Making Money With Your Images

If you have seen a still image on a shirt, mug, book, or even a commercial, chances are the image was licensed from a Royalty-free or Rights-managed image agency or library.

What are image agencies and libraries? These are companies that artists send their digital images to. The companies put the images live on their websites and make them available to customers.

What is Royalty-free? Royalty-free, also called RF, is an image license type. When a customer pays for an image on an agency/library site, they are purchasing a license to use the image for uses listen within the boundaries of an End User License Agreement (which always varies from site to site). Royalty-free means that a customer pays a one time fee to use the image forever, for multiple uses, without having to pay any additional fees.

What is Rights-Managed? Rights-Managed, also called RM, or simply Licensed (L), is another image license type. A customer chooses how long they want to use an image, where it will be used and for what specific use. They basically rent the image. When that time frame/print run is up, they must renew their license and pay additional fees, or they stop using the image. RM files tend to cost a lot more than Royalty-free images, which is a turn off to many customers. Some artists are willing to pay more for RM images because they aren't downloaded as much as RF images. Some artists like this type because it gives them more control over their images.

What are the pros of Rights-Managed licensing? Some artists prefer RM licensing because they have more control and knowledge of where and how their images are used. Images are circulated less so high end customers have less of a chance seeing the image used by a competitor. Also, customers can often select exclusivity in their industry for a certain period of time.

What are the pros of Royalty-free licensing? While an artist rarely knows where their images are being used under this license, it is more flexible for the artist that just wants their image out in the world. If you dont want to keep tabs on every little use, and you just want your art work out there and to make extra money, then this is the type of license for you. Customers nowadays are prefering this license due to the ease of use, license flexibility, lower price, and because they dont have to keep paying additional fees and reporting additional uses.

Can I license the same images as Royalty-free AND Rights-Managed? No, and if you do, you could be in a huge mess of legal trouble. When customers license an RM image, they sort of expect a bit of "exclusivity" because Royalty-free images tend to sell a LOT more than RM images. These customers are willing to pay more for this "exclusivity" to have an image that hatsn't been downloaded as much. You need to think hard before you choose how you want to license your images. You can license some as RM and some as RF if you would like, but not the same images under both types of licensing.

So what happens when I sell one of my images as Royalty-free? When you sell an image as Royalty-free, you are actually giving the customer a license to use the image. You are not selling the image outright and you retain the copyright. It still belongs to you, but the customer obtains rights to use the image under the terms of the End User License Agreement.

Do I need a degree? Umm... NO! Absolutely not! In fact, I have found that a majority of extremely talented artists have no college experience, and some I have known never made it through high school. Schooling does not matter. Fact is, if you have the talent, that's all it takes, at least in my book. If you cant draw and you go to college and get an art degree, but still cannot draw, what's the point of your degree? When reviewing artists, I do not care if you have a degree or not, I care about the talent!

A site asked me to be exlcusive to them. Should I do it? While they may promise you extra income, you will be shortchanging yourself. Fact is that the more you get your images seen, the more sales you will make. Sell your images at as many sites as possible and dont let anyone try to talk you into something you aren't completely sure about. Some artists may find it easier to keep track of sales by selling at just one site, but if you are serious about making extra money, or even a living, off of this industry, GET THOSE IMAGES OUT THERE!

What type of sites are there? Micro, Midstock, High End RF, and then there's ClipartOf.

Micro (Microstock): The whole point of these sites are to get as many downloads/sales as possible. On these types of sites, images are priced to the customer at just a couple bucks a piece, sometimes ranging as low as one penny a download! How much is an artist making off of that, come on! While sale prices are low, some micro sites bring in a nice piece of pie to artists.

Midstock: Prices are still low to the customers, but are decent, that way both the agency/library AND the artists can make a living. Prices range from about $5 to $100 per image.

High End RF: These agencies/libraries sell images at higher prices, often ranging from $100 to $500 per image.

ClipartOf: Considered micro AND midstock! Here, the artists pick their image pricing so they make what they WANT/NEED. Prices can be, well...anything.

What do I need to get started in the industry: Talent and image files.

What tools should an agency/library offer to me/contributors? Each agency/library should give you tools to view your sales, the amount you are earning, what images are selling. This should reflect REAL-TIME sales. That means that it shows sales as they occur, not later.

Other helpful tips:

Make sure that when signing an agreement with an agency/library that you dont get yourself stuck into anything. For instance, say you must remove an image immediately because you sold it exclusive to a customer, or you noticed it has major flaws, or for some other reason. You should have a tool, or option to delete an image ASAP, without having to wait a certain time period. Some sites require 30-90 days "notice" to remove an image. I feel that its important to you, as the artist, to be able to remove your images when needed, no questions asked and no exceptions.

Always create your images as vector files that are available in CMYK and RGB modes. Some customers require one, the other or both.

NEVER use images that are not created by your own hand! You can get in serious trouble, MISTER (or MISS!)

Do not be afraid to be creative. I've found that some of the craziest and funniest images are the most popular. Customers cannot resist humor, even if they started looking for a serious image.

Any other questions not addressed here? Dont hesitate to contact me and ask.

Login or Register to post comments and reply to other visitors

Dennis Holmes Designs: Dose anyone know if any of the microstock sites except CDS instead of uploads? Also dose anyone know of a site that explains how to use Adobe Bridge? And finally has anyone used ProStockMaster?

ckarnold5220: I have a small library of drawings from over the years. They range from free hand to clipart to vector art. As some one who hires artists, what do you look for in portfolios? Are themes and re-ocurring charaters a plus or is variety better? What would a good starting out number? (as far as pieces of art goes?) Jamie Voetsch: Hello, We now require at least 500 images from an artist. We accept high quality 3d or vector files. They can be random styled images, or of characters, whatever you like to do. We do not have any openings now while we focus on our current contributors. dale: You mean I would have to have 500 images ready to go before anything would be posted? Jamie Voetsch: For any new artists that we add, yes. We are currently not accepting new artists at this time though.

Dennis Holmes Designs: I can't find any true midsites. Jamie Voetsch: http://www.absolutestockphoto.com/ is also a site ran by good people.

mcphoton: I am new here and I would like to begin to upload drawings, but I do not find a proper button, so I would like all the necessary information. Thank you Jamie Voetsch: Hi mcphoton, please send me an email from the contact page.