagination's almost limitless in what themes you can create, but there are a few subjects we ask that you not submit.  This is requested because we prefer to have a site friendly for all, especially for members who browse through with young family or friends.

Please do not submit themes that depict any of the following:

• Nudity / Overly Suggestive - (If he/she is showing any no-no bits or is being subjected to inappropriate positions, it's a safe idea that it violates this submission rule)
• Promotion of Racism, Drug Use, Graphic Violence, Hate or Other Questionable Content
• Use of profanity or any foul language on any part of the theme

A theme may be rejected, not because it has prohibited content like the aforementioned themes, but because the quality of the theme may feel incomplete.  Please bear in mind that we're in no way saying 'you suck', we just don't want a flood of the same kind of theme overshadowing other varied, creative themes.

Too many submissions of these types might bring about future rejections:

• Themes that look like a bunch of wallpapers were used for each section, including the icons. (Effort is appreciated, and you'll probably feel more satisfied with your work for doing so)
• Themes that are missing sections or icons which may make them appear incomplete.
  (Unless it's some kind of artistic aesthetic, do take the time to create some kind of icon or text for the appropriate sections)
• Multiple theme submissions over time that use the same sets of icons.
  (I know they're your favorite set of icons, but there's time for change, and themes can look better if icons are created to cater to the theme instead of using the same general set)
• Multiple theme submissions that are of the same type with only one picture changed for each submission.
  (Even if there are five different main characters, it still doesn't justify a flood of submissions.  Be reasonable and put some effort into changing more than just one or two pictures.  Cater to the characters in different ways when presenting them in their individual themes)
• Multiple theme submissions that are of the same type with just color changes.
  (Yes, you have a whole rainbow to go through, but unless a specific color is requested, please be polite and try to only submit up to two or three colors.  If you really want to share the rainbow, place in your description that you're willing to offer up any other colors if requested through the comments so the system doesn't look flooded with the same theme)

As it says when you're uploading your theme sections, a gbaframe is optional and is not necessary in order to submit a complete theme.  What is necessary are the four other components (logo.bmp, icons.bmp, bckgrd_1.bmp, and bckgrd_2.bmp).

A theme.ini is also optional, but it's encouraged to submit one that compliments your theme's colors.

Themes go through a verification process before being available for download.  Admins try to review themes on a timely basis, so expect at least a few hours, if not a day's wait if there's a flood of submissions (Admins have lives outside of NDSThemes, too).

If a theme has any content that is objectionable, it will be rejected with an email explaining why it wasn't approved, and it may be deleted entirely from the system.

Feel free to check out theme requests here.  There's bound to be an idea you might not have come across, and I'm sure the person requesting will be quite grateful if you volunteer your skills.

Generally, we encourage individual creativity, but if you'd like to 'borrow' another person's icons/pictures/layouts for your theme, we (and they) would appreciate it if you'd ask the artist's permission first, especially if it was an original creation.

Also, it's good manners to give credit where credit is due and include the original artist's name in the description of the theme for whatever you've borrowed. We do not condone theft of work and will post an Admin's note that points out if a part of the theme was from someone/somewhere else (so do try to save yourself from that embarrasment).

If you're found to be continually and blatantly stealing work without giving credit, and ignoring repeated warnings, the Admins may be forced to take more drastic measures such as suspending or banning your account/ip.

Should this happen to you, or to any theme you encounter, report the theme (using the handy dandy red button provided) as well as posting a report in the forums, here. When reporting, include what's been stolen, and a link to both the theme with the stolen content, and the theme with the original content.  This can help speed up the process of dealing with any theme thievery.

Well, if a picture is up on an official website for public use, and you get the idea to take parts of it to create icons, you can't really claim the pictures as yours, since the picture is available for everyone.  Just because you used it first doesn't mean that the idea isn't fair game to others. The way to get around this and lay claim to a picture is if you've created or drawn the picture yourself, scanned it from some personal collection that can't be found on the web (unless they can prove they have access to the same picture), or did something to a picture that was purely done by you (the modifications could probably be replicated, but there'd be some kind of noticeable difference to at least show they did their own work to it).

If you modify the pictures enough so it looks completely different from having just copy/cut and pasted the pictures (added strokes, wings, made it to look cel-shaded with shiny stuffs, etc...), and someone uses your modified pictures, then you can claim the work to the pictures was stolen and that can be dealt with.

Monkey see, monkey do, but if you steal it, shame on you.

Let us know what the problem is here, and the Admins will do their best to ensure the problem is corrected and the themes are working properly.

Feel free to browse and download other themes and give the other artists ratings and comments.  Not only will they appreciate any helpful criticism you can give to help them improve, but you can earn XP Points too.  XP Points can be used to win prizes through the various drawings throughout the year.  A more thorough explanation can be found here!

Don't forget, we also have forums!  There's a community of NDSTheme fans and artists to meet.  Post about themes, games, or any random thing to pass the time.  It's also a place to find help on submitting and using themes, as well as updates on various subjects such as game availability in stores or platform upgrades.  Theme promotion can be done through this section of the forums.  Any suggestions or compliments to the site are also welcomed in this section.

by Blackened Dove

Questionable content

Theme has been rejected for display on the NDSthemes website due to Questionable content, (Items that promote racism, drug use, violence, etc.)

While we all appreciate the creativity and thought that may have gone into to it, the site is meant to be open for all races, orientations, creeds and ages. And with that in mind, we do not tolerate these types of themes. The site will not promote illegal drug use, nor will we allow any form of hatred on the site.

Nudity, possibly for being overly suggestive

Theme has been rejected for display on the NDSthemes website due to nudity or possibly for being overly suggestive or inappropriate.

While we all appreciate the creativity and thought that may have gone into to it, the site is meant to be open to all people young and old. And with that in mind, we do not allow these types of themes. There is a "Models" section and you can see that it is kept within certain bounds while allowing the creators freedom to display their more adult oriented themes.

Lack of proper substance

Theme has been rejected for display on the NDSthemes website due to what we feel is a lack of proper substance.

The reasons for a rejection of this type are listed below.

Poor workmanship:
Description: lackluster themes, that appears to be slapped together without thought to the finished execution.

Examples of this would include the following:

• Themes that the icons.bmp looks like 3 shrunken square pictures slapped on top of a wallpaper.
• Poor quality graphics, grainy, or blurry.
• Themes that consist of four wallpapers without changes.

Duplication:
Description: This is when we notice the same items (icons, pictures, etc) being used repeatedly by a user on most of their themes.

Incomplete:
Description: When items seem to be missing from a theme. (Icons, pictures, etc) Although if you feel your theme was rejected due to missing icons and you feel it looks complete without them, please contact us and let us know.

Why this is a problem:

With the lack of creativity in some of the recent contributions, the postings of original, beautiful themes have dropped, prompting a desire to up the quality of themes promoted by the site.

While we all appreciate the creativity and thought that may have gone into to it, the site is meant to be open to all and we want to offer the ability to find great themes easily, which means not having pages full of themes that lack substance or that may be incomplete.

What you can do Look at your theme; does it look like you have spent a reasonable amount of time and creativity on it?
Are you duplicating your pictures?
Have you been using the same icons on all of your themes?
Try changing or adding icons, be creative, spend some time, and create your new masterpiece!