Summary
- Technical Requirements
- General Requirements
- Aesthetic Requirements
- Legal Issues
- Review Process
- Most-wanted Content
Every vector submitted must meet our aesthetic and technical standards (balanced composition, color harmony, current style, commercial value, etc). Most Vecteezy customers are creatives, which means they use images in original and unexpected ways. Fully editable files maximize our customer’s creative possibilities and at Vecteezy, that’s something we highly encourage. Keep in mind that while our customer is most likely a creative with a good eye, he or she may not be an experienced graphic designer or illustrator like you. Tidy up multiple layers and unnecessary shapes, and give our customer a well-managed, easy-to-modify file to work with.
1. Technical Requirements
You can also check out Vecteezy's Vector EPS Validations for more information.
1.1 File Format
Please upload EPS vectors that are compatible with Adobe Illustrator 10
EPS Max File Size 50 Megabytes
EPS Min Image Size 3 Megapixels
EPS Max Image Size 25 Megapixels
If you'd like to verify that the image size is larger than 4MP before uploading, you can do this by multiplying the length by the height of the image (in pixels). It will need to be a total of at least 4,000,000 pixels.
The Color Mode can be set to RGB or CMYK.
1.2 File organization
The files must be named properly. The names of each file must be written correctly in English.
1.3 Metadata
Each image must have a unique title, description, and set of keywords--all of which should be in English. All titles, descriptions, and keywords must accurately describe the subject matter within the vector and cannot contain special characters, spelling/grammar errors, or excessively repeated words or phrases. Please read our metadata guidelines here.
1.4 Fonts
All fonts used for the designs must be free for commercial use.
Text/fonts must contain all letters of the alphabet. Both letters and effects must be outlined/expanded and must be free from raster elements. All fonts used for the designs must be free for commercial use. Embedded fonts are not acceptable.
1.5 Unexpanded Objects
All objects in your vector file must be expanded in order to ensure every element of a vector file is fully and readily accessible to a customer.
When a vector file contains unexpanded objects this hinders the customer’s ability to easily access everything in the file they purchased.
Every element of a vector file must be easily accessible when a customer first opens a file, eliminating the need for the customer to do additional work to expand objects in order to edit them.
To make sure in Adobe Illustrator if all elements are expanded, select all elements (Windows: Ctrl +A / Mac: Command +A), then go to Objects, and select Expand.
1.6 Layer Organization
The layers must be unlocked and arranged properly, using various layers if necessary. The names of each layer must be written correctly in English.
To double check in Adobe Illustrator, if all layers are unlocked, select all elements (Command/Ctrl+A), then Show all Selections (Windows: Alt + Ctrl + 3 / Mac: Option + Command + 3)
Delete unused layers. Double-check your layers when saving your image to EPS. Sometimes this information isn’t transferred over and you’ll need to rename layers.
1.7 Artboards
Sometimes, vectors are accidentally saved with multiple artboards or windows. Be sure to watch for this issue when saving your files. Removing multiple artboards and/or multiple windows will enable customers to feel confident about the technical quality of your files and possibly download even more files from your portfolio.
1.8 Order and Presentation
Packs and groups of elements should be tidy and well presented. The objects mustn’t be too close to the edges of the design. The distribution of the design’s elements should be carefully organized.
1.9 Autotrace
Vectors designed using Live Trace are not permitted. The exception to this are high quality scanned images of watercolor, ink, grunge effects, etc. (the author must own the rights to the original image).
1.10 Linked images or Raster Elements
Make sure your designs do not have any linked images, bitmaps, and/or raster effects in them so users don’t experience any issues related to linked images that are not vectors.
To double check in Adobe Illustrator if there aren’t any linked images, select all elements
(Windows: Ctrl +A / Mac: Command +A), then go to Essentials, and check the Links window for any linked file.
2. General Requirements
2.1 Similar Submissions
Variety among and within each author’s submissions is encouraged. Therefore, all images must have noticeable differences in composition, elements, styles and etc... In specific cases, we may accept multiple copies of the same vector, depending on the quality and commercial value. However, keep in mind that these images may still have other technical issues.
Before submitting your designs, be sure to review them for technical quality, composition, color balance, style, etc. Submitting only your best resources is the quickest way to enhance your portfolio and reduce the number of rejections you receive.
2.2 Duplicates
We will only accept images that have not been previously submitted or already published. Please note that repeatedly submitting the same resources does not increase their chances of being published.
2.3 Logo Templates
Logo templates can be submitted as single files or in packs. All logo templates should include placeholder text, and should not have any sensitive information.
2.4 Icons, Pictograms, or Simple Designs
Individual icons, pictograms and simple designs are accepted on a case by case basis, and can still be submitted in packs as well. If you’re submitting in sets, please keep in mind that we don’t want huge sets with crowded presentations. We like large sets if they’re well designed and clean, but prefer small sets of four to ten elements per file. Customers prefer this too, because they can see your icons clearly in the search grid of thumbnails.
2.5 Social media icons
Social media logos are acceptable for editorial purposes and only PPD Free contributors are allowed to submit them.
2.6 Corrupted File
Sometimes, once a vector is submitted and fully uploaded, it presents errors that prevent the image from loading and appearing correctly. If this happens, we will notify you so that you can review the file for issues before trying to upload it again.
2.7 Spelling, Grammar, or Non-English
We only accept text in vectors and metadata that is written correctly in English. Before submitting, review your images and metadata for textual errors (spelling, grammar, logic, information, etc., and be sure all text is related to the image and correctly integrated into the file.
Exceptions to this rule are specific, relevant festivities, wherein a brief text in the local language is acceptable. We recommend also reviewing our ethical policies so you can ensure your image is in accordance with them.
2.8 Ethical Policies
Images must be free of content that depicts or encourages inappropriate behavior (e.g., violent, sexual, pornographic, etc.). We only accept images that will not, in any way, affect the user’s sensibilities (think PG-13).
2.9 Do Not Include Attribution
Be sure your images are free of any signature, watermark, or other mark that identifies the author of the design. Content must also be free of signatures or comments related to Eezy (e.g., “designed by Eezy” or “selected by Eezy”)
2.10 Text
Placeholder Text
We only accept text in files and metadata that is written correctly in English. Before submitting, review your images and metadata for textual errors (spelling, grammar, logic, information, etc., and be sure all text is related to the image and correctly integrated into the file.
Exceptions to this rule are specific, relevant festivities, wherein a brief text in the local language is acceptable. We recommend also reviewing our ethical policies so you can ensure your image is in accordance with them.
Sensitive Information
Submissions with placeholder text such as business cards and brochures can’t display specific addresses, names, license plates, credit cards and so on, as this information is categorized as sensitive information. Make sure to use fabricated names and numbers as Placeholder Text, or restrict the name to first names only.
Using functional website URLs is not permitted, please use generic/fictional addresses such as www.example.com.
Unnecessary Text
We do not accept files that feature unnecessary text that serves no purpose. Examples: text on the top and bottom of the artwork such as "set of icons", "pack of elements", “abstract background”, "your text here", “social media templates”, etc. Please remove unnecessary text before submitting files.
2.11 Placeholder Photos
Please do not include photos in the source file (EPS). If a photograph is included in your submission they cannot display recognizable faces and you must send a Property Release for the photograph.
3. Aesthetic Requirements
Every vector submitted must meet our aesthetic and technical standards (balanced composition, color harmony, current style, commercial value, etc). Most Vecteezy customers are creatives, which means they use images in original and unexpected ways. Fully editable files maximize our customer’s creative possibilities and at Vecteezy, that’s something we highly encourage. Keep in mind that while our customer is most likely a creative with a good eye, he or she may not be an experienced graphic designer or illustrator like you. Tidy up multiple layers and unnecessary shapes, and give our customer a well-managed, easy-to-modify file to work with.
3.1 Simple designs
Designs with only one element or elements that are too simple will not be accepted. In the case that the element is correct but too simple, it is recommended to present it in a themed pack with other similar designs.
3.2 Autotrace
Vectors designed using Live Trace are not permitted. The exception to this are high quality scanned images of watercolor, ink, grunge effects, etc. (the author must own the rights to the original image)
3.3 Updated dates
If the design contains a year (e.g. 2019), it will only be accepted if this coincides with the current year. In the case that year is coming to an end, designs will be accepted that include the following year.
3.4 Productized Templates or Mock-ups
Templates with original artwork side-by-side the productized “salesy” display, is unacceptable. E.g. Design + Design applied on a T-shirt Mock-up. There is too much cognitive load with these particular designs and as a customer scans the results we want them to have a pleasurable viewing experience.
4. Legal Issues
4.1 Trademark
A trademark is a word, symbol, name, or device (or combination of these) used to distinguish and identify the source or ownership of specific goods or services. Examples of a trademark are company logos or designs that are associated with a specific product or service (e.g., Adobe, Amazon, Nintendo, Disney, etc.).
In order to avoid misuse of a trademark or logo and prevent our customers from inadvertently infringing a trademark, we review all content for potential trademark, copyright, and intellectual property violations. Because of this, we do not accept images that contain isolated or prominently displayed trademarks or logos for commercial use. Since our customers can use content designed for commercial use in advertisements, product packaging, and the like, images must be free of visible registered trademarks, landmarks, and copyrights (see the links below for known image restrictions). However, the use of social network icons is allowed for PPD Free contributors..
If your image contains a visible trademark, you must remove the trademarked content from the image before submitting it for commercial use. However, images that contain visible trademarks can be submitted for editorial use, as long as they meet our editorial standards.
4.2 Copyright
Copyright is a type of legal protection that provides the author or creator of an original, creative work the exclusive legal right to use their work and to authorize others to do the same. Any original work fixed in a tangible medium can be protected by copyright. In order for the work of an author to be considered “original,” it must be created solely by the author and have some degree of creativity.
In other countries, the copyright to your work may be recognized in the same way those countries recognize the copyrights of their own citizens (especially if the countries are bound by the Berne Convention (an international treaty)). However, this does not mean your copyright applies internationally--only that other countries will treat your copyright ownership the same way they would lawfully treat copyrights in their own countries.
The Berne Convention requires its signatories (the countries that have signed and agreed to abide by it) to have certain enforcement procedures when intellectual property is infringed upon. These provisions are outlined in the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), and they include protective measures, civil remedies, and criminal sanctions. To learn more about how you can enforce your copyright abroad, please contact your attorney.
There are also restrictions that apply to authors when they depict certain objects or subjects within an original work. You can find out more in the link below:
4.3 Plagiarism
All images you submit must be original and your own. As soon as we detect that you have submitted copyright-infringing content, your contributor account will be permanently blocked.
- Reusing Elements: Including elements from other authors in your content, however minimal, is considered plagiarism. Content must be free of elements (photos, vectors, and PSD files) that are already published by Eezy or other contributors.
- Inspiration: Recreating vectors based on other designer’s work will also be considered plagiarism.
Although you share resources with other contributors, always submit original content that differs from anyone else’s. Failure to do so may result in your account being blocked.
4.4 Model Releases
If your image is based on an actual person, you may need to provide a signed model release. If your image appears to be based on an actual person, make sure you can supply an original sketch of your creation if requested.
4.5 Property Releases
You may need to provide a scan of your original sketch or a property release to prove the image is yours and you’re permitting it to be used in microstock.
4.6 Public Domain
Images that are in the public domain typically have expired copyrights. Copyright laws vary from country to country, so it can be hard to figure out whether an image is in the public domain. In the United States, an author’s copyrighted work is protected throughout their entire life, plus 70 years after their death. When this period expires, the work generally falls into the public domain. In contrast, when a copyrighted work is created in Belarus, it is protected for the author’s lifetime, plus 50 more years.
Content that is from the public domain or that contains elements from the public domain (e.g., scans of photographs, copies of artwork or footage, etc.) will not be accepted for commercial or editorial use. Researching and verifying the copyright status of images in the public domain is not a practical part of our review process; therefore, public domain content should not be submitted for any reason.
5. Review Process
We make it a priority to review content submitted by our contributors as quickly as possible. Since we receive a large amount of content every day, it can take up to 20 business days for your content to be reviewed. Before submitting your content, always check to be sure it complies with our quality standards and technical requirements. If we find multiple images during review that violate our standards, the entire submission may be rejected. If the first two entire submitted batches are rejected, your account will be blocked.
6. Most-wanted Content
There’s no such thing as an ideal vector or illustration. That said, some types of vector are more in demand than others. Obviously Vecteezy customers want interesting, relevant images. There are also technical specs to consider, which you’ll find in detail in the technical guidelines sections above.
Commercial images. These are images that have a message, are versatile, are technically sound, and can be used by advertisers and publishers to sell a product or service. Think about how your customer (a designer or small company) will use your image. If you can picture it being used for a digital ad, magazine spread, or email template, you have a commercial image.
Literal and conceptual images. Our customers have varied needs. Some require images that convey ideas all on their own (success, friendship, insecurity, etc.) while others need images that are exactly what they appear to be (people, nature, simple objects, etc.).
Fresh interpretations of common concepts. Customers are always looking for reinventions of the most-used themes.
Images that are distinct from each other. Customers can use image series for large and ongoing projects, but they’re too busy to sort through lots of similar images. A series should depict a single idea in a variety of different ways.
Good Similars:
Bad Similars:
Text-free images. Text that is integrated into the design is fine, but text-free vectors are usually more versatile and commercially appealing. Our customers want design elements rather than templates or completed work, so placeholder text is never needed.
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