Guidelines to submitting vector images to microstock websites
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All microstock vector submission guidelines in one place!
I submit my royalty-free vector illustrations to many microstock websites. Each of these sites have different technical requirements and I don't always remember which site needs what kind of file and format. And the information on upload requirements are often surprisingly hard to find, especially for vectors!
It can become quite frustrating and time consuming to check each website to get this information, and prepare the files accordingly. So I've decided to gather all the information I need to prepare my vector files for submission in one place for reference.
So here are the guidelines for submitting vector images to various microstock websites.
It can become quite frustrating and time consuming to check each website to get this information, and prepare the files accordingly. So I've decided to gather all the information I need to prepare my vector files for submission in one place for reference.
So here are the guidelines for submitting vector images to various microstock websites.
Shutterstock
Here are the requirements found on the Shutterstock website:
Simply upload two files for each vector illustration you want to submit. One file is the vector in EPS format (.eps extension) The second file is a JPEG preview of that vector. The preview should be approximately 400x500 pixels. Each file should be named the same - except for the extension. (e.g. vector_example.jpg, vector_example.eps)
Please wait until both files have uploaded before visiting the submission page - otherwise the system may not get the chance to process and recognize your files as a vector submission. We support EXIF data in the jpeg and in the eps file. Please keep your vector files under 15 megabytes and be sure to save them for compatibility with Illustrator 8 or Illustrator 10. A file that is saved for a lower version of Illustrator is not backwards compatible to subscribers using older versions of Illustrator and it will be rejected. Also please note that Illustrations go only in the Illustration category.
Before you can start uploading images on Shutterstock, you need to send them a picture of your ID document (passport, driver's license...). When your ID document is approved, you first need to upload 10 of your best images. To get approved as a contributor, you need to get at least 7 images accepted out of 10. If you get less than 7 images accepted, you need to wait 30 days until you can try again.
Maximum number of keywords : 50
Simply upload two files for each vector illustration you want to submit. One file is the vector in EPS format (.eps extension) The second file is a JPEG preview of that vector. The preview should be approximately 400x500 pixels. Each file should be named the same - except for the extension. (e.g. vector_example.jpg, vector_example.eps)
Please wait until both files have uploaded before visiting the submission page - otherwise the system may not get the chance to process and recognize your files as a vector submission. We support EXIF data in the jpeg and in the eps file. Please keep your vector files under 15 megabytes and be sure to save them for compatibility with Illustrator 8 or Illustrator 10. A file that is saved for a lower version of Illustrator is not backwards compatible to subscribers using older versions of Illustrator and it will be rejected. Also please note that Illustrations go only in the Illustration category.
Before you can start uploading images on Shutterstock, you need to send them a picture of your ID document (passport, driver's license...). When your ID document is approved, you first need to upload 10 of your best images. To get approved as a contributor, you need to get at least 7 images accepted out of 10. If you get less than 7 images accepted, you need to wait 30 days until you can try again.
Maximum number of keywords : 50
Dreamstime
Here are the requirements found on the Dreamstime website:
Vector files should be saved in raster format, JPG at a high resolution, saved at highest quality and submitted in this format. As soon as they are accepted or right from the first submission you can also upload an additional format (ai, cdr or eps extensions accepted) which will sell at a higher price.
They don't mention if you need to save your files in a specific version of Illustrator. I usually upload .eps files saved in Illustrator 8 or 10 and don't have any problems.
Maximum number of keywords : 80
Vector files should be saved in raster format, JPG at a high resolution, saved at highest quality and submitted in this format. As soon as they are accepted or right from the first submission you can also upload an additional format (ai, cdr or eps extensions accepted) which will sell at a higher price.
They don't mention if you need to save your files in a specific version of Illustrator. I usually upload .eps files saved in Illustrator 8 or 10 and don't have any problems.
Maximum number of keywords : 80
Fotolia
Here are the requirements found on the Fotolia website:
Vectors must be archived with a JPEG preview inside a ZIP archive.
Supported vector formats are AI and EPS.
To ensure maximum compatibility, please save your vectors for a lower Illustrator version (for example: Illustrator 10).
Preview resolution must not be less than 2400 x 1600 (4 million pixels).
Files must be less than 2 Megabytes.
You need to be the author of the files uploaded on Fotolia.
Do not upload files with logos or other protected trademarks
Vectors should be clean files with a lot of detail (simple vectors without creative details will be refused).
Do not upload vectorized images)
Maximum number of keywords : not specified, minimum is 7
Vectors must be archived with a JPEG preview inside a ZIP archive.
Supported vector formats are AI and EPS.
To ensure maximum compatibility, please save your vectors for a lower Illustrator version (for example: Illustrator 10).
Preview resolution must not be less than 2400 x 1600 (4 million pixels).
Files must be less than 2 Megabytes.
You need to be the author of the files uploaded on Fotolia.
Do not upload files with logos or other protected trademarks
Vectors should be clean files with a lot of detail (simple vectors without creative details will be refused).
Do not upload vectorized images)
Maximum number of keywords : not specified, minimum is 7
Istock
Here are the requirements found on the Istock website:
Make sure your EPS submission is Adobe Illustrator 8.0 compatible.
Check your file carefully for stray points, open shapes, unused color swatches, locked layers and unnecessary objects.
Don't be scared to zoom in very closely and tidy up any rough lines or shapes that don't quite meet up at the edges. 5 minutes of cleanup on an illustration can often mean the difference between an acceptance and a rejection.
If your file is derived from your own imagery (photo, sketch, 3D render, etc) make sure you've saved an RGB JPEG of your source material to upload.
Just to be safe, re-open your AI8 EPS file to make sure everything looks the way you want it to.
Save an RGB JPEG preview of your image at at least 1900 x 2800 pixels (or an equivalent pixel dimension).
Include any alternate file formats (AI, FH, Corel, PDF, etc), and/or alternate-color versions of your file in a separate ZIP folder if you wish (optional).
Before you can submit to Istock, you need to read their training manual and take a quiz. After that, you need to submit 3 of your best images for evaluation. All 3 images must be approved for you to be accepted as a contributor.
Maximum number of keywords : 50
Make sure your EPS submission is Adobe Illustrator 8.0 compatible.
Check your file carefully for stray points, open shapes, unused color swatches, locked layers and unnecessary objects.
Don't be scared to zoom in very closely and tidy up any rough lines or shapes that don't quite meet up at the edges. 5 minutes of cleanup on an illustration can often mean the difference between an acceptance and a rejection.
If your file is derived from your own imagery (photo, sketch, 3D render, etc) make sure you've saved an RGB JPEG of your source material to upload.
Just to be safe, re-open your AI8 EPS file to make sure everything looks the way you want it to.
Save an RGB JPEG preview of your image at at least 1900 x 2800 pixels (or an equivalent pixel dimension).
Include any alternate file formats (AI, FH, Corel, PDF, etc), and/or alternate-color versions of your file in a separate ZIP folder if you wish (optional).
Before you can submit to Istock, you need to read their training manual and take a quiz. After that, you need to submit 3 of your best images for evaluation. All 3 images must be approved for you to be accepted as a contributor.
Maximum number of keywords : 50
Bigstockphoto
Here are the requirements found on the Bigstockphoto website:
Illustrations may be uploaded as AI, EPS, PDF, PNG or PSD files. Be sure you are saving your file in a current format. We support most current file formats but cannot support some older versions, such as older Xara native EPS files.
You don't need to upload a jpeg preview, it gets generated automatically. You do get the option of uploading a high quality jpeg version of your vector so people can download the raster version. They don't specify which EPS version they need, but I've had no problems with Illustrator EPS version 8 and 10.
Maximum number of keywords : not specified, minimum is 7
Illustrations may be uploaded as AI, EPS, PDF, PNG or PSD files. Be sure you are saving your file in a current format. We support most current file formats but cannot support some older versions, such as older Xara native EPS files.
You don't need to upload a jpeg preview, it gets generated automatically. You do get the option of uploading a high quality jpeg version of your vector so people can download the raster version. They don't specify which EPS version they need, but I've had no problems with Illustrator EPS version 8 and 10.
Maximum number of keywords : not specified, minimum is 7
123rf
Here are the requirements found on the 123rf website:
EPS file only. Each file must not exceed 5MB.
Please attach a RGB JPEG preview of your image at 1600 x 1600 pixels or larger.
Maximum number of keywords : not specified
Payment method:
PayPal: The minimum payout is $50.
MoneyBookers: The minimum payout is $100.
Checks: The minimum payout is $200.
EPS file only. Each file must not exceed 5MB.
Please attach a RGB JPEG preview of your image at 1600 x 1600 pixels or larger.
Maximum number of keywords : not specified
Payment method:
PayPal: The minimum payout is $50.
MoneyBookers: The minimum payout is $100.
Checks: The minimum payout is $200.
VectorStock
Here are the requirements found on the Vectorstock website:
Save your vector image/illustration/icon(s) as an .EPS VERSION 8 (Encapsulated Postscript) file. Your EPS file must be saved as an EPS VERSION 8. If you use transparency in Adobe CS, you may include the CS file and can indicate this when uploading.
Open the EPS file in Adobe Photoshop or the like and create a preview 380x400 pixels wide (this is the max size). Depending on your file orientation there maybe some blank space around the sides or bottom. Save your file as an RGB JPEG at full quality. The maximum preview size is 380x400 pixels, so if your illustration is almost square you will fill the maximum preview window.
Place your EPS into a folder and ZIP the folder. You may add other file types i.e. native illustrator CS files if you have used Adobe Illustrators Gradient Mesh features/transparency and want to make the file available in your original format so a buyer can edit your Gradient Mesh/ transparency once downloaded.
Maximum number of keywords : 20
Save your vector image/illustration/icon(s) as an .EPS VERSION 8 (Encapsulated Postscript) file. Your EPS file must be saved as an EPS VERSION 8. If you use transparency in Adobe CS, you may include the CS file and can indicate this when uploading.
Open the EPS file in Adobe Photoshop or the like and create a preview 380x400 pixels wide (this is the max size). Depending on your file orientation there maybe some blank space around the sides or bottom. Save your file as an RGB JPEG at full quality. The maximum preview size is 380x400 pixels, so if your illustration is almost square you will fill the maximum preview window.
Place your EPS into a folder and ZIP the folder. You may add other file types i.e. native illustrator CS files if you have used Adobe Illustrators Gradient Mesh features/transparency and want to make the file available in your original format so a buyer can edit your Gradient Mesh/ transparency once downloaded.
Maximum number of keywords : 20
Crestock
Here are the requirements found on the Crestock website:
Vector art can be submitted either in EPS or AI (Adobe Illustrator) format.
We recommend saving your artwork in Illustrator 8 format to maximise compatibility. EPS files shold be compressed in a zip archive before uploading. As with photographs, we check all submitted vector images to ensure that they are of good technical quality.
For vector art, you also need to create a preview image in jpeg format from your file and upload this together with your illustration. The minimum size of this preview is 350x350px, but you can make your illustration available for download in different jpeg sizes, as well as in vector format, by uploading a larger jpeg:
If your attached jpeg is 1600x2400px or larger, your illustration can also be downloaded as a SMALL jpeg.
If it is 2000x3000 or larger, your illustration will be available in SMALL and MEDIUM sizes.
Make your jpeg 3000x4000px or larger, and the image will be available in SMALL, MEDIUM and XL sizes.
The maximum size of the attached jpeg is 18 megapixels, or 5000x3600 pixels.
Maximum number of keywords: 50
Payment method:
Paypal and Moneybookers
The minimum payout is $50.
Vector art can be submitted either in EPS or AI (Adobe Illustrator) format.
We recommend saving your artwork in Illustrator 8 format to maximise compatibility. EPS files shold be compressed in a zip archive before uploading. As with photographs, we check all submitted vector images to ensure that they are of good technical quality.
For vector art, you also need to create a preview image in jpeg format from your file and upload this together with your illustration. The minimum size of this preview is 350x350px, but you can make your illustration available for download in different jpeg sizes, as well as in vector format, by uploading a larger jpeg:
If your attached jpeg is 1600x2400px or larger, your illustration can also be downloaded as a SMALL jpeg.
If it is 2000x3000 or larger, your illustration will be available in SMALL and MEDIUM sizes.
Make your jpeg 3000x4000px or larger, and the image will be available in SMALL, MEDIUM and XL sizes.
The maximum size of the attached jpeg is 18 megapixels, or 5000x3600 pixels.
Maximum number of keywords: 50
Payment method:
Paypal and Moneybookers
The minimum payout is $50.
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